CONNECT FOSTERING SERVICES LTD STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 2014/15

Transcription

1 CONNECT FOSTERING SERVICES LTD STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 2014/15 September 2014

2 CONTENTS Page Introduction 3 Aim of the service 3 Objectives 3 The Key Objectives in Providing Quality Placement 4 Principles/Values and Standards 6 Status and Constitution of Organisation 12 Connect Fostering Team 12 Structure of Connect Fostering Services 12 Monitoring, Management and Evaluation of the Agency 15 Diversity and Equality 16 Quality Assurance 16 Placements & Services Provided 17 Foster Carers Reviews 19 Nominated Carers Assessment 19 Training 20 Supervising Social Worker s Providing Support to Carers 20 Support groups for foster carers 21 Independent Support 21 Newsletter and Website 22 1

3 Out of Hours Service 22 Therapeutic services 22 Education 22 Activities for Looked After Children 22 Leaving Care 23 Child s Social Worker 25 Care Plan and Suitability 25 Placement Stability 25 Record Keeping 25 Placement Plan 26 Keeping Children Safe 26 Annual Events 27 Consultations 27 Children Guide 27 Complaints & Allegations Investigations 29 Procedure & Policy Development 31 Statutory Regulations 32 Conclusion Summary 33 2

4 INTRODUCTION This Statement of Purpose has been complied in line with Standard 16 of the National Minimum Standards for Fostering 2011 and regulations 3(1) of the Fostering Services Regulations It sets out the aims and objectives for Connect Fostering Services and details of their services. It will be available to anyone who works for this agency, prospective foster carers, any child or young person placed with our agency, parent of child being looked after and all local authorities. All the information provided in this Statement of Purpose is a summary of its main Manual of Policy & Procedures. For further information on Policy and Procedures can be obtained from Connect Fostering Services Ltd. Aim of the Service Connect Fostering is an organisation with resources to provide qualityfostering services across all cultures and specialising in Black/Asian/Mixed and Dual heritage placements. The service is to be provided in the Greater London areas and nationally in the future. One of the main aims/objectives of this agency is to safeguard children and work towards positive outcomes for them. This agency s approach to making a positive difference to children s lives that have been placed, regardless of their age, religion, cultural or social background. Objectives Connect Fostering Services is committed to working with service users, carers, the wider community and partner agencies to promote the welfare of the children looked after and improve their life chances by providing services that: 3

5 Foster carers support looked after children and their families (working within care plans). Provide stable, safe effective alternative care when required by Local Authority for the duration time and which are responsive to individual needs, circumstances and choice. Maintain wherever possible continuity of educational/health provision. In meeting these aims and objectives Connect Fostering will be giving Local Authorities a choice of foster carers who will work to secure sufficient accommodation as required in the Children Act 1989 (as inserted by CYP Act, 2008) which places a general duty on Local Authorities to secure sufficient accommodation within their boundaries to meet the needs of looked after children. Foster carers providing accommodation should be sufficient, not only in number of beds provided but also in respect of diversity and quality of provision available. Placements sourced and secured with this agency will need to be reasonable practicable. Reasonably practicable is defined as: Appropriate Near the child s home Does not disrupt the child s education or training Enables the child to live with accommodated siblings Within the area and suitable. The key objectives in providing quality placements are: To provide placement choice and positive matching of a child with a placement through identification of child s needs (written referral to be received by agency from LA) and taking account of any wishes and feelings of the child. (NMS 1, 10). Where possible and appropriate provide a placement that is in reasonable proximity to a child s home and addresses the child s culture and heritage. (NMS 2). Promote an environment that ensures adequate safeguarding measures are in place for the child and the culture within the foster home promotes, positive role models and supports positive behaviour through adherence to policies and the skills of the foster carer. (NMS 3, 4, 5). 4

6 Where possible and in the best interests of the individual children, as identified within assessed needs, siblings should be placed together. (NMS 2, 9). To allow the promotion of proactive, positive health care and wellbeing thorough Safer Care policies, promotion of child interests and aptitudes, access to relevant leisure opportunities and health professionals. (NMS 6,7). To promote the maximisation of educational opportunities and achievements for children through access to relevant support and professionals. (NMS 8). Ensure placements wherever possible have planned beginnings and endings. (NMS 11). Promotion of positive contact with family and friends through effective care planning in partnership with LA. (NMS 9). Listening to the child and involvement in decision-making. (NMS 1). Partnership with parents/carers. (NMS 8). Stability of placement - try to minimum number of moves for each child. (NMS 11). Minimising the length of time between becoming a looked after child and moving to a permanent placement, if this is required. (NMS 11). Preparation for independence and smooth transition into adulthood. (NMS 12). Standards of care for effective planning for the transition of care to independence. (NMS 12). 5

7 PRINCIPLES/VALUES AND STANDARDS Beneficiaries will be aware of this agency s attitude and approach to promoting and attaining children s safety and welfare by: Being healthy Connect Fostering will activity encourage and monitor carers are actively promoting the well-being of children in their care. The supervising social worker provides a link into a wider LAC health team to ensure effective co-ordination and delivery of health services to looked after children. This agency will ensure all LAC will be registered with a local GP, dentist and opticians. This agency will provide appropriate training for carer to promote a child s healthy, healthy eating and lifestyle. This will include sexual health. This agency will monitor and promote child s health during the supervising home visit and during annual reviews. The agency will ensure they keep a database on children s health checks, for carers on all looked after children within their monthly reports. The agency will generate quarterly reports from our data base on health status of all looked after children which will be monitored by the manage team as a way of quality control for future development of policy & procedures relating to children s health. This agency s supervising social workers will ensure that all carers comply with the health & safety policy. Staying Safe This agency will ensure all looked after children placed with our carers are kept safe from any harm by: complying with child protection procedure, carry out appropriate checks on staff/carers to ensure they are suitable to work with children, ensure carers, their family/friends receive safe caring training, ensure all carers understand and follow this agency behaviour management policy, ensuring that carers follow the no corporal 6

8 punishment or inappropriate sanctions are not administrated. Except in the circumstances of refraining a child, if it is for the purpose of preventing harm to a child or damaging property. Ensure carers understand and follow the missing policy and report the child missing according to the procedures. Regard all complaints/allegations made by a child seriously and ensure that these are investigated according to child protection procedures. Training carers to understand how to support children to keep themselves safe when taking appropriate risks. Ensure all carers/staff comply with the whistle blowing policy. Enjoying and achieving - Connect Fostering encourages placed children to attend school or any other educational provision identified to meet their needs. They should be further encouraged to fulfil their educational potential by completing schoolwork within the foster home and partake in extracurricular activities as appropriate Connect Fostering particularly has interest in the educational achievement of placed children and will encourage additional tutorial support at home under a special arrangement. Ensure all carers receive training on how to promote educational needs of looked after child. Monitor education achievements via monthly visits with carers, attending parents evening and getting the progress reports to monitor child progress etc. Obtain feedback from child s school and encourage working in partnership with carers/teachers in order to that carers are promoting the child s full potential. Ensure carers are providing a stimulating and enriching home life and environment for a looked after child, which facilitates them becoming wellrounded individuals with rich and rewarding experiences. Economic Wellbeing Connect Fostering will ensure that all looked after children receive the necessary support, education and guidance in order to achieve economic wellbeing. Ensure all carers receive training on how to support looked after children with moving towards independence. 7

9 Ensure that all looked after children leaving carer are properly prepared for independence by their carers through being taught independent living skills including budgeting and money management skills. Ensure that all looked after children receive the support from carers, teachers, and agency social workers to acquire educational qualifications which provide them a wide range of opportunities for career choices as possible. Ensure that all looked after children receive careers advice from professionals. Making a Contribution - Placed children should be encouraged to pursue individual leisure interests appropriate for their age and abilities and develop friendships within their school and local community. Ensure that all looked after children develop self-esteem, self-confidence and positive sense of identity required to make a positive contribution, through support of carers who will provide appropriate models and being given positive messages about themselves about their identity. Facilitate all looked after children in contributing to decisions made about their carers as much as possible for example ensuring their views are being heard during LAC reviews or carers reviews and through providing each child with a children guide which will help them about how to raise any issues they have with a manger for the agency or independent person. Connect Fostering will be working within the following legislations and to be read in conjunction with Connect Fostering s Policy and Procedures Manual under: o Children Act 1989/2004 o Care Standards Act 2000 o The Fostering Services Regulations 2011 o The National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services 2011 o The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 There are a number of principles that outline the work that is carried out by the agency: This agency is committed to meeting the needs of vulnerable children and families through their development of services use of external resources, according to agreed protocols and procedures. 8

10 This agency recognise that the needs of looked after children are paramount. This agency promotes a culture of listening to children s wishes and feelings about their welfare when decisions are made about them. This agency recognises the value, skill and commitment required of foster carers and treat them, their families and homes with dignity and respect. This agency s Aims to provide a range of quality placements to meet the identified needs of children who require substitute care. This agency will provide placements and support in the first instance of same race, religion, language, disability, dietary needs placements and all other diverse attributes relating to child s identity. When this is not possible the needs of the child will be best matched to a foster carers skills/experience/area who is able to meet the needs of the child. When there is a transracial placement the agency will ensure the child has a positive image of themselves and their family. This includes parental, family and community contacts, providing reading materials, toys/games and other activities amongst a range of other options/activities. This agency is committed to maintaining siblings together wherever possible and promoting positive contact with family members. This agency values partnership relationships with children s birth parents and relatives, seeing this course of action as being in their best interest. This agency is committed to engaging other agencies in the assessment of the needs of children and working together to clarify roles and ensuring that their needs are understood and prioritised. It is the right of children to receive the most appropriate care and support. To this end this agency is committed to continuous assessment of children s needs, planning, monitoring and review, while avoiding delays with regard to their needs. This agency recognises that many children will have had damaging experiences prior to placement in substitute care, as well as the effects of separation and loss. This agency recognises their mental health needs may be complex and their need for understanding of their past and access to therapeutic input is essential. 9

11 All forms of discrimination, direct or indirect, are unlawful and this agency seeks to uphold a reputation in quality service delivery, regardless of children s nationality or disadvantage. This agency recognises that foster carers caring for damaged young people will encounter unknown situations on a daily basis and their own support needs need to be assessed and appropriate support systems deployed. This agency recognises that foster carers who are caring for looked after children are very valuable assets and that their time and commitment is worthy of a reasonable remuneration system. Prospective foster carers will be treated with respect and courtesy. They will be fully informed of every stage of the application process and about the progress of their application. If an application has been terminated, applicants will be informed about this and the reason for this will be given. Foster carers will be offered support and supervision, so that they are able to provide the most appropriate care for children placed with them. The rights and needs of their own family will also be respected when plans and placements of children and young persons are made. This agency recognises that all staff and carers involved in meeting the needs of children with complex needs require a robust commitment to training and in developing their learning opportunities. This agency recognises that foster carers are an integral part in supporting Looked After Care in reaching their educational potential. This agency recognises children with disabilities as children first. The same principles of service apply, while accepting that additional support services will be required to meet all their needs. This agency recognises the transition into adulthood is a major step requiring positive daily living support and enhanced connections with the adult world of opportunity and responsibility. This agency is committed to facilitating young people remaining in the foster placement into early adulthood wherever possible and that a flexible range of accommodation and support options to meet different levels of need will be a factor in the services for young people leaving care. 10

12 This agency is committed to implementing the Children s Workforce Development Council s standards for foster carers and will support carers in achieving the standards. This agency is committed to protecting children at all times from injury or harm and abuse in order to safeguard their overall development and welfare. In this regard this agency promotes and ensures good practice and supervision in line with recommended standards by the fostering inspectorate. This agency is committed and will promote working in partnerships with all its stakeholders. This agency will work in openness, transparency, sharing of information, accountability and collaboration with all its stakeholders. 11

13 Status and Constitution of Organisation Connect Fostering Services is a private Limited company registered under company Act 2006 (Reg. no: ) that was incorporated on January The Managing Director is Kiranjit Sirpal. Connect Fostering Team The staff of the Connect Fostering Services are recruited and managed following the principles of positive selection, supervision, induction and appraisal processes of Connect Fostering incorporating practice outlined in the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and the National Minimum Standards Structure of Connect Fostering Services The Director is Kiranjit Sirpal. agency. She is the Responsible Individual within the Kiranjit qualified with a Diploma in Social Work in She further gained an MSc in Advanced Professional Studies and Graduate Diploma in Work with Children and Families (with Specialist Award in Social Work) Since qualifying Kiranjit as undertaken numerous training courses in Social Work, Regulation and Inspection to assist in delivering social work, regulation and inspection work. Since graduating with a DipSW in 1996, Kiranjit worked for 1 year as a child protection social worker in England. She continued her career as a child protection Social Worker in Scotland for 1½ year. For 3 years worked as an Inspector for the Early Years Regulation and Inspection Team. During the same 3 year period worked part time as a generic mental health social worker. From 2002, was employed as an inspector with The Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and in this post participated in various regulatory work for adult and childcare services. In June 2007 returned to England and commenced as a social worker with Ealing Social Services 12

14 Adoption Support Team. From 2009 to 2012 worked as Independent Panel Chair for a private Fostering Agency. The Operational Director is Fouzia Darr who has the operational responsibility for the agency. She has worked in childcare for the past 30 years in various fields and is a qualified social worker with a BA (Hons) Degree in Social Work. She also has an NVQ level 4 in management. She has a passion for Fostering and loves working in this field of children s services. Fouzia is an experienced Director/Senior Manager/Trainer with a successful track record of managing a private fostering agencies, ensuring staff are working effectively by introducing performance related bonus schemes, ensuring policy and procedures are up to date, organisation training programmes for staff (as well as being a competent trainer) and foster carers and generally ensuring the agency is performing at a high level in order to meet the Local Authority s needs. She has facilitated Training to staff as well as foster carers providing course such as Skills to foster, Child Protection, role of supervising social workers, effective foster carers reviews etc. She has acted as an independent consultant to other agencies to help them with strategies of managing their organisations and preparing them for inspections. She was the Director of 24 Seven Fostering since January 2009 to September 2012 ensured consistent practice across the service. She set up this new agency and by the time she left this agency had 57 carers and over 60 placements. She was the Assistant Director of a previous agency as well and worked there for seven and half years. She is well aware of market forces and trends and responds to them and promoted the agencies in an extremely competitive sector. She has kept up to date with research and good practice recommendation from certain key reports such as the Brighton and Hove Report, The Victoria Climbie Inquiry Every Child Matters. She has the experience of supporting the managers in developing policies and procedures and arranged training for staff. The Service Manager for Connect Fostering is Winston McKenzie who manages the day-to-day running of the agency and manages the supervising social worker. Winston has worked in childcare for the past 28 years, where he started out as a residential social worker. He is a qualified social worker, and has an MA in Health & Social Policy, and has management experience of over 20 years. Winston has 14 years experience of work in various fostering services both within the public and private sector. This includes seven years experience of 13

15 being a registered manager and service manager of the independent sector. He has sat on and chaired a number of different fostering panels. Other skills and experience also include social work trainer and a local authority IRO. He is an NVQ assessor and has successfully and developed and implemented CWDC programmes for foster carers. The Training Manager is Dr. Lynda Ince who is an established Trainer and Consultant who has worked in the statutory and the private sectors in the role as Social worker, Senior Social Work and Social Work Manager since She became a Senior Lecturer in 1994 and initially worked for Stevenage College of Further Education, and then the University of Herfordshire for ten years on the childcare and Research courses. She also took the lead teaching role for the Post Qualifying Award in Social Work. She left the University to take up a post as Head of Training and Policy for an Independent Fostering Agency and made a significant contribution in the development of agency policies and the development of the training section. She is currently working as a freelance trainer and delivers a range of courses for qualified social workers and foster carers. In this position have trained large numbers of staff and foster carer in various areas of childcare practice. As an independent assessor, she has written reports for fostering panels and has had the role of investigating complaints. Linda is currently working on a part-time basis as a Senior Manager/Decision maker for Connect Fostering and has carried out this role in the absence of the company directors. The Fostering Panel Chair Ms Pamela Blackman acts as the Chairperson for Panel Meetings convened by Connect Fostering Services. She has obtained Diploma in Management Studies in 2010 and Certificate in Management Studies from Edexcel and Post Qualifying Award in Social Work PQ1 and PQ2-6 from Kingston University in the years 2001 and 2002 respectively. She obtained Diploma in Social Work from West Hertfordshire University in She has also studied Nursery Nursing from Colindale Polytechnic, Youth Work from Brunel University and BEC National Diploma in Business Studies (1 st Year pass) from Kilburn Polytechnic. Pamela brings in about 33 years of social work experience (as of 2014) to the panel. She is working as a Team Manager for Harrow Council s Looked After Team, since Also she has worked as a Social Worker for Harrow and Brent 14

16 council. In her career she has worked as a Deputy Manager for a residential home, Family Aide and Youth Worker as well. She also is Panel Chair for other agencies as well. So a wealth of social work experience and chairing Panels. Nina Obhrai is an experienced and Qualified & Registered Social Worker and as well as an adopted person, with a BSc Honours in Social Work from Bedfordshire University. Nina has about 6 years of experience in Social Work. She has the experience of working with Looked After Children and settings such as Secure Residential Units, Adoption, Duty and Assessment Team. Currently she is working for the Harrow Children s Services. Nina s contribution as an independent Panel Member for Connect Fostering Services is quite invaluable, especially as she identifies herself to be an adopted person. Nina has pointed out that being an adopted person has helped her in her career a social worker as she could draw upon her personal and professional experience of working and understanding children and young people who have social care involvement and those who become looked after through the local authority. In the panel meetings and other wise she is able to demonstrate her ability to empathize and truly understand the difficulties and challenges that they face and as well as the ability to empower them to deal with these issues with the appropriate support. Linda Carroll Works with Connect Fostering Services as a Minute Taker for Panel Meetings. She did an NVQ level 3 in Customer Care in 2004 and as well as in Business and Administration in She has received trainings in Dementia, Minute Taking, Equality and Diversity and as well as communication with Service Users. Linda has worked in a customer care unit of Social Care as a complaints officer for eight years in the London Borough of Ealing. For the last seven years to the present Linda has been working as a Contract & Accreditation Officer for the Contracts Team, Adults Social Care of London Borough of Ealing. Gillian Clarke is an independent member of the Panel. She contributes to the Panel in her role as an Adopted Child s Carer. She has completed A level Mathematics with Statistics, A level Sociology and has secured A Levels in Communication Studies, Dance, Theatre Studies. She has received training in Equality and Diversity in 2012 from RACC. Gillian has about twelve years of work experience in various capacities. For the last ten years, she has been working as a communication Support Worker/British Sign Language Tutor for RACC. She has also worked for the British Museum as an Executive Officer in Civil Service who is responsible for higher-grade staff and all staff pension scheme. She also has the experience of working as a nanny for a toddler. Education Independent representative 15

17 Sharan is a fully qualified teacher, with over a decade of experience working in educational settings, and with children aged She has taught children and young people with a range of needs, including SEN and EAL. As a teacher, she liaises with external agencies on a daily basis such as Social Workers, Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language therapists, the SENCO as well as parents and carers of looked after children. At present, she works as an intervention teacher for children on the 'Gifted and Talented' register in Year 2, as well as supporting children in Year 6 with a range of needs, preparing both classes for their SATs. Connect Fostering is in the process of recruiting a pool of independent members who will be available as needed. This will include a deputy chair, and persons with professional experience in education, health, and in social work and childcare. The Panel will also have a member who has had personal experience of being looked after. This agency will employ sessional staff for various roles within the organisation such as Form F assessors, reviewing officer, legal advisor and child Psychotherapist. All sessional staff will be qualified in their field with relevant experience of fostering/or childcare. This agency follows the same process of recruitment as with permanent staff such as DBS check, written & telephone references taken up and verifying ID documents. This agency when necessary will employ a complaints worker who is 2 years post qualified experience in children and families or relevant experience to investigate complaints. This will be part of the complaints procedure. This is when all other processes have been exhausted and need to resolve the complaint in a constructive manner. The service has Social Workers and Administrator as these have been recruited as the agency is growing and where there is a need for future staff will be recruited. All Social Workers within the team have a social work qualification and previous experience of working with children and families and are subject to Connect Fostering s standards for continuous professional development. Likewise all Managers involved in the service will hold a social work qualification and post- qualification experience in services for children. All staff are subject to the agency s policy on recruitment, staffing, equal opportunities and discipline. All Social Workers are subject to the full range of regulatory checks, and administrative staff have DBS checks and references taken up. 16

18 The fostering team administrator, primarily responsible for delivering administrative support. Monitoring, Management and Evaluation of the agency The Service Manager collects Performance and Statistical Information in relation to the work of the fostering service and this provided to The Director at the management meeting. This helps to improve services and plan for the future. A number of quality assurance measures are in place to monitor the quality of the fostering services. An independent person chairs fostering Panels and regular liaison takes place between the Chair of the Panel and the fostering service to identify any quality assurance issues and training requirements. Senior managers undertake reviews of foster carers or reviewing officer and quarterly meetings with the reviewing officers and the registered manager allows identification of any quality assurance issues and emerging trends. All papers presented to the Panel are quality assured by the Panel Advisor. Foster carers have access to a complaints procedure. File audits are undertaken by Fouzia the Director and the Registered Manager within a Quality Assurance Framework. A Supervision Performance Audit Tool called the compliance form has been devised and is placed on the front of each foster carer s file to ensure relevant checks are up-to-date and that actions from reviews have been completed. The Registered Manager will undertake periodic satisfaction surveys of foster carers. All staff have regular supervision and annual Performance Development Reviews. 17

19 DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY Connect Fostering is committed to promoting Equal Opportunities in every aspect of its service. Training on equality and diversity is strongly promoted during the preparation process for new foster carers and forms part of the assessment. Ongoing training on equality and diversity is provided to all approved foster carers. The need to recruit foster carers who are representative of the general population is reflected in the recruitment and retention strategy for foster carers, with a particular emphasis on the developmental work with the black and ethnic communities. All promotional material makes it clear that foster carers from across the population are needed, including same sex carers, older carers and carers from the black and minority ethnic communities. Management information in the gender, race and disability of foster carers will be analysed on a regular basis. Specialised fostering placements for children with disabilities will be provided by recruiting foster carers with qualification and experience in this area. Management information on race, gender and disability of the children requiring a fostering service are analysed on a regular basis. Quality Assurance This agency has various quality assurance measures in place to ensure that quality assurance standards for its service are maintained. The responsibility for developing and implementing these systems rests with the Responsible Individual and the Registered Manager. The following are a few ways we implement its quality assurance: regular supervision with staff, regular supervision of foster carers with their social worker, auditing of files, unannounced visits to carers at least once per year, consultation with children, carers, local authority, annual reviews of carers and presenting them to Panel timely, use of reporting functions with our database at look at outcomes for looked after children, feedback from applicants attending Panel, supervision of sessional staff regarding assessments. The Panel plays the role of quality assurance regarding Form F and foster carers review reports. 18

20 PLACEMENTS & SERVICES PROVIDED The Connect Fostering Services offers a comprehensive service to Looked After Children and Young People, approved and prospective mainstream and foster carers. The fostering service aims to provide suitable placements for all children and young people who are Looked After :- Task centred foster placements for children of all ages needing emergency and short term placements. These placements can last up to 2 years with a view for child to be rehabilitated to birth family or moving on to adoptive parents or permanent carers. Emergency placements are for a child who has been assessed to be in danger of immediate harm and is in need of a place of safety. These placements are made with a view to post placement plan for the child by placing authority at the earliest possible opportunity. This agency will be proactive in liaising with local authority to ensure there is no drift occurs in placement. Long term placements Long term placements for children and young people who cannot return to birth family when adoption is not the plan. These placements are where it has been agreed that a child will be cared for by a specific carer/s for the long term as this will be formalised by the placing Local Authorities permanency panel. The carer would have been assessed for long term care of the child and then matched to child accordingly. Parent and child placements these placements will be provided by this agency when a parent is the Looked After Child, both parent & child are being Looked After or just the child is being Looked After. Short breaks placements, providing regular planned breaks for disabled children of all ages. These placements are to support families with disable children who need weekend or holiday respite which can last up to several weeks in duration. These children with disabilities will be supported to have new experiences/opportunities, more independence outside their homes/families whilst their parents have a break. Respite care placements, offering time-limited breaks to families. These placements could to other foster carers or families who need respite during the weekend or during holiday s periods. 19

21 Special Needs placements these placements are for children with special behaviour needs or various forms of disability including extreme learning difficulties. Additional services can be tailored made to provide extra support that carers for these children require including specialised training. These placements will be made on the basis of a pre placement assessment of need. Specialist Remand Fostering for children and young people on remand. These placements will have a placement plan as to the task of the carers providing such as service for child/young person who is on remand and the court has requested a foster carer for such a child/young person. There is usually a crew time to be abided by and monitored. The needs, wishes, welfare and safety of Looked After Children are at the centre of Connect Fostering Services aims/objectives. We believe that all children and young people needing substitute care have the right to live within a safe and nurturing family environment which meets their needs throughout childhood and which enables them to realise their full potential. The Fostering Service is designed to operate within the corporate vision and values of this agency, which encompasses the five main outcomes for children and young people within the Every Child Matters agenda. A person may not foster more than three children in each foster home, except where all children are siblings. Applications for exemptions will usually be made because of the following exceptional circumstances:- The child concerned was previously placed with the foster carers and his or her placement elsewhere has disrupted. The foster carers have special skills to meet the child s needs that are not available elsewhere. The placement of the child over the limit is the most appropriate way of meeting the child s needs arising from disability, race, religion, language and/or culture. The placement is required to keep the siblings together. The application can only be made with the agreement of the foster carers and the application initially is made to and agreed by the Agency Decision Maker. All exemptions will be reported to the next available Fostering Panel for ratification. The Fostering Panel will have responsibility for the ongoing 20

22 monitoring of the exemptions. Where there are more then 3 children (unless there are sibling group) placed with foster carers an exemption will need to be ratified by the Local Authority Fostering Panel in the council that Foster carers live in. Foster Carers Reviews All approved carers undergo an annual review, which is chaired by a senior manager or an Independent Reviewing Officer. The first review takes place within 12 months from approval is always presented to the Fostering Panel. Subsequent annual reviews may also be presented to the Fostering Panel in situations where termination of approval is sought, when significant changes in the terms of approval are being considered, where there are major concerns about suitability of the carer or following the investigation of any allegations against the carer. The main aim of the annual review is to determine whether the carer s approval continues to be suitable and whether there should be any changes in the terms of the registration. The annual review is an opportunity to look at the progress the carer has made and to set targets and goals for the next year within the annual development plan. Training needs are also assessed and a recommendation for future approval is made by the Supervising Social Worker and reviewing officer. Feedback from placing authority is taken up as is from the foster carers themselves and current foster children & previous placements. Quarterly meetings take place between the fostering service and the independent reviewing officers to identify any quality assurance issues and as a means to monitor and review. Nominated Carers Assessment A Social Worker is identified in the Recruitment Team to undertake all nominated carers assessments. Statutory checks are carried out on these applicants as part of the assessment. This assessment will be presented to the Fostering Panel for a recommendation to be made. Recommendations from the Panel are then considered by the Agency Decision Maker. There is an identified Social Worker in the Supervising Team who supports and supervises all carers approved under the nominated carers category. Nominated carers access the foster carer support groups. In addition, there is a facility for them to attend training. 21

23 Training The Fostering Service Regulations 2011 (17 (1)) states that the fostering service provider must provide foster parents with such training, advice, information and support, including support outside office hours, as appears necessary in the interests of children placed with them. Standard 20, Learning and Development of Foster Carers : Outcome and National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services 2011 state that Foster carers receive the training and development they need to carry out their role effectively. A clear framework of training and development is in place and this is used as the basis for assessing foster carers performance and identifying their training and development needs. Training, Learning and Development of foster carers are also key elements of this agency main aims and objectives.. The role of foster carer is valued this agency; there is a strong commitment to ensure that foster carers have access to the right support and development opportunities. Training and development is an intrinsic part of fostering. This agency has a clear expectation that all foster carers will participate in training offered by this agency as fully as possible. There is an expectation that foster carers will complete the Training, Support & Development (TSD) portfolio and this expectation is endorsed by Fostering Panel on approval. These opportunities enable foster carers to meet the often complex needs of the children and young people for whom they care and to develop skills and knowledge to keep the foster family and the fostered children in terms of safeguarding all parties concerned. It is also important that foster carers are able to document and evidence their skills and knowledge throughout their fostering career. As this is supported and encouraged by the supervising social worker as part of working in partnership. Learning and development within this agency are at three stages: Pre-approval skills to foster training Induction within the first 2 months Continual personal development throughout the year 3 courses for carers to attend every year. The training policy details the elements contained in each of these tiers, the requirements of the Children s Workforce Development Council, the 22

24 associated standards as well as outlining the variety of training methods employed. Foster carers training needs are constantly monitored by Supervising Social Workers and formally evaluated through annual reviews of the carer s terms of approval. Each foster carer has a Personal Development Plan, as required within Section 7 of the CWDC standards, drawn up in conjunction between the Fostering Supervising Social Worker and foster carer. The Personal Development Plan is reviewed annually at the Foster Carer Review by a manager/or the Independent Reviewing Officer, the foster carer and the Fostering Supervising Social Worker. All foster carers are provided with their own Continual Professional Development Portfolio. This is used to record evidence of training undertaken, record self-reflection on what has been learned from each developmental activity and how it affects the carer s care and practice. The Portfolio includes the following:- Initial Personal Development Portfolio (PDP) Subsequent Reviews of the PDP Reflective learning logs Certificates Other relevant documents (e.g. questionnaires) It is a requirement that foster carers access a minimum of three development activities annually. Supervising Social Worker s Providing Support and Consultation to Carers Supervising Social Workers Each foster carer is allocated a Supervising Social Worker, who visits regularly to provide support and supervision. They monitor standards of care, encourage high standards and help the carer manage problems, which arise. They are also available for telephone consultation and liaise with the Social Worker for the child at the Local Authority. Foster carers first port of contact for anything needs to be with their supervising social worker and they will advise them accordingly. 23

25 Support groups for foster carers The support group meets on a six weekly basis in different areas and all foster carers can attend. A number of support groups are organised for carers providing expert speakers on matters of interest and an opportunity for carers to share and problem solve together. Initially there will be one support at head office in Hayes and then once we have enough carers in different areas we will have groups in those areas as well. In addition, newly approved foster carers are supported by being linked up with an experienced foster carer who act as mentors to them. The fostering service ensures that a number of Managers & Supervising Social Workers are at each meeting. This forum has a number of aims:- The agency to update the foster carers on agency development. To represent the views of the foster carers in liaison with Children and Young People s Services representatives. To resolve any general issues and difficulties that arises and is involved in guidance and policy-making decisions, with a view to promoting partnerships. To form small working groups as and when this is necessary to increase foster carer participation. To ensure foster carers views are included in any proposed departmental changes that affect foster care. Foster carers to have a Your Shout session where they can share their experience of fostering so that all can learn from experience. To identify joint training needs. Discuss and agree social events for foster carers, foster children and agency staff. The Director for the agency will attend at least one forum meeting annually. Independent Support This agency pays for all foster carers to be members of The Fostering Network. This allows them access to advice and support, including legal advice, independently of the service. 24

26 Newsletter and Website A six monthly Newsletter for foster carers will be published in the future enabling carers to keep up-to- date with news stories and events. A website dedicated to fostering will be established and is in the process of being designed to reflect current regulations, National Minimum Standards and local policy and procedures. It will also allow initial interest for becoming a foster carers to register their application and gain information on the process as well as information the agency. Out of Hours Service This agency has an Out of Hours service and foster carers can contact this team of Social Workers/managers outside of office hours, should the need arise. This service is also available to local authority for referral on out of hours emergency placements. Therapeutic services Therapeutic services/advice/support can be provided by this agency but this can only happen once the Looked After Children (LAC) social worker agrees for this service is needed. Once agreed by agency financial officer and LAC social worker then there is process that needs to take place. The LAC social worker may also make a referral to CAMHS providers through a single point of access. Education Education is a key priority for looked after children by this agency. Improving educational outcomes for looked after children is actively supported by the Director. Foster Carers are expected to support and encourage children in their education and develop good working relationships with the foster child s school. Supervising social workers provide guidance and support to look after children and their carers in relation to education. This agency s Training officer provides training to foster carers on Personal Education Plans and the education of looked after children. Activities for Looked After Children This agency explores activities for looked after children and their supervising social worker will coordinate facilitates and provides activities for looked after children. 25

27 Leaving Care Each supervising social worker is responsible for providing support and guidance to those leaving care. The training officer for leaving care will provide each looked after child training jointly with their carers, and guidance will be given on how to help/support them with semiindependence skills prior to leaving care. The supervising social worker will get information from different external agencies such as Action for Children also manages a post-16 accommodation project, which includes a supported lodgings scheme for looked after children to enable foster carers to be supported in maintaining placements post-18 and provision of additional placements to support their transition to independence. Child s Social Worker Social Workers for children in placement have an important role to play in supporting the foster children and carers. The dedicated Looked After Social Work Teams in all local authorities ensures this is support is consistent. They provide essential information about the child and family background, inform the foster carer about the plans for the child and involve them in the care planning process. It is an important part of their role to represent the wishes and feelings of the child, especially where the child is very young and less able to do this him/herself. The child s Social Worker carries out statutory requirements in relation to the child, including statutory visits, ensuring reviews and medicals take place and that the plans for the child are progressed without delay. All court work is carried out by the social worker for the child. Care Plan Each child placed with approved foster carers will have a Care Plan prepared by the child s social worker that sets out the overall objective of the child s placement in the foster home and the time-scales for achieving the objectives. The child s placement with suitable approved foster carers will be seen within that context. The Care Plan will be reviewed regularly. The foster carers will have a copy of the Care Plan and will have the opportunity to contribute to these reviews either in person or in writing. 26

28 During the design of the Care Plan, the foster carer will be made aware of all available information in relation to the child or children concerned in order to consider the suitability of the placement and the arrangements required if the placement goes ahead. In an emergency situation, the information may be extremely limited but the foster carer will be given as much information as is available in order to ensure that the immediate care needs of the child are known until a fuller picture can be obtained. Once the child is placed, the child s social worker as well as the supervising social worker will visit the child in the foster placement at regular intervals. The significance of effective communication between all parties regarding the child s progress cannot be over-emphasised. Placement Stability Connect will aim to minimise the number of placement breakdowns and thus provide a high level of stability and consistency for our looked after children. As part of a placement support package, we will provide therapeutic input from a qualified child psychotherapist for children whose placements are likely to disrupt and where it is felt that such input will reduce the likelihood of disruption. As part of a placement support package, provide additional respite and childcare support for placements that are likely to disrupt. Be proactive in seeking a disruption meeting, with a child s local authority social worker and other professionals, as soon as there are signs that a placement disruption is likely. The chief aim of the disruption meeting will be to agree on a strategy for preserving the placement if possible. Provide all carers with training in attachment theory and how children form relationships as part of their core training. Record Keeping A good record keeping system is very essential for good practice. The recording of the child s progress, any significant events and incidents is an important part of the foster carer s role in safeguarding the interests and welfare of the child. Additionally, it is an effective communication tool. 27