SNP Councillor Pam Armstrong warns against the rising use of private foster care firms, citing concerns over costs and child welfare.
Inverclyde: SNP Councillor Pam Armstrong, who used to be a chief social work officer, is sounding the alarm about private foster care firms. She brought this up during a discussion at the Inverclyde Council’s social work panel.
They were looking at a report that showed the costs of placing kids with outside organizations have skyrocketed in the last five years. It’s a big deal, and Armstrong is worried about how these firms are taking over.
She pointed out that the local authority is under a lot of pressure due to high demand, and we need to be careful about these companies getting more control. After the meeting, she told the Tele that the growth of these firms in Scotland is a real issue.
Armstrong believes these profit-driven organizations shouldn’t be involved in caring for kids at all. She mentioned that one UK firm made a whopping £14 million in profit, which raises eyebrows.
She also shared some pretty shocking comments from whistleblowers, saying these companies refer to foster carers as “gold bars” and kids as “units.” That’s just not right.
Later in the meeting, they discussed contracts with various service providers, but it seems Inverclyde HSCP doesn’t currently have any contracts with these private firms. Still, Armstrong warned that it could happen in specific cases.
During the panel, she asked if they were using for-profit organizations, and the answer was that it depends on demand and the needs of each child. But she’s concerned that it’s more about filling beds than actually helping families reunite.
Director Kate Rocks acknowledged that this is a big concern for the Scottish Government too. She mentioned that after the pandemic, there’s been a shortage of resources, which has led to more companies stepping in.
Rocks emphasized that the priority should always be safeguarding children, not making a profit. It’s a tough situation, and there’s no easy fix right now.
Armstrong noted that Inverclyde HSCP has a solid track record with looked-after children. She believes local authorities need to collaborate more to handle the increased demand stemming from the pandemic.
Since COVID, the costs of caring for these vulnerable kids have shot up. Armstrong stressed that the pandemic’s impact on children can’t be overstated. Many kids spent two years in tough situations without the usual support from friends and school.
She believes we’re seeing the long-term effects of that, and it’s crucial to recognize it. The Tele reported that the costs of caring for kids in care have hit record highs, with external foster care placements alone jumping significantly.
In fact, the total cost for looking after children in care reached £5.5 million last year, with most of that coming from residential care. The council is now bracing for a £3.89 million overspend on external placements by the end of this financial year.
