Setting

X10029.doc Version 1.40 Page 1 FOSTERING SERVICE

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Lead Inspector Lynda Mosling Announced Inspection 24 th /25 th October 2005 10:00 Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 2 The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to:

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• 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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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 Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.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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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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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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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. Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4

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Name of service

Address Suite 8 Fairways House Mount Pleasant Road Southampton Hampshire SO14 0QB Telephone number 023 8023 0400

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of places

Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5

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Conditions of registration:

Date of last inspection 4 th January 2005

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Brief Description of the Service:

Fairways Care (UK) Ltd (formerly Cornerstone Foster Care) is an independent fostering agency based in Southampton. It provides foster care services for young people up to the age of 18 years. The young people are referred by local authorities across the southern counties. At the time of the inspection there were 15 carers registered with the agency. Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.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

The announced inspection was undertaken by one inspector over two days during the school half-term break. Four foster families were visited in their homes giving the inspector the opportunity to speak with the carers, the carers’ families and the young people placed. Five members of staff and the manager were spoken to individually. In addition the inspector observed an activity day organised for the young people placed and the foster carers’ children. Questionnaires were received from young people, carers, parents and placing social workers. All of the responses were positive and spoke of ‘a professional and caring service’.

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SUMMARY

Records including case files of the young people and carers’ files were seen.

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SUMMARY

All evidence points towards this being a service that is highly regarded by its carers and the young people they look after. One requirement, with regard to up-dating paperwork, and one recommendation has been made.

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What the service does well:

The service is child focused and the staff have a lot of contact with the young people they place. Consultation with young people is therefore frequent and young people said they felt ‘listened to’.

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What the service does well:

There is thorough assessment of carers. This provides the staff with good information about each family that helps the matching process. Matching is well considered and takes account of the young person’s view, the carer’s views as well as the needs of the young person. A matching form is used to record any gaps in the matching process.

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What the service does well:

Support of carers is a strength of the service. One carer described it as ‘fantastic’. The support offered is practical and individual and promotes trust and confidence in the carers. ‘There is always someone to talk to’ was another comment frequently made by carers. Carers said they feel part of a team.

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What the service does well:

Contact with parents and siblings is acknowledged as necessary for success of the placements. Carers were seen making arrangements with parents and often provide the necessary transport and support to ensure it happens. Contact with siblings is also promoted with carers sharing holidays and other special occasions with the young people’s siblings, as well as the arranged regular contact. Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 7 There are good staff/carer ratios that give the necessary time to provide support to the whole family and take an interest in the individual situations of the carers.

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What the service does well:

Carers reported that the fees are paid on time and without argument.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Carers have become much more aware of the need to complete and up-date risk assessments for each young person. These were seen on the young people’s files and were detailed and helpful. Discussion with carers in their homes also evidenced their understanding of the need to keep themselves and the young people safe.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The education arrangements are being expanded with the employment of a teacher to oversee the education packages. A head-teacher is to be appointed in the New Year and there are plans to open a school.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The links with Pebbles residential home has increased and provides young people with consistency when they are placed from the children’s home into the fostering services.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Therapeutic services, including music therapy, has increased and are helpful to staff as well as carers and young people.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The major improvement is in the office accommodation. The service has divided from its previous provider and part of the change has been a move to spacious, attractive accommodation. The accommodation is now appropriate for the service provided. It is child friendly and welcoming.

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What they could do better:

As the service has changed company the paperwork, leaflets, answer-phone messages etc. need changing to reflect this change. Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 8 In common with other independent agencies there are occasionally problems caused by conflicts of interest. This can happen when the placing authority make plans that are felt, by the fostering agency and/or the carers and young people, to be inappropriate. As the agency is a business they are often felt to have finance as the major focus when challenging decisions to end a placement. At such times it would be useful to have an independent body to represent the best interests of the child. Links with such a body should be considered for the future.

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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. Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 9

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CONTENTS

Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.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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JUDGEMENT – The intended outcomes for these Standards are

The fostering service promotes the health and development of young people by making accurate assessments and ensuring the appropriate health support is available.

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EVIDENCE:

The records showed that there is an assessment of young people’s health needs prior to a placement being arranged. The young people are registered with the foster carer’s GP and there were consent forms signed by the parents on the young people’s files, giving carer’s permission to seek medical advice and treatment. Young people said they are able to see the doctor when they needed to and also confirmed that they regularly visit the dentist and optician. Carers explained that where there are specialist needs, i.e. oncology services, they were supported to access these. Carers also said that they could rely on their support worker attending appointments with them and the young people if they required support. The paperwork for the placement reviews showed that health needs are discussed and reviewed appropriately. Many of the young people placed benefit from therapeutic input. The agency uses the Corn

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EVIDENCE:

Loft Art Studio and Consultancy which provides direct work with young people and support/advice to the staff. This is valued and appreciated by the staff team. Music therapy is also offered and is a popular resource with the young people. Young people were seen to enjoy writing and performing songs that were recorded onto CD and given them to take away. It appeared to be successful in raising young people’s confidence and self-esteem.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency provides carers with policies and procedures covering first aid and medication. Carers visited explained that they keep medication locked safely away and keep records of all administration of medication. Carers are expected to attend a first aid course on being approved as a foster carer for the agency. Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 11 Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.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

The safety of young people placed is a high priority within the agency. There are robust recruitment procedures, thorough assessments of foster carers and careful matching arrangements to ensure young people’s safety. The child protection and safe caring policies are well known to the carers.

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EVIDENCE:

The recruitment procedures for staff are well established and include written references, enhanced CRB checks and recorded interviews. Staff spoken to explained the process used for their recruitment to the job and had a clear understanding of their need to protect the young people from harm. There is a whistle-blowing policy and the staff interviewed said they were confident that any inappropriate practice would be picked up and dealt with.

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EVIDENCE:

The foster homes visited as part of the inspection provided a safe and nurturing environment for young people. Each young person placed had their own bedroom (except where they accommodated siblings and a risk assessment had confirmed this to be a safe option). The homes were all warm, well maintained and provided comfortable and homely accommodation. The needs of the individual child had been considered and the home adapted, if necessary, to meet those needs i.e. stair gates, ramps and widened doors. Risk assessments of the home were present on the carer’s files and form part of the approval process to be considered by the Panel. The carer’s own family Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13 were often present during the visits and displayed a good understanding of the needs of the young people placed. The safety of the carer’s own family is also a priority for the agency and there was evidence of support being given to the

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EVIDENCE:

family to deal with difficult situations. The carer’s own children had been involved in the assessment process and one said, ‘if we hadn’t been happy about it – it wouldn’t have happened’. In all cases, they displayed generosity and understanding towards the fostered young people.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency does not accept a placement referral until they are reasonably sure that they have a resource that matches the young person’s needs. This process is helped by the thorough knowledge the staff have of their carers. Once a referral is made and assessment material collected, the staff will discuss the needs of the young person and come up with suggestions of matches from their available carers. Carers are contacted and given the information about the young person. The placement only goes ahead if everyone is confident that it is a safe placement and has a good chance of success. Carers spoken to said they felt they were involved appropriately in early discussions about placements and felt the match was more important to the agency than the potential fee. One said, ‘they always take our views into consideration, and tell us as much as they know about the young person’. Gaining information from the placing agency can be difficult but all of the social

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EVIDENCE:

workers, and manager, are well practised in chasing the vital information. The agency has a particularly useful matching form where the needs of the young person are recorded and the reasons for the match are listed. It also identifies any gaps in the matching and how these gaps will be dealt with (often by linking a support worker or another carer to provide additional support and experiences). This demonstrates the agency’s determination to provide the best placement they can for each child. The young people seen in placement were clear that they felt they were ‘in the best place’. One commented on the questionnaire, ‘I love my foster mum and dad, and my brothers and sisters’.

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EVIDENCE:

Many of the young people placed by the agency have experienced some form of abuse or neglect. This is well understood by the staff and the carers. Information about the young people’s background helps to identify the young people’s vulnerability. Carers said they are made aware of the potential difficulties of caring for young people during their assessment and have sessions on how to protect themselves and their families. On one visit to a carer it was clear that the carers have a good understanding of gender issues and potential problems. They are supported by the agency who provide appropriate cover if the usual care arrangements cannot be provided i.e sending in a support worker to oversee personal care if there is a gender issue. There is a safe caring policy and an assessment at the start of each placement. Training for carers on child protection forms part of the assessment process and is updated following approval. The carers’ handbook includes guidance on

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EVIDENCE:

safe caring, managing difficult behaviour, appropriate control and discipline, behaviour management and child protection procedures. All staff and carers spoken to were able to speak knowledgably of child protection issues. Carers Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 14 said it was more difficult to deal with the young people who chose to put themselves at risk by going missing, forming inappropriate relationships etc., as they felt less able to provide protection. They said they frequently discuss these situations with the agency and the young person’s placing social worker to ensure they were trying everything possible to impact on this behaviour.

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EVIDENCE:

The staff employed by the agency have a range of experiences and skills. They all have experience of working with children and young people and showed a common respect and delight of the young people. During the inspection they were observed with individuals and groups of young people and displayed tolerant and understanding interaction with the young people. It was very clear that the young people were enjoying this contact and many were visibly excited by the involvement of the manager and staff. Raising young people’s self-esteem was clearly an aim of their relationships. Young people spoken to knew of all of the staff employed by the agency and were not slow to voice their views to them. Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.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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JUDGEMENT – The intended outcomes for these Standards are

Diversity and equality is covered in the carer’s preparation and there is a clear expectation that young people’s individuality will be respected. The agency promotes educational achievement and provides education support to make the most of young people’s potential.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency has an equal opportunities policy and attempts to recruit carers from a range of backgrounds and experiences. Carers spoken to were aware of how important it is to recognise the individual needs of the young people placed. Religion, culture and racial background is considered in the matching arrangements and help given to carers in the way of information and training in particular needs. Carers were able to use their own experiences and situation to appreciate possible discrimination and prejudice. Carers encourage young people’s interests to develop and there were many instances where activities had been planned around these interests.

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EVIDENCE:

All of the carers spoken to said they felt it was very important for young people to have positive educational experiences, both for educational achievement and social development. The young people placed are generally in full-time education and some said that the placement with the carer had given them ‘a fresh start’ and they had begun to go back to school having been absent for years. This was a matter of pride for them and the carers. Carers explained that they have close links with the schools and will often provide support to the teachers with regard to management of behaviour. Two of the young people visited had special learning needs and attended special schools. These were Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16 felt to be appropriate and supportive by the carers. When the young people are not in full-time education the agency provides support workers to

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EVIDENCE:

supplement the individual education packages. This acknowledges how difficult it is for carers when the young people are not out at school for periods of the day. They also employ a teacher who oversees the education packages for young people. They are intending to employ a head-teacher in the New Year and plan on opening a special school in the future. Copies of the personal education plans were seen on the young people’s files. Looked After Children reviews included school reports and statements of educational needs. All achievements are acknowledged and celebrated by the agency and copies of certificates of merit etc. were seen on the young people’s files. Young people generally attend schools local to the placement in order to integrate into the community and make contact between the schools and carer easier. Books, computers and evidence of support with homework were seen in the foster homes.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency does not provide specific respite placements so Standard 31 does not apply. Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.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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JUDGEMENT – The intended outcomes for these Standards are

Contact with parents, relatives and friends is seen as important to the outcome of the placement. Carers are expected to encourage and arrange contact. Consultation with young people is seen as central to the work of the agency and was evidenced throughout the inspection.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency recognises that parents are particularly important in terms of the success of the placement and are therefore involved as much as possible. One response from parents raised a concern that they appear to be ‘further down the list than the foster carers’ when it came to communication with the agency, but other parents were clearly happy with their involvement with the placements. One young person seen has frequent visits to his family home and these are arranged by the carer, who delivers and collects him. The carer feels that she and the parents support each other and share all milestones, concerns, achievements etc. The manager explained that contact with parents is a clear expectation and is discussed at the start of the assessment process for carers. There is also written guidance regarding contact in the carers’ handbook. Carers demonstrated understanding and consideration for the

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EVIDENCE:

parents of the children they cared for. In some situations they felt frustrated or disappointed by the parent’s behaviour but they were able to discuss this with their support workers rather than let it influence their care of the children. In each case the carers understood the young people’s feelings for their parents and accepted that the placement was ‘second best to home’. Young people’s questionnaires all confirmed that they are allowed contact with friends and families. Carers were seen making arrangements to ensure siblings placed apart were frequently in each other’s company – this included taking them on holidays together. Young people were aware of the contact arrangements with Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 their parents, (these were recorded on the young person’s file), and felt their carers listened to their views. Separation from parents was, understandably,

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EVIDENCE:

still painful for some young people, one of whom answered the question, ‘What is the worst thing about the placement’ with ‘I miss mummy’.

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EVIDENCE:

Throughout the inspection the views of the young people were referred to by the carers, the staff and the manager. Consultation with young people was observed during the visits and the activity day at the office. Young people were able to name the staff in the office, were clear about the placement plan and knew how to make their views known. The main concern with regard to plans made for young people was when the placing agency appeared to be making plans that were not felt, by the carers, young people or the agency, to be in their best interests. This included a situation where long term plans for siblings placed together included the possible separation of one. In such circumstances it is difficult to find anyone independent to advocate on the young people’s behalf. Usually it is the carers who will undertake that role, but as part of the agency their views may not be seen as impartial. Advocacy is an

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EVIDENCE:

area that the agency could investigate for the future. The young people spoken to felt they were listened to by the carers and the agency and had confidence that the carers had their best interests at heart. Consultation from, and with the placing agencies was less highly regarded. Although some young people had good relationships with local authority social workers more had no confidence that they were even known to them and were quite dismissive of the importance of the social worker. Most have allocated social workers from the local authority, but any direct work undertaken appears to be done by social services assistants rather than qualified social workers. The young people’s files recorded the young people’s views regarding changes to their plans, placement success etc. Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.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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JUDGEMENT – The intended outcomes for these Standards are

The agency pays carers the agreed allowance on a regular and timely basis.

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EVIDENCE:

Carers are made aware of the payment arrangements prior to being assessed. The fees are felt to be quite generous and allows for the main carer to consider fostering instead of paid employment outside of the home. The fees cover the majority of the expenses incurred by the foster carers, but in special circumstances additional allowances are agreed. Carers said that the fees are paid fortnightly and go straight into the bank. They could not think of a time when this has been a problem. Carers are sent a payment slip that clearly shows what has been paid and for what period of care. If carers provide additional support to another placement this is separately recorded and paid. The way the fees are paid, and the amounts, was not an issue of concern for carers who felt it was a fair system.

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EVIDENCE:

One issue that was raised on a few occasions was that of no retainer being paid between placements. Whilst this was made clear and understood by the carers prior to being approved some spoke of the concern they have if the placement ends. Some carers have given up quite well paid jobs to foster for the agency and have the usual financial commitments, so the thought of having no income when they have no placement is a concern. In reality it is not very often that foster carers are without a placement and when they are the agency attempts to provide them with some paid work by using them to support other placements and/or work in the agency’s other services. The manager is aware of this concern but realistically cannot afford to pay carers a retainer between placements (unless the placement agency pay to keep a placement open). Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 20

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EVIDENCE:

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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

There are good staff/carer ratios and staff are appropriately experienced and qualified. Staff are regularly supervised and feel valued and supported. There are good systems for supporting carers. Records held on young people are thorough, up-to-date and explain the purpose of the placements. The new premises provide spacious and attractive space that is suitable for its purpose.

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EVIDENCE:

Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 22 The agency employs experienced and suitably qualified staff. Some originally started in the agency in student placements and then applied for a job when one became vacant. Staff spoken to displayed a good understanding of the needs of young people looked after away from home. They were observed to be energetic and enthusiastic in their dealings with young people. Each supervising social worker has a maximum of 6 carers to support. They provide practical help and support to the young people as well as the family. The staff were very clear that they had the time and support to provide a quality service. Their individual knowledge of the families they support is impressive and they work closely with colleagues so are able to stand in and provide support to other carers if necessary. Carers said, ‘there is always someone there to help’ and felt the small size of the agency was a definite benefit,

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EVIDENCE:

particularly as it means they know everyone. The number of carers registered with the agency has dropped by two in the last year, however a recent recruitment campaign has had a good response and they are hopeful that there will be some carers approved this year. The agency is always interested in recruiting new carers and believes their reputation is the biggest recruiter to the agency. Competence based assessments are undertaken on all carers prior to presentation to Panel. The process is experienced by carers as, ‘thorough and lengthy’, but carers said they felt ‘quite confident’ by the end of the process. As with other agencies they are in the position to only accept referrals of young people when they are confident they have an available carer to meet their needs. Having sufficient carers is therefore not so much of an issue as in some other services, however business obviously benefits from

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EVIDENCE:

having a good supply and range of carers.

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EVIDENCE:

Staff spoken to said they receive regular, recorded supervision. This is provided by the manager who is seen as very knowledgeable and supportive. The office is arranged so that all staff can converse easily and access to the manager is unrestricted. Staff felt they had made a positive choice to work with the agency and had ‘never regretted it’. Some said that after working for the local authority in child care they were relieved to be working for employers whose main focus was the young people. There are regular staff meetings and the agenda is flexible so any individual can bring issues to it. Staff felt they worked well as a team and were interested in their colleagues’ wellbeing in and out of work.

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EVIDENCE:

The support of carers is said by the carers to be ‘superb’. In discussion with them they spoke about daily contact with their supervising social worker, frequent texts at weekends to check on the family and acknowledgement of personal struggles, achievements etc. One carer said, ‘if anything special happens within the family we get flowers or gifts and our children’s birthdays are always remembered’. This level of personal support was highlighted as the reason the carers remain loyal to the service. During the inspection a number of telephone calls to carers were witnessed, including those to offer another Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 23 carer to take the child out to give the family a break. The support can be directly to do with the young people placed or may offer support to the children of the family by taking them out for treats. The carers said the

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EVIDENCE:

agency recognises the sacrifices their entire family make for the foster children and shows their appreciation. This was confirmed in discussion with foster families most of whom felt they had personally benefited from being part of a foster family. The support offered to carers is set out in the carers’ agreement and allows them to have realistic expectations. Out of hours support is provided by a duty social worker - this leaves carers feeling valued and part of a team. In addition to individual support there are regular support groups for carers, with some new ones being set up to provide local support for carers in the Bournemouth/Poole area. A group for carers looking after children with special needs is also being considered. There is a luxury caravan in the New Forest, owned by the agency, that is available for carers to use for holidays and short breaks. This was seen as very useful by the carers and

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EVIDENCE:

demonstrated that the agency does not just support through talking but through practical options too.

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EVIDENCE:

Although each young person has a social worker within the placing agency, the fostering agency provides direct work and support to them. This enables day- to-day decisions to be made. Communication with the placing social workers is frequent, although the response from the local authorities is variable. One placing social worker completed the questionnaire and was very positive about the service. She mentioned communication as being good and commented that ‘the foster carers’ management of the child is brilliant’.

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EVIDENCE:

During the inspection the case files of nine young people were examined. Key information was easy to find and full histories had been written by the agency once all the information had been collected. Risk assessments on all aspects of care was completed and updated. These included assessments covering personal care giving, likelihood of making inappropriate advances to people, gender issues, aggression, fearful situations etc. The risks are assessed and necessary actions recorded. Child protection conference minutes were on file as were all records relating to the Looked After Children reviews. Contracts with the placing agencies, including fees to be paid, were evidenced. The records seen in the young people’s files backed up the information shared by them during the inspection. Young people said they are able to see the records and add to them if they wish. Records about matching, introductions

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EVIDENCE:

to the foster home and other considered placements all evidenced the agency trying to do their best to promote the success of the placement. Carers were aware of the need to keep the records safe and have all signed a confidentiality agreement regarding records.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency has moved into new premises since the last inspection. The office now provides easily accessible accommodation that is spacious and attractive. There are training rooms, meeting rooms, kitchen, music studio and plenty of space for all of the staff and the manager to work efficiently. Young people are Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 24 frequent visitors to the office and are welcomed by whatever staff are available. The agency has also changed company, separating from Cornerstones (the original providers) and becoming a new limited company. The carers said they ‘hadn’t noticed the difference’ and all of the policies and procedures remain the same. However, some updating is required in the paperwork, answer-phone message etc. to refer to the new agency. The office accommodation provides space for future expansion. Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 25

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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 3 Standard No Score 14 X STAYING SAFE 29 3 Standard No Score 3 3 MANAGEMENT 6 3 Standard No Score 8 4 1 X 9 3 2 X 15 3 4 X 30 X 5 X 16 X ENJOYING AND ACHIEVING 17 3 Standard No Score 18 X 7 3 19 X 13 3 20 3 31 N/A 21 4 22 X MAKING A POSITIVE 23 X CONTRIBUTION 24 3 Standard No Score 25 X 10 4 26 3 11 3 27 X 28 X 32 N/A Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 26 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? No

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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. FS1 4 Review and update the statement of purpose, children’s guide and all paperwork to include the new company name. 28/02/06

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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. FS11 Consider ways of linking with independent advocacy services to provide an additional voice for the young people when conflicts of interest arise Fairways Care (UK) Ltd. DS0000038930.V249292.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 27

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

Southampton, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Ground Floor Mill Court Furrlongs Newport, IOW PO30 2AA

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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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