Purpose

To report on the findings of an evaluation of
the Mocking Bird Fostering model and proposals for service
development.

Content

(a)    That members reviewed
and supported initiatives aimed at expanding in-house general
fostering households.  This work aimed
to increase local placements for children and reduce dependency on
high-cost Independent Agency Fostering;

(b)    That members evaluated
the outcomes of the Mockingbird programme in Flintshire and
formally endorsed the schemes expansion to build a resilient,
flexible cohort of foster carers through peer support and networked
care;

(c)    That member actively
supported the implementation of the ‘Lleol’ initiative
as part of the Reconnect scheme, designed to enable children looked
after to return to local residential services and transition
smoothly from residential care to foster placements; and

(d)    That members supported
the plan to increase the Special Guardianship service so more
children looked after remain with connected carers under
arrangements that promoted stability and continuity of care.