Minutes:
The Panel viewed a short film produced for the fostering digital roadshow. The film was well received however members suggested that some improvements could be made to formatting issues such as the sound quality in places and the images of children where their faces have been obscured in order to protect their identity.
In response to a question from Rob Johnson of Investing in Children, the Head of Looked After Children and Care Leavers replied that children of foster carers are given support to prepare for additional young people coming into their families, and are encouraged to be involved in the recruitment and training of foster carers.
Panel members suggested the film should be delivered to a Council meeting and that some of the foster carers that had attended the Corporate Parenting Panel meeting should be invited to present the film to Council.
The Panel suggested various different methods of delivery including through GP surgeries, Area Action Partnerships, a press release, and an advertising campaign through local media.
The Head of Looked After Children and Care Leavers said that a monitoring system would be put in place so that a record is retained of where the film has been shown and this information could be included in the next annual report.
The Senior Partnership Officer agreed to feedback the information regarding the formatting issues and to send the link to Panel members, when the film had been updated.