Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on the Placement Review, which is focused on the sufficiency of placements for Children in Care, and seeks approval for a new training, support and remuneration offer for Foster Carers.

Resolved:  That Option 3 be approved and the new training, support and remuneration offer for Foster Carers, taking into consideration the Foster Carer consultation feedback at Annex B, be implemented.

Reason:     In order to deliver the outcomes of the Placement Review and help to ensure that Foster Carers feel valued and have a sense of ownership of the new offer.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided an update on the Placement Review, and sought approval for a new training, support and remuneration offer for Foster Carers.

The Principal Officer gave an update and confirmed work had been ongoing to develop the support, training and remuneration offer for Foster Carers across York. The Executive Member noted that the aim of the Placement Review was to develop options that better met current and future placement needs, offered value for money and improved outcomes for children in care. 

In answer to the Executive Member’s questions, the Group Manager confirmed that:

·        The offer was robust and competitive and included a good remuneration and support package that should enhance our ability to recruit and retain foster carers.

·        A number of different consultation approaches were used to ensure a diverse range of feedback was obtained from Foster Carers.

Options available to the Executive Member were as follows:

Option 1 – do nothing.  This would not deliver the review outcomes.

Option 2 – implement the new offer at Annex A with no changes.  This would deliver the outcomes but not give due weight to Foster Carers’ views.

Option 3 – implement the new offer, taking into consideration Foster Carer feedback.  This was the recommended option.

Resolved:  That Option 3 be approved and the new training, support and remuneration offer for Foster Carers, taking into consideration the Foster Carer consultation feedback at Annex B, be implemented.

Reason:     In order to deliver the outcomes of the Placement Review and help to ensure that Foster Carers feel valued and have a sense of ownership of the new offer.