Agenda item
Fostering in Middlesbrough- Quarter 3 data
The Head of
Residential Services will provide the Board with information on the quarter 3
fostering data.
Minutes:
The
Head of Fostering was in attendance to provide the Board with the quarter 3
fostering data. The Board had received previous reports, which had shaped the
way the information was to be presented to the Board. This quarterly report was based on the data
requirements set out in the Ofsted Fostering Data Set, which was a statutory
return compiled using data as of the 31 March each year.
|
Quarter
2 |
Quarter
3 |
|
|
Number
of Enquiries Number
of Initial Visits |
14 3 |
10 1 |
|
Number
of fostering families (mainstream
and full approved connected Carers) |
130 |
122 |
|
Number
of children placed with Middleborough Carers |
176 |
169 |
|
Foster
placements available for children that are not occupied ·
The
reduction has been for a number of reasons, for example the quality of our
data is improving but in addition, the foster families
terms of approval is being reviewed. ·
The
service has reviewed every foster carer and their provision to ensure we are
utilising every bed space. ·
The
15, may also include foster placements that offer respite care to support
stability ·
Number
of foster families which are approved only for babies (0-2 years) ·
We
do reach out to neighbouring authorities if Middlesbrough struggle to place a
child, however other authorities also struggle within their own area. |
50 |
15 |
|
De
– registrations (households) Mainstream Connected Foster
to adopt Some
of the children secured permanence through the legal order so not all
de-registration was negative In
terms of de-registration, if the Council know there are difficulties, we
ensure we increase supervision, look at support and training need. Once
a foster carer decides to de-register, the Council
will have in-depth discussions regarding the reasons, and generally they
leave to personal health issues. However
we do have some families (3 over the last 2 years) who go to an independent
fostering agency. |
4(7
children provision) 1
(2 children) |
5
(5 children) (7 children) 2(2
children) |
|
Panel
activity(households) Reviews
to family placement panel Newly
approved; Mainstream
fostering families Connected
fostering families Matches
for children and their long term fostering families Supported
Lodgings |
4 1
(1 child 2 if sibs respite only) 4
(8 children) 7
(10 children) 0 |
9 1
(1 child) 6
(6 children) 1
(child) 1
(1 young person) |
In terms of what was working well within the
fostering service and supporting lodgings, the Team Manaager
advised the Board that:
•
Social
workers and Supported Lodgings worker receive monthly reflective supervision
•
Workers
continue to scale themselves on average 7/8 out of 10 in respect to work
satisfaction
•
Increased
levels of compliance and Management Oversight evidenced within fostering family
records
•
New
policies have been introduced to staff and fostering families
•
We have
devised a 12 month training program which includes face to face training from
BAAF and e-learning from the Training Hub – all specific to the training needs
identified within the team. Providing them with clarify
of purpose.
•
Supported
Lodgings Providers are now enjoying monthly formal supervision and the
opportunity to attend support groups
•
Our first
cohort of Fostering Academy carers are being nurtured
within our service and are on target to complete their TSD Standards within 12
months of approval. This is a massive
achievement and all of the foster carers have
provided positive feedback
•
A large
scale marketing campaign has been developed in close consultation between the
fostering service and the marketing team
•
Pathways through
Fostering training is underway and has been well
received by carers.
•
A
Recruitment Strategy has been devised to sit alongside the wider marketing
strategy for the LA
•
Social
Worker caseloads continue to remain stable and are conducive to improving quality
of practice in addition to compliance
•
Development
of ICT systems to streamline working and provide greater clarity for
performance, quality and understanding fostering families journey
•
Introduction
of peer supervision
•
Embedding
of early permanence planning meetings and midway reviews for children in
connected carer arrangements, supporting permanency
being achieved at the right time, this is further supported by close liaison
with the court manager. This to develop further to include Family Group Conference
service.
•
The
implementation of the Mockingbird was at formative stages with a
scheme of work planned in February 2022
In terms of concerns, the service does have
concern regarding:
•
Impact of
COVID-19 on recruitment of foster carers – lack of
enquiries and difficulty in undertaking home visits.
•
We do not
have enough MBC approved foster carers to place all
of our children in internal provision
•
Recruitment
of fostering families remains a challenge however this is not unique to MBC,
there is a national shortage of fostering families
The Team Manager was thanked for her
presentation.
AGREED- That the information be noted.
Supporting documents:
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