Streamlining administration with FosterKit
We're pleased to be the first fostering service to use a brand new fostering information management system called FosterKit.
Prior to joining Fostering Together in September 2020, Jack Annis developed FosterKit from scratch utilising his experience of working for other fostering services and his background in developing bespoke online systems.
FosterKit will support Fostering Together in all aspects of our day-to-day operations, enabling us to meet the statutory data management requirements of the sector, while also helping to streamline reporting and provide its users with instant, secure access to essential records 'on the go' from any internet connected device.
FosterKit is an online fostering information management toolkit which helps staff, families, children and external professionals 'Keep in Touch' with their fostering service.
Jack started his career working in fostering services operations, carrying out tasks such as recording of statutory background checks and coordinating the sharing of data of referred children needing a placement. Jack said:
"Having experience working across various teams within fostering services has been invaluable to me while in developing FosterKit - it's given me a unique insight into where processes experience 'bottle-necking' and how technology can really make an impact in managing fostering administration. I also have experience working with other industry-standard systems and talking to service-users which has shown me that the fostering sector still has some distance to go, and I'm hoping to be able to provide Fostering Together a solution using the FosterKit system.
I'm looking forward to Fostering Together's collaborative approach that allows us to further develop FosterKit into a user-focussed system that works for everyone."
FosterKit has already been used by our first foster families in application, using our online application process to generate their family profiles as we progress their assessments. Here are some other useful features that FosterKit provides:
- Track fostering enquiries through to fostering approval, including designation of the assessment to an assessor, and sharing data with the fostering panel prior to the meeting.
- View case update notes, track recurring statutory checks and have essential contact details ready at your fingertips.
- Record and quickly match children needing a placement to families with availability, using the referrals area to share details and update matched families with progress towards a placement.
- Follow a child's progress through highlighted positive outcomes in their diary recordings. Update Risk Assessments and other documents online.
- Prepopulate family supervisions with examples of positive outcomes, contributions towards essential child placement plans, set and achieved goals.
- View booked and available training courses, as well as track attendance. Families can also log their own learning and research in their Learning and Development Portfolio which informs supervisions and annual reviews.
- Manage internal respite and support services from booking to sign-off.
