To review the fostering service performance and approve related documents.

The cabinet member for young people and children’s wellbeing introduced the report. He noted a 15% overall growth in foster carers in Herefordshire which was significantly better than national figures. He stated that this was a sign that the proactive approach taken by the council was very successful. The cabinet member noted that the fostering service had also developed the residential respite. The council was now providing up to 238 nights per year of respite in a residential setting.

The head of LAC commented that this was a statutory annual report. She highlighted that the service had continued to grow with targeted recruitment for areas of need including the overnight short break service, supported lodgings for older young people and care leavers and to meet the needs of unaccompanied asylum seekers. Despite this there was still a need for more foster carers. There had also been a focus on placement stability. The council did well when compared with statistical neighbours but it was a priority for 2017-18 to improve this still further.

The representative of the Herefordshire Independents group stated that he had been impressed with the care and devotion shown by foster carers and praised the work of the fostering team.

The vice chair of the adults and wellbeing scrutiny committee spoke on the improvement in the service. He explained that he had been the chair of the task and finish group on 1 Ledbury Road 18 months ago. Since then the fostering service had seen a turnaround as a result of the work of the fostering team and the cabinet member. Even though 1 Ledbury Road had now closed there were now many more foster carers in place to help the young people who previously depended on that centre.

The leader of the council commented on the good performance and commended the work of the fostering service.

It was resolved that:

(a)  the performance of the fostering service as outlined at appendix a to this report be reviewed, any risks to achievement of objectives noted and relevant mitigating actions approved;

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

(c)  the statement of purpose (appendix c) be approved.