• there is a significant lack of in-house specialist fostering provision for the age range 10 years plus
• Worcestershire has a high number of young people accommodated in residential care and external agencies
• the high cost of agency placements diverts funds from Worcestershire County Council.

• male and female aged 10 to 15 years
• we are looking at the 10 to 14 year range for the first 6 placements
• the first group of young people will be placed from residential care
• the young people placed will be identified as having an attachment issue or disorder
• the young people will have expressed a wish to live in a family
• preference will be given to young people subject to a full Care Order
• the young person will have a complex range of needs and previous placement disruptions

The team around each child will include:

• the Placement Plus foster carer; a key professional member of the TAC
• a Clinical Psychologist to support the carer and plan for the young person
• a dedicated Fostering Manager to have overall responsibility for the scheme
• a Specialist Supervising Social Worker to support the carers and recruit further carers
• a Fostering Support Worker to help provide activities and practical support
• the Child’s Social Worker “contracted” to work with the young person’s family
• the TAC will work closely with the Integrated Service for Looked After and Adopted Children

• all young people eligible will be subject to a full placement assessment which will include consultation with the foster carer
• the Psychologist and Supervising Social Worker will undertake an initial assessment, visit the placement and formulate an initial support plan
• the TAC will agree the suitability of the referral
• there will be planned introductions with the identified foster carer
• a full plan will be agreed, including respite care periods prior to placement
• the Child’s Social Worker will then be “contracted” to work with the birth family

• foster carers will receive full and detailed information regarding each young person
• foster carers will have the most up-to-date contact details for support from all members of the Team around the Child
• there will be monthly supervision with the Specialist Supervising Social worker
• there will be a monthly group/peer supervision session with other carers
• a monthly Programme Review Meeting with TAC will evaluate progress of young people
• there will be telephone support from a Psychologist and the Integrated Service for Looked After and Adopted Children (ISL)
• there will be additional support from the Fostering Support Worker
• there will be planned, regular respite care where appropriate

• a valued member of professional team (TAC)
• ongoing professional development
• an enhanced fee payment (£600 per week plus age allowance)
• payments made from introductory period (first TAC Meeting)
• four weeks planned respite a year
• retainer paid for 2 weeks if no planned placement