Council Walsall
Performance Percentage of looked-after children with three or more placements during the year
Since the year ending 31 March 2006, the percentage of looked-after children in Walsall experiencing multiple moves has decreased. A higher-than-average percentage experienced more than three moves in 2006 — 14 per cent. But by the end of March 2009, this stood at 8.9 per cent.
To create stability for children in care, it is vital that a range of placements are available in an area to cater for the needs of each child.
One of the fostering agencies providing placements in Walsall is Progress Care Solutions, which celebrated its tenth anniversary last month by holding an awards ceremony for its foster carers.
Harpal and Piara Gill, foster carers of 19-year-old Aruna Gill, received a Progress Care Solutions award on the night. At the ceremony, Aruna, who is a wheelchair user, praised both her carers for their dedication, saying: "I cannot thank them enough for what they have done for me."
Piara says the support given to her by her family, Walsall Council and the agency has been very helpful, particularly in the early stages of fostering. "When Aruna first came to us, there were a few difficulties about knowing how we were going to deal with her being in a wheelchair," she explains.
"I had help from my children and husband, which really boosted my confidence. Progress Care Solutions has been wonderful and supports us so much. The local social services have also been very helpful. Even now, they are always on the other end of the phone if we need them."
2006
England 12.9%
Walsall 14%
2007
England 12.6%
Walsall 10.9%
2008
England 11.8%
Walsall 9.7%
2009
England 10.7%
Walsall 8.9%
