Purpose

This report set out Tameside’s position in seeking agreement to contribute to, support and participate in an enhanced Greater Manchester Fostering Hub, which would manage the recruitment, assessment and approval of foster carers. The approach would draw upon the skills of experienced assessing social workers, journey guides to support applicants throughout the end-to-end process, including enabling smooth transition into the specified LA, and additional expertise and support from training officers. The current Hub model was delivered by Rochdale Council as host authority. The hub was responsible for undertaking new enquiries to fostering on behalf of all the 10 LAs within the GM and progressing these enquiries to initial viability home visits, following which, subsequent fostering applications are received into the specified LA.

The proposal was aligned to the national policy direction set out by the Department for Education (DfE) in Renewing Fostering: homes for 10,000 more children, which set out the Government’s ambition to create 10,000 additional foster care places by the end of this Parliament.

Children and young people in Tameside tell us that what matters most to them was feeling safe, loved, and supported in stable homes, close to the people and places that matter to them. They wanted to live within their local area, maintain friendships, attend familiar schools, and had access to opportunities that help them grow, learn, and thrive. We know that loving and stable homes provide the foundation for positive outcomes, emotional wellbeing, and a sense of belonging.

There was a well-documented sufficiency crisis within the fostering community, both locally and nationally, which has contributed to the increased reliance on residential care, often at high cost, and at times not in line with children’s recommended care plan to live in a loving family environment.

The recommendation responds to the sustained decline in foster carer numbers and the growing pressures on local authorities to secure the right placements for children, close to their families, schools, and communities.

Decision

 RESOLVED

(i)                That the Department for Education case for change underpinning the direction towards a regionalised approach to fostering recruitment and approval be Noted.

(ii)              That the national Ministerial directive to create an additional 10,000 placements including significant time bound, additional investment from the Department for Education be Noted.

(iii)           That the entry into the Greater Manchester Collaboration Agreement for the regional fostering recruitment and retention programme, attached at Appendix 3, subject to any changes to be approved by the Strategic Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance (S151 Officer) and the Director of Legal and Democratic Services (Monitoring Officer) be Approved.

(iv)           To request that the Strategic Director of Finance/S151 Officer and Strategic Director of Children’s Services to provide an evaluation report to Cabinet in advance of any further funding or collaboration decisions

(v)              That the funding formula and resource contributions for financial years 26/27 and 27/28, noting that the funding formula will be reviewed after two years with a view to longer term delivery and sustainability be Approved.

(vi)           To Note and Agree the proposed HR recommendations on secondments and recruitment.

(vii)         To receive an evaluation report relating to the performance of the hub at the end of year 1 and mid way of year 2.

Alternative options considered

RESOLVED

(i)                That the Department for Education case for change underpinning the direction towards a regionalised approach to fostering recruitment and approval be Noted.

(ii)              That the national Ministerial directive to create an additional 10,000 placements including significant time bound, additional investment from the Department for Education be Noted.

(iii)           That the entry into the Greater Manchester Collaboration Agreement for the regional fostering recruitment and retention programme, attached at Appendix 3, subject to any changes to be approved by the Strategic Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance (S151 Officer) and the Director of Legal and Democratic Services (Monitoring Officer) be Approved.

(iv)           To request that the Strategic Director of Finance/S151 Officer and Strategic Director of Children’s Services to provide an evaluation report to Cabinet in advance of any further funding or collaboration decisions

(v)              That the funding formula and resource contributions for financial years 26/27 and 27/28, noting that the funding formula will be reviewed after two years with a view to longer term delivery and sustainability be Approved.

(vi)           To Note and Agree the proposed HR recommendations on secondments and recruitment.

(vii)         To receive an evaluation report relating to the performance of the hub at the end of year 1 and mid way of year 2.