Foster Cares Limited

Foster Cares Limited Inspection report for independent fostering agency

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SC036057 Unique reference number 8 June 2007 Inspection date Stephen Graham / Stephen Smith Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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Thomas Wright House Address High Street Byers Green Spennymoor County Durham DL16 7PF 01388 458 800 Telephone number janine.goss@cares.co.uk Email Foster CARES Ld Registered person Susan Atkinson Registered manager James David Cassie Responsible individual 5 June 2006 Date of last inspection .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 15 Inspection Report: Foster Cares Limited, 8 June 2007

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Brief description of the service

Foster Cares Ltd is an independent fostering agency, which provides foster care services within north east Durham, Darlington and surrounding regions. At the time of inspection, the agency employed five social workers, the director of the service who is also the registered manager and administrative support staff. The agency provides foster care services for children with a broad range of needs and placements are available on a long term, short term, task centred, remand, emergency and respite basis.

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Summary

The inspectors would like to thank the children, carers and staff at Foster Cares for their welcome and the important part they played in the inspection. Information and evidence in this report was gathered by two inspectors over a three day period through: talking individually with children, carers and staff visiting foster carers’ homes group discussions with staff and carers talking with the manager of the service reading children’s, carers and staff files reading policies, procedures and records children’s questionnaires carer's questionnaires children’s social workers questionnaires talking with the chair of the fostering panel The overall standard of the service is good. Inspectors found that the agency have responded positively to the previous requirements set and recommendations made. The views of children, their carers and placing social workers received during the inspection further endorsed this.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the previously acting manager has been confirmed to be suitable by the Commission for Social Care Inspection. They have also completed their required management qualification and are awaiting their final accreditation. The agency has worked to make sure that all its carers receive full Looked After Children (LAC) documentation for each child placed with them and that all children benefit from an annual LAC medical. When referees for foster carer applicants are interviewed, the agency now keep the original notes from the interview on file for reference. They also keep the original interview notes made throughout their discussions with the foster carer applicants themselves. Agency representation on the fostering panel has been reviewed to ensure independence from the fostering assessment process. The process by which fostering panel members should make a declaration of interest have been

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Improvements since the last inspection

reviewed and agreed. Foster carer agreements now contain more detailed information regarding the responsibilities of foster carers in protecting children, managing their behaviour and dealing with any unauthorised absences from the foster home. The service manager now regularly signs the record of school exclusions to provide written confirmation that this is being monitored.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The service works to ensure that young people benefit from health care services that meet their overall physical, social and emotional developmental needs. Very positive questionnaire responses were received from social workers placing children with the service, describing why they felt that this was true. One stated that: 'In my experience, Foster Cares as an agency and their individual staff members are fully aware of their responsibilities and consistently make a 4 of 15 Inspection Report: Foster Cares Limited, 8 June 2007 positive contribution to the physical and emotional wellbeing of young people.' Another described how: ‘Foster Cares have been very supportive of the foster carers and young people - the carers promote the young people’s health issues. The young people attend appointments - the carers have regular consultation with Foster Cares, with whom they have a good

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Helping children to be healthy

relationship.' Carers were equally positive both in direct discussion and in their questionnaire responses. One carer described how 'the fostering agency promote healthy eating when visiting children within the home. Have several courses on first aid for appointed people, food hygiene, ADHD, Drugs and Sexual Health. Carers have to keep records on medication, type of medication, amount taken and times taken. Various courses on health.' Those children responding by questionnaire were happy to confirm that they eat healthy food, are encouraged to help with choosing, buying and cooking food, get enough food and drink, that if they are unwell they are taken to the doctors and that they can always go to the doctors or other health professionals where necessary. The manager highlighted how the service had continued to work to improve the number of children attending their statutory annual medical examinations, they were able

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Helping children to be healthy

to confirm that 84% of children had attended their appointments during the last 12 months and that attendance at these appointments was recorded and closely monitored using the agencies own health plan document. To further ensure that the service continues to promote the health and development of children placed through it, the agency is continuing to provide carers with a range of training, including training in first aid, drugs, attachment, food hygiene and health and safety. In addition, the service also plan to provide training in nutrition to carers. Information is also given to carers regarding the training available to them through their local Primary Care Health trusts. During group discussion all foster carers were able to confirm that they are provided with training in first aid. The agency ensures that each local health authority is informed when a young person is placed in their area. During monthly supervision visits with

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Helping children to be healthy

carers, Foster Cares staff monitor any health appointments attended by young people and record this information in the visit summary record. Any changes to medication are reported by foster carers to staff, these are then monitored and discussed each week during Foster Cares staff team meetings. Care files examined confirmed that with some children, carers receive a full description of their health in advance of their placement. Good evidence was seen within their placement plans, care plans, foster care agreements, and within Foster Cares' own health plan for the children placed. However, it was noted that the quality of written health information provided by placing social workers to Foster Cares was not always consistent for each child. Positively, the agency use their own health plan document to gather health information together when any delay occurs with placing social workers providing this information to them in writing.

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Helping children to be healthy

During a home visit with one such young person, although the annual health checks for the young person were not fully documented within their care file, both they and their carer confirmed that annual health checks had occurred regularly. In group discussion with foster carers, they were able to confirm that they are provided with training in first aid. All carers that were spoken to confirmed they were comfortable with the arrangements put in place to meet the health needs of children placed with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Since the last inspection of Foster Cares, the acting manager has successfully demonstrated suitability to manage the service through their application and has had subsequent approval by the Commission for Social Care Inspection. In addition, they have recently completed work on their required management award and are awaiting their final certification. The manager was able to confirm that written evidence of follow up calls regarding references for staff in 5 of 15 Inspection Report: Foster Cares Limited, 8 June 2007 the process of appointment is now included within their personnel file, this was also confirmed through the direct examination of a current staff application in progress. To ensure that children and young people are provided with suitable foster carers the service has continued to monitor the quality of each home environment through regular inspections. Health and safety checklists

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

are in place and checks are regularly updated during supervision visits and the annual review processes for foster carers. This was evident through the carer files examined as well as through discussion with carers, staff and fostering panel members. Each of the foster homes visited during the inspection appeared free from hazards and to provide comfortable environments for the children living there. To further ensure the physical safety of children and young people, the service now use a specialist animal assessor to review and confirm safety arrangements where pet dogs live within the homes of foster families. Examples of their reports were noted within carer files, these had been completed in good detail and shared between staff and carers. Files also contained good evidence that car insurance and safety documents are regularly checked. Those foster carers chosen to participate in home visits by inspectors were very willing

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to be interviewed and contributed positively to the inspection itself. In their questionnaire response, one foster carer highlighted how 'every carer completes a risk assessment, premises are checked regularly'. One placing social worker in their questionnaire response described the 'good monitoring of carers by the service, particularly household safety'. Positively, the service manager highlighted that the service will be working to provide carers with a wide range of training on risk assessments whilst continuing to review the existing risk assessing formats in use. To ensure that children are appropriately matched with their carers, social work staff at Foster Cares work with social workers to place children through the service, to ensure that they provide accurate and up to date information regarding their care needs. Those care files examined contained good written evidence that children were well matched and placed with

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

carers who were able to fulfil their care planning and written assessments. One example where the referral information document had not been dated by the placing social worker was highlighted to the manager. However with this exception, all documentation, including formal placement agreements, were seen to be fully complete and to contain good matching information. Social work staff at the agency highlighted the emphasis placed on providing single placements of children with carers, which they saw as providing better safety, stability and more manageable care for children and carers. Discussion with carers and children also provided evidence that where practical periods of introduction for children and carers had been agreed and planned. Further evidence of good matching was available from the managers confirmation that there had been no unplanned endings to placements during the last 12 months. None of the carers or staff interviewed during this inspection raised any concerns

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

regarding the quality of the matching of children with carers. To ensure that children and young people are protected from abuse and neglect, carers are provided with necessary training and work to care for children safely using agreed safe caring guidelines. With one example, although a safe care agreement was in place and had been agreed and completed by the carers and staff from Foster Cares, the placing social worker themselves had not signed the document in confirmation of their agreement. In their questionnaire response, one carer described positively how 'any visitors to the child are recorded by carer, times and dates. Agreements have to be obtained for outings. Care plans and educational plans are agreed and implemented. All confidential information regarding the child is locked away'. In addition, one placing social worker described how: ' Foster Cares staff consistently demonstrate an awareness of safety

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

issues both as part of a young persons individual needs and routines and in the context of potential child protection'. During group discussion, foster carers confirmed that the service ensured that they were given sufficient information about the children to allow them to protect 6 of 15 Inspection Report: Foster Cares Limited, 8 June 2007 and support them properly. Each carer felt that they received appropriate training, with all those spoken to able to confirm that they had completed or were scheduled to complete training in child protection. Carers also receive written guidance regarding the use of appropriate sanctions. The manager has appropriate systems in place to ensure that the use of sanctions is properly monitored. Carers also confirmed that they are provided with clear procedures to follow if children go missing. In discussion, carers were complimentary regarding the out of hours support provided by the service and recent changes made to further improve this. The

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

manager highlighted consultation with children as a strength of the service and highlighted how they would like to consult further with young people on the means by which their ongoing personal safety should be monitored. In the questionnaire response a concern regarding bullying was raised. Although no detail was provided, it was agreed that the manager would liaise with carers and staff to confirm these concerns and decide what action should be taken. More positively, through their questionnaire responses children confirmed that they could talk to carers or staff if they were worried, they also confirmed that in their view, the agency worked to help them learn about how to keep themselves safe. During one home visit, the young person described how the carers were 'OK' and that they felt safe and also added that: 'They look after me really well, like a member of their own family'. Young people confirmed that they knew who

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to speak to if they had a problem - their carers, their own social worker or Foster Cares staff. Although the young person did not think that they had a children’s guide now, they added: ‘I think I had one when I was younger but I don’t need one now, I just know everything that would be in it.’ As part of the inspection arrangements, the chair and vice chair of the panel were interviewed, in addition a selection of previous panel minutes as well as a current foster carer assessment were also examined. The previous inspection had recommended that agency representation on the fostering panel could be reviewed to ensure independence from the assessment process for carers. During this inspection, independent discussion with panel members and the service manager provided confirmation that this had been implemented. It was also previously recommended that the process for panel members to declare any personal

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

interest in an item of business should be reviewed. During discussions with panel members and evidence from the minutes provided confirmation that this also had been put in place. Panel members were very positive regarding the robustness and independence of the panel. They confirmed that they had access to necessary policies and procedures to guide and assist panel members in their tasks. They also confirmed that standard panel checklists are in place and are used to help panel members confirm that all the necessary checks on carers are being renewed as necessary by the agency and that issues from previous review reports have been acted on. Panel minutes do not currently include details of the specific role of those panel members in attendance. It was recommended that these be improved to provide confirmation that each panel had been properly constituted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The service works to ensure that children and young people are provided with foster care services that value diversity and promote equality. It gives a high priority to ensuring that the educational needs of each child and young person are met. Social workers placing children with the service described positively how in their experience: 'Foster Cares staff and the carers actively promote and support relevant activities for young people' and 'carers promote all aspects of achieving, the young people attend basketball and drama group'. To ensure that equality and diversity issues are promoted and incorporated into what the service does, the manager highlighted how the agency referral forms for young people include detailed 7 of 15 Inspection Report: Foster Cares Limited, 8 June 2007 information regarding their individual needs and preferences, all of which is used to support good matching of carers with children. The agency also provide specific resources for individual

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

carers and provide training which incorporate home study courses in equality and diversity. The manager highlighted how training in equality and diversity is mandatory for carers and described plans to make additional changes to further promote equality and diversity within the service. These plans include the use of the recently employed part time training officer to incorporate and build more training in equality and diversity into the overall training programme. The manager also highlighted how agency advertising for carers and staff reflected issues of equality and diversity very positively. One young person highlighted how they had a number of hobbies and special interests and were supported to attend a variety of clubs during the course of the week to allow them to follow these. Others highlighted television and seeing friends. During another home visit the carers described how they worked in partnership with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the placing social worker and staff from the agency to ensure a balance between the young person's personal safety and their need to build up a social network of friends and a range of leisure activities. With regard to meeting educational needs, one carer described positively how: 'a child I had in my care received gift vouchers from Foster Cares for school attendance and exam results. I have regular visits from Foster Cares and social workers keeping me up to date with plans.' The manager highlighted the high priority given by the agency to meet the educational needs of children placed through it. They highlighted the statistical monitoring of educational information, the rewarding of educational attainment, the attendance of carers and staff at 'achievement days' and children's review meetings as tasks that the agency do well. They particularly highlighted the recent improvements made by the agency in the support

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

provided to young people not in education through the use of a dedicated educational support worker. Care files examined contained good evidence that foster carers contribute to the assessment and review of children's educational needs. Files examined contained detailed educational documentation, including personal education plans, statements of special educational needs, school reports and statutory annual reviews. Files also provided good evidence that carers attend educational reviews for children and contribute their views to these meetings. Although older placement agreements examined contained limited information regarding detail of carers responsibilities with regard to children's education and school contact, more recent examples were fully completed and contained all necessary information. In discussion, each of the young people visited during this inspection spoke positively regarding the help and support they received in their education. Examples were given of additional

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

educational mentoring received and the benefits to them in improving their opportunities at school. The home visits completed provided good evidence that each carer provided each young person with a good home environment where they could study and do homework as they wish. In their questionnaire responses, children and young people were happy to confirm that they receive help with school work and that they have the space and equipment they need. Young people described how they were both encouraged and involved in thinking ahead and planning for their future. Discussion with some carers also provided good examples of their planning and thinking ahead on behalf of and to the benefit of children living with them. Discussion with the manager along with examination of some of the records in use, confirmed that the service has good systems in place to monitor and demonstrate the overall educational attainment

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of children placed through it and can monitor and respond to any difficulties should these arise. The service has introduced an educational support worker to the benefit of young people and their carers. No concerns were raised by carers regarding the arrangements put in place to support them when children were not in school. The manager was able to confirm that each young person entered for GCSE's in the last 12 months had obtained at least one pass in their 8 of 15 Inspection Report: Foster Cares Limited, 8 June 2007 examination results. The manager highlighted the aim of the service to further improve educational support and monitoring over the next year by using the additional educational support available to improve the monitoring and fulfilment of personal education plans for each young person in practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The service works to ensure that where appropriate, contact arrangements for children and young people are promoted and monitored. The service works to ensure that children are consulted regularly and that they are able to raise and discuss any concerns they may have regarding the care they receive. Discussion with the manager and examination of appropriate policies and records confirmed that the agency work to ensure that the contact arrangements for children are taken into account when arranging their placement with carers. The manager highlighted support with transport for contacts as something they felt that the service does particularly well. In discussion with the staff team members, all were clear regarding their role in promoting and supporting contact. Children and young people responding by questionnaire were able to confirm that they could meet up with and visit with friends as well as having their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

friends come and visit them. None of the carers or children interviewed during the inspection, or responding by questionnaire raised any concerns regarding the arrangements for contact with family and friends. With regard to consultation and complaints, young people and their carers were able to confirm that they had been provided with a children's guide to the service containing information on how to make a complaint. Young people spoken to were clear that they could raise any concerns they had with the service if necessary. The manager highlighted plans to further improve the quality of the guide by providing it in different formats. One carer highlighted positively that: 'Carers keep in touch with other professionals for example, health visitors and once when a young person made a complaint, they dealt with it in a caring, compassionate manner and gave the child an independent advice line number to contact we

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are sent regular newsletters informing what is going on'. The manager highlighted the ability of the service to provide good supervision to carers, encourage advocacy on behalf of young people, provide additional support when difficulties arose and ensure that staff and managers were accessible to carers and children as particular strengths of the service with regard to consultation. These views were well supported by the available file evidence, as well as the comments of children and carers in their questionnaire responses and during interviews. One placing social worker described how: 'carers positively encourage the young people – carers consult the young people at all stages of their care'. Another gave their view that 'Foster Cares staff are consistent in their approach to young people whilst allowing for personal difference and opinion. They meet individual needs in an appropriate manner'. Each young person

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Helping children make a positive contribution

responding by questionnaire confirmed that they felt that the rules where they live are fair. They also confirmed that they are helped to find out about the local and wider community, for example: clubs, outings, groups, shopping. Each person was also able to confirm that they felt are able to make their views known and that they are able to have a say in what happens in the fostering service. The manager confirmed that there have been no convictions, reprimands or final warnings for any of the young people placed through the service in the last 12 months. In discussion, foster carers clearly understood the importance of listening to the views of children. One carer highlighted their participation in 'confidentiality training' as an example of the support provided to them in this area by the service. The positive attitude of some carers toward advocacy on behalf of young people was illustrated through this response received on

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behalf of one young person. The carer wrote: 'Apologies but the young person would not 9 of 15 Inspection Report: Foster Cares Limited, 8 June 2007 complete – she states "I am happy" and does not want to complete the form. If you want to visit please do come – really good progress has been made and the young person would be more than willing to talk to someone'. The service does work positively to ensure that children's views are gathered regarding their lives. One carer described how although it was 'sometimes difficult to get young people to engage, evidence is gathered for LAC reviews and our reviews.' A consultation file is maintained by the service, this was examined and contained good examples of consultation with children by the agency on a number of issues, for example the proposed update to their handbook, questionnaires to children regarding their foster carer's review meetings, questionnaires gathering their views for redesigning the children's consultation and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

activity room at the Byers Green office and also a Children’s handbook questionnaire. Young people and their carers were also able to confirm that their own placing social workers visit them and talk to them about the care they receive. Young people can be visited from the National Children's Homes independent visitor.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. Positively the manager highlighted how the service had increased payments and allowances for carers and young people. Policies and procedures in respect of fostering allowances and payments to carers are in place and are made available to carers and staff through the foster carers’ handbook. During the inspection, carers raised no concerns regarding their receipt of the necessary fostering allowances and the prompt payment of them by the agency. Through inspection questionnaires, foster carers and placing social workers were asked how the service ensures that the children and young people learn to manage spending money: how they are encouraged to contribute to financial decisions that affect their lives, such as choosing furniture, shopping for food, clothes and budgeting and how they are prepared for independence from care and towards organising their own financial matters. One foster carer described how: 'carers

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Achieving economic wellbeing

are given guidelines for weekly pocket money and provide spending money for holidays and birthdays. A breakdown of the guidelines is given for food and clothing from the allowance. Carers are encouraged to help young people with budgeting and choosing furniture and decor for their own rooms'. One placing social worker described how: 'carers encourage their young people to manage their money and savings. Young people are encouraged to participate in shopping, clothing and diet and promote independence'. Another placing social worker described how 'staff encourage and promote the independence of young people providing guidance and advice for both current and future situations'. In their questionnaire responses, children and young people confirmed that they receive pocket money or other allowances, that they are able to shop for clothes and other personal items and are encouraged to save. They also acknowledged that they are supported in thinking about and preparing for their own

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The Statement of Purpose for the service has been recently updated following the required annual review. This continues to provide an accurate description of the service overall. A summary children's guide to the service remains in use and the service is currently consulting with children and young people regarding the content and presentation. The service has good systems in place to ensure that staff are organised and managed effectively with necessary administrative support in place. The service is currently reviewing and further improving their 10 of 15 Inspection Report: Foster Cares Limited, 8 June 2007 computerised administrative systems leading to their more effective use in monitoring carer assessments, supervisions and reviews. The service continues to benefit from an experienced staff team. In group discussion with staff, they confirmed their satisfaction with the

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Organisation

arrangements for their ongoing supervision and appraisal as well as access to training and general in house support. In discussion with fostering panel members and separate discussion with social work staff involved in the assessment of new carers, each acknowledged the robust and thorough processes put in place by the service to ensure that the qualities and competencies of potential new foster carers are fully assessed. The previous inspection had recommended that during the assessment process the original notes from visits to carers referees as well as the original notes from each assessment should be maintained within the carer's file. Examination of assessments in progress confirmed that this is now the practice within the agency. Carer files examined contained clear notices of approval. One of the carer files examined did not contain direct confirmation of their Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) clearance. This was confirmed

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Organisation

by the manager to be held within the agency administrative system and was transferred to the carer's file during the course of the inspection. Files are being updated to ensure that information is recorded consistently. The manager highlighted recent guidance received from CRB regarding the storage of disclosed information, as this advice conflicted with the guidance provided by the British Association for Fostering and Adoption with regard to the checking and approval of foster carers, it was agreed that this would be highlighted within Ofsted for further clarification. In group discussion, foster carers spoke extremely positively regarding the quality of the support provided to them by the social work and administrative staff at the agency. When asked to comment on 'how well the service involves you and communicates with you and other agencies to promote good outcomes for the children and young people?' the group

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Organisation

responded and provided a number of examples of good follow up by agency staff when issues had arisen. Some carers highlighted how in their opinion the thoroughness of agency staff had on occasion acted as a catalyst to local authority staff to provide better responses to themselves and the children when help was requested. In their questionnaire responses to the same question, social workers placing children with the service highlighted how the service does this: 'very well and works hard to promote healthy happy secure placements for young people'. Another stated that they were 'always consulted when anything of concern or information is required'. Discussion with the manager and foster carers confirmed that self help groups are encouraged. The manager highlighted how the service would provide lunch after training events to encourage carers to stay on and develop the social aspects of mutual carer support. Carer files examined

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Organisation

contained clear evidence of the regularity and quality of supervision and support provided to them by the service. Discussion within carer supervision is organised around agreed key areas in the care of children. The examples examined held evidence of discussions and decisions made and were clearly recorded, presented and signed by carers in agreement. Files also contained good evidence of the quality of work with regard to carers annual reviews, reports were very detailed and presented clear pictures of the terms of approval, placements made throughout the year, involvement in training, any issues arising and actions taken, and confirmation that unannounced visits to the carers had been completed. The forms in use to gather the views of children placed with carers were noted within review documentation. In discussion, carers highlighted how the service worked to ensure that the views of children and their placing social

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Organisation

workers were always gathered and shared. The previous inspection had recommended that the foster care agreements used by the agency should include more detailed information regarding the responsibilities of foster carers in protecting children, managing their behaviour and dealing with unauthorised absences from the foster home. The manager confirmed that these had been amended as requested, with examples seen within care files examined. However, one example 11 of 15 Inspection Report: Foster Cares Limited, 8 June 2007 of the previous agreement having been used in error was noted and shared with the manager for information and review. Foster carers were happy to confirm that the agency provides them with regular training opportunities to ensure they continue to have appropriate skills and knowledge to care for foster children. A number of foster carers are currently working toward their National Vocational Qualification. Training certificates and records of attendance are

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Organisation

maintained within carer's files. However, with some examples these were noted not to have been fully completed and kept up to date. One carer described how the agency always try to make training relevant. Carers described how some areas of training such as child protection, health and safety, food hygiene, first aid, and record keeping were mandatory and confirmed that the service ensured that this was provided and that they did attend. Carers confirmed that their support group was actively involved in suggesting and deciding the training they need, they also confirmed that their training needs were also identified in their individual supervision and followed through in their carer reviews. The manager highlighted the planned introduction of a dedicated training officer for the service and the positive benefits in planning and promoting further training for carers. The manager was able to confirm that all children currently placed

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Organisation

through the service have their own local authority child care social worker. They also highlighted some gaps in up to date care planning for a small number of children, all of which has been raised with each young person's placing authority. The manager also highlighted that with one young person their placement agreement meeting had yet to be completed. The agency have clear policies and procedures with regard to case recording. Although within some of the older care files there were examples of partially incomplete LAC documentation, with more recently placed children the information received from the placing authority was seen to be well integrated and presented and to be have been regularly updated as necessary. Direct examination confirmed that the service maintain well organised and clearly presented records of all the information relevant to its day to day running. The arrangements for the manager to monitor

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Organisation

the overall ongoing effectiveness of the service are well established and comprehensive, direct examination confirmed that records are regularly checked and monitored.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Fostering Services Regulations 2005 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • include written confirmation of the original source of information used in children's health plan summarys. • ensure that care documentation received from social workers placing children and young people through the service include the date of their completion. • ensure that safe care agreements are signed in agreement by each young person's placing social worker. 12 of 15 Inspection Report: Foster Cares Limited, 8 June 2007 • provide confirmation that each panel is properly constituted and quorate by recording details of the specific role of those panel members in attendance in the panel minutes. • ensure that each carer's file contains confirmation of their Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) clearance. • ensure that the previously amended and updated Foster Care agreements are used by the

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Recommendations

Agency with every child placed. • maintain training certificates and records of attendance at training within carers files. • ensure that placement agreement documentation is completed for each child placed. 13 of 15 Inspection Report: Foster Cares Limited, 8 June 2007

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• the fostering service promotes the health and development of children (NMS 12) Ofsted considers 12 the key standard to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• any persons carrying on or managing the service are suitable (NMS 3) • the fostering service provides suitable foster carers (NMS 6) • the service matches children to carers appropriately (NMS 8) • the fostering service protects each child or young person from abuse and neglect (NMS 9) • the people who work in or for the fostering service are suitable to work with children and young people (NMS 15) • fostering panels are organised efficiently and effectively (NMS 30) Ofsted considers 3, 6, 8, 9, 15 and 30 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• the fostering service values diversity (NMS 7) • the fostering service promotes educational achievement (NMS 13) • when foster care is provided as a short-term break for a child, the arrangements recognise that the parents remain the main carers for the child (NMS 31) Ofsted considers 7, 13 and 31 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• the fostering service promotes contact arrangements for the child or young person (NMS 10) • the fostering service promotes consultation (NMS 11) Ofsted considers 10 and 11 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• the fostering service prepares young people for adulthood (NMS 14) • the fostering service pays carers an allowance and agreed expenses as specified (NMS 29) Ofsted considers none of the above to be key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• there is a clear statement of the aims and objectives of the fostering service and the fostering service ensures that they meet those aims and objectives (NMS 1) • the fostering service is managed by those with the appropriate skills and experience (NMS 2) • the fostering service is monitored and controlled as specified (NMS 4) 14 of 15 Inspection Report: Foster Cares Limited, 8 June 2007

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Annex A

• the fostering service is managed effectively and efficiently (NMS 5) • staff are organised and managed effectively (NMS 16) • the fostering service has an adequate number of sufficiently experienced and qualified staff (NMS 17) • the fostering service is a fair and competent employer (NMS 18) • there is a good quality training programme (NMS 19) • all staff are properly accountable and supported (NMS 20) • the fostering service has a clear strategy for working with and supporting carers (NMS 21) • foster carers are provided with supervision and support (NMS 22) • foster carers are appropriately trained (NMS 23) • case records for children are comprehensive (NMS 24) • the administrative records are maintained as required (NMS 25) • The premises used as offices by the fostering service are suitable for the purpose (NMS 26) • the fostering service is financially viable (NMS 27) • the fostering service has robust financial processes (NMS 28)

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Annex A

• local authority fostering services recognise the contribution made by family and friends as carers (NMS 32) Ofsted considers 1, 16, 17, 21, 24, 25 and 32 the key standards to be inspected. 15 of 15 Inspection Report: Foster Cares Limited, 8 June 2007

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