Agenda item

Sophie Jones, Fostering Service manager and Emma were present at the meeting along with foster carers, Rosamund and Kenny.

Officers presented the report and provided an overview on the fostering services.

·  Priority: Recruitment and providing support, to ensure there was stability for placements and for carers receive the necessary support

·  Counselling services for young people which had special guidelines which involve:

§  Development time during the support process – example; arranging coffee mornings

§  Recognising the needs of the carer and

§  Training programme for a foster carer

§  More data analysis on special guardian support plan review.

Kenny mentioned he had been a foster carer for 6 years. He explained that he receives full support from the fostering team especially during challenging situations.

Rosamund stated that she had been a foster carer for 20 years. She had experience fostering a child who used to be a gang member. She said without the backing of Southwark who provided her with support the situation would have been difficult to manage.

Helen Woolgar:

·  Long term carers are often in very overcrowded conditions in their  accommodation

·  Four bedroom flat specially built for foster carers

·  Extra help needed and more resources and help should be provided especially as some were council tenants and others were in private accommodation.

A young person asked about the difference between connected carers and special guardians allowances.

·  Connected carers is the same as fostering allowances

·  Special guardianship – means tested or put on a support plan; works in a slightly different way

·  Connected carers have the same allowances as fosters carers.

The chair thanked everyone for their contribution to the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the annual report of Southwark’s fostering service for 2023-2024 be noted.