The Head of Permanence Services introduced the report of the Director of Children, Families and Education. The report provided an overview of the Fostering Annual Report for the period of 1st April 2022 - 31st March 2023 for consideration and scrutiny.

The Fostering Annual Report provided an overview of the fostering service in terms of key performance to date, analysis of current practice, key issues and risks and plans for continuous improvement and progress over the following 12 months.

The monitoring of the Fostering Service was required under the Care Standards Act 2000 and Fostering Regulations 2011 and the Fostering National Minimum Standards 2011. The Local Authority provided foster placements for children looked after whom the Local Authority acted as Corporate Parent for.

The purpose of the report was for the committee to consider the extent as to which Wirral Council had fulfilled its responsibilities as a Fostering Service providing placements for Children Looked After by the Council.

Members discussed foster care on Wirral noting that it was a vital service and that more carers were always needed. They stated that better financial aid offered to foster carers would help to increase the number of people volunteering.

The Head of Permanence Services noted that the service was open to new ideas on how best to promote fostering. The Chair stated that it was important for Members of the committee to attend events related to fostering to help promote the service.

Resolved – That the information within the report and the Annual Fostering Report 2022-23 in Appendix One be noted.