Child Action North West

Child Action North West Inspection report for independent fostering agency

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SC036972 Unique reference number 31 March 2009 Inspection date Lynn O'Driscoll Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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Child Action North West Address Dixon House Whalley Road Wilpshire BLACKBURN BB1 9LL 01254 244700 Telephone number

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Email

Child Action North West Registered person Andrew John Bennett Registered manager

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Responsible individual

21 November 2007 Date of last inspection .

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Responsible individual

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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Responsible individual

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 11 Inspection Report: Child Action North West,31 March 2009

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Brief description of the service

Child Action North West is a registered charity which offers a range of children's services. It's mission statement is 'to promote the health and wellbeing of children and young people by providing accessible services that encourage children, young people, their families or carers to make a positive contribution that enables them to stay safe, enjoy and achieve and shape their own futures to reach their full potential'.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of this inspection 43 carers were working for the fostering service offering 54 placements for children and young people aged up to 18 years. Referrals are considered in an emergency, for respite, short term, long term, pace, remand and for mother and babies.

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Summary

This judgement is reached following a key inspection which took place over nine days and children and young people were actively involved in this process.

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Summary

A judgement of good, best reflects the fact that children and young people feel safe and well cared for in their current placements and say, 'my carer is very caring' and, 'everything is perfectly fine'. They love the meals provided and enjoy a very good range of constructive leisure activities. They confirm support to help them achieve academically and there is an excellent range of activities on offer and opportunities for them to positively contribute to their day to day lives and to their futures.

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Summary

Carers say that 'the service is good' and confirm that the organisation provide 'ample, excellent quality training in good facilities' and receive very good support. Many particularly highlight that they are respected by Child Action North West and their work is valued.

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Summary

The children's social workers are impressed with the 'significant improvement in the children's presentation, school attendance and punctuality, access to health care and to age appropriate activities'.

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Summary

There are good systems in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children placed but some of the paperwork does not always sufficiently reflect these safe practices. 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

Four actions were raised following an interim inspection on 21 November 2007. In response panel files now include all the details required by the Regulations and Ofsted are kept well informed of any significant events. A new policy has been introduced in respect to contact arrangements and complaint recording has improved.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Three recommendations were also made. Consequently review minutes now better reflect children and young people and carers views. The service are continuing to develop the children's guide in a range of formats to meet the diverse needs of all the children and young people living with their carers. To this end an A to Z of relevant information and a dvd has been produced with young people. 4 of 11 Inspection Report: Child Action North West,31 March 2009 Carers and staff acknowledge the improvements made in the last twelve months and particularly highlight that 'communication is definitely better'. Supervising social workers also say that 'it feels a much safer and healthier place to work', 'we don’t feel as stressed because problems are being addressed at a much earlier stage and the support is put in' and, 'it is now a pro active organisation rather than reactive'.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Managers identify that recruitment drives are more targeted to meet any gaps in the service and say, 'as a team we were better organised and prepared for this campaign than in previous years'. The independent chair of the panel reported, 'timetabling, distribution of paperwork and the general quality of submissions has improved'.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Overall there are good arrangements in place to actively promote the health and development of the children and young people living with foster carers. Clear written guidance is provided by Child Action North West and very few children under five are placed with carers who smoke. The assessment process explores any health issues with carers that may affect their role and this is further scrutinised by the panel.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most children and young people confirm that they 'always' get support and advice about being healthy and they are encouraged to eat healthy meals. Comments include, 'I love the food' and, 'she makes lovely lasagne'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Carers are equally satisfied with the support they receive from the fostering service to promote healthy lifestyles. This includes an ongoing programme of relevant courses for example first aid, food hygiene and managing medicines and infectious diseases. They say, 'we have access to nutritional help as required and the food hygiene course was very good. At the end we were given some healthy menus to make with young people'.

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Helping children to be healthy

The service has also purchased a new sophisticated computer data base which enables them to remind placing authorities of arranging annual medicals in a timely manner. They have also established good links with local specialist services to meet assessed needs and benefit from their own therapeutic social worker to improve the emotional well being of children and young people. Many carers are very positive about this service, describing it as 'invaluable'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Carers provide a varied diet with fresh fruit and vegetables and ensure children and young people get plenty of physical exercise including swimming, basketball, dancing, bike riding and ice skating. For some young people this has had the desired outcome of appropriate weight loss and a consequent improvement in specific health conditions.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff also ensure they are registered with a local doctor, dentist and optician, attend regular appointments and receive any treatment needed. These details are all logged in individualised diaries and medical histories are kept up to date in new 'health care passports', which are checked by supervising social workers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. 5 of 11 Inspection Report: Child Action North West,31 March 2009 Overall there are good arrangements in place to help to keep children and young people safe and many benefit from settled long term placements. They confirm they are 'happy' and 'always' well cared for and their carers take notice of their opinions. Comments include, 'I have a nice house and nice clothes', 'I feel safe and warm', 'I love being with my carers, and, 'they sit and listen to what I say'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Their social workers also say that, 'carers provide a warm and nurturing environment from which the young people have thrived' and, 'they provide a good standard of care and the children have developed well in this placement'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people say they have a range of people they can talk to if they are unhappy about something and they know how to make a formal complaint should the need arise. The children's social workers confirm they are 'settled in placement and have formed very good and positive relationships with their carers. They can discuss sensitive issues as they feel comfortable enough to be open and honest'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This is enhanced by careful matching of individual children and young people with carers with the skills to meet their unique needs and resources are provided to address any identified gaps. Carers confirm that 'Child Action North West are quite forward at providing information if they have it', but full written information is not always forthcoming about the child from the placing authority to ensure all the family are protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Carers are very satisfied with the support they receive to help maintain placements and to ensure that children move on in a planned and positive way. They say, 'they will do all they can to support us and to try to prevent a placement breakdown' and, 'they do try to move all children and young people in a planned way'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Carers provide clean and warm homes which are suitably decorated and furnished and provide sufficient space for everyone living there. Annual health and safety checks are also undertaken to ensure they are free from avoidable hazards including animal risk assessments. Young people like their bedrooms which they have personalised. Family safer caring guidelines are in place but they are not signed by all members of the household thereby acknowledging their agreement to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safeguarding training is mandatory for all staff and carers to ensure they respond appropriately to any allegations of abuse.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Procedures are in place if a looked after child goes missing but the records do not consistently evidence their safe return or the opportunity to speak to an independent person about their reasons for absconding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff and panel members files include all the details required by the Regulations to evidence a safe and competent workforce. There is also an effective system in place for the timely renewal of criminal record bureau checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The main fostering panel is suitably constituted in line with the Regulations and standards and the recent appointment of a panel administrator ensures quoracy and smooth and timely functioning. They are independently chaired and members benefit from regular training and sound legal and medical advice. This service also has a smaller review panel providing a more relaxed setting for carers to share the highs and challenges of the previous twelve months. The 6 of 11 Inspection Report: Child Action North West,31 March 2009 panels exercise their quality assurance function in respect to the reports produced and relevant questions are asked. Detailed minutes of the discussions are taken but the exact reasons for the decisions made are not always clearly stated.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Overall there are outstanding arrangements in place to support children and young people to reach their full potential.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Equality and diversity underpins all the work of this fostering service and is evident in the policies and procedures, documentation and training. The purchase of new offices in Bolton has also significantly improved access for people with disabilities and carers report that specialist equipment is provided for children with complex needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Child Action North West gives high priority to actively promoting the education of children and young people. This includes the provision of a specialist in house support service, offering baseline assessments, direct teaching, support to carers and negotiating reintegration into school. Most children are very happy with the help they receive and say, 'the Child Action North West teacher helps me with my maths, reading and poems'. Carers really appreciate this service too.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children and young people benefit from living with very resourceful carers who are pro active in arranging and maintaining a range of constructive activities and social events for them. These include, karate, horse riding, rugby, golf and the theatre. They also enjoy regular holidays in this country and abroad.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The appointment of a passionate co-ordinator has ensured that individual support workers and young people's groups are provided to enable looked after children to try out an excellent range of new activities. Comments include, 'canoeing is so good. The best experience in the world', 'I've never done fishing before and I enjoyed it', and 'the space centre was amazing'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children and young people say, 'Child Action North West provide lots of activities that I really enjoy doing'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Overall there is an outstanding range of opportunities for children and young people to contribute positively to their day to day lives and their futures. They confirm that their carers listen to them and take notice of their opinions. They can also be involved in the looked after children's groups run by Child Action North West and in producing their own newsletter. More formal processes include their own statutory reviews and their carers annual reviews although they do not always choose to attend. Moreover there is clear documentary evidence that their views are taken seriously and acted upon.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A group for birth children has also been established to give them a fun and safe environment to share their feelings and experiences. They are also involved in providing training to panel members. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: Child Action North West,31 March 2009 Carers can also be actively involved in the development of the service through their own support groups and through their representatives on the consultation group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All levels of the organisation have regular team meetings with open and honest debates and the annual 'mission and vision' days open to all employees ensure they are kept well informed of strategic developments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive contact with family and friends is actively promoted in line with any legal directions and young people's personal preferences. In line with the national minimum standards carers also record any perceived impact on the child following contact which are explored with their supervising social workers.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. Carers ensure all children and young people have the opportunity to develop age and ability appropriate skills and knowledge needed for future independent living. Recent trustee visits have specifically explored this area and have been impressed with the work taking place, but it is recognised by the management team that this good practice is not being sufficiently evidenced in writing. Moreover there are delays in the formal processes of pathway planning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. This organisation is very well managed by a team of highly experienced, suitably qualified and child focussed individuals who provide clear direction and guidance to the staff. They also benefit from an efficient and extremely competent administrative manager who have together ensured all the required systems are in place to meet the Regulations and national minimum standards. Moreover they are genuinely committed to constantly improving on the services provided.

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Organisation

An up to date statement of purpose is in place which accurately reflects the aims and objectives, procedures and practices of this fostering service. There are also established and effective monitoring systems in place including the signing off of key documentation by the managers, the required Schedule 7 checks by the registered manager and an annual report produced on the overall quality of care provided. Moreover the trustees have recently undertaken their own quality assurance audits to carers homes.

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Organisation

It is sufficiently staffed to ensure carers are well supported in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young people living with them.

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Organisation

Carers are highly satisfied with the support and the range and quality of the training provided. Comments include, 'they provide training which is appropriate to my role and they give me support when I need it'. 'very good support and excellent training. Child Action North West have been there to support me all the way'. 'good support, good on call service. A good organisation to work for'. Both offices provide excellent training facilities with cooking and dining areas and rooms for small and large groups. However, training is not currently provided in the evenings or at weekends so some carers who work have not completed all their mandatory training. 8 of 11 Inspection Report: Child Action North West,31 March 2009 The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Relevant policies and procedures are in place and mandatory training provided. Children and young people are respected and treated as individuals in their own right and their assessed needs and personal preferences are well met.

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Organisation

However the service is not particularly pro active in regard to promoting religion.

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Organisation

Independent panel members describe Child Action North West as a 'caring Organisation' and, 'the management team are always ready to give help and advice and we are made to feel valued'.

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Organisation

Carers and children's files are securely stored and are in general good order. Complaints records show that they are taken seriously, thoroughly investigated and outcomes reached in a timely manner. Allegation records clearly evidence that any disclosures are immediately reported and Child Action North West fully co-operate with the relevant agencies and provide appropriate support to children and young people and their carers.

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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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Due date Action Standard

30 April 2009 ensure panel clearly state in writing their reasons for the recommendations made (Regulation 26) 30 April 2009 ensure religious persuasion is recognised and actively promoted (Regulation 11 (b)) 30 June 2009 ensure training is made accessible to enable all carers to complete all the mandatory courses in a timely manner (NMS 17).

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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): • ensure children's guides continue to be produced in a range of formats to meet the needs of all the individual children and young people placed with Child Action North West (NMS 1.5) • ensure carers are provided with full information about the looked after child which informs the safer caring guidelines to be agreed by all members of the household (NMS 9.7) • ensure missing from home records evidence young people's safe return and that they have the opportunity to speak to an independent person about their reasons for absconding (NMS 9.8) • ensure children and young people are actively encouraged to attend their statutory review and have the opportunity to comment on the care provided in any placements within a twelve month period (NMS 11.3). 9 of 11 Inspection Report: Child Action North West,31 March 2009

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Recommendations

• ensure Child Action North West is pro active in ensuring timely pathway planning for looked after children (NMS 14). 10 of 11 Inspection Report: Child Action North West,31 March 2009

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