Strategy. Fostering Ensure placements with foster carers are planned and fully supported throughout.* MH, TM Immediately The vast majority of placements begin with placement planning meetings; IIT engaged through Care panel in placement support Fostering Ensure the fostering recruitment strategy attracts carers specifically able to meet the needs of sibling groups.* MH, TM, SD, JW June 2017 Older young people and sibling groups are targeted in the advertising campaign. The fees structure now favours fostering a second child, Fostering Ensure the fostering recruitment strategy attracts carers specifically able to meet the needs of all children requiring both short and longer term placements.* MH, TM, SD, JW June 2017 Potential carers are selected from this who express initial interest with a view to the needs of the service as a whole. Fostering Ensure the fostering recruitment strategy attracts carers specifically able to meet the needs of UASC.* MH, TM, SD, JW June 2017 UASC interest groups contacted directly as well as including UASC in recruitment agenda. Fostering Implement increase in weekly fee to £200 for foster carers looking after children aged 11-17 years old. MH, TM, SD, JW April 2017 Approved at September ECSOSC 2016, on track In place from 1st April 2017 Fostering Review payments to foster carers to ensure they are equitable with comparators.* MH, TM June 2017 Done prior to Committee report. Fostering Review relevant local authority schemes for adolescent foster and develop a business case for raising fostering fees for a specialist group of carers.* MH, TM June 2017 Done prior to Committee report. Fostering Encourage carers to be approved for as wide an age range as possible by addressing the anxieties people feel MH, TM Immediately Done, included in current campaigns.
Commissioning Target IFAs who cater specifically for BME children and young people to join proposed framework. SD, JW, Procurement June 2017 Following further evaluation of options, the London Care Services’ Framework for IFA providers is being used due to its reach and coverage across the region, therefore allowing more choice in potential carers. Commissioning Placements team to track OFSTED ratings of placements and take immediate action to find new placement if provider is deemed as inadequate SD, JW, Placements Manager Immediately Full list completed and updated regularly. On notification of any rating below good placement considered with social work team. Commissioning Review of Residential Children’s Home (Bridge House) SD, JW Completed Approved at September ECSOSC Completed Commissioning Remodelling of Bridge House building to make it suitable for residential care. SD, JW September 2017 Building plans are currently being finalised for tender with the successful contract planned for award in June and building works commencing in mid July and full refurbishment completed by mid December. Commissioning Commission service provider to run Bridge House Children’s Home, as an in-borough residential unit for 11- 17 year olds, with capacity to offer emergency out of hours placements as well as planned placements. SD, MH, JW September 2017 Underway; pending remodelling/ refurbishment (above action) A service specification for the new home has been drafted and once finalised will be go out to tender in late April, with successful contract to be awarded by August allowing for implementation with provider from this time to the opening of the home in late February 2018. Commissioning Review Framework for Commissioning of CLA Placements including IFAs SD, MH, JW, TS April 2017 Intermediate steps in progress The Commissioning team alongside Corporate Procurement have completed an updated options appraisal for Frameworks for CLA