CROYDON COUNCIL. Fostering Service Statement of Purpose 2015/2016

Transcription

1 CROYDON COUNCIL Fostering Service Statement of Purpose 2015/2016

2 Title of Document The Fostering Services Regulations 2011 Part 2 state that a fostering service must compile a written statement of purpose which sets out the aims and objectives of the service as a whole, and the services, and facilities which are provided. The following is Croydon Council s most recent Statement of Purpose. The Statement of Purpose is a significant document that sets a framework for all of the business of the fostering service. It must be consistent with relevant legislation, Regulations, National Minimum Standards (NMS) and statutory guidance. The statement must be child focused and show how the fostering service will help children achieve positive outcomes. The manager of the fostering service must ensure that the service is at all times conducted in a manner consistent with the Statement of Purpose. This document will be reviewed at least once annually. Any amendments due to changes in legislation or guidance will be incorporated into a new statement of purpose. The Statement of Purpose makes reference to the Croydon Foster Carer Charter. Croydon Foster Carer Charter has been jointly produced by Croydon Foster Carers and London Borough of Croydon Fostering Service. It is a shared agreement setting out the mutual expectations and responsibilities of both Foster Carers and Croydon Council. The charter confirms The Corporate Parenting commitment to provide the best care for the children we look after. The Charter is a statement of Croydon s commitment to ensuring that, unless the child s needs require otherwise, the children in our care will be looked after in a family environment which is safe and nurturing and which supports them to achieve their full potential as individuals. The Charter is our recognition of the crucial daily role that foster carers have in the lives of the children they have welcomed into their homes and families. The Charter is attached to this report. 1. DETAIL OF THE REPORT Fostering Service Statement of Purpose 2015/2016 This Statement of Purpose sets out the aims and objectives of the Croydon Council Fostering Service. The Fostering Services [England] Regulations 2011 require all Fostering Services to provide a written annual Statement of Purpose setting out the aims and objectives of the service and the services and facilities provided. The information to be contained in the Statement of Purpose is prescribed in the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and the National Minimum Standards. The Statement of Purpose is to be regularly reviewed and formally updated every twelve months. This document is made available, upon request, to foster carers and prospective foster carers, any child placed by the service, the parent of any child looked after and staff. It is also available on Croydon Council website.

3 The Statement is informed by: Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations, Volume 4: Fostering Services Fostering Services [England] Regulations The Fostering National Minimum Standards Values, Aims and Objectives Croydon Council Fostering Service is committed to providing safe, excellent & professional foster care for every Croydon child that needs this service in compliance with the Fostering National Minimum Standards, and the paramouncy principles of the Children Act The most significant themes that run through the latest standards and regulations are: The Foster carer as a parental figure. The child as an active agent of change. The importance of relationships. Values - Children:... In line with the values and priorities set by the Council, the fostering teams aim to work in partnership with children in care, parents & colleagues across the council & with other agencies to ensure that children in care have the same opportunities as all children within the borough. This is achieved by offering placement choice so that children are matched to a carer who can then be supported in meeting their needs. Positive experiences in the foster home contribute to the achievement of all of the five outcomes identified in the Every Child Matters agenda: be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution, and achieve economic well-being. Croydon Fostering Service is committed to reducing the number of children placed with independent fostering agencies and continues to invest resources in increasing placement choice and quality in-house provision. The service works closely with children s services within social care to meet the needs of children and with foster carers to continuously improve and develop the service.

4 The service is committed to recruiting, maintaining, supporting and training carers from a wide range of diverse backgrounds. The diverse needs of Croydon s children and young people in terms of sexuality, ethnicity and disability require the service to address these issues with foster carers during the assessment process and after approval and to be supported to meet these needs and feel supported in relation to their own identity. The Aims of the Croydon Fostering Service are: To ensure that the right Placement is made for the child at the right time and without delay, with clear action plans agreed to ensure the earliest achievement of desired outcomes for each child. To have a robust, transparent and efficient process of recruiting foster carers. To recruit, assess, and approve more than sufficient foster carers, within the nationally proscribed time-scales, who can meet most, if not all, of the needs of every child referred to the fostering service. To ensure that a good match is achieved in all placements, and that any obstacles or potential delays are identified and dealt with at every step of the matching process. To provide children, young people fostered, and foster carers with handbooks which is a guide to foster care. To provide fostering support service to foster carers to enable a child to remain with a foster family and to ensure that the child reaches their full potential. To provide support, supervision and staff care for all those engaged by the Fostering Service. To provide opportunities for foster carers to increase their skills and knowledge in fostering through the provision of training and development. 1.2 Named Manager: Registered Person: Paul Greenhalgh, Executive Director, People Department. The Registered Manager and the Fostering Service Adviser is Spencer Duvwiama, Delivery Manager, Fostering Services. In the event that the Registered Manager is absent, Joan James-McGowan, Fostering Unit Manager, will act as the Registered Manager. The Fostering Agency Decision Maker is Dr Paul Chadwick, Head of Service for Looked After Children, People Department of Children, Families and Learning. Jeanette Wallace House, 8 th Floor 1 Edridge Road Croydon CR9 1AF. In the event that Dr Paul Chadwick is absent, or when delegated this role, Ian Lewis, Director, Children & Family Early Intervention and Children Social Care, People Department will act as Agency Decision Maker.

5 1.3 Qualifications and Experience The Registered Manager: Spencer Duvwiama, Service Delivery Manager for Fostering Service, has a BA Honours Degree in Social Work. He also has an LL.B Degree in Law and a BL. He was a practicing legal practitioner for 9 years before be obtained a Social Work qualification. His social work experience includes: working in statutory settings as social worker in generic child care teams which includes Adoption and Fostering, Looked After Children and Assessment. He has five years of management positions within statutory social work setting and was a member of the Croydon Fostering Panel for two years. Spencer is HCPC registered. Agency Decision Maker: Dr Paul Chadwick, Head of Service for Looked After Children, Paul has a Doctorate in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (Distinction), Post Graduate Advanced Social Work Award, Post Graduate Diploma in Child Care Social Work, and CQSW. Paul Chadwick has over 27 years experience as a professional social worker with children and families including 12 years experience of social work management as Child Protection Manager, Fostering and Adoption Manager, LAC Services Manager, Corporate Parenting Manager, and from October 2011, has been Head of Service for Looked After Children with Croydon Council. Paul is registered with the HCPC. 1.4 Organisation and Structure The Fostering Service is part of Croydon s Department for Children Families and Learners. The Head of Service Looked After Children is responsible for the Fostering Service Units, the Adoption Service, the Business Relationship Service/Units (placements), the Looked After Children Permanence Service/Units and the Leaving Care Service/Units. The Fostering Service Units and social workers are responsible for foster placements and management of the assessment, recruitment and support of prospective and approved foster carers. The current structure of the Fostering Service is designed to meet the requirements of the Fostering Services National Minimum Standards and the Children Act 1989 and associated regulations and guidance relating to the delivery of Fostering Services. There are three Fostering Units within the Fostering Service that are part of the Looked after Children managed by the Head of Service. The Fostering Service is led by the Fostering Service Delivery Manager. Units 2 & 3 are led by Unit Managers. Unit 1 Focuses on recruitment, training and assessment of foster carers and Connected Persons carers. This unit is also managed by the Fostering Service Delivery Manager. Units 2 and 3 focus on supporting & supervising approved foster carers but also include foster carers support groups and the delivery of training. The Unit Manager for Unit 2 is Dr Hale Longpet who has a lead responsibility for service development for adolescents.

6 The Unit Manager for Unit 3 is Mrs. Joan James-McGowan who has lead responsibility for service development for young children and children with disabilities. The Fostering Service has a staffing establishment of: Service Delivery Manager: 1 Unit Managers: 2 Advanced Social Worker: 7 Supervising Social Workers: 10 External Sessional Assessors: 5 Unit Coordinators: 2 Business Support Officers: 2 Number, Relevant qualifications and experiences of staff. All Social Work Managers and Social Workers hold social work qualifications and are registered with the Health & Care Professionals Council and have relevant experiences working with children and families. The list of current staff and their relevant qualifications and experiences will be made available to Ofsted on request. 1.5 Services provided The fostering teams provide a range of fostering services: Task focused or short term foster carers who provide placements for children and young people whose Care Plan is either to return to birth family or to move to a permanent placement. Permanent or long-term foster carers who make a commitment to care for a child or young person until they reach independence. Connected persons carers often known as family and friends carers are foster carers approved to look after a specific child or children. These carers are family members or friends who knew the family, child or children before they became looked after by Croydon. Family based short break carers for children with a disability where carers are linked to families with children with a disability & who meet service eligibility criteria to enable them to have a series of planned breaks during the year. Remand foster carers who offer placements to young people who have been remanded to the care of the Local Authority by the courts. Mother & Baby Foster Carers are those specializing in looking after mothers and babies undergoing parenting assessments.

7 1.6 The Fostering Task The task of securing high quality foster care includes: advertising for and recruiting prospective foster carers; carrying out the assessment of prospective carers under Regulation 26 (The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011) for approval by the Fostering Panel or, in the case of family and friends carers or connected persons conducting planned assessments for temporary approvals in accordance with Regulation 24 (The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010) assessments; Consultation with other professionals, foster carers and families around making appropriate placements for children and matching children with carers who can meet their needs; Family-finding for children needing permanent placements support and supervision of foster carers in their work with children, children s families, departmental social workers and other professionals; Attendance at various professional meetings to ensure that foster carers are actively supported in carrying out a child s individual care plan; completion of annual reviews on foster carers; remand fostering for young people in the criminal justice system; delivery of a programme of on-going training for foster carers; support & training in completing the Children Workforce Development Council standards for foster carers; contributing to investigations into complaints and allegations made against carers and supporting them through the process; managing a joint referral service with the Business Relationships Team and a daily Fostering Duty Service from 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri; an out of hour s Rota of Foster Carers requiring advice about a child in their care during the evening and at weekends; Working in partnership with the Croydon Foster Carers Association. 1.7 Procedures and processes for recruiting, approving and reviewing Foster Carers Under the Fostering National Minimum Standards 2011 the expectation is that prospective foster carers completed reports will be presented to the Fostering Panel within eight months of application. However, within Croydon the aim is to achieve this within a three month timescale. However, due to rising demands for sufficiency of good quality foster placements, the Council commissioned Network Recruitment Solutions (NRS) to undertake the recruitment and assessment of foster carers. This is a two year contract with option of extension for one year. The contract is on a payment by performance only with clear targets and it commenced in

8 June We also have a protocol in place and monthly performance monitoring meetings where issues are resolved to support the recruitment and assessment process Initial Information Meeting All enquirers are invited to attend an information meeting run by Fostering Social Workers and current foster carers who can talk about their fostering experiences with enquirers. The purpose of the meeting is to provide people with basic information about fostering, explain what Croydon Council is looking for and to outline the preparation and assessment process. At the meeting, details of attendees are recorded on numbered forms so as to enable tracking of progress and as a feedback mechanism to help evaluate the effectiveness of advertising Initial Telephone Assessment NRS is responsible for managing all initial enquiries from applicants and undertaking all necessary assessments. The Fostering Service continues to work with NRS and provides training support on skills to foster to applicants during the assessment process and in preparation for presentation to the Fostering Panel Skills to Foster Group [preparation group] The main purpose of the groups is for training and to provide more details of the role and tasks of fostering. Direct information is provided by way of presentations and DVDs, there are small and large group discussions and exercises, and applicants are encouraged to participate fully in the discussions through case studies. The groups are co-led by Social Workers and experienced existing foster carers. Sometimes the Unit Manager leading on recruitment and assessment will also be involved. An important secondary purpose is evaluation and applicants are informed at the beginning that the facilitators observations will form part of the assessment process. Applicants may also be counselled out at this stage as the groups will encourage them to explore their own motivation, strengths, and abilities to foster, helping them to decide whether fostering is right for them Statutory Checks and References The Fostering Service provides administrative support in managing all statutory checks; Medicals and DBS. NRS will notify the Service where there are DBS disclosures as soon as possible and before they are presented to the Fostering Panel. Written references are required from three personal referees who must be interviewed by the assessing Social Worker. A report attached to the Form F should give details of these interviews including the workers judgment as to how much weight can be given to the views expressed. Other checks include:

9 The applicants employer (continuity of employment must be addressed and any gaps investigated) Previous partners The applicants children s school A full medical history Evaluation of financial stability Criminal Records (DBS checks). Regulation 26(5) prohibits the approval of any person as a prospective foster carer where they or any member of their household is known to have a conviction or caution for specific offences. All offences must be brought to the attention of the Panel chairperson and the Fostering Delivery Manager who will decide whether or not to proceed with the assessment. This also concludes stage 1 of the assessment process The Assessment of Prospective Carers using objective, robust, fair, and transparent criteria. All applicants are assessed by individual process to establish their suitability as Carers in accordance with Regulation 26 and 27. Prospective Foster Carers Report (Form F or Form C for connected persons) will be used to record the assessment and the format for assessment interviews will normally follow the guidelines. It also marks the beginning of the stage process of the assessment. Applicants are encouraged to engage fully in the preparation of the assessment, including providing evidence and completing certain sections themselves where possible. Details of this process are described in the Croydon Information Pack for Prospective Foster Carers which is available online on the Croydon Website, The Croydon Fostering Service also has a dedicated free phone number ( ) and an address: iwanttofoster@croydon.gov.uk. The recruitment is widely publicized by Network Recruitment Solutions throughout Croydon, in literature, banners, flyers and on the Croydon website. As well as the general areas covered in the Form F guidelines, all assessments must cover the following specific issues: Health, including use of alcohol and tobacco. The applicant s own background and attitude to issues of race, culture, religion, sexual orientation and disability. Any issues of concern identified from statutory checks or referee interviews. The completed Prospective Foster Carers Report (Form F/Form C) is shared with the applicant(s), who will retain a copy. If applicants are unhappy with any of the content of the report, the assessing worker should seek first to deal with this by negotiation. If this is not possible, the applicants are invited to submit their own comments in writing for presentation to the Fostering Panel. All applicants are expected to attend Panel in person.

10 All Prospective Foster Carers Report (Form F/Form C) must be discussed with the Panel Adviser and if necessary the Service Delivery Manager before presentation to the Panel. The Form F/Form C must also be signed by the assessing worker and the applicant(s). 1.8 The Fostering Panel The Fostering Panel is chaired by an independent person, which ensures that the panel is able to fulfill its quality assurance function free of undue influence. The Panel is constituted from a central list in line with fostering Regulations and the requirements of the National Minimum Standards. The Panel meets three times a month or as and when required and is supported by a Panel Advisor and Administrator The statutory functions of the panel are: To consider applications for approval & to recommend whether a person is suitable or not to become a foster carer & to recommend the number & age to be placed. To consider the first annual review of the foster carer & other subsequent annual reviews that is referred to it. To ensure the assessments undertaken by the assessor is balanced and of sufficient quality. To advise & monitor the effectiveness of procedures. To give advice & make recommendations on any other matter or cases referred to panel by the Fostering Service. Consider Standard of Care issues and make recommendations as necessary. Consider matching of children with foster carers where the plan is for children to remain in long term foster care. Decisions are made by Croydon s Agency Decision Maker after considering the recommendations of the panel Presentation of Assessment Report to the Fostering Panel The Assessing Social Worker must attend the Fostering Panel in person to present the prospective Foster Carers Report. Applicants are expected to attend the Panel. The Panel will make one of three recommendations: recommend to the Agency Decision Maker approval of the applicant as a Carer. recommend to the Agency Decision Maker that the applicant is not approved as a foster Carer. ask for further information on any relevant matter. Croydon has followed a practice in which prospective foster carers (applicants) are invited to attend the panel when their application is being considered. Prospective foster carers are given leaflets explaining the panel process and are positively encouraged to attend. They are thereafter given an evaluation form to comment on their experiences and feedbacks on the panel. These feedbacks are compiled and given back to the panel chair, and they feed into panel review and audit and service development

11 1.8.3 Connected Persons Assessment [formerly Family and Friends assessment]. Regulation 24 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 provides for the temporary placement of a child with a relative or friend who is not an approved Carer for a period of up to sixteen weeks. If the child is to remain beyond sixteen weeks, then before the temporary approval expires the carer must be approved under Regulation 26 of the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and treated as a Local Authority foster carer. Immediate placements under Regulation 24 may only be made provided that prior to placement; the Carer and all other persons in the household over 18, have been interviewed; the accommodation has been inspected; information has been obtained about all other members of the household; the Carer is a relative or friend or other person connected to the child (a friend being normally defined as someone previously known to the child and a connected person someone who knows the child in a more professional capacity); notification in writing setting out the terms of the approval, followed by a written agreement made between the Carer and the Local Authority covering the matters set out in schedule 5 to the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011; and The authority is satisfied that the placement is the most suitable way of performing their duty under Section 22(3) of the Children Act The child s Social Worker will complete a referral form, initiate DBS and other checks; and refer the matter to the Fostering Service. The Manager leading on recruitment and assessment will then allocate a Social Worker to carry out a Regulation 24 assessment of the friend and family carer with a view to seeking specific approval at the Fostering Panel within sixteen weeks. In exceptional circumstances temporary approvals can be extended for up to twenty four weeks An equal opportunities policy that covers all aspects of adoption: The Croydon Council Fostering Service works to the Council s Equality and Diversity Strategy, which is available to all staff via the Council s Intranet service. The Fostering Service will treat all service users fairly, openly and with respect throughout the assessment and recruitment process. Applicants wishing to be approved as foster carers will be considered irrespective of age, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability and on the basis of being able to parent and to meet the needs of looked after children. Every effort will be made to find a placement which meets a child s emotional and developmental needs taking into consideration their ethnicity, religion, language, culture, gender and disability, without delay being placed with adopters who can meet most if not all of a child s needs.

12 1.8.5 Applications Not Approved By Panel The Fostering Service Delivery Manager will write to all applicants whose applications were not recommended for approval by the Panel. The letter will give the reasons for this and advise the applicants of their right to ask for their case to be considered again and of the Council's Complaints and Suggestions Procedure. The Assessing Social Worker should also discuss the reasons for the decision with the applicants at the earliest possible date. 1.9 Independent Review Mechanism Where the Fostering Panel is minded not to recommend the approval of prospective foster carers, they will have the opportunity to have their case reviewed by the Agency Decision Maker or refer their case to the Independent Review Mechanism. The Independent Reviewing Mechanism is managed by British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) on behalf of the Department for Education. The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) is a review process, conducted by a panel, which prospective foster carers can use when they have been informed that their Fostering Service does not consider them suitable and does not propose to approve them as foster carers or has terminated their approval. The IRM staff welcomes enquiries from people considering applying to the IRM who wish to discuss their options or from agency staff with enquiries. Their address is: IRM Contract Manager Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) Unit 4 Pavilion Business Park Royds Hall Road Wortley LEEDS LS12 6AJ Tel: Fax: (Charged at local rates) irm@baaf.org.uk Annual Reviews The Fostering Services (England) Regulation 2011, Regulation 28 requires that carers be reviewed at least once a year. A review can be held at other times if there has been a significant change in circumstances or if concerns arise. The review considers the foster carer s previous year of fostering and makes recommendations regarding training needs and the ages and categories of children that they should care for. Reviews are generally carried out in the carer s home by the supervising social worker.

13 As part of the review process, carers can also express their views about the Fostering Service and the department in general. A competence-based model is used in relation to annual reviews, and carers are expected to give examples of how they have met the competencies in their practice and their training and development needs The views of children, their social workers, independent reviewing officer, and the fostering family will be sought in the annual review. Health and safety checks will be completed annually and police and medical references updated every second year The first review is presented to the Fostering Panel with the management team signing off reviews at other times. Carers are asked to sign a Foster Carer Agreement at registration & this agreement will be reviewed every two years Training and Support A comprehensive training programme is provided for all carers, including core training which is mandatory: such as Induction Training for new carers, First Aid, Case Recording, Child Protection, Safer Caring, and for short-breaks carers, manual handling training and Autism. Additional courses are offered throughout the year such as: Strategies to de escalate anger and aggression, Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Children, Diversity, Life Story and Managing Challenging Behaviour, Beyond the Consequences (a six day module) and Understanding Attachment in working with children. Access is also available to the Borough s mainstream training where it will be undertaken jointly with staff of Children Services and NHS The Training Development and Support Standards for Foster Carers were introduced in 2009 by the Children s Workforce Development Council [CWDC] in consultation with fostering experts including the Fostering Network and young people. All carers approved should complete the Standards within the first year of registration. Ongoing workshops are delivered throughout the year supporting the foster carers in completing the Training and Development Standards for Foster Carers. Carers are expected to complete a minimum of 30 hours training in their first year of approval and a minimum of 20 in subsequent years. In order to monitor this, a Learning and Development profile is maintained for all carers and is used as part of their annual review The revised National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services and the Fostering Service s Regulatory Guidance launched in April 2011 now stipulate completion of the Training, Support & Development [TSD] standards. National Minimum Standards set out minimum good practice that is expected. The TSD standards are therefore not a statutory requirement but sets out what is expected as good minimum practice. However, OFSTED does assess providers' progress in implementing the standards as a measure of support to the training and development of foster carers (Regulation 17 (1) of the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standard 2011, Standard A Learning and Development Guide is published at the beginning of the year showing the forthcoming training programme for Carers. Additional training events are advertised throughout the year. Foster Carers participate in preparing and evaluating the training programme. They are also co-trainers on many internally-run courses.

14 In addition to this programme carers also have access to training from a number of other sources: Croydon Council; Croydon Safeguarding Children Board; Croydon Primary Care Trust; E- learning (Kids E-learning, Foster Parents College, Social Care Media TV) Procedures and Processes for Supporting Foster Carers All approved Croydon Carers will have their own allocated Supervising Social Worker who is responsible for ensuring that Carers receive an appropriate level of support. This is in addition to the advice and support provided by each child's individual Social Worker Any carer who has not had a placement during the previous twelve months will not remain allocated to a supervising social worker and, if the carer wishes to continue fostering, will need to submit an application for reassessment by the Assessment team and the Fostering Panel Supervising Social Workers will ensure that Carers have access to necessary support, advice and training to carry out their role and responsibilities. This will vary from Carer to Carer, but will include all of the following: Complete a Foster Care Agreement with all Carers (Regulation 27 (5) Schedule 5 of Fostering Services (England) Regulations Ensure the Carer has an adequate supply of equipment. Ensure that carers have an up-to-date copy of the Croydon Foster Carers Handbook. Ensure that Carers are provided with up-to-date details of procedures and policies, including the Complaints and Suggestions Procedure, payment procedures and the Unit's insurance policy for Carers. Carers automatically become members of the National Foster Care Association and the Croydon Foster Care Association. Visit the Carer on a monthly basis and whenever reasonably requested by Carers. Make at least one unannounced visit per annum. Carry out a full health and safety inspection of the carer s home annually, or when the carer moves or has major work carried out on their home, and consider at each annual review. Ensure that the carer s recording meets the Department s needs. Carry out an annual review of the Carer's approval. Identify, in conjunction with the Carer, any training needs/core requirements and identify for training profile purposes ways in which these may be met. Attend reviews, case conferences and other planning meetings in respect of children placed when requested by the carer or the IRO. Investigate any complaint by or against Carers standards of care in accordance with relevant procedures.

15 Ensure that lines of communication between the Carer and the child's Social Worker are open and effective. Respond promptly to telephone calls and correspondence from the Carer. Keep a record of their visits on the appropriate form Supervising Social Workers ensure that visits are arranged in such a way that there is adequate time to address the Carer's own role and development in addition to any visits which may be necessary in respect of individual placements. Carers children are also provided with opportunities to discuss their experiences of fostering Foster Carer Charter Croydon Council has drawn up an agreed Croydon Foster Carer Charter that sets out the expectations and responsibilities of the Croydon Fostering Service, Croydon Foster Carers and other people involved in the care of looked after children Allowance Scheme Croydon Foster Carers Approved Croydon foster carers are paid a weekly amount which is made up of a fee and a maintenance element. The fee element is paid to the carers as recognition of the skills, responsibilities and experience that they bring to the fostering task. The maintenance element covers the costs of caring for the child/children in their care. Upon approval all foster carers are eligible for a setting up grant of up to 500 [subject to the provision of receipts]. In addition to the normal payments for caring for foster children, foster carers are paid an annual holiday payment. All children in placement receive birthday, festival and holiday allowances. Looked after children will, because of their life experiences and circumstances, present a range of challenges and demands for foster carers; when foster carers agree for a child to be placed with them this is understood. However, there will be some looked after children who will present particularly significant demands and challenges for foster carers, and for the placement of these children a Level 2 remuneration are considered. Grounds for the Level 2: That the placement of the child will have a significant and measurable impact on the foster carer (e.g. financially, in terms of time, level of risk / responsibility) resulting from: A significant physical or learning disability or health condition e.g. incontinence, tube feeding, Apnoea and other sleep disturbances. A defined psychiatric disorder which creates additional care needs. Behavioural difficulties including dangerous or risk taking behaviour to self or others that require consistent one to one supervision. Victim/perpetrator of behaviour in respect of sexual abuse.

16 Persistent youth offending behaviour. Allowances are reviewed on an annual basis. Connected Persons Foster carers approved as Connected Persons (family and friends carers) receive a weekly maintenance allowance. However, the Council also pays the remuneration element to all Connected Persons carers who have been approved and have completed the full preparation training. Connected Persons are also entitled to the setting up grant Equipment Equipment e.g. pushchair or buggy, sheets, latex gloves, wardrobes, beds etc, can be ordered and delivered direct to the foster carer s home Services for Children Children s Guide A guide to being looked after, called Living Away From Home, is produced by the Independent Reviewing Officers and supplied to all Looked After children and young people. A copy is also supplied, in electronic form, to all foster carers together with the Foster Carers Handbook. The Council publishes a Children s Guide giving information to children and young people in an easily understandable form. The Children s Guide also contains a pre stamped and addressed confidential postcard which can be sent direct to the Councils user complaints officer. Many of the children placed by the short breaks team have significant disabilities; some do not communicate verbally or in writing. Therefore links are established slowly to give the children and young people, parents and carers time to get to know each other and the youngsters to understand the purpose of the link. Children and young people are, as far as possible, consulted in ways which they can understand. The ethos of the Scheme is very much one of partnership with children, parents, carers, and the Department. Children are usually living at home and parents play a significant role in preparing children for placement Children in Care Council The Government s initiative to provide an opportunity for looked after children to get involved in decisions that affect them is welcomed and the Children in Care Council was established in Croydon for the development of this initiative. In other words, the Children in Care Council aims to provide children an opportunity to influence the parenting that they receive at every level from expressing their wishes and feelings about the individual care they receive in their placements, through to helping to shape the overall strategy for children in care in Croydon. This is in keeping with the pervasive efforts to consult children and young people and to ensure that their needs are not only listened to but are also responded to. Children in Care Council has the potential to transform services and outcomes for looked after children, including those from the Black and Minority Ethnic communities, children with a disability and asylum seeking young people. It is intended that the Children in Care Council will report its work to the Corporate Parenting Panel. Conversely, the Children in Care Council will on occasion invite the Corporate Parenting Panel members, including the Children s Service Director and Lead Member, to its

17 meeting to address key issues that concern looked after children. It is anticipated that the relationship between the Children in Care Council and the Corporate Parenting Panel will be close The Pledge to children and young people in Care in Croydon To achieve these aims and objectives, the Children in Care Council in conjunction with the Council has developed a document entitled the Pledge to children and young people in Care in Croydon Copies of this document can be obtained from Managers in the Looked After Teams Newsletter A Newsletter, edited by members of the Fostering Team, is produced on a regular basis to keep carers informed of: Advice on practice Changes to policy General information on fostering Staff movements within the fostering team Croydon Foster Care Association There is established, a Croydon Foster Care Association that is solely run and managed by the foster carers through a management committee. The Service Delivery Manager or a Unit Manager of the Fostering Service attends meetings with Croydon Carers who are on the committee of the Association on a monthly basis. An AGM is held every year and managers in the LAC team attend to get feedbacks on how the carers have been supported in the previous year and how these can be improved Support to family members Carers children are seen as part of the assessment process and are consulted about their part in the fostering process. They are seen as part of the Carers Review process. Other members of the extended family often baby-sit and provide respite care Complaints & Allegations against Foster Carers Where there are complaints about the standards of care provided by a foster carer these are managed by the service in seeking to obtain resolution with the foster carer. If there are allegations of inappropriate behaviour by foster carers these are managed through the procedures for allegations agreed by Croydon Safeguarding Children Board. These procedures are in line with the Department of Education guidance outlined in Handling Allegations of Abuse made against Adults who Work with Children and Young People Complaints from Foster Carers Complaints about the service are dealt with under the Corporate Services Complaints procedure which can be accessed via Croydon Council website or by calling tel ext or at complaints@croydon.gov.uk However, a new complaints process specifically for foster carers is currently under development. It will provide foster carers a parallel process outside of the Council s

18 procedures to resolve concerns more efficiently through their Supervising Social Workers and Unit Managers Registration Authority The address & contact telephone number for the OFSTED Registration Authority is: Ofsted Royal Exchange Buildings St Anne s Sq Manchester M2 7LA Tel: The system for reviewing the Statement of Purpose The Statement of Purpose will be reviewed annually. The information Contained in this Statement of Purpose can be made available in Alternative formats: Large print, Braille, audio tape or disk. We can also translate the information into other languages. Please contact: Croydon Council Fostering Team: CFL, London Borough of Croydon 7th Floor, Jeanette Wallace House 1Edridge Road Croydon CR9 1FE By Freephone: By Telephone: By Fax: By Foster Carer s Charter Introduction The Croydon Foster Carers Charter has been jointly produced by Croydon Foster Carers and the London Borough of Croydon Fostering Service. It is a shared agreement which sets out the mutual expectations and responsibilities of both Foster Carer s and Croydon Council. The charter confirms our shared commitment to provide the best care for the children we look after. The charter underwrites that where possible children in our care are looked after in a family environment which is safe and nurturing and which supports the child to maximise their full potential. The charter also recognises the crucial and daily role foster carers play in the lives of the children they look after.

19 The charter incorporates the changes in the 2011 Fostering Services National Minimum Standards in particular: Standard 6.5 Children s health is promoted in accordance with their placement plan and foster carers are clear about what responsibilities and decisions are delegated to them and where consent for medical treatment needs to be obtained. Standard 7.4 Foster carers are supported to make reasonable and appropriate decisions within the authority delegated to them, without having to seek consent unnecessarily. Standard 9.7 Foster carers understand what decisions about contact are delegated to them, in line with the child s care plan, and make those decisions in the child s best interests. The charter must be a child focused document which recognises that a child or young person in care wants to live a life where the foster carer can make every day decisions as they would for their own children such as for school trips or sleep overs with friends. The charter recognises the important role foster carers play in the life of a looked after child and the importance of maintaining an effective professional partnership. This charter explains what we can expect of each other. Alisa Flemming Martin Williams Dr Paul Chadwick Lead Member for Children, Families and Learning Chair of Croydon Foster Carer s Association Head of Looked after Children, Dept of CFL The Fostering Service Role The fostering service works to provide stable and excellent foster care for children who are valued, supported and encouraged to grow and develop as individuals. To achieve this aim, we recruit, train and approve foster carer s and provide continuing support and professional development to foster carer s. The Foster Carer s Role Foster Carers are at the heart of the fostering service. We are assessed, trained and supported to look after children and young people in a family environment, providing them with stability, care and an opportunity to grow and develop and to reach their potential. Our working relationships are based on mutual trust and respect. This charter explains what we expect from each other. Fostering Service s commitment You can expect from us:

20 1. Working in partnership 2. Information 3. Clarity about decisions 4. Support 5. Learning and Development 6. Fair treatment 7. Communication and consultation 8. To be valued as an important member of the team around the child Foster Carer s commitment You can expect from us: 1. Working in partnership to help maximize the child s development. 2. Respect for the child 3. Information 4. Learning, development and support 5. Communication and consultation What foster carers can expect from Croydon Fostering Service Working in partnership We recognise that foster carers have skills and expertise that can make the biggest difference to the everyday lives of children in care. We will: Value your skills and expertise equally to those of other professionals. Recognise that you are the people who live with children every day and know them best. Include you in relevant meetings that affect you and the children you care for giving you as much notice as possible for these meetings. The nature of these meetings will vary from child to child. Ensure that our fostering service will meet the standards set out in the fostering regulations and guidance. Treat you without discrimination and respect you as a colleague. Information We know that information is vital in order for foster carers to provide care that meets the child s needs. We will: give you all information in order to care safely for the child. provide this information in writing prior to placement (except when there are emergency placements and it is not feasible to do so. We will provide this information as soon as possible).

21 ensure that there is a placement plan drawn up in discussion with you and agreed with you in advance of the placements (except in emergencies where this will be done as soon as possible) by the child s Social Worker. provide you with information on financial matters including tax,allowances and additional entitlements. provide you with details of all relevant departmental policies and procedures. Clarity about decisions We recognise that in order for children to live a full family life, foster carers must be able to make decisions regarding the children they foster as would be made by any parent for their own child. We will: ensure that, wherever possible, you are able to make everyday decisions that mean that your fostered child is not treated differently to their friends and school mates and can feel part of your family. provide clarity about any decision you cannot take at the outset so that everyone understands who is responsible for what. Support We recognise that fostering can be an isolating and challenging task and appropriate timely support makes all the difference to the fostering family and to the child in your care. We will: respond positively to requests for additional support. provide you with regular supervision and phone contact. give you honest and open feedback. provide you with 24 hour support [for example the out of hours Supervising Social Worker rota, mentor and Emergency Duty Team]. pay you allowances, expenses and fees in a timely manner. pay allowances that reflect the task. ensure that there is access to support groups recognised by the fostering service, where you and your family can find support and share experiences with other fostering families. Learning and development We believe that foster carers must be enabled to access learning and development opportunities throughout their fostering career. This will ensure they have the skills and

22 knowledge they need, and allow them to develop their practice in order that they can help transform the lives of the children they foster. We will: provide you with appropriate and relevant training by trainers who understand the fostering task. provide you with other development opportunities which make the best use of your skills and expertise, such as, mentoring or providing training or support. Fair treatment We recognise that foster carers have a right to be treated fairly, no matter the circumstances. We will: consult with you before changing terms and conditions. ensure openness in our discussions and communications with you. ensure that you are treated with respect, kept informed and provided with support should you be subject to an allegation. provide a framework for dealing with allegations in a timely manner. ensure that you are aware that the payment of fees and allowances will stop in the event that you are not able to foster while the subject of an allegation. Communication and consultation We believe that open and honest dialogue is the key to a good relationship. We will: facilitate regular communication between you, staff and management within the Fostering Service, the Head of Looked after Children Services and elected members via the Corporate Parenting Panel. ensure that we consult with you in a meaningful way on matters that affect you. give you timely feedback from consultations What fostering services can expect from foster carers Working in partnership We will demonstrate a high standard of care and conduct. We will: demonstrate our expertise and make use of our skills to the best of our ability. provide children with a positive experience of family life and treat them