Contact: Sue Kocaman. 01962 847263 [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services notes:

1.2 The contents of the report which provides key information about activity within the Fostering Service provided by Hampshire County Council in the last year.

1.3 Notes progress in respect of the action plan resulting from the inspection carried out by the Commission for Social Care Inspection in December 2005, and presented to Policy Review Committee and the Executive Lead Member on 14 March 2005.

1.4 Approves the Statement or Purpose of the Fostering Service.

1.5 Asks for a further report in due course on progress in respect of investment in the fostering service.

2 Reason(s)

The fostering service meets the needs of our most vulnerable children. The service supports aims one, four and five of the Corporate Strategy by:

2.1 Maximising life opportunities for children who are looked after by ensuring that good quality family based care placements are provided for Hampshire's children resulting in good outcomes for children who are looked after.

2.2 Building strong and safe communities by enabling children who are looked after to remain in their local communities and to fully participate in and contribute to the life of those communities.

2.3 Improving services by providing a benchmark against which Hampshire can improve its performance and continually develop the service.

2.4 The service aims to support all five outcomes of `Every Child Matters' and the Children Act 2004, by ensuring that services are managed safely and provide safe and secure care for children; that children's health needs are met and promoted, and that they are encouraged and enabled to achieve their educational potential, at all stages of their lives and into adulthood. The service promotes the development of leisure and social activities which enable all children to participate fully in the life of the community, and enables children who have special needs, physical or emotional. to access services which will enhance their independence and support them to take up careers and employment which are rewarding and fulfilling.

3 Other options considered and rejected

3.1 None.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision-maker or a member for officer consulted

4.1 Not applicable.


5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 Not applicable.


6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1 Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor Felicity Hindson MBE

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services