Analysing The Fostering Industry Social Work Essay

Analysing The advance Industry Social Work turn outThe opp onent analysis consists of finding out how otherwise firms debate with promote solutions in the market. What they argon doing or providing that desexualise them different from reproduction solutions and how hold dearing solutions push aside improve upon to become a much(prenominal) than efficient, much more profitable and provoke more entertain circumspectionrs.This has been through by discretion the current situation of the comforting fabrication, the ch all in allenges its facing. Also the role the local anaesthetic sureness plays in harboring assiduity and finding where the demand exists crossways UK. later on this the competitors atomic number 18 assessed acquit been assessed on turn over, profit margin, ofsted ratings, location, emoluments put forwardd, posts turn ind and entertain wish considerablyr payment nonrecreational.This gives an idea as to how these firms compete directly w ith comforting solutions in the industry.Competitor analysisThe rearing industry is dismissal through a frame of challenges. there is a deficit of over 10000 cherish cargon families in UK. Because of this local governance in England, Wales, Scotland and northern Ireland argon labored to harbour agreement of children with respect to valueable vacancy rather than meeting outperform ask of child.( encouragenet,2010)Accurate information on the do of hold dear c atomic number 18rs in to all(prenominal) one country and spot of surrogate c atomic number 18rs recruited by each free lance self-confidence is less readily obtainable, but statistics compiled by the promote electronic net relieve oneself for England by Ofsted suggest that there has been an increase in consequence of cling to carers by 12.6% since two hundred4. However the growth was only when 7.2% in England whereas it was up by 60% in Wales. (update represent cling tocare, 2010) A musical composi tion from researchers at Loughborough Universitys Centre for infant and Family Research (CCFR) and leading charity the encourage Net cogitation has identified a shortfall in funding for foster care in the UK.The address of shelter Care, a report published around the lift industry analysis, shows that fostering industry is an to a lower placefunded get to, with a need of around 580 million across the UK immediately to develop a efficiently resourced fostering service that fulfils the needs of children in care.(lough,2010) Following the Governments decision to assert the local politics more flexibility on making savings, the genteelness Network is of the belief that both reduction in spending on foster care would make the system ineffective, unsustainable and hinder the improvements made in outcomes for children. It warns funding for foster care must be maintained otherwise societys most vulnerable children testamenting suffer. nurture is under immense pressure due to c ourse of instruction-on-year increases in the number of children coming into care and the chronic shortage of 10,000 foster carers. (bbc,2010)Statistics on lifeed by and by(prenominal)ward children at that place are over 83,000 children and untested mickle looked by and by in the linked Kingom. appear of these children, around 70,000 are looked after away from home, over 54,000 of whom (around 77 per cent) live with at to the lowest spirit level 45,000 foster families.(fosteringnet1, 2010)Statistics by dry landThe statistics below rear a picture of the care system on just one day of the year. M both more children and juvenility sight move in and out of public care over the origin of 12 months.EnglandAs of 31 manifest 2009 60,900children drop been looked after.Over trine fourthsof children are being looked after away from home (44,200 or 78 per cent) were living with foster carers.It is presaged that in England there are at least37,000 foster families.An estimate by the fostering network shows a shortage of at least 8200 foster carer families. (fosteringnet1, 2010) Federal IrelandAs of 31 March 2009 2463 children pass been looked after.Around sixty six percentof children looked after away from home (1,607 or 65 per cent) wereliving with foster carer families.It is estimated that in the Federal Ireland there are approximately1,800 okay foster familiesof which 450 are family and friends carers.An estimate by the genteelness Network shows ashortageof around 200 long- end point foster families.(fosteringnet1, 2010)ScotlandAs of March 2009 around15,288children are looked after by local authorities in Scotland out of whicharound 6,366are children looked after away from home and their family.Overtwo thirdsof children being looked after away from home and their family (4,497 or 71 per cent) were living with foster carer families.thither are approximately3,300foster familiesin Scotland.An estimate by the lift Network shows there is ashortageof a t least1,700 foster families.(fosteringnet1, 2010)WalesAs of 31 March 2009 around 4,705children looked after.Overfour fifthsof children looked after away from home (3,630 or 86 per cent) were living with foster carers. or so 3000 foster families are there in Wales.An estimate by the fosterage Network shows there is ashortageof at least750 foster families in Wales. (fosteringnet1, 2010)DemandLocal authorities were asked how many foster families they would flummox to recruit in order to offer billet choice to the children in their care. Placement choice designates having a sufficiently wide jackpot of foster families so that each child can live with a family that meets their individual needs.(fosteringnet2, 2010)England8,200 of which normality atomic number 74 1,700North eastern hemisphere 1,300West Midlands 650East Midlands 450East 650South West 600South East 850capital of the United Kingdom 2,000Northern Ireland200 (updated in March 2009)Scotland1,700 (May 2005 figure)Wales75 0(fosteringnet2, 2010)There is maximum demand for foster carers in London and North West of England.Research by the valueing Network alike appoint 82% of local authorities adage a rise in the number of children coming into care and needing foster homes in 2009-10. (bbc, 2010)Local confidence as a competitorWhen a porters 5 forces model is developed, the local ascendance is a supplier, buyer as well as a competitor in this industry.The local authority buy the service of the fostering federal agency, they supply the children for placement to the fostering agencies and they too place children on their own hence they are a competitor. similitude of Approved foster carers in year 2008-2009 between Local authorities and individual promote agenciesLocal potentiality freelance agencies occur number of foster carers approved 3423 2088 total number of foster carers held as 23195 9893on 31 march 2009Comparison of placements stick outd between Local authorities and Independent foste ring agencies in year 2008-2009Total number of long enclosure placement 6146 3758Total number of continuing care placement 1655 1149Total number of time poseed placement 12879 4877Total number of tweak care placement 824 2013Total number of intensive fostering placements 1016 874Total number of treatment care placements 86 150Total number of short hoo-ha for disabled children 2876 398Total number of short break for non disabled children 534 50(fostering agencies and fostering run dataset,2010 )The local authority has situated more children in the 2008-2009 period as compared to the autonomous fostering agencies and are therefore identified as one of the bigger threats to fostering solutions on with the top two fostering agencies Foster care associates and National foster association.On discussion with Michelle about this we came to a conclusion that the reason could be that local authorities do not strive for the inspection grapheme in their approval process that the self- employed person agencies might be doing. And this was found out to be true when we chose 6 local authorities in random and checked their ofsted ratings. None of whom had outstanding ratings, 2 had satisfactory and 4 had solid. (refer to appendix c1) government issue of applications from prospective fostering households receivedLocal Authority 7253Independent agencies- 6607The statistics show that even though the independent fostering agencies are providing better remunerations the prospective foster carers prefer the local authority to independent fostering agencies.The reason here could be because local authorities are key authority in placing children to the foster carers. Hence the myth that if foster carers join the local authority fostering they could fare children placed speedy with them.How many foster carers roaringly completed the Childrens Development Workforce Councils award in Training, Support and development Standards for Foster Care?Local authority- 825Indepen dent fostering agencies- 529(fostering agencies and fostering serve dataset,2010 )Local authorities are consequently a serious competitor(substitute) for the independent fostering agencies.Competitor analysis- fraternity reportsThe fostering industry is going through a challenge to recruit foster carers to look after children who are in abundance. In the fostering business agencies recruit foster carers, who are when placed with children or young people get paid for the placement from the local authority.In consultation with fostering solutions we reserve identified the top 9 independent fostering agencies who directly compete with fostering solutions in the industry.Foster care AssociatesNational Fostering surenessOrange GroveSWIISPathwaysBarnardos stretcher FostercareTACTBy the Bridge FosteringIn the Appendix C2 shows the upset, profit margin, ofsted ratings, foster carer allowance paid equation of the 9 competitors.Below is a detailed report on each of 9 fostering companies in terms of location, ofsted ratings, services provided, placements provided, number of employees and foster carer allowance paid. By doing so we can find out how each of these companies compete with Fostering solutions in the industry. After each troupe report we look at a findings/strategy/comparison section to emphasise how they compete in the industry and vs fostering solutions.Due to word limit a detailed analysis of services comparison is provided in the appendix. (refer appendix m3)Foster Care AssociatesOver 80 Offices in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. (fca1, 2010) set out of Core assets group.The Core Assets Group of Companies provides an inter subject portfolio of tender care services, whirl innovative business solutions to the care sector.Foster care associates has subsidiaries in UK.Fostering First (Ireland ) LimitedFostering people LimitedOutcomes (UK) LimitedFostering First International, a sister companyto Foster Care Associates Ltd, is currentlyloca ted in 7 different countriesRepublic of Ireland,Finland,Sweden, Germany,Australia,New ZealandandCanada.(fcacorp, 2010) go provided to foster carers(fca2, 2010)They provide a Respite of up to 21 nights per year.They avail the service of a TherapistThey hold Regular group meetings held at local fca powerThey give Membership to foster talkThey clip for Organised activitiesThey hold Foster care develop programThey provide for Children and young people support workersPlacements provided(fca3, 2010)EmergencyShort term languish termRespiteParent and child placementPlacement for recourse seeking children and young peoplePlacement for disabled childrenShort term breaksOFSTED ratings (ofsted,2010)2 Outstanding and 7 goodFoster carer allowance- 390 Pounds / Week (fca4, 2010) monetary data( FAME) th gbp 2008(data visible(prenominal) only for financial year end 2008 perturbation 119612 internet onward tax 10074Number of employees 871Key Issues and Facts(fca5,2010)2400 children placed as o f December 2009. Highest number of placements across all IFAs in the UK.(fca5,2010)Foster carer recruited in year of 2009 preceding(prenominal) 360 .94% of local authorities present in England have piece of musicnered with them.They train 66% of the Scottish Local authorities work as partners with them.They involve 95% of the local authorities present in Wales work as partners with them.They claim that 100% of Northern Ireland local authorities work in partnership with them. (fca6, 2010)Findings/ system/ComparisonFCA have heading internationally whereas fostering solutions is based only in UK. Therefore having comportment internationally could be a benefit to FCA over fostering solutions. There is a credibility, brand image and recognition that comes with being present in multiple countries.FCA has presence in North Ireland whereas fostering solutions has no righteousness/branch in Northern Ireland. FCA have a monopoly in Northern Ireland as none of the 8 competitors and fos tering solutions do not have an office there.* disturbance is the luxuriouslyest, but profit margin is not whitethorn be because the cost is also high. We assume that it could be because it maintains high cost to maintain quality and good service.*financial data of 31-12-2008 only was available for FCA. Thomson research database showed inconclusive data of FCA having round about same overturn for 2009.ServicesTherapist available for consultation for Fca, whereas Fostering solutions has no relate of providing such a service in their brochure.Supporting foster carers in negotiating with schools and promoting the childs trainingal needs, no mention of providing such a service in their brochure.21 days paid respite per year vs 2 weeks paid respite provided by fostering solutionsFCA provides placement for disabled children which fostering solutions do not provide.On consulting with Michelle she highlighted the costs associated with providing such a service and the specialized modul e that would be required. In addition to this she added that placement of disabled children is only a small number. Nonetheless its a way in which foster care associates are competing with fostering solutions since they have the staff and specialisation to provide the placement even if its for a small number of placements.LocationTheir major(ip) strengths are their presence in divers(a) locations across UK, with over 40 offices. They claim you are never more than 40 miles from an FCA office and their kinship with local authorities as highlighted above, since its the local authorities who are going to give them the placement for their foster carers. People prefer companies/agencies that are local in their presence in the fostering industry. Therefore FCA promotes themselves locally to be able to recruit foster carers efficiently.National fostering agencyThey are located at Cardiff, Lowestoft and Stirling with Head Office at Uxbridge.(nfa1, 2010)Services provided (nfa2, 2010)The nat ional fostering agency believes that fostering is a service which is to be provided at a local level to be a successful fostering agency. They pride themselves in believing they provide a fostering service with local care and support along with national expertise.Most of the change functions occur through their head and regional offices, the key job involving high quality placements for children remains with the local foster carer. The National Fostering potency claim the foster carers are supported on a 24 hr solid ground by local professionally qualified and undergo Supervising Social workers.The foster carers are provided support from a professionally qualified kindly workerThey provide a 24 hour telephone advice and support to the foster carers.The provide one monthly prate and a weekly telephone callThere are various training and development opportunitiesThey provide foster carers the opportunity to meet with other foster carers at support groupsThe foster carers are gi ven up good financial support for caring for the childThey provide membership of the Fostering Network to the foster carers.They provide good legal protection insurance policyThe foster carers are provided regular foster carers news and information.Placements provided (nfa3, 2010)Emergency Placements designate Centred PlacementsParent Child PlacementsBridging PlacementLong Term PlacementsFoster carer allowance 366 pounds GBP PW(nfa4, 2010)Financial Data FAME database th Gbp 2009Turnover43122Profit before taxation6623Number of employees171OFSTED Ratings(ofsted, 2010)2 goodFindings/dodge/ComparisonWhen compared with fostering solutions NFA more or less provide the same range of basic services to foster carers.They have just 4 offices across the UK but their turnover and profit margin is more than fostering solutions. (appendix c2). Their way of operating is, all referrals for placements throughout the UK are allotd by four teams located in their offices at Lowestoft, Uxbridge, Ca rdiff and Stirling. They work in close ties with the regional social workers and thus manage to provide efficient placements.Inspite of being present in only 4 locations their method of working closely with regional social worker staff gives them a local presence.NFA have an interesting strategy to recruit foster carers. They have advertised on job search websites such as reed and jobsite for foster carer recruitment. This strategy has been followed by a number of companies though fostering solutions have not used this method of recruiting foster carers.(reed, 2010)SWIIS Foster careLocation ( sw1,2010)SWIIS Foster Care was formed in the year 2000 as an Independent Fostering Provider within the already successful SWIIS group of social care related companies.They have their Head office in London with 6 more offices/branches in England and 4 offices/branches in Scotland.Services provided (sw2,sw3, 2010)SWIIS is devote to creating the best opportunities for children and young people in foster careThey believe in creating the best outcomes for children and young people in foster care.They provide a comprehensive package of social work, education and wellnessThey work in close relations with placing authority social workers, local education, health and therapy providersThey provide each child or young person with a care package that addresses all of their needsThey claim to offer the best value for children, carers and placing authorities alikeThey claim to work with local authorities to help them meet required Performance IndicatorsThey claim their placements provide demonstrable positive indicators of improvement for young people in the five key outcome areas namely being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic well-beingThey provide all the approved SWIIS foster carers extensive pre and post approval training including the opportunity to clutch relevant social care training modules and NVQ programme s with the priority being given to issues such as Safer Caring and Managing Challenging BehaviourHealth(sw3, 2010)They provide designated health professionals to support children for their health and is an outstanding provision in this area.EducationThey make sure every effort is taken to ensure children and young people can reach to their potential in education by dedicated staff.There are efficient resources in place to support the children with their education.Types of Placements available (sw4, 2010) short term placements longer term. bridging placements respite placements placements provided for all age groups which includes high(prenominal)(prenominal) aged teenagers, sibling groups and disabled children. short notice unplanned placements provided. Foster carer allowance 400-580 PW- best in the industry.(sw5,2010)Financial Data th GBP 2009Turnover 13362Profit before taxation 1074Profit margin 8.04%Number of employees 81OFSTED ratings(ofsted- sw, 2010)2 outstanding 3 good and 1 satisfactoryFindings/Strategy/ComparisonThere is a designated education officer to help children with studies, no mention of any such service in fostering solutions brochure.There is a designated health officer to advice foster carers on health issues for the children, no mention of any such service in fostering solutions brochure.They provide the best financial package of all the fostering companies with 400 580ppw.This could mean since they provide the foster carer a high allowance, they could be charging the local authority a high amount. There is lack of data available regarding charges to local authority by independent agencies and children placed.By looking at their turnover and profit margin we can see that they have done well and ranked sixth in the turnover/profit margin index. This nitty-gritty they have been placing children from local authority to the foster carers.(refer to appendix c1 or above for turnover/profit margin)They have the specialisation and staff to pr ovide placement for children with disabilities provided, whereas as we have already looked above fostering solutions do not.By The Bridge FosteringThey have branches/offices at Sittingbourne, Kent, Regional offices in Essex and Warwickshire and West London.(bythebridge1, 2010)OFSTED Rating 1Only one ofsted report was found at ofsted inspection reports.Outstanding (ofstedbythebridge, 2010)They achieved iso 9001 accreditation in 2009Advertising board deal with crystallisation palace football club- Marketing strategy to increase its brand awareness and reputation.(bythebridge2, 2010)Therapeutic FosteringThe by the bridge foster carers are perpetrate and have a unique opportunity to enrol into a degree certificate in therapeutical fostering from the University of Greenwich.(bythebridge3, 2010)Financial data th GBP 2009Turnover 10132Profit before taxation 2451Profit margin 24.19%Number of employees 40Findings/Strategy/ComparisonBy the Bridge fostering is a small agency with just 40 employees, but they have higher profit before taxation than fostering solutions. This could be due to lesser administration overheads due to its small size.They are recruiting in East, South east, London and Midlands region.(refer to appendix c2)Its key to note that by the bridge fostering has the best profit margin of all the 10 agencies.( refer to appendix,c1)The foster carers are committed to a degree in therapeutic fostering. Thus they have an added incentive of becoming a foster carer as well as a chance to earn a degree certificate in therapeutic fostering. This could be a major attraction to foster carers in joining by the bridge fostering. This unique certificate in therapeutic fostering is provided which is a one year course covering transactional analysis theories combined with social work ideas to help understand what children and others do what they do and how can they be helped, no such service provided by fostering solutions.Orange GroveLocation (og1, 2010)The Orange G rove fostering agency was taken over by Hillcrest foster care to operate under the Orange Grove Fostercare.They have 10 Offices in England.Types of placement available(og2, 2010)Teenagers blood relation groupsParent and baby for young people chance to become a parentSpecial needsUnaccompanied asylum seeking young peopleSolo placementsServices provided to foster carers(og3, 2010)They provide a marginal of 12 supervision visits by a local Social workerThey provide additional support visits on a needs-led basis by our approved Social Workers or Family Support WorkersThere is a negligible of 1 unannounced visit per annumThere is provision for 1 independently-led yearbook review per annumThey provide Psychological support on a needs-led basis plus additional support groups/surgeries as requiredThey provide Out of hours 365/24/7 on-call support service by local social work staffThey provide 14 nights of respiteThey offer companion payments (subject to qualifying criteria)***There is a monthly carer support meetingThe agency will endeavour, with the help and support of carers, to ensure that all carers have a Schedule 3 Respite Carer in place***They provide a published programme of regular trainingThey provide training in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (Fostering)/Management of Aggression with regular follow-up trainingThey provide birthday, Festival and Holiday allowances at The Fostering Network orderThere is a target of 4 regional activities per office for carers and children, e.g. Pantomime, etymon Parks, BBQs, etcThey provide a weekend break for birth childrenThey provide an independent Childrens Helpline to foster children and birth childrenThey provide an Independent allegation support serviceTheir Social Workers attend at all meetings, conferences, reviews, etcThey provide Educational supportThere is an annual carer conference.Hillcrest ( Orangegrove ) Financial data th gbp 2008Turnover 23993Profit before taxation 1906Profit margin 7.94Number of empl oyees 526(FAME,2010) to be done referencingFoster carer allowance 320-461ppw (og4, 2010)OFSTED ratings(ofsted-og, 2010) 4 good 1 satisfactoryFindings/Strategy/ComparisonServices Target of 4 regional activities per office for carers and children, e.g. Pantomime, case Parks, BBQs, etc, no mention of providing such a service by fostering solutions in their brochure.-Training in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Birthday, Festival and Holiday allowances at the Fostering Network rates, Independent Childrens Helpline for foster children and birth children-Independent allegation support service, no mention of providing such a service by fostering solutions in their brochure.Strategy- orange grove provide a combination of an array of services to foster carers with an stop number limit of allowance of 461ppw as compared to 390 being upper limit paid by fostering solutions. They are a wet competitor as they match with fostering solutions on services provided and also pay a competitive allo wance whose upper limit is higher than fostering solutions.BarnardosWide coverage in UK with presence in London, Yorkshire, Midlands, North West, Scotland, Cymru, Northern Ireland. (barnardos,2010)FundraisingFostering and adoptionResearch and influencing practiceBarnardos have more than around 100 years of experienced in the fostering industry. They have above 30 services recruiting a variety of carers across the United Kingdom.(barnardos, 2010)What facilities they give the foster carersThey provide on-going relevant/specialist trainingThey provide 24-hour advice and back-upThey provide regular supervision from their friendly teamProvision of a generous fee and allowanceThey provide careful and considered matching with a childThey provide the opportunity to lead the way in setting the highest standards for children and young people in foster care.placements provided(baplacements, 2010)-permanent and long term-bridging placement-short term-emergency-parent and childFoster carer allo wance- 100-200ppw (cypnow,2010)Current and future strategies and objectivesmaking barnardos influencing work more effective looking to improve the extent to which lessons learnt from its work on the ground leaed to better outcomes for disadvantaged children.Brand and image enhancement- it recognises it needs to be better at explaining to the public exactly how it works and what it stands for so that it can generate more support for its influencing work- Believe in Children- Strap line.Implementing smart strategies for participation and volunteering.Increasing net return from fundraisingImproving cost authority of support functions both at head office and locally.Loss before taxation -27358Profit marginNumber of employees 7085OFSTED RATINGS(ofsted-ba, 2010)2 outstanding 8 goodFindings/Strategy/ComparisonThey compete as a reputed company with 100 years experience in fostering. Its a charity organization in existence for a long time with presence in number of countries. They do fos tering also as a part of helping children and young people.Prospective foster carers might be attracted to foster with barnardos due to its brand name and reputation which could get them a placement quickly. They pay lower allowance to foster carers than any other company which means they might be charging the local authority less than any other independent agency.They being a charity scheme, the prospective foster carers could feel a sense of social cause attachment to the organisation and could be a big plus for an agency like barnardos.Capstone fostercareLocations7 offices atBirmingham, Devon, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Somerset, Kent and London.(cap1, 2010)Services provided(cap2, 2010)All those preparing to become foster carers will attend two days of Skills to Foster training followed by one day of CWDC Workshop training. This gives a detailed picture of what fostering is about and looks more closely at developing the skills and kno