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APPENDIX 2: FOREWORD TO THE DOCUMENT SUBMITTED BY THE FOSTERING NETWORK FOLLOWING THEIR EVENTS
Introduction
On behalf of the Scottish Executive, the Fostering Network facilitated a series of six consultation events across Scotland in January - February 2007 to allow the opportunity to respond to the National Fostering and Kinship Care Strategy.
The events took place in Edinburgh, Kilmarnock, Perth, Inverness, Aberdeen and Glasgow and involved kinship carers, foster carers and practitioners from throughout the country. In total, 50 agencies were represented, including 28 of the 32 local authorities, 13 independent and voluntary fostering providers and 8 kinship carer support groups. In total, 150 delegates participated, 28 kinship carers, 61 foster carers and 61 practitioners.
Methodology
To capture the views of the participants, a variety of methods were used.
Individual responses
The questions discussed within the consultation events were extracted directly from the Strategy. Given the timescale involved in the consultation process, and the events themselves, the events provided the opportunity to focus specifically on those questions more relevant to the particular area of expertise of the groups present i.e. as a kinship carer, (Qu's. 5, 15-16, 18-20, 27-30, 32), a foster carer, (Qu's 1-3, 5, 7-14, 18-20, 27-30, 32), or a practitioner (Qu's 1-5, 7-13, 27-32).
These questions were issued in advance of the meetings to allow delegates to discuss with colleagues, friends, family, and were used by delegates during the day to record any further thoughts they wished to add to the discussion, returning these at the close of the meetings. (Blank sets of questions are appended to this report).
A total of 94 'individual responses' were returned to the Fostering Network. 17 kinship carer, 45 foster carer and 32 practitioner responses. These individual responses have been collated into this report.
Group responses
At each of the six events, participants were allocated groups dependent on their area of 'expertise' i.e. their background, whether it be kinship carer, foster carer of practitioner.
The views of the groups have been recorded and included in this report.
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