Agenda item

a)  Agreed to submission of an application for the Council to be granted Fostering Friendly Employer status.

b)  Noted the steps being taken by Slough Children First Ltd to be granted Fostering Friendly Employer status.

c)  Noted the wider steps being taken to increase recruitment and retention of foster carers, including encouraging other local employers to adopt Fostering Friendly Employer policies and status.

The Lead Member for Education and Children’s Services introduced a report on the steps the Council has and could continue to take to recruit and retain foster carers to ensure Slough’s looked after children had safe and secure homes.  The steps recommended in the report were aligned to the Children and Young People’s Placement Sufficiency Strategy.

Reviewing and increasing the support available to foster carers would help recruit and retain them and meet current and future needs of children requiring foster placements.  One of the proposals was for the Council to apply for Fostering Friendly Employer status.  The Leader of the Council thanked foster carers in Slough and highlighted the Cabinet’s commitment to supporting them in the vital role they played in the town.

The recommendations were approved.

Resolved –

(a)  That the submission of an application for the Council to be granted Fostering Friendly Employer status be agreed.

(b)  That the steps being taken by Slough Children First Ltd to be granted Fostering Friendly Employer status be noted.

(c)  That the wider steps being taken to increase recruitment and retention of foster carers, including encouraging other local employers to adopt Fostering Friendly Employer policies and status be noted.