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Support Care at Foster Swansea: Empowering Families Together

Foster Swansea offers Support Care to children aged 0-16 in need through a unique system that does not place children in foster care but supports families in various ways. Carers, carefully chosen from diverse backgrounds, provide supervision, training, and financial assistance while working in partnership with families. Interested individuals can apply via referral from social workers or case managers. The Support Care program aims to maintain children's placements at home while offering valuable support services. Despite challenges, it has yielded positive outcomes for families, emphasizing empowerment and family preservation.

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Support Care at Foster Swansea: Empowering Families Together

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  1. Support Breaks Swansea Foster Swansea Leanne Doyle/Becci Evans Tel: 01792 533200

  2. SBS • Previously situated within The Family Support Team. • Moved to Foster Swansea in February 2010. • At the time of moving had 3 approved carers in February 2010 providing support to 3 families. • 2 carers under assessment

  3. SBS When in The Family Support Team: • Support Carers were assessed in the same way as Foster Carers using the Competency Based Assessment. • Support Carers used the same Foster Panel as Foster Swansea. • Support Carers were annually reviewed in the same was as Foster Swansea Carers. • Support Carers accessed the same training as Foster Swansea.

  4. SBS Since being placed in Foster Swansea • 15 approved Support Carers. • 7 prospective carers under assessment. • All of our carers either work full time or have families of their own. • Aiming to have 22 approved carers by July 2011. • Influx of interest of people wanting to provide SBS in our pre-approval training.

  5. SBS • How we recruit SBS carers • We have a dedicated Business Development Officer. • Regular information evenings held around Swansea. • Take part in Foster Fortnight. This year we are targeting community businesses and the Fire Brigade to support Foster Swansea. • Leaflet drops. • Radio and Newspaper adverts. • Team Challenge Days. • Fun Days. • Awareness Walks • Merchandise.

  6. SBS • What support we offer our carers • Each SBS carer is allocated a Supervising Social Worker. • Supervision and access to Support Groups/Carer Reps • Out of hours Carer Support Line • Set payments per day provided for SBS provision. • £50 start up grant • Identified equipment is provided. • Mileage assistance • Passport to Leisure • Training • Financial support for identified activities in the Child’s Plan.

  7. SBS • Who are our carers? • Detached Youth Worker - NHS Manager • Housewife and mum - Engineer • Road Traffic Engineer - Nursery Nurse • Actress/Play writer • Teaching Assistant • Sales Consultant • Medical Receptionist • Residential Home worker • Funding administrator • Social Work Assistant

  8. SBS • How much do our SBS carers provide? • Anything from one to two weekends a month. • Sometimes more • Evening sessions • Day Care • No more than 46 days per year to one family as the children using SBS are not considered Looked After. Anything more they would LAC. • Becci Evans, Support Carer currently provides two weekends a month.

  9. SBS Differences between SBS and Fostering in Swansea • There is an expectation on Support Carers to work in partnership with families. • Where assessed as safe Placement Agreement Meetings and Reviews are carried out in the Support Carer’s Home. • All Support Care takes place under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989. The Children do not enter the Looked After System. • The family are provided with the opportunity to meet the carers and see where their child will be sleeping.

  10. SBS Who can refer for Support Care • Social Workers • Case managers • Recommendations from Permanence Panel • All referrals are made through the Foster Swansea Duty Desk. The social worker is to complete a matching pro-forma and a pen picture. • All referrals are discussed in the weekly Foster Swansea referral meeting which takes place on a Thursday. All decision are recorded on the child’s file.

  11. SBS • Who are referred to the SBS scheme in Swansea? • Children between 0 – 16 years, living at home in the community and are assessed as ‘in need’ (Section 17 of the Children Act 1989). • Children who have been placed in their grandparents care by Social Services and need support in order to maintain the placement. • Families where the parents or main carer have health issues. • Families where there are concerns in respect of neglect and parenting issues. SBS works as part of a support package with services such as parenting support, flexi home support and community child care to support the child’s placement at home and improve home conditions and parenting. • Children with behaviour problems that the parents are struggling to manage.

  12. SBS • Support Care currently provided by SBS • Currently providing support to 10 families in Swansea. • We have one carer on hold due to her own work commitments but she is hoping to return in July 2011. • We have three children on the waiting list we have not been able to match as yet. • One carer providing day care in addition to weekend support care.

  13. SBS • Difficulties experienced • Ending of placements • Relationships between carers and families. • Families thinking of carers as ‘glorified babysitters’ • Parents being reluctant to use the services as they feel their child is going into foster care and will not be returned home.

  14. SBS • Positive outcomes of SBS • Maintaining a child’s placement at home with their families. • Providing opportunities for children to socialise, join clubs, develop interests outside of school. • Develop a child’s confidence and self esteem. • Promote and improve the parent and child’s relationship. • Development of parenting skills. • Gaining the families trust.

  15. SBS • Future for Support Breaks Swansea • Recruitment campaign during Foster Fortnight 2011. • Focus on recruiting SBS carers for teenagers. • Development of evening and training sessions. • More regular support groups. • Another social worker to work in the scheme.

  16. SBS Any Questions? Leanne Doyle Becci Evans Supervising Social Worker Support Carer Support Breaks Swansea Foster Swansea Foster Swansea Tel: 01792 533200 leanne.doyle@swansea.gov.uk

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