1. The National Fostering Stocktake
February 2018

2. BACKGROUND
The Fostering Stocktake is an independent review. We appointed Sir Martin Narey to lead the review, supported by Mark Owers.
Why?
Piecemeal reforms to fostering over the last few years but no systemic look at fostering.
Government announced in Putting Children First that we would conduct a ‘Fostering Stocktake’ – a review of the current fostering system
The report was submitted to ministers before Christmas
The review will inform our future work programme for the next 4 – 5 years.

3. March/April 2017: Appointed Reviewers
PROCESS
March/April 2017: Appointed Reviewers
Launched public call for evidence
Internal data analysis and modelling
OCC children’s survey
Over 40 stakeholder meetings and roundtables
Commissioned evidence review (published July)
December: Report and recommendations to Minister
Report published
Informal consultation and stakeholder engagement
Spring 2018:
Government Response
Education Select Committee: Published December 2017

4. FINDINGS
Fostering is working: fostering is a great thing that can, and is, providing stability, support and a substitute family for children. 83% of looked after children think that being in care has improved their lives (Bright Spots Survey).
“I have a great social worker and a great foster carer and it makes a massive difference – not everyone gets that but all children in care should". -YP
“Social services has the impression that young children do not understand what is happening around them and it would cause too much disruption if told. I disagree. Even though we are young, we have been through more than you can imagine - the last thing we need is more dishonesty and lack of information” –YP
"foster carers generally feel helpless and, at times, hopeless, when other 'professionals' are making decisions about their child". -FC
“The current fostering system is fractured with too many providers competing to recruit foster carers. Unfortunately the reality is that children are being placed with available foster carers rather than being properly matched with foster carers who can meet their needs.” -LA
“fostering should never be promoted for the financial aspects of the role. Vulnerable children are not commodities.” -YP
“Young people in care are surrounded by numerous agencies, all offering support, but it is essential that all those parties talk to one another and that there is a consensus about what is in the best interests of the child.” -FC
“We have huge concern at the practice of ‘in-house first’, where local authorities place with their own foster carers regardless of potentially better matches in the independent sector. This undermines the principle of needs-based foster care.” - IFA

5. HELPING CARERS TO MAKE FOSTERING MORE EFFECTIVE
THE REPORT
Foster Care in England: A Review for the Department for Education by Sir Martin Narey and Mark Owers
A DATA SUMMARY
HELPING CARERS TO MAKE FOSTERING MORE EFFECTIVE
THE FINANCIAL COMPENSATION AND REWARD OF FOSTER CARERS
RECRUITMENT
COMMISSIONING
MATCHING
CONTACT AND SIBLINGS
A FINAL WORD ON PERMANENCE

6. Valuing care more needs to be done to support foster care
EDUCATION SELECT COMMITTEE
An invaluable part of the care system providing thousands of children with safe, loving, stable homes
Valuing young people for too many their experience of care is something that is done to them, not with them
Valuing Foster Carers who do not always get the respect and recognition they deserve
Valuing care more needs to be done to support foster care

7. What does permanence mean to you and the young people you look after?
It’s standing still. In our lives, we're constantly moving things change all the time. Permanence is the time when the world just stands still
Foster placements work best when the placement can grow with us
What does permanence mean to you and the young people you look after?

8. What do you want to see change? What would you do and why?
RECOMMENDATIONS
SUPPORT AND TRAINING
A NATIONAL RECRUITMENT AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
A NATIONAL REGISTER FOR FOSTER CARERS
What do you want to see change?
What would you do and why?

9. THE NATIONAL FOSTERING STOCKTAKE
Questions?