Fostering
Fixing a very broken market
Laura Power-Wharton looks at the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care recommendations to create Regional Care Cooperatives and argues that we must think differently as well as build on existing successes.
Fostering a foundation for the future
As Foster Care Fortnight begins, Miranda Gittos explains how Hertfordshire CC’s pioneering and successful Mockingbird Programme is providing a life-changing support system.
Putting purpose before profit for our children
Dominic Campbell says it’s time to build ventures that can put purpose ahead of profiteering – and fostering is just one of the areas being tackled by a new not-for-profit co-conceived with local authority partners.
Putting young people on the right path
How can councils help divert teenagers away from crime and exploitation? Anne Longfield CBE looks at a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle this problem and help vulnerable children.
Family matters
With the findings of the independent review of children’s social care expected soon, Ann McGauran looks at what sector experts want to emerge from this once in a generation chance for transformation.
Digital help at hand for adopters in Bucks
Buckinghamshire Council has developed a simple, innovative and interactive digital tool to help would-be adopters. Cllr Anita Cranmer explains the aims of the Adoption Readiness Checker.
Tens of thousands fewer children could avoid going into council care
Tens of thousands of young people could avoid going into council care if services are reshaped under a new ‘optimised delivery model’ based on a family-focused way of delivering support, says a report.
Hammersmith & Fulham’s ‘exemplary’ work supporting refugees
Lord Alf Dubs says the job of welcoming refugees ‘is much greater than just a roof over their heads’ and he reflects on the support given by Hammersmith & Fulham LBC to those traumatised by war.
'Crumbling' fostering system failing vulnerable children
Urgent action is needed to fix the 'crumbling and failing' fostering system, a charity has warned.
Call for national service for children in care
Responsibilities for children in care should be removed from local authorities, a charity has said.
Everybody has failed
Children were ‘pawns in a toxic power game’, according to the report of the Independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA) in Lambeth. Ann McGauran asks if the council has learned all the lessons from its horrific past.
Somerset CC to open up to 10 new children's homes
Somerset CC is to open up to 10 new children’s homes by 2026, admitting it is too reliant on larger for-profit providers in children’s social care.
A change of direction
Léonie Cowen says there is a better model for the procurement of placements for looked after children, and she outlines how to achieve this using a collaborative Department for Education-funded approach she believes is unique.
Using creative housing strategies to improve fostering
Helen Costa discusses the urgent issue of lack of capacity in fostering and looks at what solutions are available to improve services.
Judge accuses council of 'longstanding failures'
A council accused by a judge of ‘longstanding failures’ in its children’s services has admitted its actions were ‘indefensible’.
Disabled people could be part of the answer to the fostering crisis
Thousands of disabled people could help relieve the long-standing recruitment crisis in fostering if only they are given the chance, says Dr Peter Unwin.
Improving foster care recruitment using service design techniques
Kat Thackray explains how local authorities can use service design techniques to improve the foster care recruitment experience.
Tribunal rules foster care workers entitled to employee rights
A UK tribunal has ruled that foster care workers are council employees and therefore entitled to employment rights.
Mockingbird: Supporting foster families
A Flintshire CC support system for foster families was awarded innovation funding last week. Angharad Dalton of Nesta looks at what it offers.
Children should not carry the cost of this crisis
Emergency funding for the pandemic is welcome, but it is not enough to cover costs. Children should not bear the brunt of the cuts, says Jenny Coles.