GOOD PRACTICE

Stoke on Trent- successful work to recruit and retain foster carers
Summary of Context
Stoke on Trent is a City Council, which was established as a unitary authority in April 1997 and serves a population of 253,250. There is a high overall level of deprivation in the city.
The city has high and rising numbers of looked after children, but its unit costs for this group are not comparatively high. This may relate to the fact that the council has a relatively successful in-house family placement service.

Good Practice

The service is characterised by clarity about the tasks to be done, and a constant process of review. Some features of the service are:

  • information sessions for potential carers held every two to five weeks with two foster carers giving the information and one staff member present;
  • well designed leaflets with perforated postcards to request information;
  • special information sessions to recruit carers for older children;
  • all printed information checked by foster carers;
  • each foster carer given a secure metal file to hold confidential papers;
  • regular newsletters and information on relevant topics (e.g. passive smoking, financial support for 16-18 year olds);
  • a training and support group once a month;
  • access to the Fostering Network advice and conciliation service;
  • a leisure pass for the whole family;
  • competency based training;
  • a no fee arrangement with other small social services departments who need adoptive placements out of the area; and
  • an annual questionnaire about the quality of the service.
Benefits (Prospective Benefits - complete as appropriate)
In Stoke on Trent, foster carers are retained for nine years, compared with the national average of five years. Foster carers have nothing but praise for the service. They feel supported and are involved in all developments.
A very high percentage of children aged under 10 are offered a family-based placement. There is high long-term stability of placements. The council's performance in relation to adoptions is less successful; improving the speed and rate of adoptions is a current priority.
Contact: Helen Oakley (Assistant Director) Tel: 01782 234 567