FOI Request - Foster Carers
Request 101002719552.
In each local authority in Scotland there is an ambiguous position that many foster-carers are managed under – as a ‘self-employed’ extension of the HSCP. Now while private agencies and some local authorities have taken steps to ensure their self-employed carers are vaccinated, I wanted to check what your local authorities’ position was on this matter?
Are foster carers being put forward for coronavirus vaccines as part of Health and Social Care workers within your local authority?
1. If yes, what is your process for notifying foster carers, the process for booking the test and is it arranged with a GP, or through the HSCP.
2. If no, what are the reasons for them being excluded? I would also like you to digest the below paragraph and reflect.
Currently as I write this Scotland is the only country in the UK not moving forward to offer protections to foster carers.
• In Northern Ireland, all foster carers have now been vaccinated in Group 2
• In Wales foster carers are eligible in Group 2 if looking after a child who is clinically vulnerable or to ensure local fostering arrangements, the remainder being eligible in Group 6
• In England, where vaccine decision making has been devolved to local authorities, many have made the decision to vaccinate foster carers in priority Group 2.
• In Scotland all private agencies, and some local authorities have made progress in ensuring they are protecting. This is vital in ensuring the continuation of care to all children in care.
Has anyone from your local authority questioned the Scottish Government on why they are actively side-lining foster carers and JVCI guidelines when vaccinating the health and Social care teams? Regardless of whether foster carers and paid employees or self-employed partners. They should be treated the same as all other teams of HSCP in Scotland.
If the answer to the above is no them I would like to ask if anyone from your local authority has asked the Scottish Government to issue additional guidance to your local authority and other authorities and health services that all foster carers fall within priority group two as an essential part of social care workforce, or even any priority group because as it stands, they’re in with the general population…? Surely, they should at least be in one of the priority groups?
Response 19.03.21
Are foster carers being put forward for coronavirus vaccines as part of Health and Social Care workers within your local authority?
1. If yes, what is your process for notifying foster carers, the process for booking the test and is it arranged with a GP, or through the HSCP.
2. If no, what are the reasons for them being excluded? I would also like you to digest the below paragraph and reflect.
Foster carers are not currently being counted as key workers in Scotland which means that they are not considered as a priority group for the vaccine. The Health and Social Care partnerships view is that they were not being considered as a priory group at this time.
Has anyone from your local authority questioned the Scottish Government on why they are actively side-lining foster carers and JVCI guidelines when vaccinating the health and Social care teams?
No. Questions to the Scottish Government from our services are directed through the Social Work Scotland forum which has sought clarity. The Scottish Government’s position remains as above.
If the answer to the above is no them I would like to ask if anyone from your local authority has asked the Scottish Government to issue additional guidance to your local authority and other authorities and health services that all foster carers fall within priority group two as an essential part of social care workforce, or even any priority group because as it stands, they're in with the general population?? Surely, they should at least be in one of the priority groups?
As above. Any requests made to the Scottish Government of this nature would go through the Social Work Scotland Forum.