[Julia Regan]

Jessica,
I worked on one in Camden in 2000 that went very well. Sent a questionnaire to all looked after children and met with foster carers to get their views. The two most tangible outcomes that have stuck in my mind were a change in procedure so that social workers gave a blanket permission for school trips so that foster carers could sign permission slips for individual trips - this recommendation was in response to hearing from looked after children who had missed out because they couldn't find the SW in time to sign. Second outcome was in response to hearing from foster carers of difficulty getting school places and in some cases having to take children to more than one school. The admissions criteria were changed in response to the scrutiny rec so that looked after children were given priority - alongside or before SEN.

On e of the reasons it worked so well was that members took their role as corporate parents very seriously and viewed /judged services as though they were actual parents, always had question in mind "is it good enough for our children". Had advice from Voice of the Child in Care as well which was helpful.

I couldn't find the report in the CFPS library but it is still on Camden's website.

I would be interested in joining the reference group,
Julia.