Agenda item

Fostering Service - Annual Report 2017/18

Report of the Executive Director, People Services

Minutes:

7.1

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

7.3

 

 

 

7.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.5

 

 

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, People Services, attaching the Fostering Service – Annual Report 2017/18.

 

In attendance for this item were Councillor Jackie Drayton (Cabinet Member for Children and Families) and Paul Dempsey (Assistant Director – Provider Services, Children and Families Services).

 

Paul Dempsey presented the report which detailed the activity and performance of Sheffield City Council’s Fostering Service for 2017/18 and set out the improvement and development work planned for 2018/19.

 

Members of the Committee raised questions and the following responses were provided:-

 

·         The increase in the number of foster children reflected the national picture.  Austerity measures had contributed to the increase.

 

·         The service was looking to increase training provision for Foster Carers and was increasing the role to 1.5 full time employees.  Once approved, foster carers were given Personal Development Plans and the amount of advanced training was to be increased.  The service’s Psychologist was developing a training and development programme.  Safeguarding training was also available.

 

·         Foster Carers who gave up the role usually did so due to personal circumstances e.g. relocating, becoming staying put carers or retiring.

 

·         There were measures in place for families on the edge of care e.g Multi Agency Teams, educare services for adolescents, a new edge of care service was in place.

 

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

 

(a)         notes the annual report of the Fostering Service now submitted and the progress made, together with the responses to the questions now raised; and

 

(b)         thanks Councillor Jackie Drayton and Paul Dempsey for attending the meeting and responding to the questions raised.

 

 

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