Experiences of foster carers remotely accessing the children in care (CIC) consultation model during the Covid-19 pandemic: A service evaluation

This service evaluation explored foster carers’ experiences of remotely accessing the children in care consultation model during the Covid-19 pandemic. The service evaluation utilised the Kirkpatrick evaluation model to collect data at four levels (reaction, learning, behaviour and results) and employed a mixed methodology. Participants were foster carers who had accessed remote consultations between June 2020 and June 2021. Thirteen participants completed questionnaires and eight consented to follow-up interviews. Questionnaires were analysed descriptively, and interviews were analysed thematically. Questionnaires demonstrated that most participants felt listened to, felt they could talk about what mattered to them and felt the consultations were the right length. However, some participants were unsure whether the pace and delivery were suitable for them. The thematic analysis highlighted four themes: (1) Reassurance and support: the consultations provided foster carers with reassurance and support that underpinned their current actions and aided their working relationships with other professionals; (2) Approach and understanding: the sessions provided foster carers with both specific and general approaches to challenges and enhanced their understanding; (3) Online consultation approval/disapproval: foster carers had mixed views regarding the remote delivery, but most valued this; (4) Behaviour change: following consultation, most foster carers experienced a change in behaviour within the household. Recommendations are discussed. Plain language summary It is recognised that foster carers play a unique role for children in care and that the nature of this role often requires specialised support. One format of specialised support for foster carers is the children in care consultation model. The consultation model allows for the exploration of the difficulties being experienced by the child in care and the needs of the foster carers supporting them. During the Covid-19 pandemic several services began administering these consultations remotely via videoconferencing communication platforms. This shift towards digital ways of working has also continued post-pandemic and many services continue to engage in remotely delivered practices. However, foster carers’ experiences of accessing these consultations remotely have not yet been investigated. Therefore, this evaluation aimed to explore foster carers’ experiences of remotely accessing the children in care consultation model. Participants were foster carers who accessed remote consultations between June 2020 and July 2021. Thirteen foster carers completed a questionnaire with eight of these volunteering to be interviewed. The questionnaire data revealed that foster carers predominantly felt listened to, felt that they could talk about what mattered to them and felt the consultations were an appropriate length. Most foster carers felt that the consultations covered enough material, were accessible and that they would recommend them to others. However, some foster carers were unsure whether the pace and delivery were suitable for them. The interview data produced four main themes: (1) Reassurance and support; (2) Carer approaches and understanding; (3) Online consultation approval/disapproval; and (4) Behaviour change. Overall, these responses were consistent with the interpretation that remote consultations appear to be predominantly feasible and acceptable to foster carers. Implications are discussed.