Agenda item

To receive and consider the Fostering Transformation Update report.

The Fostering Transformation Update was presented by Nathan Whitley, Fostering and Residential Transformation Consultant.

The following points were highlighted during the presentation:

·           There was a national and local shortage of fostering placements for children;

·           There was a rise in the number of CIC;

·           A Fostering and Transformation Steering Group had been set up to plan for the next three years;

·           Over the last 12 months 50 children were placed in foster care, half of which were placed in in-house fostering arrangements;

·           There was a local shortage of independent fostering agencies;

·           There was a need to grow the number of foster carers, there was a particular shortage of places for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeker Children (UASC);

·           Nearly all of the CIC placed with independent fostering agencies in the last year had been UASC between the ages of 15-17.  Most of them had gone to London;

·           Work was being undertaken with local communities to build more local provision;

·           It was positive that 12 young people were staying put with their foster carers;

·           There were regular fortnightly meetings with foster carers to ascertain how best to support them and grow the pool of in-house foster carers;

·           Part of the work being undertaken included involving foster carers as much as possible.  A foster carer buddying system had been introduced to support new foster carers and applicants;

·           There was great focus on the recruitment and retention of foster carers.  Wokingham paid competitive fees and strived to provide good support for foster carers;

·           There would be a dedicated UASC recruitment strategy;

·           A new website was being designed, along with a new marketing strategy.

Councillor Howe believed that the challenges being faced in Wokingham were the same or similar to the challenges faced by neighbouring authorities and asked if there should be some joint up work on finding solutions.  Nathan Whitely agreed that this idea should be considered.

The Chairman asked what was being done to address the shortage of in-house foster carers for UASC.  Nathan Whitely explained that in recognition of the fact that the majority of UASC were Muslin, the service was running a Friday Fostering Programme through mosques.

Nathan Whitely explained that although it was generally more desirable to place children locally, for some children it was culturally more appropriate place them in London in a more diverse community.

Councillor Boyt stated that her ward was very diverse, and Aisha Mosque was very keen to work with the community.

Councillor Malvern asked if there was a potential issue in relation to the local authority not having sufficient time to develop a relationship with UASC, given their age when entering care. 

Nathan Whitely explained that the local authority had a responsibility up to the age of 25, so this was something that could be developed.  He added that there was an opportunity for the local authority to build semi-independent provision in the borough to provide for the needs of this cohort.

Councillor Malvern wondered if young people would be willing to move from London to Wokingham.  Nathan Whitley stated that there was a need to build more in-house provision.

The Chairman asked that the Action Plan be shared with the Committee and also with Corporate Parenting Board.

RESOLVED That:

1)     The report be noted; and

2)     The Committee would be kept up to date with the development of the programme, including the latest iterations of the action plan.