make fostering your future - middlesbrough.gov.uk · an introduction to fostering with ... week as...

MAKE FOSTERING YOUR FUTURE

AN INTRODUCTION TO FOSTERING WITH

MIDDLESBROUGH SOCIAL SERVICES

MIDDLESBROUGH COUNCIL

FOSTERING SERVICE

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

2017

Issued in April 2017 by

Middlesbrough Fostering Service

1ST Floor, Vancouver House

Gurney Street

Middlesbrough

TS1 1JL

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Principles The work of Middlesbrough Fostering Service is based on the following three principles: Child focussed The child’s welfare, safety and needs are at the centre of the fostering process.

Partnership The Fostering Service will work in partnership with parents and children, foster carers and their families, and social work staff and other professionals when delivering the service.

Anti-discriminatory practice The Fostering Service will respect Human Rights and will ensure that there is fair and equal access to all its services. The services it provides will be free from discrimination, prejudice and racism. Aims and objectives of the Fostering Service The main aim of the Fostering Service provided by Middlesbrough Council is to provide suitable foster care placements for children who are looked after by Middlesbrough Council. The Fostering Service will achieve this by:

recruiting, preparing and assessing prospective foster carers and their families

supporting, developing and retaining approved foster carers and their families

working in partnership with the child’s social worker to identify a suitable placement when it has been agreed that the child’s assessed needs will be met by placement in foster care

working in partnership with the child’s social worker and other appropriate professionals to identify a suitable alternative placement from an Independent Fostering Agency, where appropriate and agreed by Middlesbrough Children’s Panel.

Standards of care The work of Middlesbrough Fostering Service is delivered in accordance with the following standards:

UK National Standards for Foster Care 1999

The Code of Practice on the recruitment, assessment, approval, training, management and support of foster carers 2005

The National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services 2011 In addition to the National Minimum Standards, Middlesbrough Fostering Service has adopted local standards which underpin its approach to service delivery. These include:

responding to enquiries from potential foster carers in a positive and welcoming manner and sending them an information pack within 5 working days of receiving the enquiry

a requirement for social workers who join the team to have some experience of Children & Families work

a commitment to the use of co-working by 2 social workers during the assessment process, in the belief that this leads to a high quality, thorough assessment

the use of a banded payments system which recognises the valuable contribution made by foster carers as they develop skills and experience and relates the payment received to the skills and experience they have developed

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The Organisational Structure of the Fostering Service The Fostering Service of Middlesbrough Council is provided mainly by workers from the Fostering Team which is based within Wellbeing Care & Learning Middlesbrough Council, with additional input from 4 other members of staff (Team Clerks) from within the Family Placement Service. The organisational structure as at 1 July 2017 is shown in the diagram below.

Details of the Manager of the Fostering Service The manager of Middlesbrough Council's Fostering Service is:

Lynn Woodhouse 1st Floor, Vancouver House Gurney Street Middlesbrough TS1 1JL Phone : 01642 - 201960 Fax : 01642 - 201973 Email [email protected]

Executive Director

Director of Children’s Care

Head of Service

Family Placement Manager

(Shared with Adoption Service)

Fostering Team -

Assistant Team Manager --

Recruitment & Assessment Team 8 Social Workers 1 of which is a temporary

contract -

Support & Retention Team 9 Social Workers

-

1 Resource Worker shared with Adoption

Training, Recruitment and Development Officer (Shared with Adoption Service)

Chief Executive

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Details of staff of the Fostering Service (March 2017) There is 18 staff employed by Middlesbrough Council in the Fostering Service. In addition, there is 4 staff employed for administrative support to the Fostering and Adoption Service. Details of the staff, their relevant qualifications and experience are as follows:

Name Job title Qualifications Experience

Lynn Woodhouse

Family Placement Manager

DipSW 1998 PQ1 2002 Child care award 2004 CMS 2000 DMS 2001

With Social Services from 1998-2004 With The Fostering Network 2004-2011 With Social Services 2011 ongoing

Sue Mansell Assistant Team Manager

CQSW – 1990 Post Qualifying Award in Family Placement – 2007

With Social Services since 1990. With Fostering Service since 2008.

Jane O’Toole Supervising Social Worker

DipSW – 1998 With Social Services since 1998. With Fostering Service since 2002.

Val Hampton Supervising Social Worker

CQSW – 1986 With Social Services since 1986. With Fostering Service since 2001.

Jill Fawcett Supervising Social Worker

DipSW – 2000 PQ Child Care Award 2009


Janet Docherty Supervising Social Worker

BA (Hons) in Social Work – 1999 PQ1 – 2004


Jude Brown Supervising Social Worker

DipSW 1998. With Social Services since 1998. With Fostering Service since 2011.

Alison Horrigan Supervising Social Worker

BA (Hons) Social Work 2014

NVQ Health and Social Care 2008

January 2006 – Present, Middlesbrough Council Social Services

Claire Gibbon Supervising Social Worker

BA (Hons) in Business Administration 2001 DipSW – 2004 BA in Specialist Social Worker with children, young people, their families and carers - 2011

With Social Services since 2004. With Fostering Service since 2011

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Kayleigh Thompson

Supervising Social Worker


With Fostering service since 2013

Julie Hodds Supervising Social Worker

BA (Hons) in Social Work – 2014

With social Services since 2014. With Fostering Service since 2015

Nicola Mason Supervising Social Worker

BA (Hons) Social Work – 2015

Fostering Service Since 2015.

Sylvia Whitlock Supervising Social Worker

Bsc (Hons) Social Sciences 1989 CQSW Dip SW 1992 BA in Social Work 2011

Joined Social Services in 1992 in same locality team until 2001.

Moved to Middlesbrough Children with Disabilities team in 2001.

Manager of Children with Disabilities team from 2012 until July 2016.

July 2016 joined Fostering Team; working 2 days per week as part of flexi retirement.

Gareth Bennett Supervising Social Worker

BA (Hons) Social Work 2012 The University of York

Employed by Middlesbrough Council since March 2013 in Assessment and Care Planning Team, moved to the Family Placement Team in January 2017.

Jonathan Howe Supervising Social Worker


Employed by Middlesbrough Council since March 2015 in Assessment and Care Planning Team, moved to the Family Placement Team in January 2017.

Carol Lewis-Milne


BSc in Learning Disability Nursing and Social Work 2003 (University of Teesside)

With Middlesbrough Social Services from Sept 2003. Moved to the Fostering Team in April 2016.

Amy Graham Supervising Social Worker

Bsc (Hons) Social Sciences 2014

With Middlesbrough Social Services from February 2015. Moved to the Fostering Team in February 2016.

Tracy Reed Supervising Social Worker


With Middlesbrough Social Services from July 2013. Moved to the Fostering Team in November 2016.

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Victoria Lipthorpe



With Middlesbrough Social Services from May 2016. Moved to the Fostering Team in January 2017.

Andrew Winn Recruitment, Training and Development Officer

NVQ Level 5 in Operational Management.

Certificate in Management.

Certificate in Education.

With Safeguarding Services since June 2007. With the Family Placement Team since November 2016.

Brian Foulger Family Support Worker

NVQ 3 Health & Social Care. Children & Young People

With Safeguarding Services since 2004. With Fostering Service since 2013

Gill Bisp Team Clerk, Mouchel Business Services (shared with Adoption Service)

NVQ Business Admin. Level 2 – 1995 Level 3 – 1997 Level 3 Key Skills – 1997


Sue Atkinson Team Clerk, Mouchel Business Services (shared with Adoption Service)

B.T.E.C Business Admin – 1996


Carol Fallow Business Admin Support, Middlesbrough Council

27 Years’ time served experience

With Middelsbrough Council since 1990

Building Cleaning, Cargo Fleet Lane – Admin , Legal & Local Democracy, Social Services , Intergrated Support Unit , Fostering & Adoption

Sarah Young Business Support Assistant, Middlesbrough Council

NVQ Business Admin. Level 2 – 1995 Level 3 – 1996

With Middlesbrough Council since April 2010

Commissioning Team, Admin Support in CFL, ISU, Fostering and Adoption.

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Activity of the Fostering Service - 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 Number of foster carers: The number of approved foster carers with Middlesbrough Council Fostering Service in the year ending 31st March 2016 was 112 Numbers of complaints and their outcomes: There was 1 complaint which was upheld and resolved to the Foster Carer’s satisfaction.

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Fostering Services The services and facilities provided by Middlesbrough Fostering Service fall into 3 main areas: 1. Those provided to prospective foster carers:

Information and advice about fostering

Initial visits to people expressing an interest in becoming foster carers

Preparation training for applicants

Competency-based assessment of applicants using BAAF Form F

The opportunity to attend the Family Placement Panel when their application is presented 2. Those provided to foster carers registered with Middlesbrough Fostering Service

Supervision and support from a named social worker from the Fostering Service

Practical support (such as transport and activities for children) from a Support Worker, according to need

A regular newsletter specifically for foster carers registered with Middlesbrough Fostering Service

Access to a secure on-line notice board

Membership of Fostering Network

Support groups and social events for foster carers

A foster carers handbook containing information on policies, procedures and practice guidance

Access to independent advice and mediation when necessary

A programme of induction training for newly approved foster carers

A programme of post-approval training specifically for foster carers.

Financial support for placements, using a banded payments scheme

Loan of essential equipment or household items to support specific placements

A peer mentoring scheme, provided by foster carers who have had relevant training 3. Those provided to social work staff who need a placement for a child looked after by the

Council. These consist of:

A duty social worker available during office hours Monday – Friday

Provision of a range of foster care placements for children looked after by Middlesbrough Council

Provision of carers for use by the Emergency Duty Team for placements at evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

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Procedures and Processes used by Middlesbrough Council’s Fostering Service Recruitment, Assessment and Approval Middlesbrough Fostering Service follows the two stage assessment process set out by The Department for Education in July 2013. The target to recruit 100 in-house foster carers by 2014 was set as part of the Middlesbrough Children’s Looked After Strategy. This target was increased in 2013/14 by senior management to 120 in-house foster carers. The target has been increased to recruit 130 foster carers by 2017. There are currently 112 approved carers and the service continues to work toward its goal. Recruitment activity is planned in accordance with the Fostering Recruitment Strategy. Recruitment activity is undertaken on different levels - national (for example Foster Care Fortnight, inclusion of our details on various websites) and local (for example the use of adverts placed in various publications, distribution of posters and leaflets, selected dates across the year for adshel posters placed at 10 key areas in Middlesbrough, inclusion of Fostering information on Middlesbrough’s web-site and other specialist web-sites).

It was agreed that all five local authorities of Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar & Cleveland, Darlington and Hartlepool would continue running as Tees Valley Fostering. A collaborative approach was agreed between all five Tees Valley Local Authorities to implement a sustained integrated marketing and communications campaign over the next 12 months to include media relations, advertising and events. Tees Valley Fostering Campaign Objectives

Raise awareness of fostering within the Tees Valley area and the need for more foster carers.

Recruit more foster carers from within the Tees Valley area and signpost them to their Local Authority.

Steer application choice to Tees Valley Local Authorities as opposed to Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs).

Promote the fostering services and support available from each of the Local Authorities within the Tees Valley

Highlight the need to recruit more foster carers for harder to place children such as children over 10, children with disabilities, and sibling groups, as well as long term foster placements and supported lodgings for children and young people until the age of 21.

Emphasise the rewards and support available to Local Authority foster carers.

Dispel myths around fostering, which may be preventing people from make an enquiry.

Increase the capacity to undertake larger, ‘bigger budget’ marketing activities as a Tees Valley partnership by joining up resources and sharing the cost of recruitment.

Assessment process to become an approved Foster Carer for Middlesbrough Enquiry Stage A key element of the recruitment strategy is that of responding to enquiries in a positive but realistic way. Enquiries are taken by a member of the Fostering Service who takes basic details and answers any initial questions. An information pack is sent out within 5 days of receipt of the enquiry. If the enquirer wants to go on to the next stage, they send back a short form giving basic details of themselves and the type of fostering that interests them. Once a reply slip has been received a social worker will conduct a screening call. The screening call provides an opportunity for the enquirer to ask any questions and for the social worker to

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gather further background information so an informed decision can be made as to whether the enquirer can proceed. If the enquirer does not meet the criteria for fostering advice will be offered at this time. If the enquirer proceeds an initial visit is arranged. Two social workers visit and provide information on the application process and its requirements, the needs of children who are looked after and the role of the carer. They will also find out about the families circumstances and their motivation to foster. Following further discussion, an agreement is reached in respect of the progression of the application. If the enquirer proceeds from this point a second home visit is arranged. A registration of interest form is completed to proceed to stage one. The enquirer will now be known as a prospective foster carer/s. Stage 1 Stage 1 of the process to become an approved foster carer will officially begin and will last 8 weeks. The registration of interest form is signed to give consent to proceed and for statutory checks to be completed for all relevant people in the household. Once the form has been completed and returned, references are taken up with the Disclosure and Barring Service and all relevant statutory agencies. This includes contact with the relevant embassy if the applicant has worked abroad and the records of the RAF/Navy/Army if the applicant has been a member of the Armed Forces. References from the applicant's current employer are sought. Medical examinations are carried out by the applicant’s doctor using the BAAF Medical Form and returned to Middlesbrough Medical Adviser for comments and a recommendation. The prospective foster carer/s are notified of the dates for the preparation group and are advised that the preparation group is an important part of the application process and they are expected to attend each session. The preparation group normally runs for 3 full days and includes the children of the family if they are of an appropriate age. There is evaluation and feedback at the end of the group. At this point some people also decide not to proceed any further. Once a foster carer has been approved by a fostering service, they cannot be approved by another service until their original approval has been terminated. If an applicant has been a foster carer in the previous 12 months, a written reference from their previous fostering service is obtained; there is no additional requirement to also interview personal referees. However, the fostering service can choose to seek verbal and/or written references from personal referees, in addition to the fostering service’s reference. If the previous fostering service does not provide a reference, for whatever reason, interviews with two personal referees must be conducted. Where an applicant has been approved previously, or is currently approved, as a foster carer regulation 26(1A) gives the fostering service undertaking the current assessment the power to request access to records about the applicant held by the fostering service which granted the approval (provided that the applicant consents). That service must provide access within 15 working days of a request being received. Records compiled by another fostering service, can be used to inform the new assessment of the applicant’s suitability to foster. For instance, if previous partners have been interviewed in the previous assessment, and the current assessing social worker is satisfied with the records in respect of these interviews, it should not be necessary to repeat the interviews if no further information is required. The assessing social worker should, however, satisfy themselves as to the quality and continuing relevance of the information before using it to inform the current assessment.

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If the fostering service’s decision maker decides that the applicant is not suitable to foster, the applicant will be written to informing them of this decision and giving full reasons for the decision. This will occur within 10 working days of all the stage 1 information being received.

If it is decided not to continue with an assessment because of information collected as part of Stage 1, the applicant must be informed that they can complain via the fostering service’s complaints process. Once all statutory checks and references are completed and no issues have arisen stage two will begin. Stage 2 of the process to become approved foster carers last 4 months. Stage 2 Stage 2 assessment is using the BAAF Form F. The assessment is normally carried out by 2 workers. The topics covered include: personal background, history, experiences, parenting experiences, birth children’s views, the home environment, dog/pet safety and the applicant’s own contributions. In addition to the assessment sessions with the applicants and their family, at least 2 personal referees are interviewed, as are the ex-partners of the applicants where it has been agreed that there was a ‘significant’ relationship. Children of the applicants living elsewhere will also be interviewed, with the agreement of their carer or their agreement if adults. When all the necessary material is available, the Form F is completed by the social workers using contributions from the prospective foster carer/s. The Form F is read and signed by the prospective foster carer/s and is presented to Middlesbrough Family Placement Panel which meets every 2 weeks. Prospective foster carer/s are encouraged to attend the panel meeting when the application is discussed. The Family Placement Panel considers the Form F and makes a recommendation regarding the application. This recommendation is then approved (or not) by the Agency Decision Maker of Wellbeing, Care & Learning. Prospective foster carer/s are then notified in writing of the outcome of their application. If approved the foster carer is transferred to a supervising social worker with a support and retention remit. If an application is not recommended by Panel and the prospective foster carer/s do not accept this, they can choose either to make further representations to the Family Placement Panel or to have their application referred to an independent body known as the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM). The IRM will review the recommendation made by Middlesbrough Family Placement Panel and make its own recommendation about the prospective foster carer/s suitability, which the agency must then take into account when making the decision about the application.

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Induction, Support, Training and Review

As part of its commitment to the development of the foster care service and increasing the skills of its foster carers, Middlesbrough Fostering Service provides a training programme. Training can also be provided to meet an individual identified need. Foster carers are given support and encouragement to participate and methods of delivery include distance learning and e-learning as well as group training sessions. Training can take the form of a workshop, literature, signpost to website, DVD or a discussion with a professional, experienced foster care or supervising social worker.

Foster carers can keep up to date with training that is on offer via the website this is available via a secure platform on www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/fostering. Some training opportunities require the carer to apply on line, while other training may require a phone call or e-mail to a member of the Fostering team. Carers are sent texts to remind them of training available or for confirmation of a place on training.

In addition to the training sessions provided by the Fostering Service, other training opportunities are available through the training provided by the Middlesbrough Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and through the purchase of places at external training events, which are relevant to foster care.

Foster Carer Approved

Foster Carer induction 1st visit by supervising social worker to occur two weeks following approval. Induction folder to be completed with foster carer/s at first supervision, mentor/buddy to be identified.

Supervision to occur every four weeks for the first four months. Preparing to Care folder to be completed with foster carer/s at second supervision.

Supervision to be extended to every six weeks from four months.

Foster carer/s review to occur at nine months. New supervising social worker to be identified at nine months

It is a statutory requirement that all foster carer/s complete the Training, Support and Development Standards within their first year of approval. Support is provided to carers to enable the completion of the standards either by one-to-one sessions or workshops which are available both daytime and evening.

http://www.mgrid.org.uk/

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All foster carers who are approved by Middlesbrough Fostering Service have their approval reviewed at least once a year. The review process within Middlesbrough is also used as a means of giving foster carers the chance to give some feedback on the service they receive from Wellbeing, Care & Learning and to evaluate whether the foster carers are meeting the requirements of Middlesbrough Banded Payments Scheme. Foster carers are fully involved in the review process and are given a report to complete prior to the review meeting. They are fully involved in the review meeting which is chaired by an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) who is independent of the Fostering Service. After the review meeting, the IRO completes a review report with a recommendation which is presented to Family Placement Panel for discussion and approval. Foster carers are able to attend the panel meeting when their review is discussed if they wish. The review recommendation is then given by the Assistant Director of Wellbeing, Care & Learning and foster carers are notified in writing of the outcome of their review.

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A summary of the complaints procedure Complaints about Middlesbrough Fostering Service are dealt with using the complaints procedure of Middlesbrough Council. This procedure sets out 3 stages to dealing with a complaint. Stage 1 – Local Resolution The Manager of the service will attempt to address the complaint as quickly as possible. Within 3 days of receiving the complaint, the Complaints Section will acknowledge the complaint telling them who will look into the complaint and provide them with information on the complaints procedure. The Manager will contact the complainant to discuss the complaint and try and resolve the issues within 10 working days. If the Manager cannot achieve resolution initially, the Manager may take a further 10 working days. The maximum amount of time that Stage 1 should take is 20 working days. Stage 2 – Investigation If the person making the complaint is not happy with the outcome at Stage 1 or the timescale has elapsed at Stage 1, the complainant has the right to move onto Stage 2. A Senior Manager who does not have direct line management of the service or person whom the complaint is being made, will investigate the complaint along with an Independent Person who is appointed from outside of the local authority, whose role is to ensure that the process of investigation is open, transparent and fair. The Investigating Officer and Independent Person will meet with the complainant to agree the elements of complaint. Once the Investigating Officer and Independent Person have completed their investigation they will both prepare a written report, which will be sent to the Department and complainant. The Investigation should be completed within 25 working days, if this is not possible the timescale may be extended to a maximum of 65 workings days. The Children’s Complaints Officer or the Investigating Officer will discuss any extensions to the timescale with the complainant. Stage 3 – Review Panel If the person making the complaint is not happy with the outcome of the Stage 2 investigation, they can ask for the complaint to be considered by a Review Panel. The panel will consist of an Independent Chair and two other Independent People who do not work for the local authority. The purpose of the Review Panel is to consider the adequacy of the Stage 2 investigation and focus on achieving resolution for the complainant by addressing their clearly defined complaints and desired outcomes. The Review Panel should take place within 30 working days of receiving the request. The person making the complaint will be informed of the recommendations of the Review Panel within 5 working days and the Executive Director of Wellbeing Care & Learning will send the complainant a response to the Panel’s recommendations within 15 working days of the panel meeting.

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The Complaints Officer will help with a complaint if:

you are not happy with the care you get

nobody listens to you

you are not happy with things people do for you

you need more help

To make a complaint you can write: The Complaints Manager Town Hall Middlesbrough TS1 9FX Email: [email protected] Tel: 01642 729707 The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills The Fostering Service of Middlesbrough Council is inspected every 3 years by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. The Northern Regional Centre is at: Piccadilly Gate Store Street Manchester M1 2WD

Phone: 0300 123 123 1 Email : [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

make fostering your future - middlesbrough.gov.uk · an introduction to fostering with ... week as...

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