While recruiting enough foster carers to meet demand is vital,
more could be done to make sure matches with children are
successful, new Ofsted research finds.
The shortage of foster carers is one of the most significant
challenges in making successful matches for children, the report
shows, particularly when finding homes for groups of brothers and
sisters, disabled children and teenagers. Local authorities and
fostering agencies often have a limited choice, balancing what is
ideal for a child with what is available.
Ofsted’s study highlights
the importance of getting foster matches right for children’s
futures, as well as keeping foster carers in the system. When
matches fail, they cause more distress for children who have
already faced trauma and disruption in their lives. Placement
breakdowns can also lead to foster carers taking a break or
deciding to stop fostering altogether.
Today’s report finds room for improvement beyond recruitment.
While researchers saw examples of good work to match children
with the right foster carers, there was little in the way of
wider organisational learning from successful matches.
Chemistry lies at the heart of a good match, but researchers
found that this isn’t down to luck. This ‘magic’ can be built
through good practice that encourages relationships to flourish.
The best matches happen when a child’s individual needs, as well
as the skills and experience of foster carers, are properly
understood. Taking children’s wishes into account and making them
feel part of the process is vital. While matches are often made
in emergencies, there is more that professionals can do to give
placements the best chance of success.
Today’s report sets out the elements of a good match, including:
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Making sure children feel ‘heard’: children told researchers
that they don’t always feel involved in decisions and plans
about where they are going to live. When they can say what
they want, they don’t always believe that their views make a
difference to what happens.
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Good information sharing: giving children the information
they need about potential carers is vital, as is making sure
that foster carers know everything that they need to know
about a child. The best referrals give full and balanced
descriptions of children and represent their wishes and
feelings.
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Involving birth families and previous carers: professionals
recognised that more could be done to involve birth families
in matching decisions. Similarly, more could be done to
involve previous foster carers and to support their lasting
relationships with children.
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Recognising foster carers as professionals: foster carers who
felt empowered and confident in their role as part of a wider
professional team are typically more likely to ask for
additional information about children than carers who feel
undervalued or less confident.
Yvette Stanley, Ofsted’s National Director for Social Care, said:
Successful matches aren’t down to chance. Our research shows
that chemistry isn’t always about luck – it’s something that
can be developed through strong practice. When a match is built
on solid foundations, it has more chance of succeeding and
giving children the love, stability and future that they
deserve.
Above all, children need to feel as though they have a say in
what is happening to them. Going to live with people are who
are often complete strangers is an enormous step for any child.
Their needs and wishes should – as much as possible – be at the
heart of decision-making.
Ofsted researchers visited 4 local authorities and spoke to
children, foster carers and social workers. They spoke to
representatives from independent fostering agencies (IFAs), birth
parents, as well as carrying out national online surveys of
children in care, care leavers and current foster carers.
