Integrated Care currently offers Foster placements in two broad areas, each serviced from a regional office. This provides the care Authority with not only choices about the type of environment, but also the convenience of geographical proximity. Our teams are based on the South Coast and in the West Country.

From our many years of working with Children and Young People we know that no two are identical! So, because of the vast range of needs and problems confronting the Social Worker, we have striven to provide as diverse a service as possible, giving the Local Authority choices.. We also offer placements for a wide range of age groups, from Babies right through to Young Adults. You can use the links below to find out more about our wide range of services or contact us directly to receive more information.

TIME LIMITED PLACEMENTS

Our Carers are supported and trained for a range of agreed projects; enabling Children to return home or to move on to a permanent substitute family; helping Young People towards independence; holding a Child in safety whilst court proceedings, assessments or therapeutic work is carried out.

Whatever the goal, our Carers are clear that these Young People, whose lives have been so disrupted, must be helped as far as they can to continue their education, pursue their usual interests, hold on to friends and, above all, maintain contact with family. In some cases our Carers are able to supervise contact.

LONG TERM PLACEMENTS

Some of our Carers are glad to become long-term substitute family for some Children and will commit themselves to caring for such Children until they reach independence. They are able to manage the often difficult and complicated relationships with birth families in a positive way.

RESPITE PLACEMENTS

We have specially recruited Carers who can offer regular, intermittent, or one-off respite placements to Children whose families or carers are stressed or simply need a break. Some are especially competent to look after Children with disabilities.

SIBLING GROUPS

A number of our Carers have the experience and the emotional abilities, as well as the physical space, to look after several Children, especially groups of brothers or sisters. This can be helpful in preventing the break-up of sibling groups.

SPECIALIST FOSTERING SCHEME:
THERAPEUTIC, SOLE PLACEMENTS

We are able to offer a holistic, therapeutic service, in conjunction with a national, specialised foundation, for Children and Young People whose past abuse makes them a risk to others as well as to themselves, and whose behaviour is sexualised or otherwise challenging. Children and Young People, who would otherwise be in residential care, are able to live in a therapeutic environment, whilst still leading a normal home, school and social life. Carers are selected for particular aptitudes and are trained and supported by regular consultations with professionals. Continuing therapy for the Children is central to the placements. Regular risk assessments are carried out and specialist reports provided for the Local Authority.

PARENT AND CHILD ASSESSMENT

Where there are concerns about a parent’s abilities, we have Carers who can teach, monitor and assess at home – a setting that is often more comfortable and natural for the parent than a residential unit. In some cases such a fostering placement can be more revealing. This service is provided in collaboration with the Beacon Lodge Trust who have over one hundred years of specialised experience of working with Mothers and Babies. Where there are serious child protection concerns, monitoring is closely supervised by a qualified and experienced Integrated Care social worker. Specialist support and respite care are available from the Beacon Lodge Trust and assessments are based firmly upon the National Framework for Assessment. This service includes complete Assessment and Court Reports and help with ongoing placements, including provision of independent living with outreach support.

CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

We are able to care, usually long term, for Children with a range of medical conditions, learning or mental health difficulties, with experienced Carers supported by good local \resources.

YOUNG PEOPLE ON REMAND

Integrated Care has Carers experienced in accompanying Young People through the Court process and who equally understand the Court’s requirements when Young People are remanded to the Local Authority.

EMERGENCIES

Ideally, we would far, far prefer all placements to be planned, with everyone informed, closely matched and nicely introduced. However we are very used to working with the un-ideal and have experienced Carers who are instantly reassuring to distressed Children and parents (and Social Workers!) and who are able to pick up the pieces until more permanent plans are made.