Contact: Gill Horrobin 01962 847263 [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

1. That the Executive Member for Children & Families approves the updated Statement of Purpose of the Fostering Service

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priorities:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by enabling as many of Hampshire's children as possible, who are looked after, to remain in their local communities and to fully participate in and contribute to the life of those communities.

"Maximising well-being" - by ensuring that Hampshire's children who are looked after are provided with good quality family based care placements that meet their needs and enable them to move successfully through their transition to independence.

"Enhancing our quality of place" - through provision of high quality services that target those children who are the most vulnerable.

2.2 The decision supports the following Aims of the Children Act:

(Being healthy; Staying safe; Enjoying and achieving; Making a positive contribution; Economic well-being) by ensuring that fostering 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 into adulthood. The service promotes the development of leisure and social activities which enables all children to participate fully in the life of the community, and support them to take up careers and employment which are rewarding and fulfilling. This includes enabling children who have special needs to access services which will enhance their independence

3 Other Options considered and rejected

3.1 None.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None.

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

6.1 Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

.....................................

Councillor Mrs Patricia Banks

Executive Member for Children and Families