Setting

X10029.doc Version 1.40 Page 1 FOSTERING SERVICE

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NW9 8UA

Lead Inspector Bernard Burrell Announced Inspection 14th November 2005 10:00 Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 2 The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to:

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NW9 8UA

• Put the people who use social care first • Improve services and stamp out bad practice • Be an expert voice on social care • Practise what we preach in our own organisation

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NW9 8UA

Reader Information Document Purpose Inspection Report Author CSCI Audience General Public Further copies from 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI Internet address www.csci.org.uk Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 3 This is a report of an inspection to assess whether services are meeting the needs of people who use them. The legal basis for conducting inspections is the Care Standards Act 2000 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for this establishment are those for Fostering Services. They can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or obtained from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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NW9 8UA

Every Child Matters, outlined the government’s vision for children’s services and formed the basis of the Children Act 2004. It provides a framework for inspection so that children’s services should be judged on their contribution to the outcomes considered essential to wellbeing in childhood and later life. Those outcomes are: • Being healthy • Staying safe • Enjoying and achieving • Making a contribution; and • Achieving economic wellbeing.

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NW9 8UA

In response, the Commission for Social Care Inspection has re-ordered the national minimum standards for children’s services under the five outcomes, for reporting purposes. A further section has been created under ‘Management’ to cover those issues that will potentially impact on all the outcomes above.

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NW9 8UA

Copies of Every Child Matters and The Children Act 2004 are available from The Stationery Office as above This report is a public document. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the prior permission of the Commission for Social Care Inspection. Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4

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Name of service

Address Kingsbury house 468 Church Lane Kingsbury London NW9 8UA

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of places

Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5

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Conditions of registration:

Date of last inspection 28th February 2005

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Brief Description of the Service:

According to the agency’s Statement of Purpose, the objective of the agency is to meet the needs of children who are or may be temporarily or permanently separated from their families. It also aims to promote a high level of care, encouragement, safety and security for children without families or parents not able to care for them; by providing appropriate substitute families that are able to meet their needs.

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Brief Description of the Service:

The agency is located in Kingsbury, Northwest London in a multi-purpose office building. The service has a director, manager, administrative officer and three supervising social workers. The agency also has a pool of independent social workers who carry out most of its Form F assessments of potential foster carers.

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Brief Description of the Service:

The agency’s foster carers are recruited through various sources, including media advertising. The assessment and approval of foster carers takes between 4-6 months. Information such as satisfactory references, health checks and Criminal Record Bureau reports are obtained during the assessment process. Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6

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SUMMARY

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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SUMMARY

This inspection took place over several days, including attendance at a foster panel meeting and visits to the homes of foster carers and looked after children. The process also involved examination of the agency’s administrative and policy records, the case files of foster carers and children/young plus staffing records.

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SUMMARY

The inspector also spoke with 10 foster carers and received completed questionnaires from 10 others, including looked after children and young people. Their views about the agency and its services are reflected in the inspection findings of this report.

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SUMMARY

The inspector also received feedback from local authority social services that have placed children and young people with the agency.

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SUMMARY

The overall findings of this inspection indicated the agency continues to be operated in a highly professional manner and in the best interest of the looked after children and young people.

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What the service does well:

Good systems and procedural operations are in place to help ensure suitable foster carers are recruited, appropriate training and support is offered, regular monitoring of foster care placements take place and the best interest and safety of the children and young people are promoted and safeguarded.

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What the service does well:

The agency’s administrative and operational systems are appropriately organised and easy to access, with evidence of file auditing and updated information on most case records.

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What the service does well:

Foster carers reported satisfaction with the level and reliability of care support offered to them by the agency staff. The children and young people also reported satisfaction with the support they received from the agency’s supervising social workers and their foster carers.

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What the service does well:

Good effort is being made by the agency to provide foster carers with relevant professional training and skills development. The agency is making commendable efforts to ensure that foster carers are providing the necessary support, stimulation and encouragement to help the children develop their educational potential.

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What the service does well:

The agency’s staff and management continue to work cooperatively with external agencies and professionals and have demonstrated willingness to put necessary measures in place to help promote and safeguard the welfare and rights of the looked after children and young people. Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 7

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The agency has recruited an additional social worker to compliment the two supervising social workers that were at the employment at the last inspection. This effort has helped to create equilibrium in the caseload allocation and better monitoring of the foster care placements and support to foster carers.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The agency has developed new system that helps to ensure foster carers are provided with better support, encouragement and interest in the educational needs and potential of the children and young people being cared for.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

All potential foster carers are now required to attend the foster panel meetings and be interviewed by the panel members. In addition, the number of foster carers attending support group meetings has improved.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The agency has started NVQ training for foster carers in partnership with a London borough. Four foster carers are currently undertaking the training in childcare.

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What they could do better:

The agency must ensure that reviews of all foster care placements are carried out on time.

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What they could do better:

The agency should consider updating its children and young people guides and ensure the correct name of the Commission for Social Care Inspection is listed in all documents.

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What they could do better:

The agency must ensure that any changes in the charges and financial arrangements relating to holiday and other allowances are updated in the foster carers guide.

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What they could do better:

The agency must make more effort to consult with all foster carers about their views on how the agency operates plus what they would like to see in place to help improve the services for the children, young people and carers.

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What they could do better:

The agency should ensure that it adds information about the procedural guidelines that must be followed or the conditions necessary when a foster carer wishes to terminate his/her agreement with the agency, particularly where children are still in placement.

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What they could do better:

The agency must ensure it adds a policy and procedural guideline about foster carers responsibility to inform the agency about frequent or long-term visitors planning to visit and stay at foster carers’ homes

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What they could do better:

The agency must also ensure that CRB records for panel members and independent social workers are updated, including the current membership Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 8 status of the General Social Care Council (GSCC) for social workers. All records relating to household and motor insurance and photographic identification of foster carers and looked after children/young people must be updated where necessary.

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What they could do better:

Please contact the provider for advice of actions taken in response to this inspection. The report of this inspection is available from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by contacting your local CSCI office. Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 9

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CONTENTS

Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 10

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The intended outcomes these Standards are:

• The fostering service promotes the health and development of children.(NMS 12)

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The Commission considers Standard 12 the key standard to be

inspected at least once during a 12 month period.

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12

The agency ensures all foster carers are provided with clear guidelines and information about how to promote and safeguard the health and development of each child/young person being looked after. The agency maintains satisfactory evidence that proved these procedural guidelines are complied with by foster carers.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency’s Foster Carer’s Handbook has clear information and guidelines of what foster carers are expected to do in relation to the health and wellbeing of each child/young person placed. There is also clear guidelines about how foster carers should ensure that high standards of hygiene is practiced in the home and the need for the practice of universal precaution to minimise the spread of infection. The examination of home visit records by the social workers showed that the necessary health and immunisation checks have been carried out for each child/young person with update reminders. The agency also ensures that each child/young person is registered with a local doctor in the locality of the foster care home, where necessary. The records also showed that monitoring of the home environment is periodically carried out by the supervising social workers.

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EVIDENCE:

The inspector’s examination of case files showed that each child is registered with a GP and there were recorded evidence of children and young people receiving regular medical examination and consultation. Foster carers also informed the inspector of actions they have taken when looked after children needed medical attention. They ensured the agency and children social workers were informed on time and where appropriate, the birth parents. The inspector noted that the supervising social workers also keep recorded information and accident report records of incidents impacting on the health and wellbeing of children/young person in the foster care homes. Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 11 The foster carers handbook also has clear guidelines about the administration of medication to look after children and young people, including the purchase of non-prescribed medicines and how foster carers can access out of hours

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EVIDENCE:

medical advice and assistance. The foster carers who spoke to the inspector were able to indicate their awareness and understanding of managing medication safely in the home.

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EVIDENCE:

There were also recorded evidence of dental and other health related checks and appointments on the monthly foster carers reports, the supervising social workers and Looked After Children (LAC) reviews and reports. The inspector noted there were recordings made by foster carers about the diets, exercise programmes and development issues for children and young people. In addition, the agency carries out health safety checks and monitoring at each foster carer’s home.

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EVIDENCE:

The foster carers are also required to notify the agency of any changes in their homes or factors that are likely to negatively impact on the health, wellbeing and safety of the children and young people being looked after. Foster carers also have an emergency number they can call during out of hours.

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EVIDENCE:

The records examined plus discussions with foster carers indicated that appropriate training in health related matters is provided to foster carers by the agency. Foster carers verified with the inspector that the support they received from the supervising social workers have been invaluable, reliable and consistent. Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 12

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The intended outcomes 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)

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The Commission considers Standards 3, 6, 8, 9, and 15 the key

standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period.

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JUDGEMENT – The intended outcomes for these Standards are

6, 8, 9, 15 30. The agency ensures that its foster carers are suitable to work with children and young people and careful attention is placed to help achieve the right matching. Appropriate systems, guidelines, procedures and monitoring are in plus to help ensure protection of the children and young people. The evidence seen by the inspector indicated people who work in or for the agency are suitable to work with children and young people. However, better monitoring is needed to ensure certain checks are up to date.

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EVIDENCE:

The recruitment of potential foster carers is done through various methods, including recommendations from existing foster carers who are registered with the agency. At the time of this inspection, the agency had 37 registered and approved foster carers. One foster carer resigned since the last inspection to work with another agency nearer to her home. The inspector advised the manager and director that future resignation of foster carers must be managed more smoothly to avoid unnecessary conflicts and disruption to the children been looked after.

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EVIDENCE:

The manager and director briefed the inspector about the process for recruiting foster carers which included: completion of various mandatory applications, several home visits by qualified social workers who have the relevant Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 qualifications, skills and experience to carry out the detail personal and home assessments.

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EVIDENCE:

In addition, the agency carries out various health and reference checks on potential foster carers, immediate families and nominated carers. The checks include references from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and local authorities. During the inspection, CRB updates for a few independent social workers and panel members were out of date.

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EVIDENCE:

Each potential foster carer is required to meet with the foster panel to discuss their application and reasons for wanting to foster. The inspector noted that the process is used by panel members to assess all areas of each person’s application to help determine their suitability to be foster carers. Foster carers who are already working for the agency also undergo annual and other periodic reviews and reassessment to determine their suitability to continue in their roles.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency will need to ensure that where a foster carer wishes to leave the service or terminate their contract with the agency, clear guidelines must be recorded in the foster carers’ guide about the procedure to be followed- particularly where children/young people are been looked after.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency currently has a shortage of foster carers to meet the demand for placements. This shortage is reflective of current situation in the UK with most foster care agencies. The inspector was satisfied that this shortage is not been used by the agency to compromise the suitability of the carers it recruits or the matching of children and young people placed.

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EVIDENCE:

The records examined by the inspector verified that in most cases, the matching of children to foster carers has been beneficial for the children and young people placed. None of the children who have made contact with the inspector reported dissatisfaction with their placements. The inspector noted that criteria such as ethnicity, race, culture and religion are among the main factors used in the matching process. In addition, each case file examined plus the panel decisions showed that the ability of each carer to meet the needs of the children and young people were equally important matching criteria considered.

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EVIDENCE:

Up to December 2005, the agency had 34 children and young people in foster care placements. The total number of children and young people who have either moved foster carers or into independent living since April 2005 was 23. There was also one child protection investigation recorded since April 2005. This was satisfactorily resolved by the agencies and parties involved.

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EVIDENCE:

Some foster carers reported to the inspector that in a few cases, they would have liked to have more detail life history and background information about Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 14 some of the children and young people placed. However, the inspector recognised that the placing social workers/services do not always provide foster care agencies with adequate background information on the children and young people placed.

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EVIDENCE:

The inspector examined the records of several foster carers and children and young people plus the policy and procedural guidelines relating to safe caring. In addition to the various statutory checks and references of foster carers undertaken by the agency; each foster carer also receives a letter ‘Fostering Household/Safe Caring Policy.’ This introductory letter outlines the agency’s policy relating to the promotion of safe caring. Each foster carer has to sign their agreement to this policy. The agreement is also counter-signed by a supervising social worker and the fostering manager.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency carries out regular monitoring as part of its compliance checks. The recorded evidence examined by the inspector at the agency plus discussions with foster carers, indicated foster carers are required to and do keep the agency updated on any issues or events that impact or likely to negatively impact on the safety and wellbeing of each child/young person placed.

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EVIDENCE:

Appropriate measures such as arranged supervised contacts -where necessary and appropriate- are also used by the agency to help protect children from potential abuse. Two issues of child welfare took place since the last inspection. The manager updated the inspector about a child who reportedly received a small fracture and another physical (smack) touch. The inspector was satisfied that the correct procedures were followed and involved the children social workers, carers and agency. None of the children were unduly harmed or suffered any permanent damage or hurt. However, the CSCI was not notified of these incidents as required by the Care Standards Act 2000. This has been made a requirement in this report.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency also requires foster carers to maintain confidentiality in all matters relating to the children and young people. The inspector spoke with foster carers during the home visits and telephone discussions and was satisfied that they are aware of the importance of safeguarding information about the children and young people in their care. The findings also showed that foster carers have cultivated the agency’s objective that each child/young person in placement must be treated with the same level of care as would be given to foster carers own birth children. Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 15

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The intended outcomes 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)

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The Commission considers Standards 7, 13, and 31 the key standards

to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period.

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13

Commendable effort is been made by the agency to help ensure that foster carers invest time and energy into helping looked after children and young people achieve their educational and learning potential.

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EVIDENCE:

The fostering service has a section in the foster carer’s handbook on education that outlines the foster carers role and responsibility in helping to improve the educational needs of children and young people. The guidelines states that foster carers are expected to play an active role as ‘corporate parents’ working with the fostering service, local educational authorities, social services and schools to achieve better outcomes for looked after children/young people.

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EVIDENCE:

During the examination of case records, the inspector noted the agency now has an education monitoring form that is used to track the educational needs and status and progress of each looked after child/young person. The director and manager explained that during the home and supervision visits, the social workers undertake reviews of each child’s educational status with the foster carers and looked after children. The checklist is used to monitor all aspect of each child/young persons educational care needs, including seeking the views of the children and young people about their education. The completed list for each child/young person is signed and dated by foster carers, the supervising social worker and manager of the service.

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EVIDENCE:

In addition, the social workers ensure that an action plan is put in place where additional support is identified or highlighted by children and young people. Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16 Information provided by the agency indicated that of the 34 children and young people placed up to December 2005, 1 was in nursery, 12 in primary education, 7 in secondary, 4 in college, 3 had special education care needs, 1 was to the pupil referral units, 3 ESOL, and 1 not in full-time education.

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EVIDENCE:

Of the above numbers, 2 young people left before the results of their GCSC exams and 1 young person still in placement has completed an NVQ level 2.

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EVIDENCE:

The manager confirmed that the agency does not have an in house educational provision. However, the agency follows the guidance “education of Young People in Public are” to help ensure that the children and young people get appropriate educational support and provision.

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EVIDENCE:

The expectation according to the agency is that carers are able to provide on going care if there is no school provision or exclusion. The carers are encouraged to use their support network and the agency will arrange respite care support worker to maintain the placement if required. The supervising social workers also maintain contact with the placing Local Education department to identify appropriate educational provision for the child/young person. In addition, copies of school reports are also sent to the agency, including exams to be taken and the results.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency indicated that ongoing work would be done with each carer in their supervision meetings with the supervising social workers and in their support network groups.

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EVIDENCE:

The questionnaire responses received from the children and young people indicated they are offered varying levels of support and encouragement by their foster carers. One child replied that she gets help with her computer usage and another wrote that he attends school every day and when he gets home, he receives help with his home work and sometimes he visits the library.

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EVIDENCE:

The inspector spoke with several foster carers and each gave examples of the work they are doing to support their foster children with their educational care needs. Some carers stated they assist with homework, others attend parent teachers meetings and escort children to and from school.

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EVIDENCE:

The inspection findings indicated the agency should consider offering a training course relating to how foster carers could work with the educational system, schools, colleges, after school projects and the provision of additional educational support to children and young people who might be excluded from schools. Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 17

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The intended outcomes these Standards are:

• The fostering service promotes contact arrangements for the child or young person. (NMS 10) • The fostering service promotes consultation.(NMS 11)

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The Commission considers Standards 10 and 11 the key standards to

be inspected at least once during a 12 month period.

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10, 11

The fostering service has appropriate arrangements and support systems that help to promote contacts between children/young people and their birth parents and relatives. However, more effort is needed to promote better consultation and actively seek the views of foster carers about how the service could be developed to help ensure it works in the interest of children/young people and their carers.

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EVIDENCE:

The foster carers handbook has a section outlining the importance of contacts and the need for carers to be committed to and facilitate this objective. The inspection findings indicated that a number of contacts take place in foster carers home and others take place in designated places where supervision is in place or facilitated.

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EVIDENCE:

The inspector spoke with some carers about contact arrangements. The general responses were that every effort is made to facilitate contacts where safety of the children and young people is not of concern. The inspector also received written responses from foster carers that gave details of what has been done to facilitate contacts between many of the looked after children/young people and their relatives and friends. The examples range from supporting children/young people on supervised visits, making telephone contacts- including phone contacts with birth parents and relatives overseas for unaccompanied minors.

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EVIDENCE:

The inspector noted that recorded evidence was on some children/young people and foster carers’ case files about the impact contacts have on some children/young people. The recorded evidence indicated the social workers and manager of the agency help to manage such difficulties through the Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 supervision process plus links with relevant professionals and other stakeholders in the children/young people’s lives.

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EVIDENCE:

Many of the foster carers meet regularly as a group and also during training sessions offered by the agency. The meetings are used to share ideas, experiences and offer and receive support and encouragement from each other. The agency’s director and manager informed the inspector that it aims to work in partnership with the carers through meetings and foster carers groups. However, three foster carers reported they have never been asked by the agency about how the service is run and what could be done to improve its operations.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency will need to ensure that its consultation with foster carers are more wide ranging and offer the opportunity for carers to contribute their ideas about the development of the service. Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 19

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The intended outcomes 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)

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The Commission considers Standards 29 the key standard to be

inspected at least once during a 12 month period.

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29

The fostering service provides each foster carer with a contract of terms and conditions, including arrangements for payments of services.

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EVIDENCE:

The inspection findings indicated that the fostering service pays weekly allowances to all foster carers on time. The foster carers who responded to the questionnaire survey confirmed this. The weekly allowances are inclusive and cover the full cost of caring for the children and young people, irrespective of their background and specific needs.

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EVIDENCE:

The weekly allowance works out at £325 per week for each child from 0 to 18 years old. A sum of £355 is also paid weekly for each child with special care needs and £450 paid weekly for remand placements, irrespective of age.

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EVIDENCE:

In addition, the fostering service makes extra payments for pocket money and clothing allowance. The weekly fostering allowance also covers the purchase of books and educational equipment. Any costs that are above the weekly allowance are discussed and agreed by the manager.

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EVIDENCE:

The fostering service also makes provisions for a weekly savings of £5.10 per child/young person. This amount is saved on behalf of each child/young person by the foster carers and monitored by the supervising social workers. When a child/young person leaves the placement, the amount saved is handed over and verified by the social workers.

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EVIDENCE:

Annual allowance is also paid for festivals, birthdays and holidays according to each child/young persons’ age. Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 20 Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 21

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The intended outcomes 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) • 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)

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The intended outcomes these Standards are:

• 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) • Local Authority fostering services recognise the contribution made by family and friends as carers.(NMS 32)

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The Commission considers Standards 17, 21, and 24 the key standards

to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period.

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JUDGEMENT – The intended outcomes for these Standards are

17, 21, 22, 23,24. The social work staffing has improved since the last inspection. This has enabled the provision of better and more reliable support and supervision of the foster carers and the children and the young people being looked after. The agency maintains comprehensive case records for each looked after child/young person.

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EVIDENCE:

Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 22 The agency now has three qualified social workers in addition to the manager, the director/registered provider and an administration officer. Two of the supervising social workers joined the agency in 2004. One obtained the social worker qualification since the last inspection. The third social worker was recruited from overseas and joined the agency in October 2005. The manager currently supervises the work of this social worker. This supervision process will continue until the worker completes a satisfactory assimilation to the standard of social and fostering work practices with children in the UK.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency provided recorded evidence of how it works to support foster carers. The process includes allocation of the current carers to the two more experienced social workers. They carry out planned and unplanned home visits plus offer a range of formal and informal support and advice to the foster carers. This also involves monthly supervision. Foster carers are also supported through the meetings and training sessions.

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EVIDENCE:

In addition, there is a formal arrangement between the agency and each foster carer about the nature and level of support they can expect to receive. The foster carers confirmed in writing and verbally to the inspector that they are very satisfied with the level, consistency and reliability of support offered by the agency workers.

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EVIDENCE:

The foster carers informed the inspector that they received a range of quality training relevant to their roles and responsibilities. The training programme since the last inspection included: children in transition, attachment, separation and loss, life work and identity, child protection, first aid training, disability awareness, drug awareness and managing difficult behaviour.

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EVIDENCE:

The inspector examined the case records for several looked after children/young people and their foster carers. The findings indicated these were appropriately organised and maintained. However, a few reviews were outstanding and photographic identification plus home insurance information for at least one foster carer was missing from a case file. Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 23

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SCORING OF OUTCOMES

This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services have been met and uses the following scale.

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SCORING OF OUTCOMES

4 Standard Exceeded (Commendable) 3 Standard Met (No Shortfalls) 2 Standard Almost Met (Minor Shortfalls) 1 Standard Not Met (Major Shortfalls) “X” in the standard met box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion “N/A” in the standard met box denotes standard not applicable

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SCORING OF OUTCOMES

BEING HEALTHY ACHIEVING ECONOMIC Standard No Score WELLBEING 12 4 Standard No Score 14 x STAYING SAFE 29 3 Standard No Score 3 X MANAGEMENT 6 3 Standard No Score 8 3 1 X 9 2 2 X 15 4 4 X 30 2 5 X 16 X ENJOYING AND ACHIEVING 17 3 Standard No Score 18 X 7 x 19 X 13 3 20 X 31 x 21 4 22 4 MAKING A POSITIVE 23 3 CONTRIBUTION 24 2 Standard No Score 25 X 10 3 26 X 11 3 27 X 28 X 32 x Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 24 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection?

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Fostering Services Regulations 2002 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 1 FS9 12, 20, 22 The agency must ensure that CRB checks for panel members and independent social workers are updated on time, including the current membership status of the General Social Work Council (GSCC) for social workers. The agency must also ensure that all records relating to household and motor insurance and photographic identification of foster carers are updated where necessary. The agency must ensure it adds clear guidelines in the Foster Carers’ Guide about foster carers’ responsibility to notify the service about frequent or long term visitors staying at foster carer’s homes. 30/01/06

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

2 FS24 29 & 42 The agency must ensure that all reviews of foster care placements are carried out on time. 30/01/06

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

3 FS30 29 The agency must ensure it adds information in the Foster Carers Guide the procedures that must be followed or guidelines that 28/02/06 Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 25 have to be followed when a foster carer wishes to terminate his/her agreement with the agency, particularly where children/young people being looked after.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

No. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations

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RECOMMENDATIONS

1 11 The agency should consider offering consulting more with foster carers about their views on how the agency operates and what they would like to see in place to help improve the services for children and young people. Horizon Fostering Services DS0000034908.V252730.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 26

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

Harrow Area office Fourth Floor Aspect Gate 166 College Road Harrow HA1 1BH

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk © This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI

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