24 Jan Respite care. Working together to support children and foster carers
The Importance of proactive respite care for foster families
Fostering, whilst rewarding, can be stressful and challenging at times. We want our foster carers to receive all the support they need to create stable and loving environments that can be maintained for as long as needed and give the children the best chance to thrive and grow. We have a duty to our children to support foster carers so they don’t reach burnout and lose these hard-earned skills.
In 2021 the Social Market Foundation published a report stating that, based on current trends, the children’s care sector will be experiencing a deficit of around 25,000 foster care families in England, over the next five years. Several factors were cited for this including a poor take up in new foster carers plus a lack of retention of existing care providers. The report went on to provide information on the reasons why foster carers are leaving the sector, with lack of respite being cited by nearly 30% of those aged 35-54 as a reason for deregistering, and 14% for all other age groups.
Respite care is available to foster families, but is often supplied by other foster carers, which does not alleviate the problem, as to move it around. While outsourcing is used, due to the costs involved it is usually at a point where the placement is already at a risk of breakdown. It is at this stage that the goodwill that the carer had at the start of their fostering journey may start to evaporate. This scenario can also have an added impact on future recruitment, as someone who feels under stress and unsupported may be unlikely to recommend this essential and virtuous career to others.
The Future
In a social care system that is struggling with the current level of need, it is understandable that those involved in placements are so weighed down with demand, that they can find themselves lurching from one crisis to the next. This is why we are calling on those in positions of leadership to take a more strategic and proactive approach to respite. Foster carers need support before a placement gets to an ‘at risk’ stage. As for the cost, this can be outweighed by reducing the need to recruit a further 63,000 carers over the next 5 years.
Our Children
At the heart of all this are the children involved and the impact on them. Without early support and respite, a child with challenging needs can rapidly burn through foster carers. A lack of consistency and the feeling of being unwanted can then further exasperate an already dire situation. Many of the carers deregistering have vast years of experience, which they can use to improve the life chances of those in their care, than those newly recruited.
What next
Companies such as Freedom already have capacity and experience in this complex area and is providing support to some foster carers most in need of a break. Utilising care focused companies more intelligently and strategically can support retention and increase and improve capacity.
Services available
Respite – in line with the recommendations of the Social Market Foundation report, we believe every carer should have the right to access respite. This should not be at the point that the placement is on the verge of a breakdown but instead a proactive approach should be taken that allows the carer to feel positive and engaged within their role. Ensuring foster carers are receiving regular respite, are offered training courses, and have access to additional resources (such as during periods of sickness), will reduce burnout of experienced carers and provide stability and confidence to new foster recruits.
Expanding capacity and preventing placement breakdown – we want to ensure foster carers are supported with additional staff either for an initial transitional phase or throughout the placement. This will allow children to be placed more confidently and will lead to fewer breakdowns, regardless of whether it has been provided proactively or, in response to an immediate need. When a child is NEET and the foster care doesn’t have the capacity to care for the child, support can be provided with meaningful days and alternative educational opportunities. The goal is to stabilise behaviours and build confidence and self-esteem that actively moves the child towards education, training, or employment.
Family reunification – When a child is on a journey to return to their permanent home, we can work alongside the foster carers and the family, providing support during this process. Our services offer a consistent familiar face throughout the transition home. This can also extend to a family support service that will tail off as the return home becomes secure and sustainable.
For more information on how Freedom can help Foster Carers simply contact us.
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