Norfolk welcomes national focus on fostering

Leaders at Norfolk County Council have welcomed reforms to foster care announced by the Government today. 

The Renewing Fostering plan, some of which will require changes in legislation, aims to: 

• Expand fostering 
• Enhance regional collaboration 
• Innovate to improve outcomes 
• Develop stronger support for foster families 
• Simplify rules and put trusted relationships first 

It follows on the back of Norfolk County Council's own investment, agreed last month, which will see: 

• A 15% uplift in fees for mainstream and kinship carers 
• Additional uplifts for mainstream carers looking after children aged 10 and older 
• Greater rewards for long service 
• An expanded therapeutic support team 
• Enhanced practical support 

The Government announcement, and Norfolk investment, is aimed at addressing a national shortage of foster carers. 

Both locally and nationally there are children currently living in residential care who could thrive with a fostering family. Research shows that living in a family environment is less traumatic and results in a much better outcome for a child in care. It also reduces costs for the local authority. A residential care placement in Norfolk costs nearly £300,000 per year, compared with £45,000 per year for a foster home. 

Today's announcement also brings continued investment in regional fostering hubs, like Foster East, which is a collaboration between 11 local authorities across the eastern region, including Norfolk County Council. 

Cllr Penny Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Children's Services said, "We very much welcome this national focus on fostering. In Norfolk, we are doing all we can to ensure our carers have the right support and reward for what is invaluable work, but this is a national issue and it needs this kind of national response. 

"The modern family has changed and foster care needs to change with it. Here in Norfolk, we welcome carers from any background and walk of life - you don't have to be married, or own your own home - you just need to be able to offer a child love and support." 

As part of transforming the service in Norfolk, the council is innovative expanding its therapeutic support offer to include more clinicians, specialist training and enhanced support for foster carers in their first two years of work, plus support for any fostering family any time it is needed.  

An average of five children per week come into care in Norfolk. The council has a network of around 300 fostering households who look after children ranging in age from babies to young adults.  

For further information visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/fostering.