That the Fostering Annual Report 2024-25 as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report be endorsed and published in accordance with Council’s requirements.

It is a statutory requirement established by the National Minimum Standards for Fostering for each Local Authority to produce and publish an Annual Report.

There were no alternative options considered.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 1 December 2025 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

The Fostering Annual Report set out Torbay’s vision for the Fostering Service, its core principles, its key aims, main priorities and actions, the role of the Fostering Service and its various functions, the Fostering Service organisational structure, recruitment performance information, an outline of the fostering recruitment and marketing strategy and campaign, improvements in terms of foster carer support and retention, information relating to number of initial enquires received in the period of the 1 April 2024 to the 31 March 2025 and the next steps for the service.

The Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board considered the Fostering Annual Report 2024-2025 on 17 November 2025 and recommended to Cabinet that the report be endorsed.  At the Cabinet meeting Councillor Bye proposed and Councillor Jackie Thomas seconded a motion that was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet, as set out above.

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