Other · Ofsted report

Setting

Inspected — · published 17 Apr 2005

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No overall grade in this framework

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Inspectors under review
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Postcode verified
E10 5ND

Page 1 of 48

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−69Very criticalmore positive than 4% of reports of this type

Reads more critically than most reports of this type.

Praisecleareffectivelyrobustclearlyaccurateconsistentlyconsistentindependent

Criticismconcernsseriouslackconcernfailurefailedgapslacking

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FindingsAbout the inspectionLeadershipWhat needs to improve positive critical

Findings5900w−74
Leadership64w−45
What needs to improve2617w−52

Strengths

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No standout praise found.

Concerns

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Pages: 48
Words of findings: 8,441; longer than usual (typical 1049)
Reading level: Hard; Flesch 45, typical 45
Average sentence: 18 words
Next steps: 8; typical 5
Hedged sentences: 2%; “some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 61%Leadership 1%What needs to improve 27%About the inspection 11%

Full report text

Commission for Social Care Inspection

Launched in April 2004, the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) is the single inspectorate for social care in England.

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

The Commission combines the work formerly done by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI), the SSI/Audit Commission Joint Review Team and the National Care Standards Commission.

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The role of CSCI is to:

• Promote improvement in social care • Inspect all social care - for adults and children - in the public, private and voluntary sectors • Publish annual reports to Parliament on the performance of social care and on the state of the social care market • Inspect and assess ‘Value for Money’ of council social services • Hold performance statistics on social care • Publish the ‘star ratings’ for council social services • Register and inspect services against national standards • Host the Children’s Rights Director role.

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Inspection Methods & Findings

SECTION B of this report summarises key findings and evidence from this inspection. The following 4-point scale is used to indicate the extent to which standards have been met or not met by placing the assessed level alongside the phrase "Standard met?"

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The 4-point scale ranges from:

4 - Standard Exceeded (Commendable) 3 - Standard Met (No Shortfalls) 2 - Standard Almost Met (Minor Shortfalls) 1 - Standard Not Met (Major Shortfalls) 'O' or blank in the 'Standard met?' box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion. '9' in the 'Standard met?' box denotes standard not applicable. 'X' is used where a percentage value or numerical value is not applicable. Child Focus Fostering Agency Page 1

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Fax No Address

2-4 Balmoral Road, Leyton, London, E10 5ND

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Date of latest registration certificate

Date of last inspection 25/02/04 Child Focus Fostering Agency Page 2 Date of Inspection Visit 17th March 2005 ID Code

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inspections and bring a different

perspective to the inspection process. None on this occasion Name of Specialist (e.g. Interpreter/Signer) (if applicable) None on this occasion

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Name of Establishment Representative at

the time of inspection Mr Reyaz Hasmat-Ali Child Focus Fostering Agency Page 3

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INTRODUCTION TO REPORT AND INSPECTION

Independent and local authority fostering services which fall within the jurisdiction of the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) are subject to inspection, to establish if the service is meeting the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services and the requirements of the Care Standards Act 2000, the Fostering Services Regulations 2002 and the Children Act 1989 as amended.

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INTRODUCTION TO REPORT AND INSPECTION

This document summarises the inspection findings of the CSCI in respect of Child Focus Fostering Agency. The inspection findings relate to the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services published by the Secretary of State under sections 23 and 49 of the Care Standards Act 2000, for independent and local authority fostering services respectively.

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INTRODUCTION TO REPORT AND INSPECTION

The Fostering Services Regulations 2002 are secondary legislation, with which a service provider must comply. Service providers are expected to comply fully with the National Minimum Standards. The National Minimum standards will form the basis for judgements by the CSCI in relation to independent fostering agencies regarding registration, the imposition and variation of registration conditions and any enforcement action, and in relation to local authority fostering services regarding notices to the local authority and reports to the Secretary of State under section 47 of the Care Standards Act 2000. The report follows the format of the National Minimum Standards and the numbering shown in the report corresponds to that of the standards.

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INTRODUCTION TO REPORT AND INSPECTION

The report will show the following: • Inspection methods used • Key findings and evidence • Overall ratings in relation to the standards • Compliance with the Regulations • Notifications to the Local Authority and Reports to the Secretary of State • Required actions on the part of the provider • Recommended good practice • Summary of the findings • Report of the Lay Assessor (where relevant) • Providers response and proposed action plan to address findings

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INSPECTION VISITS

Inspections will be undertaken in line with the agreed regulatory framework with additional visits as required. This is in accordance with the provisions of the Care Standards Act 2000. The following inspection methods have been used in the production of this report. The report represents the inspector's findings from the evidence found at the specified inspection dates. Child Focus Fostering Agency Page 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED. Child Focus Fostering Agency is an independent agency providing foster care for children and young people up to the age of eighteen. The placements are diverse and wide ranging from babies to young adults. The agency’s offices are based in Leyton. On the ground floor there is a meeting room and on the first floor three offices from which accommodate the staff team. Child Focus Fostering Agency Page 6

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Inspector’s Summary

(This is an overview of the inspector’s findings, which includes good practice, quality issues, areas to be addressed or developed and any other concerns.) The inspection took place over 5 days. This inspection has revealed significant shortfalls in all areas inspected; out of the 27 standards inspected none was deemed met. This report indicates that the agency is not compliant with its statutory responsibilities as a Registered Fostering Service. The organisation has been made aware of the serious concerns and shortfalls.

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Inspector’s Summary

The inspectors have made 46 requirements and 5 recommendations.

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Statement of Purpose. Standard 1

This standard was tested and found to be almost met. The staffing and management structure, including reporting responsibilities, need to be made clear in the Statement of Purpose. Whilst the Children’s Guide contains all the required information its current presentation reduces the accessibility of the document for younger children.

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Fitness to Carry on or Manage a fostering Service. Standards 2-3

These two standards were tested, one was almost met and one unmet. The manager is a qualified social worker however not all staff have appropriate, qualifications or knowledge. The inspectors were concerned to find gaps in employment that were neither tested at interview nor explained.

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Management of the Fostering Service. Standards 4-5

Both standard were tested and found to be unmet. Throughout the inspection concerns were noted that there was a lack of evidence of monitoring and control to ensure that there is a good quality service provision. The agency’s Registered Manager is clear about his responsibilities however the job description of the Fostering Team Manager contributes to confusion of roles and responsibilities within the organisation.

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Securing and Promoting Welfare. Standards 6-14

Of these nine standards tested two were almost met and seven unmet. The inspectors had substantial concerns about the environment and health and safety of one foster carer’s home. The relevant placing authorities were advised of their findings. Throughout the inspection placement plans were found to be inadequate in detailing the assessed needs of the children or how they were to be met. Placement plans failed to reflect how cultural or ethnic gaps were to be bridged. The agency will have to look more creatively at how to engage and consult with the children and young people who use the service. The agency must ensure that the foster carers are equipped with a sound knowledge and understanding of the assessed needs of the young persons. Child Focus Fostering Agency Page 7 Recruiting, checking, managing, supporting and training staff and foster carers. Standards 15-23.

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Eight of these nine standards were tested. One was almost met and seven were

unmet. Foster carers advised the inspectors that they considered the approval process to be efficient. However there was a lack of evidence to demonstrate robust recruitment of both agency staff and foster carers. The inspectors were concerned about the adequacy of supervision the foster carers received. There was little evidence that the contact the agency had with foster carers was sufficient or appropriate. The agency will have to review its re- assessment process particularly when foster carers have major life changes. Agency staff receive regular supervision and attend monthly staff meetings.

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Eight of these nine standards were tested. One was almost met and seven were

Records Standards 24-25. Both these standards were unmet. Although all files are held securely this report details the inspectors findings in regard to the quality of recording and record keeping. The agency was unable to demonstrate that it sought missing young persons documentation or investigated thoroughly a carer’s CRB that may be considered less than satisfactory.

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Eight of these nine standards were tested. One was almost met and seven were

Fitness of Premises for use as Fostering Service Standard 26 . This standard was not tested.

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Fostering Panel Standard 30

This standard was unmet. The agency’s fostering panel did not meet the requirements of the Fostering Services Regulations 2002. The agency made immediate arrangements to postpone any further panel meeting and advised the inspectors that they would be reviewing previously approved foster carers.

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Fostering Panel Standard 30

Short term Breaks. Standard 31. This standard was not tested.

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Fostering Panel Standard 30

Family and Friends as Carers. Standard 32.

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Standard not applicable to this service

The inspectors would like to thank the Foster Carers, children/ young people and the staff team for their co-operation throughout the inspection. Child Focus Fostering Agency Page 8

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(Local Authority Fostering Services Only)

The following statutory Reports or Notifications are to be made under the Care Standards Act as a result of the findings of this inspection:

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(Local Authority Fostering Services Only)

NO Report to the Secretary of State under section 47(3) of the Care Standards Act 2000 that the Commission considers the Local Authority's fostering service satisfies the regulatory requirements:

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(Local Authority Fostering Services Only)

NO Notice to the Local Authority under section 47(5) of the Care Standards Act 2000 of failure(s) to satisfy regulatory requirements in their fostering service which are not substantial, and specifying the action the Commission considers the Authority should take to remedy the failure(s), informing the Secretary of State of that Notice: NO Report to the Secretary of State under section 47(4)(a) of the Care Standards Act of a failure by a Local Authority fostering service to satisfy regulatory requirements which is not considered substantial:

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(Local Authority Fostering Services Only)

NO Report to the Secretary of State under section 47(1) of the Care Standards Act 2000 of substantial failure to satisfy regulatory requirements by a Local Authority fostering service:

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Implementation of Statutory Requirements from Last Inspection

Requirements from last Inspection visit fully actioned? NO

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Identified below are areas not addressed from the last inspection report which indicate a non-compliance with the Care Standards Act 2000 and Fostering Services Regulations 2002. No. Regulation Standard Required actions Timescale for action

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Action is being taken by the Commission for Social Care Inspection to monitor

compliance with the above requirements. Child Focus Fostering Agency Page 10

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registration are listed below, with the inspector's assessment of compliance from

the evidence at the time of this inspection.

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS IDENTIFIED DURING THIS INSPECTION

Action Plan: The appropriate Officer of the Local Authority or the Registered Person (as applicable) is requested to provide the Commission with an Action Plan, which indicates how requirements are to be addressed. This action plan will be made available on request to the Area Office.

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Identified below are areas addressed in the main body of the report which indicate non- compliance with the Care Standards Act 2000, the Children Act 1989, the Fostering Services Regulations 2002, or the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services. The Authority or Registered Person(s) is/are required to comply within the given time scales in order to comply with the Regulatory Requirements for fostering services. No. Regulation Standard * Requirement Timescale for action

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

1 3.1 FS1 The registered manager must ensure that the Statement of Purpose covers all aspects as stated in Standard 1 of the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services. 1/6/05

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

2 3.3 FS1 The registered manager must ensure that the children’s guide is developed into a child friendly document that is age appropriate. 1/6/05

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

3 11 FS2 The registered manager must ensure that the welfare of the children placed with foster carers is safeguarded and promoted at all times. 1/6/05

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

4 20.3 FS3 The registered manager must ensure that all staff files are maintained in line with Schedule 1 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2002 .

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