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Qualitative process evaluation of the Fostering Changes program for foster carers as part of the Confidence in Care randomized controlled trial
- Authors:
- CHANNON Susan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 109, 2020, p.104768.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Background: Fostering Changes is an in-service training program for foster carers designed to enhance carer skills, coping strategies and carer-child relationships. The training program has been evaluated in a randomised controlled trial comparing Fostering Changes to usual care. Objective: To conduct a qualitative process evaluation drawing on stakeholder perspectives to describe the logic model of Fostering Changes, identify potential mechanisms of impact of the program and enhance understanding of the trial results. Participants and setting: Participants were stakeholders in the Fostering Changes program delivered in Wales, UK including foster carers invited to attend the program (18 attendees, eight non-attendees), two program developers, five trainers, 12 social workers who attended or recruited to the program. Methods: Total population sampling with qualitative data collection methods. Qualitative data were subject to thematic analysis. Results: A logic model summarising the program resources, activities and anticipated outcomes was generated. Implementation themes were quality of training, setting and group composition. Mechanisms of impact were identified with themes falling into two categories, group process and skills development. Potential barriers to effectiveness included a poor fit between the carer needs and the program in relation to levels of challenge being faced, age-appropriate content and responsiveness. Contextual factors were also relevant, including the existing relationship between foster carers and the agency and the perceived value of training. Conclusions: Although the group aspects of the program were well received, the program itself did not help foster carers deal with more complex challenges and needed to be more targeted in terms of carers needs and circumstances. (Edited publisher abstract)
Children looked after in Wales: trends
- Author:
- HODGES Helen
- Publisher:
- Wales Centre for Public Policy
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 27
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This briefing focuses on describing the trends associated with children looked after in Wales at both a national and local level. It utilises aggregate data to describe trends with respect to: the number and rate of children looked after in Wales; placement; legal status. On 31st March 2019, there were 6,845 children looked after in Wales, a further increase of 440 compared to the previous year. As a result, the gap between the rate of children looked after in Wales compared to other parts of the UK has continued to widen. The number of children looked after increased by 7% between 31st March 2018 and 31st March 2019; equivalent to an increase from 102 to 109 per 10,000. However, there is a great deal of variation across Wales. In eight local authorities, on the day of census, the number of children looked after was either the same or lower than on the same day the previous year. For ten local authorities, the cohort was more than 10% larger than the previous year. These ten local authorities account for 85% of the net national increase between 2018 and 2019. All age groups have seen a rise over the five years, but the biggest increase has been in rate of under-1s (37% over five years). In terms of placements, there has been an 84% increase in the numbers placed with parents over the last five years. Whilst the majority are placed in foster care, there has been a rise in the numbers placed with kinship carers (60% over five years) and placed outside their ‘home’ local authority (20% between 2015 and 2019). (Edited publisher abstract)
Statutory guidance: fostering services
- Author:
- WALES. Welsh Government
- Publisher:
- Welsh Government
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 89
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
Statutory guidance to help providers of regulated fostering services meet Parts 2 to 16 of The Regulated Fostering Services (Services Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2019. The guidance sets out how service providers and persons designated as a responsible individual for a regulated fostering service can comply with the regulations. The guidance is also relevant to those providers making an application for registration as a service provider under section 6 of the Act. Requirements on service provision include: the information to be provided to individuals on commencement of the provision of care and support; standards of care and support, safeguarding, access to services, staffing and support for foster parents. Requirements for responsible individuals include ensuring effective management and compliance of the service, and the quality of the regulated service. The guidance replaces requirements previously put in place under the Care Standards Act 2000, the Fostering Services (Wales) Regulations 2003 and the associated National Minimum Standards. (Edited publisher abstract)
Men are good foster carers too: supporting male foster carers and inspiring confidence
- Author:
- BOFFEY Maria
- Publisher:
- Fostering Network
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 37p.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
There are around 30,000 men currently fostering in the UK, of which about 80% are part of a heterosexual couple. For many children in care living with a male foster carer has been their first positive experience of an adult male, giving them the chance to explore how to form trusting relationships with men and have contact with men who understand their needs. However, evidence suggests that many male foster carers experience marginalisation by fostering services. This guide aims to help fostering agencies engage more effectively with their male foster carers by raising awareness of the challenges they face whilst exploring the ways in which they acknowledge and support men. Male foster carers need to feel, and should be, valued, respected, trained, supported and, most of all, involved. This guide includes the findings of focus groups and workshops held with male foster carers across Wales. It also provides case studies of different practices from across Wales described to provide information and inspiration.
Fostering and adoption services 2008-09
- Author:
- CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES INSPECTORATE WALES
- Publisher:
- Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 10p.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This report provides detailed information about the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) findings on fostering services in Wales. The picture overall was of fostering services in Wales maintaining a similar level of compliance with regulations as in previous years, with some moderate improvements in some areas. As last year, there was no formal enforcement action in fostering services within the independent sector. However, required improvements highlighted this year include ensuring foster carers had all the necessary information about the children placed with them, and matching placements to children's particular needs. Fostering service providers had improved their compliance with regulations in respect of: the provision of a statement of purpose; the provision of a children's guide and some of these are of a good quality; the suitability of the manager, particularly in respect of the requirement to hold a management qualification and undertake management training; the quality of respite and short term placements; and the support provided to carers by independent and voluntary organisations. Further improvements are necessary in: recruiting appropriate numbers of carers with a range of skills and experience in order to identify and select carers who can meet the needs of individual children; and providing foster carers with all the necessary information about the children placed with them so that they are able to meet these children's needs and to ensure that they are aware of and prepared to meet the particular needs and challenges of the children placed with them.
The law relating to adoption and fostering in England and Wales: the contribution of BAAF
- Author:
- WHITE Richard
- Journal article citation:
- Adoption and Fostering, 34(3), Autumn 2010, pp.50-53.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Highlights BAAF's influence on the development of child care law in England and Wales. The article covers the Children Act 1975 and Adoption Act 1976, through to the Adoption and Children Act 2002.
The benefits of long-term foster care
- Author:
- GUPTA Anna
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 26.3.09, 2009, pp.24-25.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Long-term foster care has been overlooked of late as attention has switched to other models of care. The author reflects on the findings of recent research published by BAAF that suggests it needs more serious consideration.
Fit to foster?: a profile of foster care and foster carers in Wales 2003
- Authors:
- COLLLIS Anne, BUTLER Jane
- Publisher:
- The Fostering Network
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 68p., ill.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This is a report produced by Fostering Network Wales, which outlines the main findings of research on foster carers and fostering services, carried out on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government. The work was carried out for the Welsh Assembly Government as part of their 'Implementation of the Strategic Framework for Improving Placement Choice and Stability'. A 'Review of Fostering' and corresponding 'Review of Residential Care' is being undertaken to support this work and includes the commissioning of several pieces of work. This report is part of the Review of Fostering and links to a much wider study of fostering and residential care being undertaken by a separate research team. The research provides: a profile of foster carers in Wales, including a personal profile (age and so on), their qualifications, experience and training; and a profile of the arrangements for the delivery of fostering services in Wales.
Consultation on private fostering: proposed new regulations, national minimum standards and guidance
- Author:
- WALES. Welsh Assembly Government
- Publisher:
- Wales. Welsh Assembly Government
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 104p.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
A privately fostered child is one who is under the age of 16 (under 18 if (s)he is disabled) and who is cared for and accommodated by someone other than a parent, other person with parental responsibility or close relative. A child is not privately fostered if the person caring for him/her has done so for fewer than 28 days and does not intend to do so for longer than that. Carers and parents are required to notify the local social services authority in the area where the private fostering placement is made. The authority has the duty to satisfy itself that the welfare of the child concerned is safeguarded and promoted and may impose conditions on, or prohibit, the private fostering arrangement. The extended duties to be placed on local social services authorities are: to be satisfied as to the welfare of children who are proposed to be, or are being, privately fostered; and · to monitor the way they discharge those duties.
Inspection of fostering services provided by Ceredigion County Council: inspected September 1998
- Author:
- WALES. Social Services Inspectorate for Wales
- Publisher:
- WALES. Social Services Inspectorate for Wales
- Publication year:
- 1999
- Pagination:
- 81p.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff