To review fostering service performance and approve related documents.

The team leader for Herefordshire fostering service provided an overview of the activity, quality and impact of Herefordshire’s fostering services. Proposed updates to the charter, guide for young people, and statement of purpose were outlined. Following questions by members of cabinet the following points were noted:

·         Feedback from those in care indicated that generally the quality of care experienced whilst in foster care was good although there was some frustration about changes in social workers; there were continued difficulties in recruiting social workers, as experienced nationally,  and there were signs that recruitment and retention was improving

·         Recruitment rates for foster carers remained positive

·         70% in house placement rate was improving

In response to queries by members in attendance the following points were made:

·         unannounced visits were part of the national minimum standard requirement, and the reasons underlying the process were well understood and accepted by foster carers

·         sibling placements were made together where possible and appropriate to do so

·         recruitment and retention strategies were having a positive effect but would take time to fully embed

·         detail of the overspend in the past and current financial years as a percentage of the overall budget would be provided

Resolved that:

(a)         the activity, quality and impact of Herefordshire Council’s    fostering service as detailed in appendix a to this report,  be reviewed and any additional actions to support improvement identified;

(b)         the Herefordshire foster carers charter (appendix B) be approved;

(c)          the guide for young people that are looked after (appendix C) be approved; and

(d)         The statement of purpose (appendix D) be approved