Children and Young People's
Services
Children’s Placements Service
About our Beacon Status
BexleyCouncil's
best practice includes the following areas:
- Recruitment of foster carers involved
a major recruitment campaign with a specially designed logo and use of
a range of media. A freephone number was used and efforts were made to
target high need areas, such as families for sibling groups and adolescents.
- Ongoing support and training for foster carers
included an NVQ training programme, annual assessment of training needs
and supervision through a link worker scheme. A Good Practice Guide was
developed for foster carers and a Conference on the Education of Children
in Public Care was organised.
- Leaving care support is provided by
our specialist Leaving Care Service. A
Pathway Plan is used to identify services and supports a young persons
needs as he moves towards and achieves independence. We also have a range
of housing options to ensure young people move on at the right time.
- Independent Support and advocacy is
provided by SOVA mentoring and the Voice for the Child in Care. Initial
reviews are chaired by workers independent of line management who ensure
that timely and appropriate plans are in place.
Young people are being encouraged to form a forum to ensure their views
are heard and help develop services.
Sharing our experience
Beacon Council Status means sharing our knowledge and expertise.
Bexley's Foster Care Service Learning Forum
A half-day learning forum was held at the Civic Offices
in Bexleyheath on Thursday 29 November 2001.
The November Learning Forum Programme and registration
form are available here for download:
For more information and to book please contact: Tina Coburn, Children's
Placements Service on 01322 356351, or e-mail
adoptionandfostering@bexley.gov.uk.
Managers and practitioners from social services and education, together
with foster carers, and care leavers, will discuss with delegates Bexley's
policy and best practice and allow an opportunity for discussion.
We also propose to offer advice to individual authorities. Material from
our  Beacon
application is available on this web site.
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