Support Breaks Swansea

Foster Swansea

Leanne Doyle/Becci Evans

Tel: 01792 533200

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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