Issue - meetings

The Director of Children’s Care provided an update on Private Fostering. Private fostering was an arrangement for a child under 16 to be cared for by an adult not related to them, for more than 28 days. For example, by a family friend in their home. There were National Minimum Standards in place that applied to all local authorities. These standards were grouped under a series of key topics:

•         Statement on private fostering

•         Notification

•         Safeguarding and promote welfare

•         Advice and support

•         Monitoring compliance

It was advised that this type of arrangement was not particularly common in Middlesbrough but that in this situation, the Council was reliant on someone with parental responsibility and the private foster carer notifying the Council of the arrangement. It was a legal duty to inform the local authority and this was advertised in settings such as schools, GP surgeries and A&E to increase awareness.

A Member queried whether private or mainstream fostering had an impact on an individual’s social housing banding. It was confirmed that this would be taken away as an action and confirmed outside of the meeting.

It was also raised that more awareness of private fostering regulations and the duty to report was needed for housing officers.

The action plan going forward focussed on the following areas:

•         Ensure that there was a targeted awareness raising and training in private fostering and that this was regularly re-communicated to the workforce and the community. This was an action carried forward by agreement at STSCP. A joint campaign will take place between Middlesbrough and R&CBC.

  Hold the annual review of private fostering arrangements.

•         Align Private Fostering Offer into overall Kinship Care service, to allow more tailored support for carers.

AGREED that:

1.      Information to be confirmed with the Board around social housing banding for foster carers/private foster carers and what (if any) impact this has on priority.

2.      That the information provided was received and noted