View LCP Procedures View LCP Procedures

4.11.3 Recruitment of Foster Carers and Adopters

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This document sets out the policy and practice with regard to the recruitment of foster carers and adopters in Ealing.

New chapter for June 2010


Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Departmental Policy
  3. Definitions
  4. Maximising Life Chances
  5. Referral
  6. Information Sessions
  7. Initial Visits
  8. Preparation Training
  9. Criteria


1. Introduction

1.1 This procedure relates to the recruitment of all adopters and foster carers with the exception of those recruited for specific children within their kinship network. (For such arrangements see Kinship Care Policy).
1.2 This procedure covers the recruitment process from initial enquiry to completion of preparation training.


2. Departmental Policy

2.1 Departmental policy favours a child or young person remaining wherever possible with their immediate family or if not possible, their extended family.  If it is not possible for a child to remain within their family network, Departmental Policy favours foster care as an alternative placement wherever possible.
2.2 Departmental policy favours all looked after children under the age of 12 being placed with families.
2.3 To ensure stability and the best outcomes for children and young people the department prefers that all looked after children under 10 are adopted.
2.4 Departmental policy favours the provision of an extensive pool of approved foster carers, which reflects as far as possible, the ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic diversity within the London Borough of Ealing and is able to meet the needs of Ealing's Looked after population. Therefore the department welcomes applications from all sections of the community. The council recognises and respects the difference and diversity that exists within the community and is committed to providing equal access and fair and equitable treatment to every individual whatever their ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religion. The same principle applies to adopters though the pool would more specifically match the needs of those children requiring adoptive placements.
2.5 Departmental policy favours maximising the stability of placements for children and young people who are in foster care and minimising placement moves once a child is placed in foster care.  An available pool of foster carers, which reflects and can meet as far as possible, the diversity of needs of the 'looked after' population, will strengthen the likelihood of placement stability for children.


3. Definitions

3.1 Short-term foster carer - anyone providing short or emergency placements to child/ren or young person within the age range approved for from one night in an emergency to up to about eighteen months whilst the child/rens or young persons future is being planned.
3.2 Long-term foster carer -someone who provides a permanent placement to a specific child or young person, until they are ready to move on to independence, usually for children and young people between the ages of ten and eighteen.
3.3 Adoption -a legal process where parental rights are transferred from birth parents to adoptive parents.


4.Maximising Life Chances

4.1 The London Borough of Ealing seeks to recruit the maximum number of Carers and adoptive parents who can meet the diverse needs of Ealing's children and young people. Recruiting carers who are able to actively promote a child or young person's well being and provide safe and consistent levels of care, which will in partnership with the authority, aim to produce positive outcomes for every looked after child or young person.
4.2 The recruitment service will be professional and consistent in its approach, providing a service that is accessible and places the needs of the children uppermost.
4.3 The service will offer an effective, consistent and rapid response that can compete with other local authorities and independent fostering agencies operating in the area.
4.4 All enquiries are routed through the Recruitment and Assessment team and largely come through the Freephone. Enquires will be handled by the Carer Recruitment Co-ordinator who is trained to respond to enquiries professionally within a customer care framework, responding to each enquiry with sensitivity, ensuring that each enquirer feels valued and goes away well informed and clear about the process and what their options are.
4.5 Communication with enquirers will be maintained between each stage of the process and respondents will be well informed and prepared.


5. Referral

5.1 All referrals should be made via the Fostering and Adoption Connections Recruitment and Assessment Team (R&A). Any enquiry made directly to the Adoption team should follow the same process.
5.2 The Carer Recruitment Co-ordinator (CRC) will log the referral on an initial enquiry form and send the applicant/enquirer an information pack. All administrative processes involved in the process are logged in the "Carer Recruitment Instruction Manual" The pack will be sent out within 24 hours.
5.3 The CRC will invite the enquirer to an Information Session. Any enquirer already approved does not need to attend e.g. short-term foster carers wishing to care for a child or young person on a permanent basis. Any enquirer who has recently been approved by another agency does not have to attend an information session.
5.4 Any enquirer who is unable to attend the next information session and potentially falls into a recruitment priority category can be visited prior to attending an information session.
5.5 Where an enquirer not being able to attend an information session would cause undue delay to the process the enquirer should visited prior to attending an information session.
5.6 The CRC will call enquirers prior the information session as a reminder.
5.7 All enquires not attending information sessions will be invited 3 times before enquiry is closed, which will be confirmed in writing.
5.8 Any such enquirers will be followed up 6 months later. 
5.9 A discussion will take place with all Inter- Country enquirers to ascertain whether this is their best option to obtain what they want or whether they are likely to have their needs met in a domestic adoption. Information will be sent on both options. Where an enquirer indicates that they could be interested in domestic adoption an invitation to an information session should be sent. It should be made clear to the enquirer that the session will not cover Inter Country adoption.
5.10 Where an enquirer is solely interested in Inter county adoption an appropriate pack should be sent with details of the information sessions held by the Overseas Helpline. Applications for Inter-country adoption will not be processed until enquirers have attended an Information session organised by the Overseas Helpline.
5.11 Where an enquiry relates to a specific child and is from an Adoption Agency or an approved adopter minimum details should be obtained before transferring the caller to the relevant social worker. If that worker is unavailable the caller should be informed that the worker will respond their call as soon at the earliest opportunity. The enquiry form should then be passed to appropriate social worker.


6. Information Sessions

6.1 Information sessions will be held on a monthly basis rotating between day and evening sessions to facilitate attendance.
6.2 Foster carers and adopters will always be invited to each session so that enquirers can benefit from their knowledge and experience.
6.3 Each attendee will receive a pack with handouts from the presentation and other relevant literature and promotional materials.
6.4 Each adoption enquirer will receive a "Preliminary Information form" at the session. The receipt of this form from the applicant initiates an initial visit. Enquirers interested in fostering may book an initial visit at the information session. (PIF not required). Enquirers interested in Adoption will be contacted within two weeks to discuss their enquiry and to arrange a home visit as appropriate.


7. Initial Visits

7.1 The Recruitment and Assessment team will visit all enquirers interested in short and long-term fostering.
7.2 The adoption team will visit all enquirers interested in adoption.
7.3 The adoption team will ascertain that an enquirer interested in overseas adoption has attended the overseas Helpline Information session and meets the criteria of the country they wish to adopt from.
7.4 Any applicant unsure of their preference and able to offer either fostering or adoption should be visited jointly by both the Adoption and Recruitment and Assessment team.
7.5 All Family Link Services enquiries i.e. Family Link and Sitting Service will be passed to Family Link Scheme.
7.6 Visits will not be arranged where the enquirer is known to FWi and information on this is outstanding. Enquirers will be made aware of this condition prior to attendance at the information session.
7.7 Enquirers who requested a visit will be sent out written confirmation of the details within 48 hours.
7.8 Enquirers not requesting a visit will be followed up telephone 10 days later to ascertain whether they are now ready for the visit, if they need more information or if they do not wish to proceed with the enquiry. All outcomes will be confirmed in writing. Dependent on the situation enquirers will be put on the 6-month pop up or other follow up time scale dependent on the individual circumstances.
7.9 All initial visits will be recorded and a copy placed with each enquires paperwork.
7.10 All initial visits should be completed within one month of receipt of PIF, unless the enquirer requests otherwise e.g. holidays, building or decoration taking underway.
7.11 All visits undertaken will be discussed through the supervision process or line management.
7.12 If a decision is made to take the enquiry forward then an invitation to a preparation group will be sent.
7.13 Should a decision be made that we are unable to take the enquiry forward clarification of the reasoning behind the decision will be made clear to the enquirer and will be in line with recruitment criteria.  The decision will be recorded on a "Management Decision" sheet. A decision will be made on how the information is to be relayed and will always be confirmed in writing.
7.14 Where further information is required the enquiry will be put on hold while the information is being sought. For example a health issue raise the need for an early medical check.
7.15 Should the enquirers decide themselves that they do not wish to pursue the enquiry then the details of this will be confirmed in writing and the case will be closed and dependent on the situation put on the 6 month pop up or other follow up time scale.


8. Preparation Training

8.1 Foster carers and adopters are trained separately. There will be at least 4 preparation groups held each year for Adoption and for Fostering .The actual level to be determined by need. In addition to these there will also be an additional group for Family Link carers and Sitters. 
8.2 Each fostering group will be open to up to 18 participants, whilst Adoption groups will take up to Six units.
8.3 All invitations to a Preparation group will be confirmed in writing.
8.4 All groups will be held in accessible accommodation and all catering (Fostering and Family Link only) take account of participants dietary needs.
8.5 Although the timings of groups will not always suit everyone the groups will be arranged in a block encompassing day, evening and weekend sessions in an effort to make the timings as convenient as possible.
8.6 Reasonable expenses are payable to cover travel, childcare or in the case of an applicant having a considerable journey the provision of overnight accommodation could be considered.
8.7 Where two members of a household are to be approved as joint carers both must successfully complete the training. Where two members of a household are a couple they will always need to be approved as joint carers. 
8.8 This provision is the same where an applicant identifies through agreement a close friend or family member who will play a considerable role in supporting the applicant greater than would normally be expected.
8.9 Providing there is space on the group single participants can nominate someone in their support network to attend with them.
8.10 The group is not designed for children attending though it may be appropriate for the older teenage sons and daughters of applicants to attend dependent on their understanding (fostering/Family Link only).
8.11

Preparation groups will include sessions on the following and will be set within equalities framework:

  • Safe caring
  • Health & safety 
  • Understanding the assessment process
  • Support networks
  • Role and expectations
  • Contact
  • The adoption triangle (adoption only)
  • Infertility and loss  (adoption only)
  • Understanding of children's needs
  • Challenging stereotypes of families, different alternatives to families
  • Diversity and anti discriminatory practice
  • Safeguarding
  • Children's rights
  • Children's Act
  • Human Rights act.
  • Managing challenging behaviour
  • Parenting capacity
  • Attachment, separation and loss

In relation to the Children's Workforce Development Councils (CWDC) Training, Support and Development Standards (TSD) for foster carers the following areas covered by the course:

  • 1.1.2 - Understanding /Promoting the Principles and Values essential for fostering.
  • 1.2 - Understanding different types of Prejudice and discrimination including disability
  • 1.2.2 - Respect and Promote a child's ethnic, religious and cultural background
  • 1.4 - Understand the Importance of Confidentiality
  • 2.1.2 - The Role and Responsibilities as a Foster Carer.
  • 2.3.1 - Understand the Importance of Family and Friends for Children and Young people.
  • 2.4.1 - Understand the Foster Care Team and contributing to effective team work
  • 2.6.1 - Complaints Procedure of the Fostering Team
  • 3.1.1; 3.2 - Health & Safety - Accommodation
  • 3.3.1 - Health and Safety - Medication
  • 3.3.2; 3.3.4  - Promoting Health and Wellbeing
  • 3.4.1 - Security in the home
  • 4.1.1 ; 4.1.2; 4.5.1 - Awareness of effective communication e.g. Use of diary and Importance of keeping accurate records; verbal and nonverbal communication - use of Makaton etc: Valuing diversity
  • 4. 3.1 - Promoting positive Contact
  • 4.4.1 - Communication with LAC formal network
  • 5.1.1 - Attachment and Development and Impact of disrupted development : Separation and Loss

The group will be participatory and will include input from foster carers, family Link carers, adopters and birth parents as relevant to the specific group.  

All applicants attending can receive a certificate to verify attendance if required.
8.12 At the end of each Fostering and Family Link group a meeting will be held to review both the applicants and the group as a whole. The meeting will decide which applicants have been successful, which applicants there are issues that would need to addressed before proceeding and which based on the Preparation group criteria have not been successful.
8.13 At the end of each adoption group feedback will be given in the team meeting and successful applicants will be requested to put in writing their desire to proceed.
8.14 Successful completion of the group (fostering) or receipt of letter see previous point (adoption) will be confirmed in writing with the name of the social worker that will be undertaking the assessment given. Should there be any delay in being able to allocate a named worker the applicant will be informed of the expected time scale for allocation and kept updated.
8.15 Where issues have arisen that would need to be addressed a joint visit will be arranged with either the two group leaders or one of the leaders and the person allocated to undertake the assessment should the issues be addressed satisfactorily. The outcome of the visit will be confirmed in writing.
8.16 Where an applicant has been unsuccessful a joint visit will be arranged by both group leaders where possible, or one leader and another team member. The outcome of the visit will be confirmed in writing, giving clear reasons behind the decision based on the criteria, informing the applicant of what would need to change before their application could be reconsidered if appropriate.
8.17 On completion of the group a "Change of Circumstances form should be completed for each unit.


9. Criteria

9.1

Age
  9.1.1 Adoption - anyone wishing to adopt must be over 21.There is no upper age limit but adopters should have the potential to care for a child throughout their childhood and offer support for some time beyond.
  9.1.2 There is no upper or lower age (must be an adult) limit for fostering and all applications will be considered on individual merit. However all carers would need to be mature and responsible enough to undertake the often complex tasks of fostering in a professional manner.  They would need to have a lifestyle that could offer a child or young person stability, consistency and security. They would need to be in a position to offer as a short-term carer a commitment to the service for some years (approximately 5), or as a long-term carer to be able to offer commitment to a child or young person throughout their childhood.
  9.1.3 Caring for children and young people can be demanding and challenging applicants need to demonstrate that they are fit, able, flexible and reasonable enough to undertake the tasks involved by meeting the recruitment criteria. Foster carers would generally be between 25 and 65 on application.
9.2

Health
  9.2.1 All applicants need to be healthy enough to undertake the tasks required to care for a child or young person. Anyone offering permanency would be expected to care for a child or young person throughout his or her childhood and beyond. All applicants must undergo a medical examination and any decisions re health issues will based on medical expertise.
  9.2.2 Disability - We would need to discuss how any disability would affect an applicants ability to care for a child or young person and what help and support was needed. As a guideline a period of a year would generally thought to be an appropriate timescale for issues to be resolved within.
  9.2.3 Fertility - We would accept adoption applicants to have ceased all investigations and treatment and be comfortable with the outcome before accepting an application. It would normally be expected that there would be a gap of around 6 months since the last treatment.
9.3

Statutory Checks
  9.3.1 Every household member over the age of 16 must undergo statutory checks. See paragraph 9.12.14, Criminal Offences for Statutory Checks for Prospective Foster Carers, Adopters and Respite Carers.
  9.3.2 Other significant people in the applicant's network, who will either regularly stay overnight in the home or who may offer them direct support in terms of childcare, should complete a Criminal records Bureau check. See paragraph 9.12.14, Criminal Offences for Statutory Checks for Prospective Foster Carers, Adopters and Respite Carers.     
9.4

Accommodation
  9.4.1 All property will be viewed at the initial visit stage and fully inspected after the preparation group using the Ealing Fostering and Adoption Connections Health & Safety Checklist form. Accommodation should be safe, clean, and have enough space as set out in the Health and Safety Criteria.
  9.4.2 Each child should have his/her own bed.
  9.4.3 Agreement to sharing bedrooms should be based on the gender and age appropriateness.
  9.4.4 We would not deprive any member of the household of their room if it would mean their sleeping in a room commonly accessed by the whole household when there is only one common room.
  9.4.5 We would not take the bed of a carer's child where for example a young child was currently sleeping in the parent/s bedroom.
  9.4.6 Only children under the age of 2 can share a room with an applicant/s, other than in specific circumstances where a child's disability or medical circumstances require constant supervision/monitoring.
9.5

Location
  9.5.1 Short -term carers need to live in Ealing or a surrounding borough or be able to clearly demonstrate how they would be able to facilitate and support continuity of education and offer contact to the child or young person's family.
  9.5.2 Long-term carers should normally live within approximately one hours-travelling distance of Ealing. This is to ensure that the distance is reasonable enough to facilitate training, support and contact. This would not apply to anyone coming forward for a specific child. Or where an applicant was offering something specified within the recruitment strategy as a recruitment priority category or identified as a harder need to meet e.g. caring for disabled children, sibling groups or from a particular ethnic background etc.
  9.5.3 Adopters should normally live within approximately one hours travelling distance of Ealing. This is to ensure that the distance is reasonable enough to facilitate training and support. This would not apply to anyone coming forward for a specific child or where an applicant was offering something specified within the recruitment strategy as a recruitment priority category or identified as a harder need to meet e.g. caring for disabled children, sibling groups or from a particular ethnic background etc.
9.6

Need
  9.6.1 The resources of the service need to be focussed on meeting the needs of the children and young people requiring placements, therefore applications can only be accepted on the basis that the applicant is able to meet an identified need as outlined in the Recruitment strategy.
  9.6.2 Adoption applications will be prioritised on the basis that an application is likely to meet the needs of children waiting for adoption.
9.7

Diversity and Equality
  9.7.1 Ealing Council is committed to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. The council recognises and respects the difference and diversity that exists within the community and is committed to providing equal access and fair and equitable treatment to every individual whatever their ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religion. All decisions should be based on this ethos providing they are in line with regulation and the Children's Services policies/ procedures. 
9.8

Work
  9.8.1 Adopters are able to continue working as any parent, making childcare arrangements as appropriate. However the initial stages of the placement are crucial to the long term success of the adoption and adopters would therefore need to take some adoption leave/unpaid leave to aid the bonding process and offer stability and consistency at a critical time for the child placed.
  9.8.2 Long- term carers are able to continue working as any parent, making childcare arrangements as appropriate. They would need to demonstrate flexibility and would need to take some time off at the initial stage of placement to settle the child or young person.
  9.8.3 Short- term foster carer's in particular need to be able to respond flexibly to the needs of the service. All foster carers need to be available to attend meetings in regard to children placed, have time to liaise with the child's social worker, their link worker, the school, and facilitate contact and attending any other appointments a child or young person may have.
  9.8.4 As a short-term foster carer it can be difficult to balance the fostering task and a job. This is obviously dependent on the age of the child or young person and the hours worked. The nature of short term fostering is unpredictable and children and young people will generally need placements at short notice and will need stability and consistency at a time of uncertainty and change. Foster carers will need to take and collect younger to and from school. It would not be appropriate to make other child care arrangements to facilitate the carer working e.g. leaving a child with a childminder or placing a child in a nursery. Day care facilities cannot be used for pre school children and infants whilst a carer goes out to work.
  9.8.5 High school age children and young people can generally get themselves to and from school. It may also be agreed dependent on the age and circumstances that the child or young person is able to have a key and remain for a short period in the house alone, this would obviously not be appropriate initially until some trust was established. So carers would need to demonstrate that their working patterns are flexible.
9.9

Childminders
  9.9.1 Applications from child minders can be considered. However particular attention will need to be paid to how the applicant would balance the needs of the looked after child/ren, the child/ren being child minded and the needs of any children they may have of their own against the fostering task, which can be complex and demanding.
9.10

Approved carers
  9.10.1 From time to time carers do decide to change agencies, applications are welcomed from experienced foster carers. Carers approved by other Fostering services/Adoption Agencies cannot be approved until they have actually resigned from the previous agency. An assessment can start while the carer is still approved by the other agency though the carer should inform their current agency of their intention to move. Application from experienced carers will be fast tracked. Any Carer wishing to transfer will have to attend an Ealing preparation training course and complete the assessment (fast tracked), checks and references including from the previous agency. The file of any carer coming from an external agency will be viewed by the assessing social worker, before the start of the assessment.   
9.11

Preparation training
  9.11.1 All applicants must attend and successfully complete a preparation course. Where the application is joint both parties must attend and successfully complete the course. All couples will be deemed to be joint applicants.
9.12

Bars to applying
  9.12.1 Anyone applying to adopt who does not have habitual residence/domicile in the UK.
  9.12.2 An applicant cannot be approved if already approved by another Fostering Service or Adoption Agency.
  9.12.3 Smoking - We do approve people who smoke though given the medical risks of passive smoking for young children we would not place children under 2 with smokers or children with health issues such as asthma. All carers would be discouraged from smoking.
  9.12.4

Criminal Offences

  1. Adoption - Under Regulation 21 of the Adoption and Children Act anyone over 18 convicted of a specified 'offence', or cautioned by a constable in respect of any such offence who, at the time the caution was given admitted the offence.
  2. Fostering - Anyone having committed a "specified offence" under Fostering Services Regulations 2010, regulation 27 (7) (a), (c) and (d) would not be deemed to be considered as a suitable foster carer. That would include someone who whilst cautioned by a constable in respect of any such offence who, at the time the caution was given, admitted the offence, (Amendment of the Foster Placement (Children) Regulations 1991)
  3. The Fostering service can consider if the welfare of the child/ren requires it, that someone with a specified offence be suitable to act as or continue to act as a foster carer in relation to a particular child/ren, where the person or household member is a relative or is already acting as a foster carer. Specified offences refer to:
    • An offence under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 (rape)
    • An offence specified in Schedule 1 to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933) (10] except for -
      • the offence of common assault or battery; or
      • in a case where the offender was under 20 at the time the offence was committed, an offence contrary to sections 6, 12 or 13 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 (sexual intercourse with a girl between 13 and 16, buggery or indecency between men).
    • An offence under section 1(1) of the Indecency with Children Act 1960 (indecent conduct towards young child)
    • An offence under section 54 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (inciting a girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse)].
    • An offence contrary to section 1 of the Protection of the Children Act 1978 (indecent photographs of children).
    • An offence contrary to section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (the possession of indecent photographs of children).
    • An offence contrary to section 170 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 in relation to goods prohibited to be imported under section 42 of the Customs Consolidation Act 1876 (prohibitions and restrictions relating to pornography) where the prohibited goods included indecent photographs of children under the age of 16.
  4. These regulations apply to the applicant or other member of the household over 18.
  5. Although no other offences specifically preclude someone's application the agency would have to consider the suitability of any applicant or household member who had been convicted of any other serious offence such as, drunk driving, robbery, grievous bodily harm, domestic violence or large scale fraud, or the taking of illegal drugs. The agency will also consider the suitability of the application taking into account any 'soft' information that transpires as a result of an enhanced CRB check
9.13

Ealing Council employees
  9.13.1 It would not be appropriate for anyone working in Children's Social Care Services to become an adopter/carer for this council as it could create a conflict of interest.
9.14

Skills and ability
  9.14.1

Applicants must have the skills and or demonstrate the ability to:

  • Provide a good standard of basic care i.e. food including good nutrition and the ability to understand issues around eating disorders, drink, warmth, shelter, appropriate clothing and personal hygiene, including the provision of medical and dental care.
  • Care for a child or young person safely.
  • Protect a child or young person from abuse
  • Maintain their property in line with Health and safety policy.
  • Promote and facilitate contact with significant people.
  • Listen to children
  • Encourage and support a child or young person to reach their educational potential and attend education related meetings as required. Offer the stability to enable a child or young person to feel secure and reach their developmental milestones.
  • Support a young people in preparation for adulthood.
  • Promote a child or young person's health care, taking into account any special needs the child or young person may have.
  • Provide children and young people with appropriate stimulation.
  • Provide care to children and young people from different backgrounds in a sensitive manner respecting and supporting their beliefs and culture, providing opportunity for religious observance and taking account of any dietary and hair and skin needs.
  • Deal with discrimination and help the child or young person to develop a positive identity
  • Provide the emotional warmth to help a child or young person deal with their experiences of separation and loss and develop a positive sense of identity.
  • Have the flexibility and understanding to cope with and support a child or young person who has experienced difficulties in his/her life and manage the behaviours that may manifest as a result.
  • Be able to set appropriate boundaries offer advice and guidance appropriate to a child's age and understanding.
  • Where a carer chooses to care for a child with a disability that they treat that child or young person age appropriately and with dignity and respect.
  • Language all short term foster carers need to have acquired a level of English that would enable them to act in a child's best interests, supporting them in education, accessing health care and being able to liaise with parents and all professionals involved in a child or young persons life.
9.15

Requirements
  9.15.1 To manage behaviour within departmental policy and guidelines undertaking not to use any form of corporal punishment.
  9.15.2 For foster carers to sign and abide by terms of the Foster Carer Agreement.
  9.15.3 Attend training.
  9.15.4 To regularly attend the carers support group.
  9.15.5 Adopters are encouraged to maintain contact with the Adoption Support Service once a child is placed for adoption and attend training and social events.
  9.15.6 To value the diversity of each child and young person taking into account their gender, ethnicity, language, culture, religion, sexuality and special needs or disability they may have. 
  9.15.7 To work with the department, to ensure the best possible outcomes for the looked after children and young people.

End