Leicester City Council Fostering Service Statement of Purpose 2014 / 2015 Revised November 2014 1
Leicester City Council Fostering Service Statement of Purpose 2014/2015 2
Contents Page 1. Introduction 4 2. Legislative and National Policy 4 3. Aims of the Service 4 4. Objectives of the Service 5 5. Principles 6 6. Management Structure 7 7. Teams Making up the Service 8 8. Services Provided by the Fostering Service 8 9. Reception opening times 9 10. Range of Placements Provided 9 11. Services Provided 10 12. Procedure for recruiting and approving, 13 Foster Carers (diagram) 13. Summary of the process for the recruitment 17 and approval of carers 14. Carers professional development 20 15. The Children s Guide(s) to the Fostering Service 20 16. Safeguarding Children 20 17. General Complaints 21 18. Safer Caring Policy 24 19. Monitoring the Quality of the Service 24 20. Review of the Statement of Purpose 25 21. Key Addresses 25 3
1. Introduction It is a requirement of the Fostering Services England Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services that each fostering agency should produce a written Statement of Purpose. This statement must include a description of its service, aims and objectives, together with facilities provided. This Statement of Purpose links to the Children s Guide which is available to all children placed with foster carers and the Looked After Children s Pledge. (Appendix E). 2. Legislative and National Policy Children Act 1989 Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 Fostering Services National Minimum Standards 2011 The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review and Fostering Services (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013 Children Act Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services The Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013 Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010 The Disability and Equality Act 2010 The Human Rights Act 1998 The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 The Children s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care (2007) CWDC (2011) Standards for Family and Friends Carers The Leicester City Fostering Service received its last statutory inspection by Ofsted in March 2012 and was judged to be Outstanding at this inspection. 3. Aims of the Service The aim of the fostering service together with its key partners is to ensure that children and young people living in foster care achieve the best outcomes. Young people should be enabled to reach their full potential through the provision of safe, stable, high quality family placements. By implementing the Fostering Services National Minimum Standards 2011 the fostering service will provide foster placements capable of meeting the 4
health, education and general well-being of foster children from diverse backgrounds. 4. Objectives of the Service To provide a skilled and flexible fostering service that is able to meet the wide range of assessed needs of children and young people requiring foster placements. Leicester City Fostering Service will recruit, assess and approve sufficient foster carers who live in the Leicester area to ensure as far as possible that children can be placed in the local area to assist and maintain appropriate links with family, community, schools and friends. Following assessment, children may be placed with friends and family outside the Leicester area, as long as the placement is in their best interests. Children and young people will be matched to foster placements considered to be able to meet the assessed needs of the child, the views of the child will be taken into consideration as part of this process. Where possible siblings will be placed together (unless there are safeguarding reasons) and where this is not possible, determined efforts will be made to reunite them as soon as is possible and appropriate. Race, language, culture, religion, gender, gender orientation and ability will be taken into account when considering matching carers to the needs of children. The service and foster carers will, in conjunction with partners, support the implementation of the child s Placement Plan, Care Plan or young person s Pathway Plan. In consultation with foster carers, young people and other key individuals the service will maximise placement stability, including availability of the placement to the young person after they reach the age of 18 years where appropriate. Each foster carer will be allocated to a qualified supervising social worker and will receive good quality support and training to assist them to provide the best parenting for children in their care. The service will work in partnership and openness with foster carers and all other partners who are involved in ensuring the child or young person s welfare. 5
5. Principles Children in foster care are entitled to live within and experience family life in which they feel loved and secure in the same way as any other child. Children should be encouraged to be proud of their heritage and background and be encouraged to achieve their potential, celebrating their talents and achievements into adulthood. Foster families are recognised as often providing the basis for positive change in a child s life, leading them to grow and develop to become successful adults. Children are consulted, involved and listened to with appropriate consideration given to their views concerning important decisions affecting their lives. The specific needs of disabled children should be carefully considered when making and supporting foster placements. Children and young people should be supported and encouraged to maintain links and contact with their families and communities of origin and foster carers will be encouraged to support these efforts. Children should not be allowed to drift in care and Leicester City Council has a responsibility to ensure that foster carers and other partners take responsibility for ensuring that the child is prepared for permanency as determined by the care plan, whether this be reunification with family, adoption, permanent foster care or independence. Children should be safeguarded in care; be protected from harm including actions by children or young people themselves. The fostering service and foster carers will operate within the practice and policies agreed by the Local Safeguarding Children Board. 6
6. Management Structure Frances Craven Strategic Director Children s Services Clair Pyper Interim Director Children, Young People and Families Division Cheriel O Neill Head of Service, Looked After Children Mark Tingley Service Manager Family Placement and Support Georgina Oreffo Team Manager Fostering and Kinship* Assessment Team Jill Parker Temporary Team Manager Supervision and Support Team Penni Barwany Team Manager Recruitment Team Aneeta Hulait Team Manager Supervision and Support Team (*Connected Person) Kate Wells Team Manager Children and Families Support Team The Service Manager responsible for the day to day running of the Fostering Service is Mark Tingley. (0116)4544241. Mark has 34 years experience as a qualified social worker having a BA (Hons) Social Science and Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW) awarded in 1980. He also obtained an Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 5 Introductory Executive Diploma in Management in March 2005. In the absence of the Fostering Service Manager, Mike Evans (Service Manager - Residential Homes) deputises, (0116) 4544500, or alternatively Rebecca Small (Service Manager Looked After Children, Fieldwork) (0116) 4545902. The fostering service employs 4 Team Managers, 22 (full or part time) Supervising Social Workers, Publicity Officer, Enquiry Officer and a Child Care Support Worker. The service is supported by a team of business support administrative staff. 7
7. Teams making up the service: Recruitment Team Penni Barwany, Team Manager. Penni has a MA / Diploma in Social Work awarded 19 years ago. ILM Management Qualification. Supervision and Support Team Jill Parker, Temporary Team Manager. Jill has a CQSW obtained in 1990, Post Qualifying Award in 2008 and BA (Hons) in Child Care Practice awarded in 2010. Aneeta Hulait Team Manager. Aneeta has a Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work awarded in 1995 and Post Qualifying Specialist Award in Child Care awarded in 2010. Fostering and Kinship Assessment Team Georgina Oreffo, Team Manager. Georgina has a BSc (Hons) in Social Admin and CQSW, ILM Management Qualification and 30 years experience in social work. Children and Families Support Team (CFST) CFST provide various direct therapeutic interventions with foster children and foster carers experiencing unstable placements, this includes specialist advice and training. Kate Wells is the Team Manager. The service is continuously developing it s policies and procedures to ensure they reflect the new National Minimum Standards, relevant regulations and other legal requirements. The Foster Carer Handbook was last updated in 2011 and is available on the Leicester City Council Website: www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council-services/social-care-health/fostering-andadoption/fostering/foster-carers-handbook/ The Fostering Service recruits, assesses and approves new foster carers. It makes use of a variety of media to recruit new foster carers including, T.V., Radio, Newspapers, local magazines, internet, Twitter, Facebook and free publications. The Fostering Service maintains a comprehensive range of policies and procedures that support the management of the Service, the care of children and advice/guidance/protocols to foster carers which are contained in the Foster Carer Handbook. 8. Services Provided by the Fostering Service: The Fostering Service provides family placements for children and young people of the ages from birth up to and including the age of 18 years. Some young people who are aged 18 may continue to live within their foster family placement under Staying Put provisions. Any transition to another 8
placement, return home or independent living post 16/17 years of age, will be part of their planning process to ensure appropriate services are offered. The Staying Put Policy can be read at Appendix D. The Fostering Service provides placements for children and young people from varying ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, The Fostering Service provides placements for the following: Placements for babies and young children Disabled children. Severely disabled children and/or medical needs and who might need adapted accommodation. Children and young people with a range of complex needs. Unaccompanied asylum seeking children and young people. Subject to assessment, placements for under 18 parent and baby placements. The Fostering Service is located at Eagle House, 11 Friar Lane, and Leicester, LE1 5RB. There is a Foster and Adoption reception service located on the ground floor of Eagle House. This is open to the public, and to existing foster carers and adopters. 9. Opening times 9.00 am 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday. 10. Range of placements provided Emergency placements initially provided for 24 hours and up to 5 working days pending work to return the child home, to their previous placement, or alternative placement. Some placements may continue to be provided for a short-term period (where the care plan agrees this assessment, and the carer is approved for such placements). Short-term placements that meet the care plan for the young person, to enable the young person to return home or to an alternative placement within a short time-scale. Flexibility of care is a significant feature in ensuring success in moving children on to appropriate next placements and at an appropriate time in consideration of the child s needs/circumstances. Permanent placements where the child s care plan is permanency, within foster care. Kinship (Connected Persons) Foster Care this provision is where relatives or friends are approved for specific named children. The length of the placement will vary dependent on whether permanency is achieved through permanent kinship care, Special Guardianship, Residence Order or a return to a parent. 9
Short Breaks this service gives support to families caring for disabled children by providing time limited overnight stays and short breaks for children to help families to continue to care for their children at home. Contract care placements - this service is provided to children and young people who require an intensive level of support over and above mainstream fostering provides. Young people will generally have had their care plan considered and agreed by the Department s Placement Decision Group to access this service. Remand care this provision is available through mainstream foster placements. Assessment and Support Plans for Special Guardianship the service contributes to the assessment for Special Guardianship Orders and support plans, where the foster carer seeks to, or does obtain a Special Guardianship Order on a child for whom they are caring. Private Fostering assessments Assessments for private fostering placements are carried out by fieldwork social work teams. 11. Services Provided The Fostering Service also provides a range of services/facilities to support the work that the social work team and carers undertake. These include: For young people: Children s Guides for children and young people about the foster care service. Access to primary mental health workers for young people who require assessment/services with regard to their behavioural/emotional needs. Access to a team of professionals whose remit it is to raise the educational attainment of looked after children (Virtual School Team) and secure appropriate educational arrangements for the young people either in mainstream or specialist provision. A dedicated health team of Looked After Children s Nurses advising and implementing a health care programme to support the general health and well-being of children looked after in foster care. Liaison with and services available to young people who are preparing to leave care to live as independently as possible and secure employment/training into adulthood. Leisure activities: - All foster carers are provided with: a free sports pass for use in all city swimming pools and other sports facilities. A Leisure Fund is available to support children and young people in accessing activities to support them to maximise leisure and well-being opportunities. 10
A dedicated Children and Young People s Rights and Participation Service for looked after children ensures young people know and understand their rights when being looked after and offers advice, assistance and advocacy in having their views heard, and/or in making complaints. A regular newsletter is sent to all looked after children, by the service and opportunities for the young people to meet together. Opportunities are also provided through initiatives arising from the work of the Corporate Parenting Forum, these can include free cycle riding courses, free access to museum activities, work experience and apprenticeship scheme, job interview practice and recreational activities. Independent visitors: - This scheme enables children and young people who do not have visits from their parents or extended family (or a significant adult) to be matched to approved people whose role is to visit children in care, including foster care. This service is available if it is agreed that it is in the child s best interest, and a suitable visitor can be matched to the child. A range of equipment is provided or loaned to the carer to meet the assessed needs of children & young people in placement. Child and Families Support Team to provide appropriate direct work and support to maintain placement stability. The opportunity to participate in the Children in Care Council and other consultation activities about the council s services. For Foster Carers: The following services are provided to foster carers: A named, allocated supervising social worker, with a duty system backup in the absence of a worker. 24-hour on-call system, staffed by qualified social workers. In the daytime this is provided by the Foster Care Service, from 5.00 pm to 8.30 am by the Duty Social Work Team and an independent 24 hour support line operated by FosterTalk, which is available to all foster carers A comprehensive Foster Care Handbook is provided to all approved foster carers and is available on our website. The Foster Care Service identifies activities during school holidays that meet the needs of a range of children/young people in foster care. Contract foster carers receive 4 weeks paid leave per year, in view of their specialist function. An on-going training programme linked to carers accreditation from the point of approval to Level 5 and contract care. 11
Development and support group sessions for carers and briefing sessions on key issues that are likely to affect them or the service due to national/local change. The Fostering Service may decide after further assessment of a situation that some young people with complex needs require additional support. Therapeutic services are offered by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, and the Child and Family Support Team the Foster Care Service maintains corporate membership of the Fostering Network. The Fostering Service also runs a Sons and Daughter s Group. This enables the foster carer s own children to meet together to share their experiences as sons and daughters of foster carers, advise the fostering service of their views and needs and also to have fun together! 12. Procedures for Recruiting, Approving, Training, Supporting and Reviewing Carers Process for Prospective Foster Carers (See next pages) 12
Fostering Recruitment Team Process 1. Enquiry received. Enquiry Officer inputs on database. 2. Information pack sent out booklet and Register of Interest Form (ROIF). 3. Completed ROIF returned. Enquiry Officer inputs on database. LA checks completed. 4. RTM allocates ROIF to SWs. Telephone interview completed. Initial visit completed (if appropriate) Application accepted or declined. Letter sent to applicant to advise about outcome. 5. Stage 1 assessment allocated. Stage One Agreement completed Checks and references completed. DBS completed. Medicals, training and learning identified. Stage 7 if satisfactory. Stage 6 if not 6. Assessment ended due to Stage 1 information. Letter sent within 10 working days of last information received. 7. Stage 1 completed Applicants are advised they will move to Stage Two 13 Transfer to Assessment Team Manager (ATM) for Stage 2 process.
Kinship Care Recruitment Team Process 1. Viability from Children in Need Team passed to Assessment Team Manager (ATM) ATM e-mails Recruitment Team Manager (RTM) to allocate as a Stage One assessment 2. Recruitment Team Manager allocates Stage 1 Kinship 3. Stage 1: home visit to applicant to follow up viability assessment Stage One assessment: including completion of Consent to References form; DBS checks etc Unless a child is already placed under a Regulation 24 agreement go straight to section 5 4. Stage 1 (if child is in placement under Regulation 24 only) Foster Carer Agreement to be signed. (Reg 24 Foster Carer Agreement) Payments: equipment; clothing, fostering allowance to be processed. 5. Statutory Checks, DBS and addendum paperwork processed. 6. Stage 1 assessment report completed All paperwork completed in file electronic and paper. 7. Recruitment Team Manager transfers case to Assessment Team Manager 14 for progression to Stage 2 assessment.
Kinship and Mainstream Fostering Assessment Stage Two Social worker from the Assessment Team visits the prospective foster carers to complete the full assessment. This will generally involve at least six to eight visits The assessment report is presented to the fostering panel which makes a recommendation to the Agency Decision Maker the prospective foster carer is encouraged to attend with the assessing social worker The Agency Decision Maker considers the Fostering Panel recommendation and any other advice before making the decision as to the suitability of the prospective foster carer to be approved as a foster carer for Leicester City Council If the prospective foster carer is unhappy with the decision (qualifying determination), then they may make representations or request that the Independent Review Mechanism review the decision. 15
Summary of Stage One and Two Assessment Process 1. Enquiry Received 2. Registration of Interest Form & Pack sent 3. Registration of Interest Received and Reviewed: STAGE 1: Local Authority Checks Telephone Interview Initial Visit 1. Stage One Assessment: Stage 1 Agreement Form completed Checks and References completed 2. Decision to continue to Form F assessment after all Stage One information returned (10 day time scale for final decision) STAGE 2: 1. Stage Two Assessment - Form F 2. Report and Recommendation to Panel 3. Panel Recommendation Ratified by Head of Service (ADM Agency Decision maker) 4. Follow Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) procedures if required 16
13. Summary of the process for the recruitment and approval of foster carers Mainstream The Fostering Service has a dedicated publicity officer who discusses the recruitment initiatives required, with Team Managers and the Service Manager of the Service. These initiatives are planned to ensure recruitment is focused on the areas where there is the greatest need i.e. permanent placements, sibling groups, teenagers, disabled children respite and longterm, and dual heritage black/asian children. Recruitment of carers is always planned on a timely basis to maximise the public s interest in considering being a foster carer, therefore the foster care service usually targets specific times of year (National Foster Care Fortnight), specific areas of the City. Alternatively, where advantageous agreements can be made with local media, then these will be exploited to best advantage. The Fostering Service has an enquiry service working from Eagle House completed by the Enquiry Officer. Potential applicants can visit our website, call in person, email or by phone to request information. An information pack including a Registration of Interest Form, is sent to them within 24 hours. Once someone has registered an interest in becoming a carer by returning the Register of Interest Form, statutory checks are commenced and a telephone interview takes place in which more information about the task of fostering in given. Additionally, people interested in fostering can attend regular information events, to learn more about fostering. Following this an Initial Visit may be arranged where further discussion will take place to establish that, for example the prospective carers are likely to have sufficient space, and time, to foster. If after gaining comprehensive information about fostering and the service has confirmed they are likely to be suitable, the individual will be invited to complete a Stage 1 Agreement Form. Thereafter further pre-assessment checks will take place. The service will carry out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, probation, CAFCASS, health visitor/schools references (if have children) and character references. Applicants have to have full health assessments completed by their own GP. If all remains satisfactory the individual will be invited to commence the assessment process and complete the Stage 2 Assessment Agreement. The assessment will take 3-4 months involving approximately 8 visits. A specific form designed by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) is used for assessment and is competency based. Applicants will be invited to attend a pre-approval course, called Skills to Foster and this may occur in either Stage 1 or 2 of the process, depending on when the next course is being run. 17
Once the assessment is complete the social worker will write a report, which is read, amended if necessary and signed by the applicant. The report is submitted to a Fostering Panel whose task it is to consider recommending the approval of foster carers. At the panel, all members will have read the reports. Prospective carers and a social worker will attend the panel. Foster carers can only be carers for one fostering provider. The panel makes a recommendation to the Agency Decision Maker (Head of Service, Looked After Children Service) and where foster carers are approved, a letter of approval detailing the terms on which the carer is approved will be sent i.e. children s ages; gender; the number of placements, and the type of placement. If the prospective foster carer is not happy with the decision made by the fostering agency, they may then request for the matter to be considered by the Independent Review Mechanism. Following approval the carer will also be sent: Foster Carer Agreement Foster Carer Handbook Complaints and Access to Records A copy of the National Minimum Standards A copy of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011/13 Foster Carer s Diary & Log Book Fostering Network leaflets on record keeping, insurance, contact, regulations and guidance. Letter to carer starting in business. Notification details Virtual School Team Information Children s guides according to carer s approval. Application form for Leicester City Council swimming passes Leaflets for Library access. Copy of latest Fostering Training Newsletter Continuing Professional Development Folder Depending on stock there are various leaflets and brochures (e.g. Warning Zone Crime Safety Centre Ltd, Digital Parenting etc.) After approval, responsibility for the carer s support and supervision will transfer to the Supervision and Support Team. Kinship A family member, or Connected Person may be identified as a possible future foster carer for a specific child(ren) by a social worker and will be referred for assessment by the Fostering and Kinship Assessment Team. The Service Manager, Fieldwork Service, may agree to an immediate placement with the connected person, under Regulation 24 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 following a 18
viability assessment completed by the child care social worker. The child s social worker will inform the Fostering and Kinship Assessment Team Manager of an immediate placement, if made. This will trigger a Stage One kinship assessment by the Recruitment Team and then progress to a full assessment by the Fostering and Kinship Assessment Team A form C (F2) for a named child (ren) will be submitted to the Fostering Panel. Following Panel recommendation and approval by the Agency Decision Maker, a letter of approval detailing the terms on which the carer is approved will be sent i.e. children s ages; gender; the number of placements, and the type of placement. The carer will also be sent: Foster Carer Agreement Foster Carer Handbook Complaints and Access to Records A copy of the National Minimum Standards A copy of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011/13 Foster Carer s Diary & Log Book Fostering Network leaflets on record keeping, insurance, contact, regulations and guidance. Letter to carer starting in business. Notification details Virtual School Team Information Children s guides according to carer s approval. Application form for Leicester City Council swimming passes Leaflets for Library access. Copy of latest Fostering Training Newsletter Depending on stock there are various leaflets and brochures (e.g. Warning Zone Crime Safety Centre Ltd, Digital Parenting etc.) After approval, responsibility for the carer s support and supervision will transfer to a supervising social worker in the Supervision and Support Team. Please see Appendix C for our Policy on Connected Person's Foster Care Placements 19
14. Carers professional development All carers will discuss their development and training needs with their supervising social worker. An annual training plan is produced by the service, and newsletters are regularly sent to all carers detailing courses available. There are also joint training opportunities for foster carers to attend training with supervising social workers and residential social workers. The carers annual review will highlight all courses undertaken and in specific circumstances those that might be required to be undertaken to maintain the carers approval, and to develop carers knowledge and skills. Each carer has his/her own Training and Development File so they can build up a portfolio of training, specific work or research study they have undertaken, 15. The Children s Guide(s) to the Fostering Service(s) All children who are placed in a foster home, will receive a booklet which informs them of what the service is for, what it might feel like to live in another family home, the services that children/young people can expect from a foster carer (and the service) and what to do if they are unhappy about any aspect of their care. Three booklets are available for differing age ranges/reading abilities and types of placement and reviewed regularly, with young people, to ensure the details are updated. A copy of the children s guide is also available to carers of young people, their parents/social workers on request. The range of matters detailed in the children s booklet is based on best practice, expected standards and the principle of the Children s Act 1989 the welfare of the child is paramount. Copies of this booklet can be obtained on request from the reception service at Eagle House: Fostering Team Eagle House 11 Friar Lane Leicester LE1 5RB Telephone: 0116 454 4500 16. Safeguarding Children The Fostering Service, as part of the Local Authority adheres to all the policies and procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board in keeping children safe and responding to enquiries of concern when children are thought to be at risk. The Fostering Service will ensure their staff listen to every concern that is raised with them about the care of children who are placed in its service. If there are general concerns about children s care, this can be dealt with by using the complaints procedure of Leicester City Council. If it is about 20
the welfare or treatment of children physically; sexually, emotionally or neglectful care, the Children and Young People s Services will initiate enquiries and decide what the plan of investigation will be. If the matters of concern are about the foster carers, or that of their family or siblings, there is a procedure within the Fostering Service to inform carers (at an appropriate time) of any allegations made about them and what is likely to happen. This procedure is also laid out in the Foster Care Handbook for all carers, and for staff in the staff procedure manual (copies can be requested from the Fostering Services). The Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures can be accessed via the following link: http://llrscb.proceduresonline.com/chapters/contents.html Foster carers will receive support from the Foster Care Service and FosterTalk. Children will be supported by social workers, Children s Rights Officer, Independent Visitor, family, as appropriate. The placement of the child (other children) will be carefully considered during all stages of the investigation and subsequently when the outcome of the investigation is known. Children and carers and relevant others will be informed of the outcome of any investigation. The Fostering Service works closely with the placing social workers of the children, the Safeguarding Unit and relevant others, i.e. police, to co-operate with any investigation and ensure records are kept of all complaints/allegations made and their outcomes. The service will be aware of any trends/patterns that emerge with particular children/carers/or the organisation, when evaluating complaints on an annual basis. 17. General Complaints There is a separate procedure for children/others to make general complaints about their care in the carer s home or about the services of the Fostering Service. This procedure can be requested from the Foster Care Service at Eagle House or the Complaints Manager (Children). Children themselves will receive information about making complaints. Foster carers are aware of the need to take the time to talk to young people about this, so young people feel they can openly discuss their concerns. Contact details for the Complaints Manager are as follows: 21
http://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council-services/educationlifelong-learning/problems-or-complaints/#what-if-i-want-toknow-more-about-making-a-formal-complaint You can write to the Complaints Manager: FREEPOST RTAL-CEBX-SCLR Children s Complaints Manager Leicester City Council 6-8 St Martins LEICESTER LE1 5DB Or Email: youngpeople-complaints@leicester.gov.uk If you wish to speak to the Complaints Manager: Tel: 0116 454 6516 The Complaints Manager is in charge of the complaints procedure, which has three stages: Stage 1: Getting somebody to talk to you, and to other people, to try and sort the problem out. They will write to you to tell you what they ve done. Stage 2: If talking doesn t work, or you don t want to use stage one, somebody called an Investigating Officer will look at the problem in a more formal way. Someone else called an Independent Person will make sure that the complaint is fairly investigated. The Investigating Officer knows a lot about dealing with young people s complaints. The Independent Person makes sure things are fair and are done properly. Stage 3: If, after this, you still don t feel okay about what s happened, you can ask for a Complaints Review Panel. Three people who don t already know about the problem will take a fresh look at it. You can attend the panel meeting if you like - with a friend or someone you can trust. While all this is going on, the Complaints Manager will make sure that you know what s happening. If you re still not happy at the end of stage three, then don t give up. The Complaints Manager will let you know where you can get more help or advice. This is usually from the Local Government Ombudsman. 22
The Local Government Ombudsman investigate complaints about Council services. They would usually like you to complete this complaints procedure before they investigate, but you could contact them at any time. Local Government Ombudsman The Oaks No2 Westwood Way Westwood Business Park Coventry, CV4 8JB Tel: 024 7682 0000 Where it is appropriate, the parents of children (or legal guardian) will be informed of any complaint/allegation made and the outcome and their views considered. Parents/family members, friends or advocates can act on behalf of a child to make a complaint about the Fostering Service or the child/young person can ask the Children s Rights and Participation Service to support them. 23
18. Safer Caring Policy Each family will have a Safer caring Policy, and bedroom risk assessment completed prior to approval, and regularly reviewed. The Safer Caring Policy aims to reduce risks to all family members and the Looked after child. All carers will be trained about child safeguarding procedures. When an investigations has been held where there is a substantiated allegation of abuse made about a carer, this will be reported to the Ofsted, as outlined in the Foster Care Standards and Regulations (Regulation 29 and37). 19. Monitoring the Quality of the Service The Fostering Service is monitored (and inspected) by a number of qualified professionals: Foster carers receive at least one unannounced visit a year to their home by the supervising social worker, and regular supervisory visits. The Service Manager responsible for the day-to-day management of the Foster Care Service, monitors a range of matters identified in the Fostering Services National Minimum Standards and Regulations 2011 (Regulation 35(1)) to ensure the standards are adhered to and the service is developing to meet the needs of a range of children. Inspectors from Ofsted inspect the Local Authority s Foster Care Service as part of it s inspection of local authority child care services according to requirements laid down by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and can contact and/or inspect foster care homes unannounced. Complaints made about the Service, including carers, are monitored on an annual basis; this also includes any allegations made about staff/carers. The current number of complaints and their outcomes is documented in Appendix B. All Looked After Children/young people have an Independent Reviewing Officer who chairs their Looked After Review meetings to ensure their care plan is being met and are being provided with quality care by a range of services to meet their needs. An IRO s role is to ensure the child s voice is at the centre of their plan, but to also ensure parent s and foster carer s views are considered alongside other parties in relation to how well a child is progressing. 24
20. Review of the Fostering Service Statement of Purpose The Fostering Service reviews the Statement of Purpose on a minimum annual basis to ensure it s aims, objectives, services and facilities provided remain appropriate to the care of children and young people. 21. Key Addresses: Ofsted PiccadillyGate StoreStreet Manchester M1 2WD Children s Rights & Participation Service Bosworth House Princess Road West Leicester LE1 6TH The Foster Care Service Eagle House 11 Friar Lane Leicester LE1 5RB Children s Complaints Manager Leicester City Council 6-8 St Martins LEICESTER LE1 5DB The Office of the Children's Commissioner33 Greycoat Street London SW1P 2QF Foster Talk Oak Tree House Waterside Hanbury Road Bromsgrove B60 4FD General Helpline 0300 123 1231 mailto:enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk Telephone: 0116 4542424 Email childrensrights@leicester.gov.uk Telephone: 0116 4544500 Fax: 0116 233 6053 Telephone: (0116) 0116 256 8383 youngpeople.complaints@leicester.gov.uk Telephone: 020 7783 8330 Fax: 020 7931 7544 info.request@childrenscommissioner.gsi.gov.uk Telephone: 0844 800 3880 (Support line) www.fostertalk.org NEXT REVIEW: November 2015 25
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APPENDIX A Profile of the Leicester City Foster Care Service On 30 th September 2014 the Foster Care Service had: 278 approved foster carer households. 12 foster carers were approved to provide short breaks for disabled children. 362 Children and young people were placed with foster carers, of these 140 children were cared for in Kinship (Connected Person) foster placements. On 30 th September 2014: 86 approved carers were kinship (connected persons) foster carers and 8 had children placed with them and were being assessed as kinship (connected persons) carers. 27
APPENDIX B Formal complaints received into the Foster Care Service During 2013/2014 (April to March) the following complaints have been received by the fostering service: - Complaints Complaint from Number received Number upheld Resolved within 20 days Still ongoing Children / YP 0 0 0 0 Foster Carers 2 0 2 0 Parents 0 0 0 0 Other eg. Public, MP s enquiry etc All complaints made about the fostering service are referred to the Complaints Manager (Children) where these are recorded. 28
APPENDIX C LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL Fostering Service 1. Introduction Policy on Connected Person's Foster Care Placements 1.1. Kinship Foster Care is where a Looked After Child or young person lives with family, friends or other people who are connected with them, in a placement approved by the Local Authority; this will be under a Care Order (Section 31 Children Act 1989), Interim Care Order, or provision of accommodation by agreement (Section 20 CA 1989). Kinship foster carers are assessed and approved under The Fostering Services Regulations (2011) in line with BAAF Guidance, Fostering National Minimum Standards and the Care Planning Placement and Case Review Regulations (2010). 2. A key principal is that children and young people should be enabled to live within their families where it is consistent with their welfare. If children and young people cannot remain at home, then placement with family, fiends or connected people should be explored. Having a secure attachment and placement stability are important in building resilience, and promoting children s long-term well-being. Children within kinship care are generally reported to feel secure, happy and feel a sense of belonging within their family. Research also evidences high levels of commitment from Kinship carers, their strong bonds with the children, the pleasure they find in the children themselves and the satisfaction they derive from caring. 2.1. Kinship placements can allow children to maintain positive links with their heritage and their sense of identity and self esteem can be maximised. 2.2. However, kinship placements can also present challenges. Many carers are grandparents where issues of age and health may be a significant factor. There may also be complex family relationships, housing overcrowding or financial difficulties. Carers need time and the opportunity to reflect on the impact of their decision. Ultimately, the assessment process with Kinship carers is designed to weigh up these factors with the welfare of the child/young person as the priority. 29
3. Assessments of prospective kinship carers 3.1. In Leicester, assessments are undertaken by the Fostering and Kinship Assessment Team. 3.2. The workers within the team undertake assessments of prospective carers and provide, supervision and support to the carers where a child has already been placed with the carers. Once approved, the ongoing supervision and support of kinship foster carers passes to the Supervision and Support Team. Where children and young people leave kinship care via rehabilitation to birth parents or via permanent orders such as Special Guardianship Orders the Supervision and Support Team in conjunction with the child s social worker continue to provide support until the order is made or the child returns home. 3.3. All referrals are welcomed without prejudice. This includes referrals irrespective of the age, gender, sexuality, or ethnic, cultural and religious heritage of the applicant. Where possible assessments are allocated to Social Workers that reflect the heritage of the applicant. The assessing Social Worker will be provided with access to appropriate support and guidance. 4. The Referral System 4.1. It may be the case that there are a number of family members and/or friends who come forward to care for children. Social workers may make use of a Family Group Meeting, and undertake a viability assessment to identify the most positive placement to go forward for a full assessment. 5. The Viability Assessment 5.1. When undertaking a viability assessment, the following will be covered. Relevant sections of BAAF Form C Interviewing the prospective carers: This will cover issues such as their motivation, their relationship with the children, birth parents and contact. Issues of safety, parenting capacity, and family history are covered and areas such as whether the applicants have any major health or child protection concerns. Schedule 4 of the 2010 Regulations details what is to be covered. Assessing the accommodation. Assessment is made of the space for a child or children and the safety of sharing a bedroom. A Health and Safety Checklist is completed, and a pet questionnaire completed if relevant. Safety checks, Social Care client database (Liquid Logic) and CAIU checks are completed on all members of the household, checking with other Local Authorities if the proposed carers are known to them, if they do not live in Leicester City. 30
The child s wishes and feelings about the proposed arrangements must be taken into account. 6. Regulation 24 Placements 6.1. There is provision in the legislation for Looked After Children and young people to be placed with carers for a time limited period where a full kinship foster care assessment is to be completed. The principle behind this is to not delay placements and/or minimise placement moves. 6.2. Where an immediate placement is made, checks are undertaken, and the BAAF Form C Viability completed, as far as practicable, before placement. Good practice includes viewing case files the department might hold on potential carers in order to identify any concerns or risks to the child. 6.3. Temporary approval is granted. Information about the child including the Care Plan, is given to the carer, and a Placement Plan is prepared. The Child s Social Worker will visit weekly until the first Review, and then at least four weekly. The full assessment is then undertaken. 6.4. Where a child has been placed under Regulation 24, although such placements may be positive in the longer term, there is clearly some degree of risk if the outcome of the assessment is not positive. 6.5. A Foster Carer Agreement (Regulation 24) is signed by the carers, and Service Manager. The carers will receive a Fostering Allowance and are eligible for equipment. 6.6. If the full assessment has not been completed after 16 weeks, agreement is sought for an extension to the temporary approval, (Regulation 25). The IRO is informed. The extension is up to a further 8 weeks. 7. The Assessment Process 7.1. Kinship foster carers are subject to a comprehensive assessment process as mainstream carers, but the assessment is focussed on meeting the needs of the specific child/children rather than generic issues. The BAAF Form C is used. 7.2. The assessment itself comprises the following:- A series of weekly home visits (usually between 6 to 10 visits) to cover the applicants history, relationships, support networks, parenting skills, child protection issues, ADP issues. Applicants have a full medical with their GP. A minimum of 3 referees are interviewed one family member and two non-related individuals. Statutory checks are undertaken (DBS, Social Care Records, CAFCASS, Housing, Schools, Health Visitor, Employer). 31
The views of the looked after child/children are sought as are the views of any children or young people in the household. 7.3. Workers undertaking the assessment will make a recommendation as to whether prospective carers should be approved as kinship foster carers. This is presented as a report to the Leicester City Fostering Panel that meets on a monthly basis. The Fostering Panel then makes a recommendation to the Agency Decision Maker. 7.4. If the outcome of the assessment (at any stage of the process) is negative, this will be discussed with the applicant, the Team Manager and Social Worker and an appropriate course of action decided upon. Legal advice will be sought, particularly in care proceedings, and advice given to the applicant. 8. Support to Kinship Foster Carers Kinship foster carers are entitled to receive the full fostering allowance (this includes Regulation 24 and 25 Placements). Kinship Foster carers are eligible to take up all the training offered by the Fostering service. Kinship foster carers receive specific training related to kinship issues. They are expected to complete First Aid and Training, Support and Development Standards training offered by the Fostering Service. Kinship foster carers can get practical help with start-up costs and equipment such as beds, bedding etc. All Kinship Carers will have an allocated Supervising Social Worker, and have access to out of ours support available to all Foster Carers. 9. Post Approval 9.1. All kinship foster carers have their own Supervising Social Worker from the Supervision and Support Team. Their role is to supervise the placement and carers. Regular supervisory visits are undertaken alongside Unannounced Visits and Annual Reviews. 9.2. Where appropriate we will also provide advice to carers on how to secure legal orders for permanency eg; Special Guardianship Orders and complete the necessary reports in conjunction with the childcare social worker. 10. Partnership working 10.1. Crucial in the success of kinship foster care placements is the degree of communication and partnership working between Social Workers, Kinship Foster Carers and Supervising Social Workers in the fostering service. 32
Staying Put Policy and Procedure Contents 1. Introduction 2. Staying Put Aims 3. Staying Put - Criteria 4. Staying Put Pathway Planning Review Procedure 5. Independent Fostering Agency Placements 6. Staying Put Making it Work 7. Staying Put - Financial Arrangements 8. Carers Financial Arrangements Appendix 1 Staying Put Funding Request Report 1. Introduction 1.1 The Regulatory Framework The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 and the Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers 2010 (Regulations and Guidance) require each local authority to have a Staying Put Policy that sets out arrangements whereby the authority will promote the extension of foster care placements beyond a young person s eighteenth birthday. Leicester City Council is committed to preventing social exclusion amongst care leavers and has developed the following policy in order to ensure that our care leavers and those who remain in education receive continued support. The Staying Put Policy sets out the conditions required to extend a former fostering arrangement beyond a young person s eighteenth birthday, the associated financial implications, the social care requirements associated with extending former fostering arrangements and the consequential Income Tax, National Insurance and Welfare Benefit issues. From the age of eighteen young people are no longer legally in Care and therefore fostering arrangements no longer apply. Following a young person s eighteenth birthday, the legal basis on which they occupy the property (former foster care home) changes and they become a tenant who is effectively lodging in the Staying Put carer/s home. Whilst the term tenant is a legal one, it should not denote that the young person will be treated differently than they were as a fostered child. The associated change from foster child to adult member of the household, and for the carer from foster carer to landlord (Staying Put carer), should be carefully and sensitively planned in order to ensure that 33