Setting

Malvern, WR14 1GF

Announced 16th November 2005 to 14 th December 2005 09:30 The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to:

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Malvern, WR14 1GF

• 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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Malvern, WR14 1GF

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 The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 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

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Malvern, WR14 1GF

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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Malvern, WR14 1GF

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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Malvern, WR14 1GF

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. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 4

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SERVICE INFORMATION

Name of service The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd

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SERVICE INFORMATION

Address Penny Hall The Haysfield Spring Lane North Malvern WR14 1GF

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SERVICE INFORMATION

Email address enquiries@fostercarecooperative.co.uk

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manager (if applicable)

Type of registration IFA Fostering Agencies

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of places

N/A The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 5

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Brief Description of the Service:

The Foster Care Cooperative Ltd. is a registered Cooperative with the National Clearing House and Representative body for Cooperatives in the UK as well as being a limited company registered with Companies House.The Executive Director, Laurie Gregory, is a qualified social worker who has had over 30 years experience in the field of childcare including experience as a senior manager of childcare in a local authority Social Services Department. The Foster Care Cooperative has 2 main branches, one in Cardiff which for registration and inspection purposes is the remit of the Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales, and one in Malvern, Worcestershire. The head office for administration purposes is also established in the Malvern office. The Malvern Branch supports carers spread across the country, and can provide placements in Cheshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Somerset, Sussex, Bristol, Wirral and

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Brief Description of the Service:

Avon. The Agency employ social work staff, to supervise and support these foster carers, who are based in the area where the foster carers live. The company has 2 directors of childcare, both of whom are registered with the Commission. They are based at the Malvern office and have direct line management responsibility for the social work staff providing the service to foster carers in all the counties mentioned above. The stated purpose of the Foster Care Cooperative Ltd. foster care agency is ‘to provide a child care service to Local Authorities which is of the highest quality, and with integrity.’ The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 6

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SUMMARY

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

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SUMMARY

This inspection was carried out by two inspectors over eight days. Four foster carers and the children and young people placed with them were selected; their files read and they were visited in their homes. Interviews were undertaken with the education liaison officer, social work staff and registered managers. Other records kept by the agency were examined including minutes of the fostering panel.

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SUMMARY

Questionnaires were sent to children and young people, foster carers and placing authority social workers. 19 children’s questionnaires were received, 18 foster carers questionnaires were received and 19 placing officers questionnaires were received.

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SUMMARY

Those standards not assessed at this inspection were found to have been met at the inspection conducted in 2004.

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What the service does well:

Education is given a high priority by the agency and is supported and promoted by foster carers. The agency has employed an education liaison officer who has developed good assessment tools for the development of children’s educational needs and systems of evaluating educational achievement. Foster carers were proactive in supporting children in school

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What the service does well:

Positive feedback was received from foster carers about the level of support, supervision and responsiveness they receive from supervising social workers and from the agency as a whole. The supervision pro-forma developed is comprehensive and identifies and reviews targets to improve practice.

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What the service does well:

The agency has employed a strong and competent group of social workers with good experience and background in children and families and family placements.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The agency has developed good quality Form F assessments of prospective foster carers, which are competency based and include safe-caring guidelines.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Annual reviews of foster carers are taking place and reports are of a high standard.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The agency have developed and improved their policies and records although further improvement is required in order to meet the Fostering National The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 7 Minimum Standards, especially with regard to child protection procedures to ensure accuracy and clarity.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

A foster carer agreement has now been developed which meets Fostering Services Regulations.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

All respite foster carers are now assessed and approved against matters listed under Schedule 3 of Fostering Services Regulations.

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What they could do better:

At the time of this inspection the agency needed to develop a system to ensure foster carers have all the necessary health information and consent to medical treatment given to them at the start of every placement. At the time of writing this report the agency has developed a foster placement agreement to ensure this is met.

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What they could do better:

An on-going record of health information needs to be maintained by foster carers and a record made of all medication given to children and young people.

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What they could do better:

Detailed risk assessments need to be in place at the point of placement and should inform the matching process and foster placement agreement.

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What they could do better:

The agency has been using the Looked After Children (LAC) documents, as it’s foster placement agreement. These do not meet requirements. Since the inspection the agency has developed its own foster placement agreement in line with Schedule 6. This must be in place prior to or at the point of placement. In emergency placement this must be in place within 24 hours.

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What they could do better:

A system needs to be developed to record foster carers car insurances and MOT’s to ensure carer’s transport is safe and appropriate to children’s needs.

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What they could do better:

The agency needs to develop the quality assurance function of the fostering panel. The agency must ensure all panel members have current, up-to-date CRB’s, commissioned by the agency in place at all times.

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What they could do better:

The agency has developed its monitoring processes. This needs further development to include evaluation and analysis, and to ensure quality performance

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What they could do better:

The agency need to develop a clear strategy for working with carers and review the foster carers handbook to ensure foster carers to have accurate information about their role. A clear procedure is needed on recording, storage of records by carers and staff, which is put into operation across the whole of the organisation, and on the return of records at the end of placement.

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What they could do better:

The agency has moved premises within the Malvern area since the last inspection. These new premises are spacious and suitable for their needs. The The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 8 agency should ensure that access to the premises is secure and a signing-in system is developed.

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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. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 9

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CONTENTS

Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 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 – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 12

Foster carers are active in ensuring the health needs of the children and young people placed with them are promoted.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 12

Foster carers do not always have all necessary health information and consent to medical treatment at the start of a child or young person’s placement thereby potentially placing them at risk.

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EVIDENCE:

Records indicated that some placements were made without medical consent having been signed and full health information being made aware to foster carers. Conversations with carers confirmed that especially with emergency placements, little knowledge was known at times about the health needs of children and young people at the point of placement. Since the inspection the agency has developed a foster placement agreement, to ensure all necessary health information and consent to health treatment is gained at the point of placement. Any missing background health information must be actively pursued from placing authorities.

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EVIDENCE:

Carers were proactive in ensuring the children’s health needs were met and all children and young people visited were registered with doctors and dentists etc. One child was seen to have a good therapeutic health regime, which involved the foster carers in ensuring the child’s health needs were being met.

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EVIDENCE:

Monthly supervision and foster carer’s monthly reports deal directly with the health needs of children. The agency has developed a health monitoring form. This needs to be further developed to ensure all health interventions; outcomes and medication given to children and young people are clearly evidenced on files in a written health record. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 11

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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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30

Many safe caring measures have been developed by the agency. These practices need to be further developed and expanded to ensure the wellbeing and safety of children and young people in their care. The agency matches young people to carers appropriately.

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30

The agency is managed by persons who are appropriately qualified and recruits carers who are committed and suitable to work with children and young people. The workforce is well qualified and trained to achieve the best possible outcomes for children in foster care.

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30

Arrangements are in place to ensure the efficient operation of the fostering panel.

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EVIDENCE:

The foster homes visited were warm, adequately furnished and comfortable. It was noted that the homes represented a diverse range of environments. Records indicated that unannounced visits and health and safety checks were carried out on an annual basis. Detailed risk assessments were not evident on young people’s files. These need to be in place at the point of placement and should inform the matching process and foster placement agreement. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 12 The agency has been using the Looked After Children (LAC) Placement Plan Part 1 and Essential Information Part 1 documents, as it’s foster placement agreement. These do not meet the requirements listed in Schedule 6 and records indicated that these documents were not always in place at the point of placement. Since the inspection the agency has developed its own foster

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EVIDENCE:

placement agreement in line with Schedule 6. This must be in place prior to or at the point of placement. In emergency placement this must be in place within 24 hours.

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EVIDENCE:

A system needs to be developed to record foster carers car insurances and MOT’s to ensure carer’s transport is safe and appropriate to children’s needs.

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EVIDENCE:

Records indicated that matching children’s needs to foster carer’s skills and knowledge was taking place. This was particularly evident in the North East. The agency needs to develop consistency with regard to matching processes and documentation across the organisation.

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EVIDENCE:

Evidence was seen of safe caring guidelines specific to each foster household being produced alongside the BAAF Form F and sent to placing authorities on referral. The agency needs to develop consistency across the organisation to ensure all carers have their own safe caring policy in place. These need to be reviewed at the point of each placement.

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EVIDENCE:

Policies are in place with regard to child protection and anti bullying. Foster carers receive training in child protection. The agency needs to develop a training programme to help foster carers recognise and deal with instances of bullying.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency has a strong and competent social work team with good experience and background in children and families and family placements. The agency should ensure all social workers carrying out assessments of prospective foster carers are provided with Form F assessment training.

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EVIDENCE:

Appropriate staff recruitment procedures are in place and checks of staff files demonstrate that the agency ensures the necessary staff vetting requirements are carried out. Staff files need to clearly evidence the measures taken for social workers when CRB’s are not in place at the start of employment in order to evidence compliance with Schedule 1 of the Fostering Services Regulations.

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EVIDENCE:

The fostering panel was not observed during this inspection. Panel procedures, minutes and review reports were examined. The agency has a clear written policy and procedure in place. The written procedures covering decision- making when all members are not in agreement need to be followed. The agency needs to ensure all checks etc are completed on prospective foster families and their households before applications are made to panel and approval made. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 13 Panel members files were examined. One panel member was currently sitting on panel without an up-to-date CRB in place. All panel members must have current, up-to-date CRB’s, commissioned by the agency in place at all times.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency needs to develop the quality assurance function of the fostering panel in order to monitor and review assessments, provide feedback and to identify problems and ensure a consistency in approach across the agency. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 14

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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 – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 7 and 13

The agency demonstrates a positive attitude to diversity.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 7 and 13

Education is given a high priority by the agency and is supported and promoted by foster carers.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency provides training to foster carers to ensure carers provide care, which respects and promotes young people’s identity and ethnicity.

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EVIDENCE:

Young people visited were involved in positive activities and interests and given equal access to opportunities to develop and pursue talents and hobbies.

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EVIDENCE:

One foster carer described a young person in their care as now having more understanding and awareness of discrimination and how to deal with it.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency has employed an education liaison officer who has developed good assessment tools for the development of children’s educational needs and systems of evaluating educational achievement. Evidence could be seen of good practice being developed by the education liaison officer in negotiating with tutors to provide support to carers if any children are not in full time education.

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EVIDENCE:

One placing authority questionnaire stated the “education support package offered was of real benefit” The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 15 Discussion with carers and children and reading files evidence good work in ensuring the positive educational outcomes for children. Foster carers describe positive relationships with school staff and regularly attend meetings at school. School reports and PEP’s are evident on children and young people’s files. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 16

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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 – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 10 and 11

The agency and foster carers actively promote contact between children and young people and their families and listen to the views and opinions of children and young people in their care.

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EVIDENCE:

Discussion with carers and case files demonstrate that foster carers and the agency ensure appropriate contact between children and their families is maintained and encouraged.

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EVIDENCE:

The requirements for contact are considered at the referral and matching stage, is clarified at the start of placement and if required a written risk assessment would be requested from placing authorities. Contact with birth families and friends form part of the foster carers monthly supervision sessions and the children’s and young people’s (LAC) reviews.

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EVIDENCE:

Contact forms part of the skills to foster training and is discussed in foster carers local support groups.

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EVIDENCE:

Children’s guides are produced and given to each child and young person. These guides differ according to age. Supervising social workers meet foster children on a monthly basis and gain their views and opinions. Questionnaires received from children and young people indicated that their views and opinions are routinely sought over day-to-day issues affecting them.

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EVIDENCE:

Young people visited knew how to complain who to contact if they felt they were not being looked after properly. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 17

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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 – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 14

The agency provides foster cares with guidance and expectations of their role in preparing young people for independent leaving.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency did not have any young people 16 years or over currently being looked after. This standard could therefore not be fully assessed during this inspection.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency has a written policy in place, which gives guidance on leaving care requirements to foster carers.

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EVIDENCE:

Leaving care and moving on training is provided to foster carers and is also discussed in foster carer support groups. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 18

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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 cares 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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18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,

The agency has a clear statement of purpose, which reflects its ethos and practice. It is managed by two managers who are well qualified and experienced.

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18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,

Management and support to staff and carers is good and foster carers expressed overwhelming satisfaction with the support received from the agency. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 19 Not all of the required processes are in place; the agency need to develop a clear strategy for working with carers and the foster carers handbook requires revision to reflect requirements in order for foster carers to have accurate information about their role. Policies and records have improved since the last inspection although still require further development.

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18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,

The agency has developed its monitoring processes. This needs further development to include evaluation and analysis, and to ensure quality performance.

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18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,

The agency has improved the quality of assessments and reviews of foster carers and are now of a high standard.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency has a clear statement of purpose, which covers all matters required by regulation. There are several children’s guides developed according to age.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency is managed by two registered managers (directors of childcare) both of whom are appropriately qualified and highly experienced managers. One manager has a MBA in Management and the other is due to complete the Chartered Management Institute level 5 by the end of this academic year. The head office for administration purposes is in the Malvern office. This office supports carers who are spread across the country. The agency employ social work staff to supervise and support foster carers, who are based in the area where the foster carers live. The managers have seperated their work tasks clearly between them and deputise for each orther when required. Staff and carers were able to demonstrate knowledge of the lines of accountability within the agency. Staff are provided with appropriate written contracts, job descriptions and information with regards to equal opportunities, health and safety and grievance and disciplinary procedures.

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EVIDENCE:

The functions of monitoring within the agency have been developed since the last inspection. The managers are collating information and quarterly monitoring reports are being produced. This requires further development to evidence the evaluation and analysis of the agency’s performance to ensure quality of care is provided and improved. The agency needs to develop conflicts of interest policy for staff and carers to sign and adhere to.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency has since the last inspection developed its policies and procedures. These require further development to provide clarity for staff and carers. A clear strategy should be developed and given to foster carers. The foster carer handbook did not accurately reflect regulation and requires further review. During foster carers visits and from discussions with carers, it became The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 20 apparent that not all the children’s files, diaries etc were being returned at the end of placement. A clear procedure is needed on recording, storage of records by carers and staff, which apply across the whole of the organisation, and on the return of records by carers at the end of placement. A procedure also needs to be developed on the arrangements for the return of records pertaining to children and young people to placing authorities at the end of

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EVIDENCE:

Young people were not always aware of their right to access their records. Children and young people should be encouraged to access their records.

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EVIDENCE:

There is a clearly set out assessment process for foster carers which is followed by supervising social workers. The agency uses BAAF Form F to process the assessment and uses a set of competencies to measure the skills and abilities of potential foster carers. All respite carers are assessed and approved according to matters in Schedule 3 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2001.

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EVIDENCE:

Annual reviews are now being completed and review reports were seen to be of a high quality.

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EVIDENCE:

Foster Care Agreements have been reviewed and now meet all requirements set out in Schedule 5 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2001.

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EVIDENCE:

Foster carers receive regular supervision and spoke positively about the high level of support given to them whenever it is needed from supervising social workers and from management. Questionnaires received from foster carers mentioned “excellent communication” and “good training and support” being received from the agency. The level of support, supervision and responsiveness given to foster carers is an area in which the agency is particularly good at. The supervision pro-forma is detailed; it includes all relevant areas, and sets and reviews targets.

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EVIDENCE:

There is a good level of communication between the supervising social worker and placing authority social workers. One questionnaire from a placing authorities said there was a “good close positive working relationship between the link worker from the agency and social services.”

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EVIDENCE:

The agency has developed a pre approval and post approval training programme which is evaluated and reviewed annually and meets requirements. All pre approval training takes place at Malvern. Some carers expressed concern over the distance to travel to attend training and this is particularly difficult for those living some considerable distance from the Malvern office and for some women of ethnic minority groups. The agency needs to ensure all training fits within a framework of equal opportunities, anti-discriminatory practice and is organised to encourage and facilitate attendance. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 21 The agency has moved premises within the Malvern area since the last inspection. These new premises are spacious and suitable for their needs. The agency must ensure that access to the premises is secure and a signing-in

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EVIDENCE:

system is developed. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 22

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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 2 Standard No Score 14 3 STAYING SAFE 29 x Standard No Score 3 x MANAGEMENT 6 2 Standard No Score 8 2 1 3 9 2 2 3 15 3 4 2 30 2 5 x 16 3 ENJOYING AND ACHIEVING 17 3 Standard No Score 18 3 7 3 19 x 13 4 20 3 31 x 21 2 22 2 MAKING A POSITIVE 23 3 CONTRIBUTION 24 2 Standard No Score 25 2 10 3 26 2 11 3 27 x 28 x The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 23 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. 12 17(3) The agency must ensure all necessary health information and consent to health treatment is gained at the point of placement and need to demonstrate that any missing background health information is actively pursued from placing authorities. ( Timescale of May 2005 not met) 31/1/06

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

2. 12 17(3) The agency must ensure all health interventions, outcomes and medication given to children and young people are clearly evidenced on files in a written health record. 31/1/06

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

3. 9 11,34 Detailed risk assessments need to be in place on young people's files at the point of placement and should inform the matching process and foster placement agreement 31/1/06

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

4. 8 4,38,Sch6 The agency needs to ensure the foster placement agreement meets all requirements of Schedule 6 and are in place prior to or at the point of placement. In emergency placement these must be in place within 24 hours(Timescale of May 2005 not 31/1/06 The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 24 met). 5. 6 11 A system needs to be developed to record foster carers car insurances and MOT’s to ensure carer’s transport is safe and appropriate to children’s needs. 31/1/06

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

6. 30 26 The agency must develop the quality assurance function of the fostering panel 31/3/06

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

7. 30 20 Sch1 All panel members must have current, up-to-date CRB’s, commissioned by the agency in place at all times.(Timescale of May 2005 not met). 31/1/06

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

8. 4 42 The agency must further develop its monitoring processes to include evaluation and analysis, and to ensure quality performance. (Timescale of May 2005 not met). 31/3/06

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

9. 25 32 A clear procedure is needed on recording, storage of records by carers and staff, which apply across the whole of the organisation. and on the return of records by carers at the end of placement. 1/3/06

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

10. 25 40(5) A procedure needs to be developed on the arrangements for the return of records pertaining to children and young people to placing authorities at the end of placements 1/3/06

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

11. 15 20,Sch1 Staff files need to clearly evidence the measures taken for social workers when CRB’s are not in place at the start of employment. 31/1/06

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

12. 13. 14. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 25

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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. 9 The agency needs to develop consistency across the organisation to ensure all carers have their own safe- caring policy in place. These need to be reviewed at the point of each placement. 2. 21 The agency needs to develop a clear strategy for working with carers and the foster carers handbook requires revision to reflect requirements in order for foster carers to have accurate information about their role 3. 8 The agency should develop consistency with regard to matching processes and documentation across the organisation.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

4. 15 The agency should ensure all social workers carrying out assessments of prospective foster carers are provided with Form F assessment training.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

5. 15 The agency should ensure all training fits within a framework of equal opportunities, anti-discriminatory practice and is organised to encourage and facilitate attendance. 6. 25 Children and young people should be encouraged to access their records.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

7. 4 The agency needs to develop conflicts of interest policy for staff and carers to sign and adhere to. 8. 26 The agency should ensure that access to the office premises is secure and a signing-in system is developed. 9. 9 The agency needs to develop a training programme to help foster carers recognise and deal with instances of bullying. The Foster Care Co-operative Ltd E52 E02 S36963 Foster Care Co-op V238784 061205 Stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 26

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

178 Widemarsh Street Hereford Herefordshire HR4 9HN

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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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