Thomas Bridge 27 January 2014

Extent of private fostering ‘unknown’ in many areas

Councils have been urged to work with local safeguarding boards and the Government to improve awareness of private fostering.

Made without the involvement of a local authority, private fostering arrangements concern the care of a young person by someone other than a family member and in their own home.

Research by Ofsted suggests the extent of these arrangements – including those concerning vulnerable children - is still ‘largely unknown’ in many areas.

Of 12 local authority fostering arrangements inspected between 2011 and 2013, only four were judged to be ‘good’.

Ofsted said grades handed out to council services were ‘disappointing’ as none were judged ‘outstanding’ and almost 20% deemed ‘inadequate’.

While councils are required to report annually on their private fostering arrangements, many town halls are failing to address important strategic issues – the Private fostering report found.

On private fostering, some councils lacked ‘an appropriate level of experienced/knowledgeable staff to effectively support the arrangements’ or ‘a clear commitment from leaders and managers, in some cases as a result of challenging decisions about how to target limited resources’ - Ofsted said.

Local authorities were told to unite with local safeguarding children boards and the Department for Education to improve regional data collection and use and arrangements for self-evaluation of private fostering services.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner