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In March 2008, two regional seminars were held, one in London and one in Leeds. These events were intended to promote discussion and disseminate good practice for local authorities and other organisations either currently offering, or planning to develop a Support Care service. Hazel Halle (Director of Services, the Fostering Network) introduced the programme for the day, announced the launch of the new Support Care National Network and gave an update on current plans. Attendees heard about the history of Support Care and how the Fostering Network became involved in promoting the service from Joy Howard (originator of Support Care in Bradford and now consultant to the Fostering Network). An account of the work and findings of the government-funded 2004-7 Fostering Network Support Care Project was given by Philippa Padbury, (Project Development Worker) and a presentation describing the current work being undertaken in Bradford was delivered by Sonia Copping (Support Care Co-ordinator Bradford Children’s Services.

General discussion, making links and sharing practice issues took up the second half the day.

Points raised (taken from both days) included:

  • the importance of senior management taking a lead in developing the service
  • fees and allowances – huge local variation in what is paid
  • flexible approach essential in order to give families more choices
  • particular difficulty in finding suitable resources for 13+ age group, but high degree of need for this
  • importance of good matching
  • awareness of need to involve children and young people in all stages of process
  • positive impact of carers as role models/advisers to parents
  • working in partnership with parents essential
  • different interpretations of legal status of placement ongoing issue
  • new fostering regulations and CWDC guidance need to be thought about in relation to short breaks carers
  • support carers need to be clearly identified as doing a separate task from regular foster carers
  • need for family social workers/key workers to remain involved – it’s an optimum time for intensive work, and better prognosis for good outcome if all are working together – team approach
  • different uses of Support Care can be explored – keeping an open mind re referrals eg supporting young carers, or young people in care who do not have a family; maintaining stability in long-term placements; returning young people home form long-term care
  • not just about preventing LA accommodation but improving the quality of life for young people
  • agreement on need for a longitudinal study to look at long-term outcomes

Issues raised will be part of the ongoing debate and sharing of practice issues as an important part of the development of the new Support Care Network. Thanks are due to all who attended for sharing their enthusiasm and commitment - we hope that more get-togethers can be planned for the future.

Go to the Foster Care Resource Centre to download further information on support care.