Agenda item

The Strategic Director for Social Care and Education submits a report providing an overview of the activity and performance of the Fostering Service from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025. The report should be read in conjunction with the annual statement of purpose which sets out the service aims, objectives and configuration.

The Strategic Director for Social Care and Education submitted a report providing an overview of the activity and performance of the Fostering Service from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025. 

The Director of Children’s Social Work and Early Help introduced the item noting that the Fostering Service was a regulated service with an obligation to produce the annual report. The report also went to the Corporate Parenting Panel. As well as recruitment, supporting foster carers and the young people was key.

The Head of Service Corporate Parenting gave an overview of the report. Key points to note were as follows:

• Most of the Leicester City looked after children (LAC) resided with foster carers and remained within or within a 20-mile radius of the city. This allowed for continuity of family networks and for children to continue to go to local schools.
• There were a small number of private foster carers, 43 kinship carers and also respite carers providing short breaks.
• Key areas of focus included recruitment, carer support and safeguarding.
• Regarding recruitment, there was a national shortage of foster carers. Many long-term carers where now leaving due to retirement. Going forward, unique selling points would need to be considered. Foster carers of all backgrounds and ages were required with flexibility of hours being available.
• The Kinship Strategy enabled extended family arrangements and Corporate grandparenting.
• The Council website now had an inbuilt micro site for the fostering offer, promotional communications had gone out and fostering champions where in place
• Ofsted had noted that the foster carers spoke very positively about being carers under LCC.
• There was an increased complexity of needs coming into the service and tailored support was necessary alongside longevity of support for carers.
• The service had been impacted by the cost of living crisis and the need to  renumerate carers appropriately.
• In terms of benchmarking, the ratio of numbers of breakdowns compared well to national figures and numbers remained stable for placements.
• There were increasing numbers of sibling groups, sometimes large in number.
• A small number of foster carers were referred to LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer). For the vast majority no further action was taken. Three concerns were substantiated.

In response to member discussion, the following was noted:

• The proportion of children with three or more placement moves was 5%, the national benchmark was 11%. Some children required residential provision and that schooling considerations were important.
• Extra support layers had been created to deal with complex needs. Enhanced Foster Carers with at least 3 yrs experience working with complex needs and in receipt of additional training were engaged. Additional support came through agencies such as CAMHS. SEND needs might need more tuition.
• The CFST (Children and Family Support Team provided therapy to children displaying harmful sexual behaviour and other issues.
• Members were encouraged to attend the Celebrating Success events.

AGREED:

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    For members of CYPE and also Adult Social Care Scrutiny to be invited to the Celebrating Success events, including a lunch on the 12th February 2026.