Setting

X10029.doc Version 1.40 Page 1 FOSTERING SERVICE

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Lead Inspector Joe Staines Announced Inspection 27th February 2006 10:00 National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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 National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 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. National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 4

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Name of service

Address Owl House Battery Green Lowestoft Suffolk NR32 1DH

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of places

National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 5

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Conditions of registration:

Date of last inspection 30th November 2004 National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 6

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Brief Description of the Service:

The National Fostering Agency (Anglia) is a branch of a larger National Fostering Agency whose headquarters are based in London.

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Brief Description of the Service:

The agency provided an independent fostering service for children who, for a range of different reasons, had been assessed as requiring foster care. The offices of the agency were based in Lowestoft, Suffolk, however as a result of expansion, the agency supported the work of foster carers across the East Anglia and Midlands region. The agency had a sub office in Solihull, where placement consultants, who were all home based, met to have team meetings. These offices had computer terminals that placement consultants could access, although they were all set up with computer access to the agencies systems via their home base. Panels were accessed by Midlands carers at whichever regional office was convenient in terms of distance and times for sitting. The registered manager, and senior placement consultant for the Midlands area confirmed that training for carers and agency staff were provided at locally

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Brief Description of the Service:

hired venues to facilitate attendance. The registered manager for both offices is officially based at Lowestoft, but in reality spends a lot of time travelling between the office in Lowestoft and the sub office in Solihull. Both offices share the same statement of purpose, policies, procedures, record keeping systems and electronic database. The inspector was concerned that the geographical distance between offices led to a situation where registration of the Solihull office would be required, and the agency have been advised that this issue will be the subject of further scrutiny outside of this inspection report.

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Brief Description of the Service:

At the time of this inspection, the agency was supporting 241 children in foster placements. There were 214 sets of approved foster carers. Some foster carers were in partnerships and others were single parents. Placements included long term, short term, bridging, respite, and through to independence arrangements. These figures represented a very considerable increase in the numbers of carers, prospective carers and foster children in the year since the last inspection.

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Brief Description of the Service:

The Pre Inspection Questionnaire confirmed that the agency staff now comprised Mr Nigel Pickering, the Regional Director, one Area Manager, a Duty Manager, two Senior Placement Consultants, fifteen Placement consultants, One Senior Administrator, One Duty Consultant and two Administrators. The Registered Manager informed inspectors that it is his intention to appoint a further part-time administration worker as soon as possible. In addition, the agency used professional, qualified social workers on a sessional basis to undertake some of it’s assessment work, subject to the consent of each person’s own employer, in that regard.

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Brief Description of the Service:

The agency had its own Approval Panel, suitably comprised and supported.

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Brief Description of the Service:

The agency benefited from being part of a larger organisation, with corporate policies and procedures and support. It had established itself as a major National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 7 provider of fostering services in the region. National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 8

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SUMMARY

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

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SUMMARY

This inspection was undertaken by Joe Staines, Regulation Inspector, over a period of 10 working days, between 27 th February and 10 th March 2006. During the course of the inspection, the inspector interviewed foster carers in their homes. The inspector also attended one carers support group, attended by 10 carers, where feedback was gained from all those present. The inspector observed one panel meeting and interviewed the majority of staff employed by the agency, including the registered manager, panel chair, quality assurance director, duty manager, administrator, area manager, and six placement consultants. An outside trainer, brought in to provide health & safety training to carers was spoken to, as were 6 of the 22 carers attending the course. The files of carers and children placed with the agency were scrutinised at the main office, along with a range of policies and procedures produced by the agency.

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SUMMARY

Prior to the inspection, a survey of views was undertaken, using questionnaires, of foster children, foster carers, and placing officers. No adverse comments were made in the survey, and a breakdown of the views expressed has been forwarded to the agency under separate cover.

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What the service does well:

The agency provides carers with placement consultants who are experienced and qualified to undertake the task. Feedback from carers was consistently positive about the frequency and quality of the support offered by the agency, both in terms of contact with their placement consultant, and the out of hours support. Those interviewed were seen to be provided a high quality fostering experience. Foster carers were providing a nurturing experience with healthy living promoted. Children commented that some of the best things about the agency were “feeling safe”, “getting on well with foster parents”, “not getting hurt”, and “they treat me as their own as well as their family + friends”. Carers were seen to be provided with specialist training where this was needed to care for children with specialist needs.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 9 There was no repetition of the findings of misfiling in respect of carers records at the main office. The agency have introduced more training local to carers in the Midlands area, and has arranged for support groups to also be located closer to carers to encourage and facilitate attendance. The agreement reached with the national Teaching & Advisory Service will provide a much- needed resource to promote the educational achievements of children placed with the agency, and additional support to carers experiencing difficulties in this area.

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What they could do better:

The agency’s statement of purpose needs to be updated, and the children’s guide improved. Staff training shortfalls, identified at the last inspection have not been addressed and this is now a priority. Foster care agreements need to clearly identify the levels of support provided to carers, and more attention needs to be given to the ways in which the agency supports children and carers to produce and maintain records of significant events and memorabilia related to the child’s stay with the carers. The agency also needs to undertake further work to ensure that Annual reviews are undertaken at no more than 12 month intervals.

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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. National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 10

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CONTENTS

Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 11

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The intended outcome for this Standard is:

• 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 – we looked at the outcome for Standard:

Children, and their representatives can be confident that the agency promotes the health and development of children placed with its carers.

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EVIDENCE:

The ‘skills to foster’ course includes sections on the physical and emotional development of children, with specific mention made of the impact on emotional development of the circumstances common to looked after children. 1 st Aid, HIV and AIDS and health & safety awareness are included in the agency’s regional training programme.

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EVIDENCE:

The foster carer’s portfolio, provided to all carers, includes guidance on medical issues and healthy lifestyles, including the arrangements for registering with a GP, Dentist and Opticians; arrangements for undertaking statutory medical checks; 1 st Aid and medication; admission to hospital, and emergencies. Advice is also given with regard to foster carers providing a healthy lifestyle for children placed with them.

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EVIDENCE:

One of the carers interviewed by the inspector was looking after a child with complex and varying medical needs, including a tracheotomy and gastrostomy, as a result of a chronic lung disease. This carer had been provided with formal training by hospital and district nurse staff prior to the beginning of the placement. National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 12

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The intended outcomes for these Standards are:

• Any persons carrying on or managing the service are suitable. (NMS 3) • The fostering service provides suitable foster carers.(NMS 6) • The service matches children to carers appropriately.(NMS 8) • The fostering service protects each child or young person from abuse and neglect.(NMS 9) • The people who work in or for the fostering service are suitable to work with children and young people.(NMS 15) • Fostering panels are organised efficiently and effectively.(NMS 30)

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The Commission considers Standards 3, 6, 8, 9, 15 and 30 the key

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

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following Standard(s):

Children, and their representatives can be confident that the agency is managed and operated by suitable staff, and provides suitable foster carers, matched appropriately to children placed with them. They can also be confident that fostering panels are well organised and effective, and that children are protected by the agency’s child protection strategies.

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EVIDENCE:

General recruitment records were inspected by another area of The Commission for Social Care Inspection, with no shortfalls identified in respect of the checks carried out on senior management staff or social work staff. Additional information in relation to new staff in the Anglia branch was provided by the agency’s human resources manager, again, with no adverse findings.

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EVIDENCE:

The assessment of potential foster carers includes an assessment of the accommodation, and carers should not be approved unless this is deemed satisfactory. Similarly, the annual review of foster carers covers this area. Of the foster homes visited as part of this inspection, the overall standard was very high, and children reported that they enjoyed the environment they lived in. There were no specific concerns about health or safety aspects from any of those visits undertaken. The inspector joined 22 carers on part of the agency’s National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 13 health & safety training session, which was found to be well presented, and supported by resources useful to those providing a home for children in foster care. The carer’s portfolio included clear guidance on the vulnerability of looked after children, missing persons procedures, bullying and the vulnerability of the

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EVIDENCE:

children of foster carers. All of the carers interviewed stated that they were aware the inspector might interview them.

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EVIDENCE:

Matching was undertaken in the first instance by approval categories of prospective foster carers at panel, thereafter the duty manager, in conjunction with the placing authority attempt to find the best match for referred children. None of the foster carers interviewed said that they had been asked to take children who were outside their Foster Carer Agreement in terms of age, gender or numbers of children The feedback from some foster carers included concern about some situations where matching had not worked out as well as hoped, and this was due to different reasons, including the fact that there were occasions where the Agency was not provided with as much information as it needed to make informed decisions. The Agency remains clear about its own expectations in this regard, and, records were seen, of letters chasing up placing authorities where information was pending.

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EVIDENCE:

Child protection training was offered to foster carers as part of the training programme, and all of those carers and staff interviewed stated that it was one of the three ‘core’ training courses that all new carers had to attend. The Foster Carers Portfolio contained written guidance for Foster Carers on child protection issues. This included disclosures of abuse by young persons; child protection procedures; safe caring; allegations against Foster Carers (and their rights).

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EVIDENCE:

The inspector observed a panel in session, which was suitably constituted. At this meeting the panel were seen to make appropriate decisions, well considered and suitably delivered by an informed and experienced Chair.

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EVIDENCE:

At the panel, a number of annual foster carers reviews were deferred as a result of insufficient information prepared by the relevant link worker. Whilst this was not good practice in itself, it did show that the panel exercised a quality assurance function in respect of the agency’s assessment process, for the agency.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency’s quality assurance manager confirmed that panel training took place 3 years previously, when the panel was first set up, and further training was planned for 2006.

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EVIDENCE:

Suitable written procedures were in place for the operation of the Panel.

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EVIDENCE:

For medical expertise, the Panel had access to a consultant GP ‘attached’ to the London office. However, the lack of an independent member of the panel, National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 14 with expertise in education was a shortfall, and is the subject of a recommendation in this report. National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 15

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The intended outcomes for these Standards are:

• The fostering service values diversity.(NMS 7) • The fostering service promotes educational achievement.(NMS 13) • When foster care is provided as a short-term break for a child, the arrangements recognise that the parents remain the main carers for the child.(NMS 31)

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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 – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

Children, and their representatives can be confident that the fostering service values diversity and the promotion of the education of the children placed within the agency.

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EVIDENCE:

The pre inspection information provided by the registered manager states: “The agency has clear policy statements on Equal Opportunities. Children’s Rights and Bullying Guidelines are available in the Carer’s Portfolio, which is supplied to all Carers on Approval. The National Fostering Agency always seeks to match children to appropriate placements, which meet their cultural, racial, religious and linguistic needs. The Agency has a wide diversity of Foster Carers in terms of ethnicity, culture, religion and language. In the event of a request to place a young person whom we are being to meet all of their identified needs we can access appropriate local resources and support the Carers to ensure the young person’s needs are met.”

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EVIDENCE:

It was the inspectors' experience that carers were well able to meet the cultural and ethnic needs of the children placed with them. The expansion to the midlands area had included the recruitment of placement consultants and carers from a range of ethnic backgrounds. One carer who was visited by the inspector, confirmed that they had received makaton training as part of their training to support a child with this need. National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 16 Regarding educational support, feedback from children’s questionnaires included consistent positive comments regarding the support provided by carers with schoolwork. Comments made included “I get help with my homework”, “after school clubs”, “try to keep me out of trouble”, and “encourage me to go to school.

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EVIDENCE:

Currently, the agency offer little in the way of resources to enable carers to enhance the levels of support they provide for children with their education, however, the registered manager confirmed that an agreement had recently been reached with the National Teaching & Advisory Service, to provide a national advice line, and 4 full time teachers, who could respond to identified cases of need, and provide professional support in this area. Foster carers who spoke to the inspector stated that they attended parent evenings, sports events and activities in which foster children were involved. The foster care allowance paid by the agency included payment to cover educational activity expenses and school trips, after-school activities etc.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency does not provide a short break service for children in care. National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 17

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The intended outcomes for these Standards are:

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

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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 – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

Children, and their representatives can be confident that the fostering service promotes and facilitates contact between children and their families. Consultation procedures in relation to children placed with the agency need to be improved before this standard can be assessed as fully met.

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EVIDENCE:

The carer’s portfolio provided information for foster carers about working with birth parents and maintaining contact, where applicable or allowed by law. Inspectors heard from foster carers that contact arrangements had been discussed and included where contact would take place. In some cases, foster carers were involved in the transport of foster children to contact venues and also acted in a supervisory capacity. One carer commented in their questionnaire that they welcomed the family of children placed with them into the home where appropriate, and encouraged “positive discussion about family”.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency provides 3 separate documents for children placed with the agency’s carers. One of which is entitled “have your say” and this contains information about expressing concerns and complaints. However, 80% of foster children who returned questionnaires stated that there were not aware of how to make a complaint, or of how to contact The Commission for Social Care Inspection if they needed to about how they were looked after. For this reason the standard was assessed as not fully met.

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EVIDENCE:

The inspector gave advice to the agency, that the provision of support groups for children placed with carers would enhance the levels of consultation. National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 18 National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 19

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The intended outcomes for these Standards are:

• The fostering service prepares young people for adulthood.(NMS 14) • The fostering service pays carers an allowance and agreed expenses as specified.(NMS 29)

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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 – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

Foster carers, and by extension children placed with them, can be confident that the agency pays agreed allowances, which are reviewed annually.

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EVIDENCE:

There was a clear written scale of payments to foster carers. Foster carers themselves expressed the view that allowances were satisfactory and provided sufficient money to allow them to meet the child’s identified needs. However, many foster carers did, undoubtedly, provide additional items, including clothing and toys from their own resources. Feedback from carers, and records seen at the branch office confirmed that some foster children had been included in foreign family holidays. From records given to the Commission for Social Care Inspection it as clear that there had been an increase in allowances within the last 12 months. National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 20

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The intended outcomes for these Standards are:

• There is a clear statement of the aims and objectives of the fostering service and the fostering service ensures that they meet those aims and objectives.(NMS 1) • The fostering service is managed by those with the appropriate skills and experience. (NMS 2) • The fostering service is monitored and controlled as specified. (NMS 4) • 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 for 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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EVIDENCE:

As mentioned earlier in this report, the agency has grown considerably since the last inspection, and as a result, additional staff have been employed, and relevant management arrangements put in place. The National Minimum National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 21 Standards for Fostering Services clearly state that the statement of purpose should include details of the numbers of staff and management structure of the agency and this information was out of date. Also the statement of purpose did not contain the number of complaints and their outcomes.

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EVIDENCE:

Seventeen placement consultants were employed to support a total of 214 carers, making an average caseload of 12.5 carers to each placement consultant. Feedback from staff did not raise any concerns about the caseload levels. The assessment process used was comprehensive and covered all the areas identified in the National Minimum Standards.

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EVIDENCE:

The registered manager reported that the agency provided 3 separate documents; ‘Bullying is Wrong’, ‘Happy and Safe’, and ‘Have Your Say’ which, together formed the children’s guide to the agency. It was the view of the inspector that these documents did not provide sufficient information to describe what the service sets out to do for children, or would be suitable for the different needs of the different groups of children looked after by the agency’s carers. A recommendation has been made regarding this.

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EVIDENCE:

Regarding quality assurance, the agency employed a quality assurance director, based in London, who was responsible for the quality assurance functions of the agency. As stated earlier in this report, the fostering panel undertakes a quality assurance role in respect of assessments. The agency has had its investors in people status renewed since the last inspection, and feedback from staff and carers was consistently positive about the overall performance of the agency. Carers were particularly positive, and several informed the inspector during the inspection that they were far better looked after by the National Fostering Agency, than their previous fostering agency, be that local authority, or a different independent fostering agency.

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EVIDENCE:

The Foster Carers who completed Questionnaires and/or spoke directly with the Inspector during this inspection, confirmed very high levels of satisfaction with the support they receive. They praised Agency staff for their time, patience, and availability, both in and out of normal working hours. The agency has an out-of-hours system, with a roster for cover. Foster Carers told the Inspector that Link Workers are very good at responding, to queries, to requests to visit, and to crises or emergency situations. Examples were given of link workers responding to calls at midnight, and coming out to see carers on Mothering Sunday, without being specifically asked, as the link worker could tell the carer was distressed.

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EVIDENCE:

During the inspection of records, it was identified that some annual reviews of carers had not taken place within the 12 month period required by the Fostering Service Regulations 2002.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency produces a written ‘foster care agreement’ as required by the Fostering Service Regulations 2002, which requires the carer/s and an agency National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 22 representative to sign, confirming the commitment of the carers to undertake the activities identified in schedule 5 of the said regulations. However, the commitment from the agency to carers in respect, for example, of the amount of support to be given to the carers and the procedure available for making representations is contained in another document, the ‘welcome pack’. The foster care agreement states that the document, together with the welcome pack, forms a contract between the National Fostering Agency and the individual Foster Carer family. This appears a very one sided document and does not appear to comply with the requirements of the regulations and a requirement has been made in respect of this.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency has a written policy for the training of its staff, which stated that all staff would receive 5 certificated training courses per year. This has not happened and a requirement has been made in this report in respect of this breach of the Fostering Service Regulations 2002. Similarly, there were no records of formal staff inductions.

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EVIDENCE:

A number of good support systems for carers have been identified in various stages of this report, however the Inspector received feedback from staff and carers in the Midlands area that support groups had not happened in the past, or were located too far away to make it practical to attend. The registered manager confirmed this had been a problem, and confirmed the feedback from carers, that such groups, based locally to foster carers, had been arranged for the near future.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency provides all carers with a portfolio containing guidance, policies, procedures, legal information and insurance details, however, feedback from a number of carers confirmed that they had not read through the document. Good practice would suggest that placement consultants get carers to sign, confirming they had read and understood the document as evidence that this has occurred.

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EVIDENCE:

The children’s files were in good order, clearly sectioned and constructed. However, there was no evidence of carers being provided with photograph albums, or any other resources to enable either the carer or the child placed to record significant life events in a meaningful way, even though this is encouraged in the carer’s portfolio. Good practice would dictate that the agency provides practical support and resources to enable carers to perform this task. Good practice would also suggest that the agency provides some written and illustrated material for children when they move into a carers home, such as a welcome letter from the registered manager, and a means of keeping appropriate memorabilia. At least the agency should take responsibility for ensuring that its carers implement the policies and guidance it provides to carers in this area. National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 23

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EVIDENCE:

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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 3 MANAGEMENT 6 3 Standard No Score 8 3 1 2 9 3 2 X 15 3 4 3 30 3 5 X 16 X ENJOYING AND ACHIEVING 17 3 Standard No Score 18 X 7 4 19 2 13 3 20 X 31 N/A 21 2 22 2 MAKING A POSITIVE 23 X CONTRIBUTION 24 2 Standard No Score 25 X 10 3 26 X 11 2 27 X 28 X 32 N/A National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 25 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes

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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 FS19 21 (4) The Registered Persons must provide a training programme of core aspects specific to its professional staff to enhance their current skills and experience.

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requirement

2 FS21 29 The registered persons must ensure that reviews of the approval of foster carers take place at intervals of no more than 12 months 12/05/06

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requirement

3 FS22 28 The registered persons must ensure that foster care agreements contain all the information listed in schedule 5 12/05/06

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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 The registered persons should consider alternative ways of National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 26 ensuring children placed with foster carers are aware of how to access the complaints procedure, including contacting The Commission for Social Care Inspection. 2 FS1 The registered persons should review the children’s guide to the agency to make it more accessible for the different needs of the different groups of children looked after by the agency’s carers. 3 FS24 The registered persons should provide carers with photograph albums, and other resources to enable both the carer or the child placed to record significant life events in a meaningful way, and encourage the retention of memorabilia. National Fostering Agency DS0000038843.V278002.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 27

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

Suffolk Area Office St Vincent House Cutler Street Ipswich Suffolk IP1 1UQ

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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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