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Important work here from Ofsted on identifying what elements are included within good matching in foster care. Delighted that our advisory group was able to support with this research too: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-ofsted-report-highlights-need-to-get-matching-right.
The report rightly recognises that children need to be meaningfully involved in decisions made about their care, and that the information shared with children and prospective foster carers often isn’t sufficient or balanced.
It also highlights the importance of matching in maintaining relationships with siblings – too many children are separated in care and don’t get to see brothers & sisters enough. We recently highlighted this as one of our top five children’s rights issues: https://www.becomecharity.org.uk/for-professionals/resources/submission-to-the-call-for-written-evidence-for-the-civil-society-submission-to-the-un-s-list-of-issues-prior-to-reporting-2020/
It’s vital the forthcoming review of care addresses this and how we can improve experiences for sibling groups. The government also needs to carry out its promised sibling contact update to care planning regs: https://bit.ly/3k0JxbU @EmmaLewellBuck
It’s also worrying the report found little evidence that Staying Put arrangements were routinely considered as part of assessment and approval. This must change or more young people will be denied the promise of Staying Put and find themselves facing a #CareCliff at age 18.
