Foster Carers Survey

In completing the survey, please bear in mind that if you name anyone, such as a looked after child or a teacher, or identify them with other personal information, they may have a right to see what you have written about them. If you want to write about anyone else, you may therefore prefer to refer to people by their role (foster carer, teacher, social worker etc) rather than by name. Unless it appears that we need to keep such details, we will remove any names or other information that identifies people. Please note that we will not be able to follow-up any individual concerns and if you wish to discuss a specific situation we suggest you contact the Fostering Network Fosterline Wales on 0800 316 7664.

Q1	Respond to the survey questions in relation to the child or young person you currently foster. If you foster more than one child please complete the survey for the oldest child and you may then complete another survey for each other child. Have you already completed this survey for another child?
	Yes - tick here

Q2	How many looked after children and young people do you currently care for?

Q3	For the child/young person you care for (or the oldest):
	Gender	--Click Here--MaleFemale

Age (in years)

Q4	Type of school/education in summer term 2009
	Nursery or pre-school activities		Primary School
	Secondary School		Special School
	Sixth-form college or other college		Other arrangements
	Pupil Referral Unit, youth access projects, etc.		Left education
	Not currently attending school/college

Reason:

Q5
		Always		Usually		Sometimes		Rarely or never
	The looked after child in my care attends school
	The looked after child in my care receives extra support with their schooling when needed including help if they have fallen behind
	My part in helping the child with their education is clear
	I attend school events and activities with my looked after child
	The child’s social worker is interested in how well they are doing at school
	I am pleased with the progress he or she is making at school
	School progress is discussed at reviews and this has been helpful

Q6
		Yes		No
	Is the child/young person a relative?
	Are you fostering through an independent foster care agency?
	Do you have a copy of the Personal Education Plan for this child/young person?
	Have you received any help or training to understand education arrangements and how you can help support with school work?
	Do you have any concerns about the child/young person’s development or learning needs or their behaviour?

If yes, please briefly indicate your concerns

Q7
	Does the child/young person take part in after-school activities, trips or special events?	Weekly		Often		Occasionally		Never

If there are any particular difficulties for the child/young person joining in after school activities, trips or special events please give further information here

Q8
		Good		Satisfactory		Sometimes a problem		Poor
	Do you feel the communication you have with the child’s social worker and the council is
	Do you feel the communication you have from school/college is
	Are the transport arrangements

If there are problems please give further information

Your experiences

Q9
	Can you tell of one example from your own experience of fostering to show how things can work well to help the education of the child you care for.
	Do things like this happen often or rarely?
	What does this say about the school(s), council or people involved.

Q10
	Can you give another example from your own experience to show what it is like when there are barriers or problems in the education of the child you care for.
	Do things like this happen often or rarely?
	What does this say about the school(s), council or people involved.

Q11	Can you suggest any measures that would improve the educational achievement of your foster children or are there any other comments you would like to make?

Thank you for your help with our review