A Hard Sell for a Soft
Option?
YJB Convention
November 2007
Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projectswww.nch.org.uk
1998 Remand for young people aged 10 – 16 on Conditional Bail or Remand Into Local Authority Accommodation as an alternative to custody (also PACE and Emergency Placements) 2002 Post Custody for young people aged 16/17 who would be homeless on release from custody
Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects
HISTORY of Family PlacementService
2005 Intensive Fostering An alternative to a custodial sentence for 10 – 17 year olds where home circumstances have contributed to offending – Wessex (Hants, Ports, S’oton, IOW) Pilot
(2006 Intensive Fostering extended to London)
2007 “ Fusion” Fostering Short placements based on learning from Remand and Intensive Fostering
Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects
Why an alternative to custody?
• Disproportionate involvement in suicide/self harm attempts• 60% receive community sentence or are acquitted after a secure remand• Poor long term outcomes - nearly 80% re-offend within 2 years• Risk of bullying, labelling, stigmatisation• Inconsistent access to education • Consistent access to illegal substances• Mental health problems (57% suffering from depression)• Those with differential need placed together• Potential distance from home/community support• Variable access to post placement support
Overwhelmingly the children in custody will have suffered the same multiple disadvantages as
CLA
Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects
Characteristics of children placed
53% are not receiving education, training or employment
91% have poor family relationships with disrupted and disadvantaged backgrounds
78% have problems with drugs or alcohol
57% have experience of the care system
41% have self-harmed or attempted suicide
20% have experienced physical abuse
Many have extensive criminal histories with charges including theft, burglary, criminal damage, robbery, arson, assault, indecent assault,
attempted murder, unlawful detention and vehicle crime
MENTORINGCOGNATIVE- BEHAVIOUR VICTIM -AWARENESSRESTORATIVE- JUSTICEISSPSUBSTANCE -MISUSESUPERVISION
Cus
tody
EDUCATION/TRAINING/EMPLOYMENTCOMMUNITY- SUPPORTAPPROPRIATE- ACCOMMODATIONSTABILITYSECURITYPOSITIVE -CITIZENSHIPSUCCESSFUL- RELATIONSHIPS
Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects
Why does behaviour change? Removal from home environment/peer pressure Support and stability – some one to talk to AND to listen Carers are non-confrontational but impose clear boundaries ETE routines are established and hobbies and activities developed
Wider Benefits of a Family Placement A successful placement will impact on sentencing Family relationships can be re-established There can be an increase in self-esteem Self-care skills and independence enhanced
Cheaper and more effective than custody.
Young Person
Birth Family
NCH Suppor
t Worker
Foster Carers
Remand Post/Custody FOSTERING TEAM
Social Worke
r
Yot Officer
Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects
Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects
Intensive Fostering (Multi Dimensional Treatment Foster Care)
‘Professional fostering will provide specialised, highly intensive care for a serious young offender
who might otherwise face custody. For some young offenders a difficult home life can directly contribute to their offending behaviour. Fostering will provide
these young people with the safety and stability they need to turn their lives around.’
David Blunkett Home Office Press Release 29 September 2004.
“Intervention which tackles the particular factors (personal family, social education, health) that put the young person at risk of offending and strengthens protective factors”
Crime and Disorder Act 1998
Young Person
Birth Famil
y
Family Therapis
t
Skills
Trainer
Foster CarersIndividual Therapist
INTENSIVE FOSTERING
TEAM PDR
Caller
Yot Officer
Sch
ool
Social
Worke
r
Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects
Teaching co-operation by encouragement ……..See it! Notice it! Reinforce it!
Model it! Be interested! Move on!
Parent Daily Report helps to:•Deal with small problems before they become big ones. •Tailor the treatment and plan to the child’s needs •Detect patterns or cycles of behavior problems.
Point and Level System •Shared expectations and understandings.•Opportunities to support and encourage.•Consequences.•Let the programme do the work.
Foster Care NCH: Wessex Community Projects