A Hard Sell for a Soft Option? YJB Convention November 2007 Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects

1998 Remand for young people aged 10 – 16 on Conditional Bail or Remand Into Local Authority Accommodation as an alternative to custody (also PACE and Emergency Placements) 2002 Post Custody for young people aged 16/17 who would be homeless on release from custody Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects HISTORY of Family Placement Service 2005 Intensive Fostering An alternative to a custodial sentence for 10 – 17 year olds where home circumstances have contributed to offending – Wessex (Hants, Ports, S’oton, IOW) Pilot (2006 Intensive Fostering extended to London) 2007 “ Fusion” Fostering Short placements based on learning from Remand and Intensive Fostering

Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects Why an alternative to custody? Disproportionate involvement in suicide/self harm attempts 60% receive community sentence or are acquitted after a secure remand Poor long term outcomes - nearly 80% re-offend within 2 years Risk of bullying, labelling, stigmatisation Inconsistent access to education Consistent access to illegal substances Mental health problems (57% suffering from depression) Those with differential need placed together Potential distance from home/community support Variable access to post placement support Overwhelmingly the children in custody will have suffered the same multiple disadvantages as CLA

Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects Characteristics of children placed  53% are not receiving education, training or employment  91% have poor family relationships with disrupted and disadvantaged backgrounds  78% have problems with drugs or alcohol  57% have experience of the care system  41% have self-harmed or attempted suicide  20% have experienced physical abuse Many have extensive criminal histories with charges including theft, burglary, criminal damage, robbery, arson, assault, indecent assault, attempted murder, unlawful detention and vehicle crime

MENTORING COGNATIVE- BEHAVIOUR VICTIM - AWARENESS RESTORATIVE- JUSTICE ISSP SUBSTANCE - MISUSE SUPERVISION Custody EDUCATION/ TRAINING/ EMPLOYMENT COMMUNITY- SUPPORT APPROPRIATE- ACCOMMODATION STABILITY SECURITY POSITIVE - CITIZENSHIP SUCCESSFUL- RELATIONSHIPS

Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects Why does behaviour change?  Removal from home environment/peer pressure  Support and stability – some one to talk to AND to listen  Carers are non-confrontational but impose clear boundaries  ETE routines are established and hobbies and activities developed Wider Benefits of a Family Placement  A successful placement will impact on sentencing  Family relationships can be re-established  There can be an increase in self-esteem  Self-care skills and independence enhanced Cheaper and more effective than custody.

Young Person Birth Family NCH Support Worker Foster Carers Remand Post/Custody FOSTERING TEAM Social Worker Yot Officer Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects

Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects Intensive Fostering (Multi Dimensional Treatment Foster Care) ‘Professional fostering will provide specialised, highly intensive care for a serious young offender who might otherwise face custody. For some young offenders a difficult home life can directly contribute to their offending behaviour. Fostering will provide these young people with the safety and stability they need to turn their lives around.’ David Blunkett Home Office Press Release 29 September “Intervention which tackles the particular factors (personal family, social education, health) that put the young person at risk of offending and strengthens protective factors” Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Young Person Birth Family Family Therapist Skills Trainer Foster Carers Individual Therapist INTENSIVE FOSTERING TEAM PDR Caller Yot Officer School Social Worker Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects

Teaching co-operation by encouragement …….. See it! Notice it! Reinforce it! Model it! Be interested! Move on! Parent Daily Report helps to: Deal with small problems before they become big ones. Tailor the treatment and plan to the child’s needs Detect patterns or cycles of behavior problems. Point and Level System Shared expectations and understandings. Opportunities to support and encourage. Consequences. Let the programme do the work. Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects