Setting

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Announced 11 July 2005 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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DL16 7PF

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 Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 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 ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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DL16 7PF

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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DL16 7PF

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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DL16 7PF

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. Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 4

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SERVICE INFORMATION

Address Thomas Wright House High Street Byers Green Durham DL16 7PF

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of places

IFA Fostering Agency Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 5

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Conditions of registration:

Date of last inspection 22 nd November 2004

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Brief Description of the Service:

Foster Cares Ltd is an independent fostering agency which provides foster care services within the North East Durham, Darlington and surrounding regions. At the time of inspection the agency employed five social workers, the director of the service who is also the registered manager and administrative support staff. The agency provides foster care services for children with a broad range of needs and placements are available on a long term, short term, task centred, remand, emergency and respite basis. Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 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

The Inspector would like to thank the children, carers and staff at Foster Cares Ltd for their warm welcome and the important part they played in the inspection. Information and evidence in this report was gathered over a four day period through:

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SUMMARY

• Talking individually with children, carers and staff • Visiting foster carers homes • Group discussion with carers • Group discussions with staff • Telephone discussions with children’s social workers • Reading children’s, carers and staff files • Reading polices, procedures and records • Observing staff practice • Children’s questionnaires • Carers questionnaires • Children’s social worker’s questionnaires • A letter from a child’s social worker • Observing the fostering panel • Talking with the chair of panel

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SUMMARY

Foster Cares Ltd is a good fostering agency, which supports its foster carers well to make sure that children are safe and well looked after whilst living away from home. Some of the things children told us were, ‘My carer’s are the best carers in the world. I’m staying with them forever’ and ‘I feel safe with my carers’.

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SUMMARY

The agency’s staff and foster carers are carefully chosen and checks are made to make sure that they are the ‘right sort’ of people to work safely with children. The training given to foster carers is good and this has meant that they are more able to help children with any problems they may have. Children’s social workers also told us that they were ‘Very satisfied’ with how the children they had placed were being looked after.

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What the service does well:

Foster Cares Ltd carefully chooses its foster carers and undertakes a thorough assessment of people who want to become foster carers with the agency. Children are supported well with their education, contact with friends & family, health and activities. Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 7 Staff working at Foster Cares have a lot of childcare qualifications and give lots of training, support and supervision to make sure that children are safe. Before children are placed, the agency carefully matches children with their foster carers to make sure that their needs can be met. The Fostering Panel also makes careful checks to ensure that children will be safe and well cared for by their foster carers. The agency is good at keeping children and carers informed and regularly ask their opinions about the support that is provided.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The Inspector was pleased that the staff working at Foster Cares Ltd have put right most of the issues found at the last inspection. The agency has improved its risk assessments to make sure children are kept safe and has improved its policies and procedures.

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What they could do better:

The agency does not always get all of the important information and looked after children (LAC) documents from the social services departments who place children with the agency. They also need to make sure that the Foster Placement Agreement contains all of the information that it should. Some foster carers still have old-style Foster Carer Agreements and need to be given the new version of this document.

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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. Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 8

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CONTENTS

Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 9

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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 Cares Ltd effectively monitors and promotes the health of children placed with its foster carers.

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EVIDENCE:

An examination of children’s and carers’ records confirmed that the agency promotes children’s health. Supervising social workers make regular checks of carers log books; and any issues relating to children’s health, accidents and incidents are recorded by the agency; and are monitored by the Responsible Individual as part of their Schedule 7 monitoring. Some of the things children told us when asked the sort of help they were given by foster carers to stay healthy included, ‘Good dinners, to eat fruit and drink milk’ and ‘To run around and get fit’.

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EVIDENCE:

It was found that the agency did not have all the Looked After Children’s (LAC) documentation (Essential Information Parts 1 & 2 and/or Placement Plans Parts 1 & 2) in respect of each child placed. There was evidence within case files, which confirmed that the agency had sought this information from children’s social workers, although in some cases this had not been forthcoming. Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 10

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The intended outcomes these Standards are:

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

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

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

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for standard(s) 3, 6, 8, 9, 15, 30

Foster Cares staff and carers have a good understanding of child protection procedures. The agency actively seeks to make safe, caring and secure placements where children’s welfare is safeguarded. An effective complaints procedure is in place and is known to children. Procedures for the recruitment, selection and vetting of staff and carers is sound and the agency’s Fostering Panel robustly monitors placements and the outcomes for children.

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EVIDENCE:

An examination of foster carers files confirmed that the agency undertakes a thorough and robust selection and vetting process of prospective carers. Carers during interview commented, ‘They look right back into your past. It makes you look at your own relationships and your life’ and ‘It is invasive and it questions how you brought up your own children. We looked at different scenario’s and questioning if you want to go ahead. We possibly got about 20 visits’.

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EVIDENCE:

As part of the inspection, the Inspector attended a meeting of the Fostering Panel. The Panel was observed to undertake a robust process of quality assurance of the thoroughness of the assessment undertaken by the presenting social worker. Additionally the Panel sought clarification; discussed and confirmed matching approval; and gave appropriate guidance to the Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 11 agency’s social workers. The quality of the Form F assessments and foster carer reviews presented to the Panel were good. The minutes produced were an accurate record of the outcomes reached by the Fostering Panel.

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EVIDENCE:

Staff and carers during interview demonstrated an appropriate knowledge of child protection procedures and the identification of abuse. Children with whom the Inspector had contact said, ‘My carer’s are the best carers in the world. I’m staying with them forever’ and ‘I feel safe with my carers’.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency has robust systems in place to recruit staff and carers who are deemed ‘safe’ to work directly with children. An examination of staff and carers files showed that the agency had taken up all of the necessary safeguarding checks including enhanced Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) disclosures.

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EVIDENCE:

The agency has an appropriate complaints procedure, which is known to carers and children. There have not been any complaints recorded by the agency since the last inspection. Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 12

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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 & 13

The agency through its foster carers provides placements, which value diversity and promote equality. Children placed with the agency’s carers are provided with good support, which actively promotes educational achievement.

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EVIDENCE:

Staff and carers interviewed demonstrated a sound understanding of diversity, equality and anti-discriminatory practice. Carers receive training in this respect as part of their pre-approval training and guidance is available to them within the Fostering Handbook. A number of carers have recently completed a valuing diversity distance-learning course.

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EVIDENCE:

The support provided by the agency for children’s education is good. Carers told us, ‘My link worker has always supported me. If I have a meeting following a child excluded from school, the link worker has always attended the meetings’ and ‘They will provide respite support if a child is out of school’. As part of the Schedule 7 monitoring the manager of the service maintains information in respect of school attendance and exclusions. The Inspector attended a session organised as part of carers’ monthly training/consultation meeting, which included a presentation by members of the local authority educational support team for children looked after. Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 13

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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 & 11

The agency makes good provision for the promotion of contact between children and their families and friends; and positively seeks children’s views about their lives and the care they receive.

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EVIDENCE:

Of the six children who completed questionnaires, five children responded ‘Yes, they often ask me’ when completing the section; Do your foster carers ask you for your opinions and ideas? All six children responded ‘Yes’ when asked if the fostering service ever asked their opinions about their foster carers and how the fostering service could be made better? The agency has sound systems to seek the views of children including questionnaires in easy to complete formats for children’s and carers reviews.

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EVIDENCE:

An examination of children’s records confirmed that the agency maintains information in respect of children’s contact with family and friends including information on any restrictions placed on contact. Carers interviewed were aware of the contact arrangements for the children living with them. A number of carers told the Inspector that they had supervised contact between children and members of their birth family. Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 14

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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 & 29

The agency and carers contribute towards the preparation of young people into adulthood. The agency makes appropriate and prompt payments in accordance with its policies and procedures.

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EVIDENCE:

Carers during interview confirmed that they receive prompt payments of allowances. There are policies and procedures available to staff and carers in respect of fostering allowances and payments to carers.

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EVIDENCE:

Young people are well supported in their preparation for adulthood. Guidance is available to carers in the Fostering Handbook, and training is provided within the Preparing to Foster workbook, which is completed by prospective carers during their assessment. Carers and agency staff have forged links and work effectively with leaving care services to prepare young people for moving to independence. Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 15

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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, 19, 20, 21,22, 23,24, 25, 26, 27 & 28

The agency, which is well managed, provides effective support to its carers through the provision of a well staffed, experienced and competent staff team. Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 16

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EVIDENCE:

The agency is held in high regard by its carers. Carers commented positively during the group and individual interviews with the Inspector. They told us, ‘You can sit and nag at them and they take it. If you do phone up for help, they do come running. I phoned them about one child and they were willing to come out and see me at two in the morning’ and ‘I personally can’t say anything bad about the agency. In fact, I feel I am a foster carer in one, if not the best agency going’. The nine carers who responded to questionnaires all completed either the ‘Very satisfied’ or ‘Quite well’ section when asked; How well do you feel supported by the Fostering Agency? Feedback from local authority social workers was equally positive. The four social workers who had completed questionnaires all responded that they felt that children were looked after, ‘Very well indeed’.

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EVIDENCE:

An examination of staff personnel files identified that the agency’s social work staff are experienced, well-qualified and skilled social work practitioners in working with looked after children. The manager of the service is well regarded by staff and carers alike. Carers said, ‘The manager is more than happy to sit and listen and pass things on and get things organised for you’ and ‘He is very accessible and helpful. He is there for you if you need him’.

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EVIDENCE:

Records maintained by the agency are well ordered and accessible. The only significant shortfalls are in respect of the Foster Placement Agreement, which does not include all of the matters detailed in Schedule 6 of the regulations. It was further noted that some carers are still in receipt of the older version of the Foster Care Agreement, and not all of the looked after children (LAC) documentation is maintained in respect of all children placed by the agency.

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EVIDENCE:

An examination of staff and carers files found that the agency operates a robust system for supervising staff and carers, which are well recorded. Information gained from these systems is used by the Registered Person to undertake a sound process of monitoring the service against its Statement of Purpose and Schedule 7 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2002. Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 17

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SCORING OF OUTCOMES

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

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SCORING OF OUTCOMES

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

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SCORING OF OUTCOMES

BEING HEALTHY ACHIEVING ECONOMIC Standard No Score WELLBEING 12 3 Standard No Score 14 3 STAYING SAFE 29 3 Standard No Score 3 4 MANAGEMENT 6 3 Standard No Score 8 3 1 4 9 3 2 3 15 4 4 4 30 3 5 3 16 4 ENJOYING AND ACHIEVING 17 4 Standard No Score 18 3 7 3 19 4 13 3 20 3 31 N/A 21 4 22 3 MAKING A POSITIVE 23 4 CONTRIBUTION 24 2 Standard No Score 25 3 10 4 26 3 11 4 27 3 28 3 Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 18 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? No

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

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

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 1. 2 7 The registered manager must hold a qualification in management at NVQ level 4 or equivalent 01/04/07

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

2. 8 22 & 30 The agency must maintain looked after children's (LAC) Placement Plan Parts 1 & 2, Essential Information Parts 1 & 2 and Care Plans in respect of each child placed 01/10/05

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

3. 24 30 The agency must ensure that each carer is in receipt of a signed and dated Foster Placement Agreement which includes all of the matters listed in Schedule 6 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2002 01/10/05

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

4. 22 28 All foster carers must be in receipt of a Foster Care Agreement which meets with the requirements of Schedule 5 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2002 01/10/05

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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. Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 19 No. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations

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RECOMMENDATIONS

1. 28 The registered person should ensure that financial procedures also take into account the steps to be taken in situations of financial crisis as outlined within 27.2 of NMS 2. 30 The registered person should ensure that the circumstances in which a foster carer would be deregistered be outlined within procedural guidance Foster Cares Ltd B54 S36057 Cares V226586 110705 stage 4.doc Version 1.40 Page 20

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

No.1 Hope Town Studios Brinkburn Road Darlington DL3 6DS

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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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