New Policy will Support Foster Carers in Denbighshire

ByD S

We have been working with management in Education & Children’s Services, HR and Elected Members and are pleased to announce the new draft Forster Friendly Policy that will be going to cabinet for approval.  The policy should be of great interest to UNISON members.  It contributes to several of our aims. 

The policy will provide more time off for foster cares to complete their training and will encourage the development of in house foster carers.

The draft includes:

Denbighshire County Council is committed to support any staff member who is a Foster Wales foster carer or an approved connected person’s foster carer. Denbighshire will do this, wherever possibly, by creating a fostering friendly organisation that offers flexible working arrangements which respond to the needs of all the foster carers where this is compatible with the demands of their job. Denbighshire’s flexible working policy, Family Friendly and Special Leave as well as parental leave policies all apply to foster carers. Denbighshire County Council values and will support Foster Wales Foster Carers by providing an additional 5 special leave in a 12 month period as follows:

  • · Assessment and initial training prior to approval as a foster carer.
  • · Attendance at panel for approval.
  • · Child review meetings, annual Foster Carer review meeting and training.

As a general rule it costs more than double to place with an Independent Fostering Provider than with an in-house foster carer. This is due to the provider taking a fee for each placement.

The new policy comes forward in a eider context of campaigning aimed at ensuring every penny of public money is used for the public good rather than being squandered as profits for private individuals.

The improvements are just coming locally.  The Welsh Government has listened to our campaign to remove the profit out of care of looked after children.  More information can be found here https://www.gov.wales/removing-profit-care-children-looked-after and here https://cymru-wales.unison.org.uk/news/2024/05/proposed-removal-of-profit-from-childrens-services-is-welcome/

UNISON’s plans for similar improvements in adult social care can be found here https://cymru-wales.unison.org.uk/campaigns/care-workers-need-a-national-care-service-for-wales/

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