Decision details

At the meeting of the Children's Services Scrutiny Committee held on 7 September 2016 members were advised that the marketing to support carers recruitment would benefit from a review from the Committee to identify other potential resources which could be used and how the influence of the Committee could support the marketing and promotion of foster caring.

In addition it was suggested by the Corporate Director of Operations and Delivery that it may be of benefit to look at the overall issue of fostering in different ways by identifying additional support requirements such as a respite model or where there were those who would like to become a foster carer but unable to do so on a full time basis to agree to work and support young people to stay with family.

It transpired that the Committee was only able to resource one sub group and therefore the original issue relating to the promotion of fostering was taken forward. It was agreed that the second suggestion would be progressed at a later date.

This work of the Sub-Group was mainly looking at how Councillors and the County Council in its role as a public sector organisation could use its leverage in promoting fostering services to recruit more foster carers.

Many organisations had been contacted in the public sector, the private sector and the voluntary sector and the general response was that they would be willing to promote good foster care and LCC's service. Research had also taken place with other councils. What was discovered by the Sub-Group was that there was a number of different ways in engaging with the promotion of fostering which was of minimal cost to the Council

Resolved:

1.  The Committee approved the report of the Fostering Sub-Group

2.  The Committee agreed to a second sub-group proposed at the meeting on 7 September to progress separately and discussions to take place between the Chair of CSSC, the Chair of the Corporate Parenting Board and the Corporate Director of Operations and Delivery to agree the most appropriate way forward.