Focused Fostering Service

Brief business description

Introduction

Focused Fostering Services aims to provide a full and comprehensive Fostering Service that is consistent with best practice with the needs, wishes; welfare and safety of looked after children being of paramount importance.

The secondary aim is to provide consistently high quality services and support to Focused Fostering carers by employing sufficiently experienced and qualified staff.

In order for Focused Fostering Services to achieve these aims, the following objectives have been adopted:

 To have in place an ongoing, monitored recruitment strategy to recruit foster carers.

 To deliver planned initial and further training courses so that foster carers are trained in the skills required to provide high quality care and meet the needs of each child or young person placed in their care.

 To maintain a carer retention strategy which governs the range of support services provided so that carers feel valued as part of the Focused Fostering Team.

 To achieve an annual net increase in the number of approved foster carers.

 To promote the educational achievement of looked after children and young people by ensuring that Focused Fostering carers are provided with every opportunity to achieve their full potential.

 To promote good health and positive personal relationships, by ensuring that foster carers help children and young people placed with them to maintain good health and to make productive use of their leisure time.

 To ensure that Focused Fostering carers have access to specialist workers in the fields of education, health and mental health for advice and support in managing the particular needs of looked after children and young people in their care.

 To maintain a competitive, annually reviewed fostering fees and allowance structure, based on national recommended rates, ensuring all payments are paid on time.

 To ensure that staff employed by the Agency have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to meet the demands of the work they do. Staff are given regular opportunities to train and develop their skills and are regularly supervised, monitored and appraised.