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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.
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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