URL: https://modgov.hillingdon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3510

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: The Chair of the Children, Families & Education Select Committee, Councillor Heena Makwana, introduced the Committee’s review into fostering, which was warmly welcomed by Cabinet.   RESOLVED:   That:   1)    the Select Committee’s report and recommendations, which seek to support and provide further strategic direction on the Council’s fostering offer, to ensure that young people have a safe place to live be welcomed and;   2)    their implementation be taken forward by officers in consultation with the Cabinet Member Portfolio Holder, as set out in the report.   SELECT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS   Enhancing Information and the Voice of Young People   1.    Develop an 'Introduction Pack for Children' that provides Cared For Children with clear, age appropriate, and accessible information to help them feel prepared, reassured and supported when starting a new placement and, where possible, during placement moves;   2.    Include a 'Voice of the Child' section in the 'All About Me' profiles;   3.    Include 'Where Are They Now' stories on the Council's website, where Care Experienced Young People share their experiences, if they are comfortable and willing to do so;   Developing Specialist Training Pathways for Foster Carers   4.    Review and develop the training programme to introduce specialist Foster Carer pathways, including pathways for carers specialising in supporting young people with complex needs. Include young people in co-produced training where appropriate; and   Strengthening Peer Support to Sustain Foster Placements   5.    Review existing peer support initiatives for both Foster Carers and Cared for Children, and develop opportunities to strengthen engagement and increase participation.   Reasons for decision   The Chair of the Select Committee presented the outcome of a review undertaken following the introduction of the new fostering offer. The review examined service performance, the experiences of foster carers and care experienced young people, and areas for further improvement. Evidence was received from senior officers, foster carers and young people, ensuring the review was firmly grounded in lived experience. The Committee welcomed progress in recruitment, training and overall commitment, while identifying opportunities to strengthen the voice of the child, develop specialist training pathways for carers and enhance peer support networks. The Committee’s report set out five practical recommendations aimed at improving outcomes for children in care and aligning with the Council’s corporate parenting responsibilities. It was commended to Cabinet by the Chair.   The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education thanked the Chair and Committee for the review, noting that it came at a timely point following embedding of the fostering offer. The Cabinet Member highlighted the importance of assessing recruitment, retention, placement stability and matching, and confirmed that evidence demonstrated a committed service delivering positive practice, alongside increasing pressures from rising demand and complex needs. Young people’s contributions highlighted the importance of being listened to, involvement in decision?making, and maintaining stable, positive relationships in foster placements. Foster carers spoke positively about fostering while identifying the need for better information, specialist training and stronger peer support.   The Leader of the Council welcomed the review and praised the Committee’s focus on the child’s experience. The Leader recognised the progress made in supporting foster carers and welcomed the practical and constructive nature of the recommendations, thanking the Chair and committee for their work.   Cabinet welcomed and endorsed the review’s report and recommendations.   Alternative options considered and rejected   The Cabinet could have decided to reject some, or all, of the Committee’s recommendations or have pursued alternative routes by which to progress the objectives of the review.   Relevant Select Committee Children, Families & Education Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in / date decision can be implemented (if no call-in) Whilst the report has previously been approved by the Select Committee, Cabinet’s decisions on this matter can still be called in by a majority of the select committee by 5pm, Friday 1 May 2026. If not called-in by then, Cabinet’s decisions can then be implemented. Officer(s) to action Alex Coman / Ryan Dell Directorate Children’s Services / Democratic Services Classification Public - The report and any background papers relating to this decision by the Cabinet are available to view on the Council's website or by visiting the Civic Centre, Uxbridge    

Date of Decision: April 23, 2026