Martin Barrow’s Post

Incredibly interesting article with some direct views from people in care/have been in care. What's your thoughts on this? #nonprofitresidential #childrenincare #foster #residentialcare https://lnkd.in/eUdNDDjp

A new #NuffieldFunded report highlights concerns about the quality of adult and children's social care in England run by for-profit companies. The study, from Anders Bach Mortensen at the Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, shows that outsourcing residential services like care homes and children's homes to private providers, especially for-profit companies, has increased dramatically over the last 20 years. ⬆️ For adult social care, public provision has virtually disappeared. 96% of residential services are now outsourced - an increase of more than 20% percentage points since 2001.  ⬆️ In children's social care, over 80% of children's homes are operated by for-profit companies, up more than 20 percentage points since 2010. However, inspection ratings from regulators consistently show that public and third-sector adult care homes and children's homes perform better than those run by for-profit providers on quality measures. In addition, involuntary closures and cancellations enforced by the Care Quality Commission and Ofsted are concentrated among for-profit providers. The report also finds that:  ➡️ For-profit adult care homes appear increasingly focused on self-funded residents in affluent areas, potentially leaving those in deprived locations with less choice.  ➡️ For-profit children’s homes are concentrated in disadvantaged areas with lower property prices, exacerbating issues such as children being placed miles away from home. Despite underperforming and ‘cherry-picking’ their locations, outsourcing to for-profit providers has accelerated, especially nursing homes and children's homes, leading to the concerns about quality, equity, and access to important services for at-risk adults and children. Alex Beer manages the grant for the Foundation. Read the report here: https://ow.ly/HV8A50TBXJO

With the election coming up, there are discussions about the role that private companies play in public services. When it comes to children in care across the UK, the debate is alive and well. 36% of fostering in the UK is through private agencies, and 80%+ of care homes. Two councils had an average cost of £281k per care home placement, costs that have been described as 'staggering'. (The Guardian's article gives some wider context - https://lnkd.in/efHx7PH9) The Senedd is introducing legislation to see that all new fostering and children's homes provision in Wales is not for profit (https://lnkd.in/eph7R5-i) This approach does raise some questions in my mind, though (and no, I'm not saying it's wrong - it's complicated). - Will a blanket ban in Wales (albeit with transitional arrangements) reduce the total number of places available for children? - Is there a risk that providers could move out of Wales and set up in England instead, reducing local provision and end up with children in Wales being placed in England? - How many people will rule out fostering because the maths doesn't work with private providers, who pay more to carers on average, being out of the picture? (A 2022 survey of foster carers found 50%+ were considering stopping due to their payments not covering their expenses). More than anything, though, it pains me when the conversation is about ideology ('private provision makes sense' vs. 'everything should be public') or finances (how much should a placement cost) rather than the best outcomes and experiences for the child or young person in care. Still very much work in progress. Comments very welcome!

It is really hard to put into words how reading this (even though it is not entirely new to me) makes me feel. With all the shouting about the 'need for austerity' and 'inevitable budget cuts' and 'the money just not being there'. £281,000,- paid for keeping a child in residential care (a form of care with a very high risk of poor outcomes) is staggering. Imagine how many children would not even end up separated from their families if these kinds of sums were to be redirected to the allegedly too expensive (though infinitely cheaper than this) support to families that could prevent them from ending up in crisis in the first place. Funding poverty alleviation, support, assistance, and equipment enabling families to care for children with complex needs, affordable housing, addiction support, trauma-informed counselling for parents and children, and if none of that can enable the child to grow up safely in their own home, properly supported foster care. When these things are supplied, properly resourced without a profit margin, not only can many, many more children be supported, most likely with better outcomes. But it will also save enormous amounts of money down the line if society is not presented with the hefty bill of the damage done by completely disregarding the needs of the children. I already made the point four years ago, in a blog on my website, that we cannot afford austerity in child welfare, it is just too expensive. Clearly, it bears repeating. #alternativecare #lookedafterchildren #residentialcare #forprofitcare #fostercare #childwelfare #childprotection #bestinterestofthechild #familystrengthening https://lnkd.in/e6buWGuX

Beyond the Orphanage Part 2… 5 important things to teach young adults transitioning from Orphanages Transitioning from a children's care home to adulthood is pivotal and often challenging for many young people. Yet, with the right support and preparation, this phase can also be a transformative experience, setting the stage for a promising future. For too long, people’s focus has only been on supporting children in residential homes and not entirely on those transitioning out of these care homes (care leavers). To all the donors, individuals and NGOs supporting orphanages, I urge you to consider the potential ways to assist the young children who leave the orphanage almost every year. 1.    Teach them about money management. 2.    Teach them to understand what good relationships mean so they can build healthy friendships and connections 3.    Help them to understand their rights and responsibilities 4.    Support them with a skill that can generate some income beyond the orphanage 5.    Connect them with opportunities such as education, housing, and resources P.S. What else should these young people be taught Before transitioning out of orphanages or foster care at 18? Wishing you a fruitful week ahead #childwelfare #streetchildren #streetism #vulnerablechildren #championingchildwelfare #childwelfareadvocate #socialwork #sharetostir #orphans #childrightsexpert #policy #traumaintervention #familiyandchild #adoption #orphanage #careleaver #careleader #dalhousieuniversity #Godcanbetrusted #deborahdzifahtamakloe #livedexperience #newchallenge #author #beyondtheorphanage #familybasedcare #adoption #adoptionmyth #advocacy #nonprofit #beyondtheorphanage

"But those who pay the highest price are, of course, the children (alongside residential staff and foster carers, who are often ruthlessly exploited)" The cost of foster care in our society has become a troubling issue, with profits being prioritised over the welfare of children. It’s a disgrace that the most vulnerable members of our community are being exploited for financial gain. Children in foster care deserve stability, compassion, and support, yet they are often subjected to systems more concerned with profit margins than with providing quality care. This comes at a high cost, not only to the children themselves but also to the dedicated residential staff and foster carers who are relentlessly exploited. It’s time to advocate for a system that puts the needs of children first, ensuring they receive the love and attention they deserve. Let's raise our voices to reform foster care and protect those who pay the highest price We need to campaign: In a system where profit often takes precedence over people, it’s time for a change.👇 "Compassion Over Capital: Reform Foster Care Now" 🌼 👉 a campaign focused on ending the profit-driven exploitation of vulnerable children in foster care. 👉We stand for a system where compassion and care are paramount, ensuring that children receive the support and stability they deserve. 👉It’s not just about changing policies; it’s about changing lives. Join us in advocating for comprehensive foster care reforms that prioritise the well-being of children and the fair treatment of residential staff and foster carers. ✨️Together, we can build a future where every child is valued and protected🌼✨️🌼 let's campaign for change ✨️🌼✨️ The Fostering Network CoramBAAF FosterTalk Sarah Anderson Carolyn Moody MBE National Union of Professional Foster Carers The Conservative Party #CompassionOverCapital #FosterCareReform #ChildrenFirst #EndExploitation #FosterCare #ChildWelfare #Advocacy #ProtectChildren https://lnkd.in/eSJSRRcM

Important Update: Removal of Financial Reference Requirement for Children's Social Care Applications We are pleased to announce a significant update to the Children's Social Care Application Checklist, reflecting a recent legislative change. As of now, the requirement for a financial reference has been removed. This change is aimed at streamlining the application process for registering new children's social care establishments and agencies. Key Highlight: Removed Requirement: Financial Reference Impact of the Change: Simplified Process: The removal of the financial reference requirement makes it easier and faster for applicants to complete their submissions. Accessibility: This change reduces the administrative burden, particularly benefiting smaller organisations and charities that may have found this requirement challenging. Focus on Care Quality: By eliminating this financial hurdle, more focus can be placed on ensuring the quality and safety of care provided to children. This update underscores our commitment to making the regulatory process more efficient and accessible, while maintaining high standards of care and safeguarding for all children. For more details, please refer to the updated checklist available on the link below https://lnkd.in/eHeMivZK This update is a step forward in enhancing the efficiency of the registration process and supporting the growth and development of children's social care services.

New Initiative to Provide Services for Kids in Care and Care Leavers Local entrepreneur, Gillian Ashcroft is joining forces with Liverpool’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Richard Kemp, to create a new not for profit organisation to improve services to children in care and care leavers. The community interest company, the Combined Care Consortium, will assist to promote best practice in these two related fields and will seek to provide more joined up services to those young people who need support the most. Gillian Ashcroft who is a provider of Children’s Residential Care and the Think Tank Academy, said, “I am delighted to work with the Lord Mayor of Liverpool after he set the sector the twin objectives of providing better services in a more joined up way. From my many years’ experience in the sector I know that there are lots of great public, charitable and private organisations doing great and imaginative things to give these kids a great start in life. We need to recognise the best that is available and spread good practice to other providers. I am also aware that there needs to be more joining up of services with many organisations just doing ‘their bit’ of the spectrum of need and not helping young people and other organisations navigate their way through a complex field or operations. In supporting the new initiative Lord Mayor Richard Kemp said, “I am pleased to support this initiative which is designed to spread best practice initially in Liverpool and the wider Liverpool area but then to move to promote good practice nationally. The way forward clearly by brin ging together the skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and potential of the public, private and voluntary sectors. Each of the sectors can do things differently from the other two sectors and there is a wealth of experience in Liverpool which could do with being better coordinated” The participants will consist of people from the public, private and voluntary sectors connected with children’s social care and those associated with supporting care experienced young people who have left the immediate care of the local authority. The Combined Care Consortium will be launched at 10.00 on 29th November 2024 at the Novotel 3 off Paddington Village, Liverpool L7 3FA ENDS: Gillian Ashcroft can be contacted on 07814 698268 Richard Kemp can be contacted on 07885 626913

One Guardian reader, whose great-niece is in care despite their willingness to provide care, tells of their frustration of being left out of solutions by children’s services. They wish to see their niece but say the system is intentionally ambiguous, raising concerns in the family about her whereabouts and well-being. The reader is also alarmed by regional disparities in the rates of children in care and worries that in areas like Blackpool, local authority care is now the default, instead of including family in the solution. As reports about unregulated and profit-led children’s homes accumulate, it’s time that we prioritise family-based solutions. Kinship care helps to reduce disruption for children by keeping them connected to people who already know and love them. It makes economic sense too. Research by charity Kinship suggests that ‘for every 1000 children raised in kinship care rather than in local authority care, the state saves £40 million per year’. Kinship care options should always be appropriately assessed before placing children elsewhere, this includes international options. We help local authorities locate and assess possible overseas family carers for children thanks to our unique access to partner agencies in over 130 countries. Let’s ensure that family comes first for every child, no matter where their family lives. https://lnkd.in/gUbU4Ngh

It's Friday. I'd love for you to take two minutes to ponder this video. In the UK, the topic of young carers has reached Parliament. Mark Sewards MP revealed, "They interviewed 65 young carer agencies and spoke with tens of thousands of young carers." Sixty-five agencies in the UK dedicated solely to young carers. My jaw dropped - 65 agencies in the UK dedicated to young carers... They interviewed *65 young carer agencies* and talked to tens of thousands of young carers. This MP briefly highlights three tough questions about how caregiving affects young carers’ education and what needs to change, based on a study released by Carers Trust. The challenges young caregivers face in the UK are just as real here in America. But here's the difference: The UK is working on the issue. The United States is not. The UK has government funding and agencies that support young caregivers, and it's still not enough to meet the needs. In the U.S., there's just ONE program addressing these issues - the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY). AACY's Caregiving Youth Project, based in Palm Beach County Schools, Florida, is THE ONLY program in our nation providing direct support to young caregivers in schools. This program is funded solely through (mostly local) donations and small grants. This isn't enough. It's time for America to step up and ensure young caregivers across our country receive the support they deserve. Hopefully, when all is said and done, the U.S. government will provide tangible funding and resources for our Caregiving Youth population. The need is real. #CaregivingYouth #KidsAreCaregiversToo #AwareTheyCare #CareCantWait #America #USA #Caregiving Andy McGowan Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD Feylyn Lewis, PhD American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY)