Enhanced Foster Care

Enhanced Foster Care Limited Inspection report for independent fostering agency

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SC360287 Unique reference number 10 September 2008 Inspection date Debbi Flint Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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Boreham Mill Address Bishopstrow Road WARMINSTER Wiltshire BA12 9HQ 01985 218 486 Telephone number

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Email

Enhanced Foster Care Limited Registered person Catherine Davies Registered manager Joanne Sams Responsible individual 8 October 2007 Date of last inspection .

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Email

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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Email

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 9 Inspection Report: Enhanced Foster Care Limited, 10 September 2008

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Brief description of the service

Enhanced Foster Care is an Independent Fostering Agency which was established in 2007. The agency is part of a larger organisation called Wessex College which provides a wide range of services for children and young people. Enhanced Foster Care has a Registered Manager who is also Director of Fostering. The Registered Manager currently carries out most assessment and supervisory functions although it is envisaged that this will change as the service becomes larger. An additional social worker currently carries out work for the agency on a consultative basis. There are two administration assistants who provide administrative support. The agency is based at the registered office in Warminster where all core activities for the service are taken. The office is large and spacious with ample facilities for staff training. At the time of the inspection there were five carers approved with this new service and several more prospective

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Brief description of the service

carers were awaiting the decision of a forthcoming panel meeting.

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Summary

This was a key announced inspection which comprised of a preparatory visit and three days on site. One inspector carried out this inspection. The Registered Manager facilitated the inspection and the responsible individual was present for part of the inspection. The inspector visited carers and spoke with young people, and records were sampled. Completed questionnaires were also received from carers, parents and young people. The overall standard of care was judged to be good at this inspection and the organisation of the service was judged to be outstanding. Young people are settling well into their placements and are beginning to achieve some very good outcomes. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Foster carers are given clear health guidance by the agency and are aware of the need to ensure that young people are registered with a doctor, optician and dentist. All carers receive training in first aid, food hygiene and health promotion and this enables them to ensure that good health is promoted. Carers provide young people with information on health care areas such as sexual health, positive relationships and substance abuse. They also promote healthy eating and encourage young people to consume up to five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. The agency has good links with a psychiatrist, a counsellor and a clinical nurse specialist and these professionals can be accessed if a young person's care plan requires any specialist intervention. The agency also gives good guidance to carers on the administration and storage of medication. There is a medication policy and all medical consents have been obtained for the young people.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people have written records of their health histories on file and these records are given to carers. However, currently the agency does not provide the young people with a personalised and user friendly health record which could be taken with the young person from placement to placement. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Enhanced Foster Care Limited, 10 September 2008

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The agency has robust systems in place to protect young people and support their safety. There is a recruitment and selection policy and there are sound recruitment procedures in place for staff and carers. All the required information is on file for the manager and staff in accordance with Schedule 1. There are also clear policies on child protection, safe care, anti bullying and health and safety. All foster carer's homes are warm and comfortable and also provide a safe and nurturing environment. Young people are pleased with their rooms and state that they are decorated in the colours of their choice. Carers are given good guidance on their health and safety responsibilities and there are no unnecessary hazards in the home. Risk assessments are in place for all the young people and there is also a clear written procedure for use if a young person is missing from the home. Every home has a safe care family plan and the agency ensures

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

that all carers are trained in behaviour management and safeguarding. Young people benefit from stable and safe placements and one young person stated,' I have learnt about boundaries and I have learnt to control my temper. Now if I am ever angry I choose to go to my room until I have calmed down.' There is also a policy on foster carers vehicles and insurance to ensure that all vehicles used are safe. The agency has an effective matching process which takes account of race, religion and culture. The panel is organised efficiently and ensures that good quality decisions are made about the approval of foster carers. The panel is made up of a diverse range of people of different race and gender some of whom have expertise in health care and education. All panel members sign up to the panel's policies and procedures and minutes show that the panel is always chorate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The organisation is proactive in promoting equal opportunities and all carers and staff are issued with the equal opportunities policy and the anti discriminatory policy. There is good co operative working between foster carers, supervising social workers and each young person's social worker. Young people state that carers promote their self esteem and their sense of self worth. All young people have equal access to the interests and leisure pursuits of their choice. The agency ensures that personal care reflects cultural needs and carers identify culturally specific hairdressers as and when appropriate. Young people are also encouraged to explore their racial and cultural heritage. The agency has been operational for a year and all young people are in relatively new placements whose permanency has only recently been confirmed. Young people are in the process of being matched with schools and colleges in the area following

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

difficulties with education in previous areas. Clear guidance is given to carers on the agency's expectation with regard to promoting educational achievement and they are very pro active in promoting education and assisting the young people in preparing for their new educational placements. One young person is very positive about the new school and looking forward to continuing education there. One young person has been involved with Connexions and has followed their summer activity programme and is currently pursuing sporting activities whilst a college placement is found. All young people are encouraged to gain work experience. The organisation has an established day school for young people in residential care and this can provide a bespoke education package for young people in foster care if this is in accordance with a young person's education plan. The agency has procedures in place to meet the needs

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of any young person who receives short breaks with carers. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Enhanced Foster Care Limited, 10 September 2008

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The agency issues good written guidance to carers on contact and all contact is promoted if this is appropriate and in accordance with care plans. All contact and the outcome of contact is recorded by carers. The agency ensures that young people are consulted in a variety of ways. Carers fill out daily records which show that they listen to young people and consult with them. Young people also complete 'My Day' forms. Carers carry out key worker sessions which are recorded and any comments made by the young people in these sessions are also recorded. All young people have an opportunity to meet the agency's Registered Manager and to share their views with her on any issues. There are two young people's guides for younger and older children and both guides give comprehensive and user friendly information on how to complain.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people follow an independence skills programme which is devised by the Registered Manager for each individual in accordance with care plans. This programme is then implemented by carers and it covers areas such as personal care, purchasing clothes, budgeting, opening a bank account, managing money and using public transport. Foster carers are given good written guidance on how to assist young people to increase their independence. The agency has a policy on fostering allowances which gives clear guidelines on amounts to be paid. Carers state that they are satisfied with what they receive and that payments are always made promptly. The responsible individual states that the agency would never pay anyone late and its priority is to be a fair employer.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The agency operates from premises which are suitable for the running of the business and for the safekeeping of confidential information. The premises are large and spacious and have sufficient space and facilities to enable them to be used as a venue for training courses on occasions. A certificate of public liability insurance and a certificate of registration is displayed in the reception area. The agency has a Statement of Purpose which gives a clear statement of the aims and objectives of the fostering service. There are two young person's guides which have been produced by the agency. One guide is for younger children and one guide is for older children. Both guides are user friendly. The agency is managed by an appropriate person who has a social work qualification, relevant master's degree and a management qualification. There are two administrative assistants who provide very well organised administrative support.

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Organisation

An additional social worker is contracted by the agency to work as a consultant. The agency has access to the range of advice needed to provide a full service for children and young people and to support carers. All staff members have a contract of employment and are issued with a staff handbook. The staff handbook contains key policies such as child protection and behaviour management. It also contains conditions of service and disciplinary procedures. The agency has been in operation for a year and currently has five approved carers and three carers going to panel. Four approved carers currently have permanent placements or are used to provide respite support. The Registered Manager currently carries out all the assessments and supports all the placements as the service is still growing. There is a clearly set out process for carers which assesses all the qualities and competencies detailed in National Minimum Standard 17.

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Organisation

6 of 9 Inspection Report: Enhanced Foster Care Limited, 10 September 2008 Carers state that the agency is an outstanding employer. They state that they receive regular supervision visits and can also phone or email the Registered Manager at any time. There is always someone on call at all times if they need help. Carers are very pleased with the training that they receive. One carer stated,' It's excellent. I cannot fault it.' Carers undergo a period of training called 'Skills to Foster' and this is followed by comprehensive induction training. All carers have received training in child protection, restraint, food hygiene and fire safety. They are issued with comprehensive carers handbooks which contain key policies and guidance. The agency encourages carers to be members of the Fostering Network and to obtain National Vocational Qualification Level 3. Fostering agreements are in place for all placements. The

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Organisation

agency and carers maintain comprehensive case records which detail the nature of the care provided and an understanding of the young person's life events. Life story work is completed under the supervision of a clinical nurse and this helps young people to understand their past and current behaviour. All carers also complete daily records and all information kept by carers is stored securely in locked cupboards. The agency keeps separate records for carers and young people. There are provisions and logs for complaints and allegations although there have been no such incidents. The Registered Manager carries out monthly monitoring in accordance with Schedule 7 and records of this are kept on file.

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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): • develop a portable health record which is updated during placement and can move with each child. NMS 12.4. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: Enhanced Foster Care Limited, 10 September 2008

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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) 8 of 9 Inspection Report: Enhanced Foster Care Limited, 10 September 2008

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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. 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Enhanced Foster Care Limited, 10 September 2008

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