Child Action North West

Child Action North West Inspection report for Independent Fostering Agency

p.1

Unique reference number SC036972 Inspection date 23/03/2012 Inspector Lynn O'Driscoll Type of inspection Key

p.1

Setting address Dixon House, Whalley Road, Wilpshire, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 9LL

p.1

Telephone number 01254 244700 Email Registered person Child Action North West Registered manager Andrew John Bennett Responsible individual John Tempest Date of last inspection 31/03/2009 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children’s Services 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

p.2

About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

p.3

About this inspection

This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

p.3

The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.3

Brief description of the service

This independent fostering agency is part of a registered charity which offers a range of children's services including work placements and supportive lodgings with ongoing specialist support. The service offers emergency, respite, short term, long term, pace, remand and mother and baby foster placements.

p.4

Summary

The overall quality rating is outstanding.

p.4

Summary

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

p.4

Summary

The last inspection resulted in an overall judgement of good with outstanding features. In the last three years this service has continued to make significant improvements in every outcome area. Overall, there are excellent arrangements in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of looked after children. There are also outstanding outcomes in respect of children's physical and emotional health. This service ensures excellent matches for children and young people. Consequently, they are very happy and settled in their current placements. They feel safe and secure and are making excellent progress given their individual starting points. There is also an exceptional range of innovative opportunities for children and young people to positively contribute to their daily lives and futures. Moreover, their wishes and feelings are central to the continued development of the fostering service.

p.4

Summary

Carers are highly satisfied with the training and support they receive. Comments include, 'we have worked for this service for four years and they have always been helpful and reliable', and, 'the support is fantastic. The staff are friendly and very helpful at all times' and, 'they are brilliant. We have always had excellent support.' Social workers are highly satisfied with the quality of care provided. Comments include, 'this service is well equipped to deal with the many issues that young people bring to their placements and they receive first class provision' and, 'we place children with complex needs and challenging behaviours and in many cases we have seen significant improvements. They benefit from settled placements, competent carers, positive relationships and a quality service.'

p.4

Summary

The service is exceptionally well managed, ensuring staff receive clear direction and leadership. Highly effective systems are in place which are constantly evaluated, revised and improved if necessary. This includes robust monitoring processes. Supervising social workers confirm that they are extremely well supported, supervised and trained to competently undertake their respective roles. Moreover, they are all genuinely passionate about playing their part in continually developing and improving the service to children and young people and their carers. The majority of carers and all the staff say the service has noticeably improved and developed since the last inspection. Comments include, 'the organisation has continued to invest and everything has really tightened up' and, 'it is much more fluent and organised with better monitoring.'

p.4

Summary

Three recommendations are made at this inspection. This is to ensure that: the circumstances of a child's return from going missing is always fully detailed; the children's guide is produced in a range of formats and staff appraisals include the views of children.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Three requirements were made following the last inspection in March 2009. All have been satisfactorily addressed. Panel minutes now clearly reflect the reasons for the recommendations made. It is also much more evident that children and young people's choice of religion is actively promoted and very well supported. Consequently, some have made significant steps of faith including being baptised, confirmed, being an altar server and attending Mosque.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Accessibility to internal and external training has greatly improved. Distance learning and e-learning has been introduced in recognition of different learning needs. The service also offers a variety of venues and training at different times of the day, evening and weekends to ensure all carers have the opportunity to attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Five recommendations were also made and excellent progress has been made on them all. At the start of every placement children and young people now benefit from a visit by a specialist support worker who talks about all the activities and the range of exceptional support available to them. They are also given a comprehensive welcome pack. Moreover, the information available to younger children has much improved following their full consultation. The vast majority of carers express high satisfaction with the information they now receive about a child prior to placement to ensure they can meet their unique needs and personal preferences. The introduction of timely placement planning meetings also enables more detailed discussions with all relevant agencies.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

There is now an established and effective system in place for ensuring young people who go missing have the opportunity to speak to an independent person on their safe return. Timely preparation for independence has significantly improved. The service also continues to actively explore with placing authorities innovative ways of ensuring children and young people attend and fully contribute to their statutory reviews. An excellent interactive document has been produced for younger children to give their views.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Overall there are outstanding arrangements in place to help to ensure children and young people remain fit and healthy. Consequently, they are thriving in their current placements and some children with highly complex medical needs are exceeding life expectancies. They enjoy living in very clean, spacious and well maintained homes. They also benefit from varied and balanced meals which meet their dietary needs and individual preferences.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Carers actively encourage them to take part in an excellent range of regular physical exercise which promotes their continued development. Examples include dancing, swimming, running, and basketball. For some young people this has had the desired outcome of appropriate weight loss. The provision of timely specialist services has also successfully enabled young people to stop smoking and enuresis and food disorders have ceased. Children and young people are registered with all local health professionals and attend statutory and routine health checks in a timely manner. Carers do not hesitate to seek appropriate medical advice or treatment. 100% of the children and young people who contributed to this inspection confirm that they, 'always get support and advice about being healthy.' Comments include, 'I an fully supported by my carers to be healthy in the activities I do and the foods I eat' and, 'my foster mum advises me and gives me a balanced diet.'

p.6

Helping children to be healthy

Carers are equally highly satisfied with the advice and support they receive from the fostering service in promoting children's good health. This includes an ongoing programme of relevant courses for example first aid, food hygiene and managing medicines and infectious diseases. A particular strength of this service is carers' direct access to an excellent range of specialist services which empowers them to meet the unique and complex emotional needs of the children and young people placed with them.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are excellent arrangements in place to help to ensure that children are protected from all forms of abuse and that their welfare is actively promoted. They confirm that they, 'always' feel safe, well cared for and part of the family. Comments include, 'This is the best home ever and I love my foster big brother.'

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people are very happy and settled in their current placements. They particularly enjoy excellent relationships with their carers who have established a culture of openness and trust. Consequently, they feel comfortable talking to them if they have a problem. They also confirm a very good range of other people they can talk to if they are unhappy about something. This is an important additional safeguard. Moreover, they know how to make a formal complaint should the need arise and they have direct contact with independent advocacy services.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All the staff and carers have access to all local child protection protocols and are trained in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of looked after children to ensure an appropriate response to any disclosures. Moreover, the service works very effectively with other relevant authorities to ensure children are protected from all forms of abuse. Consequently, children feel safe and secure. Feedback from external agencies confirms that the service is, 'pro active in seeking advice' and, 'has a strong understanding of the management of allegation processes'. They say they benefit from 'excellent working relationships' and effective joint protocols.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people rarely go missing from their current placements. However, the records do not always include the details of their return, for example, the date and time and their physical appearance and emotional state. The few individuals who do go missing, return very quickly, usually within a few hours, safe and well. Moreover, none of the reasons given to independent visitors are about concerns about their placement.

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are outstanding opportunities for children and young people to enjoy, achieve, and thereby realise their full potential. Moreover, this service recently hosted an event to recognise and celebrate all their many achievements. The service provides an excellent range of constructive and challenging leisure activities, for example, rock climbing, canoeing, abseiling and kayaking. Children and young people also join clubs and organisations within their local communities so they gain a genuine sense of belonging. Examples include archaeology, boxing, cheerleading, ambulance and army cadets. Individual interests and talents are actively encouraged and supported which significantly increases their confidence and self esteem. Many enjoy exciting holidays abroad where they experience new foods and different cultures. A particular strength of this service is the provision of stimulating and innovative projects which

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

involve looked after and birth children. This has resulted in new positive friendships being formed and sustained. The most recent event culminated in them singing and dancing and modelling in a public fashion show which they absolutely loved.

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This fostering service gives high priority to meeting the educational needs of each child or young person in foster care. This includes a dedicated teacher whose role has been extended to specifically include ensuring smooth transitions in years six and 11. Robust systems are in place to track and monitor individual progress and timely and appropriate additional support is provided when needed. Children and young people confirm that they, 'always get the right help so they can be successful in their education' and they are rightly proud of their many achievements. They give examples of extra tuition, individual support in class and help with their homework. Comments include, 'I get lots of help and support from my carers and they guide me in trying to be successful in my education' and, 'I receive extra support from the fostering service with my maths and English.’ Carers also welcome the specific advice

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and support they receive and say it gives them the confidence to be better advocates and challenge schools on, for example, exclusions and appeals.

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children and young people enjoy excellent relationships with their carers which has a marked positive effect on their self esteem and confidence. They also benefit from clear and consistent boundaries and are actively praised and rewarded for good behaviour and effort which is having the desired effect. Consequently, some children’s highly complex and extremely challenging behaviour has greatly improved in their current placements.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

There are outstanding opportunities for children and young people to positively contribute to their day-to-day lives. This has been enhanced by the active promotion of delegated authority. They choose, for example, the décor and furnishings in their bedroom, placement moves, contact arrangements, overnight stays with friends, meals choices and the activities they prefer to participate in. They say their carers really listen to them and take notice of their opinions, which makes them feel valued. Moreover, young people's wishes and feelings are central to the development of the service. For example, they were highly influential in agreeing and reviewing the children's charter. A recent successful family day to a seaside resort was also arranged as a direct result of listening to young people's suggestions, as was a first aid course specifically designed for young people.

p.8

Helping children make a positive contribution

Careful and highly sensitive care planning and transition arrangements ensure children and young people settle quickly into new foster homes. They feel safe, secure and part of the family. They benefit from highly personalised care. Their individuality is actively promoted and respected which builds up their self esteem and confidence. They are also supported to gain a clear insight into their backgrounds and to develop positive personal identities and emotional resilience. This prepares them very well for their future. There are also excellent ongoing support arrangements when young people leave care, so they continue to feel valued. Constructive contact with family and friends, in line with any legal directions and personal preferences, is actively promoted and supported.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

There are outstanding opportunities in place for all children and young people to develop the practical and social skills, appropriate to their age and ability, needed for future successful independent living. Consequently, young people are highly competent in, for example, shopping, cooking, washing and ironing clothes, budgeting and using public transport. Moreover, they have developed strong emotional resilience and the ability to establish positive relationships, so they feel fully prepared for full-time employment or higher education. The majority of children and young people confirm that they are 'always' helped to think about their futures. Comments include, 'I am helped to try harder and behave at school so I can go to college and then get a good job,' and 'my foster carers talk to me all the time about the future. They are very, very helpful to me' and, 'my carers help me to make a difference to my future.’ 100% of the children and young people in placements with

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

this service are either in school, further education, have an apprenticeship course or paid employment. There is a genuine commitment for young people to remain in placement until they feel completely ready to move on. Consequently, many young people have made extremely successful transitions with the added benefit of exceptional ongoing support from their carers. The service has introduced an accredited programme evidencing young people are competent to be good tenants. This is to ensure a better choice of accommodation. Carers have been specifically trained to support young people to complete each certificated unit. Another significant development is the provision of internal work experience opportunities. Comments from young people include, 'it is interesting and the people you work with are kind and helpful' and, 'I was taught well and was able to do things at my own pace.' Moreover, this service also provides supported lodgings for young people. This provides a positive

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

choice for young people who want more independence, but with the assurance of ongoing specialist support. Some are now flourishing in this particular setting.

p.9

Organisation

This service is financially sound with clear and highly appropriate future development plans in plans. It is exceptionally well managed with clear lines of accountability. Despite the difficult economic climate, new posts have been created including principal supervising social workers and a resource development manager. This has significantly strengthened the management team, the support to staff and the ongoing development of all aspects of the service. They are all suitably qualified, highly experienced and extremely child focused.

p.9

Organisation

The Statement of Purpose is regularly reviewed to ensure it always accurately reflects the aims and objectives of this service. A summary of this document is given to children and young people so they are fully aware of the services available to them. However, the children's guide has not been produced in other forms of communication to meet the specific needs of a few children who access this service.

p.9

Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Specific policies and procedures are in place and there is mandatory training for all staff and carers. This service actively recruits, assesses and fully supports a diverse range of carers to meet the assessed needs of looked after children. The establishment of a recruitment officer has further strengthened these processes. Applicants particularly highlight the positive response to their initial enquiries and the efficiency of the process. There is also a very effective strategy in place to make informed predictions about the future demands on the service.

p.9

Organisation

A human resources team is now fully established. Consequently, there are robust recruitment and selection processes in place to ensure a safe and competent workforce. Allegations of abuse are carefully managed to ensure effective protection for the child and appropriate support to the alleged perpetrator. All complaints are thoroughly investigated and outcomes reached in a timely manner. There is also a highly effective centralised system for monitoring complaints and allegations which enables a rigorous analysis of practice to be undertaken. Ofsted are always notified of significant events in a very timely manner. These reports evidence that highly responsive and effective action is taken to safeguard and protect children and young people.

p.9

Organisation

This service benefits from efficient and robust panel processes. The panel is independently chaired by a qualified social worker with substantial relevant experience and skills. Members read the papers in advance to ensure they are fully prepared to contribute to the discussions and ask highly relevant questions. They also skilfully exercise their quality assurance function. Reports of consistently good quality are presented to panel, evidencing comprehensive assessments, enabling them to make clear and appropriate recommendations. The agency decision maker is suitably qualified and highly experienced, knowledgeable and competent for the role. He scrutinises all documentation thoroughly and makes further enquiries if necessary before making a final decision.

p.10

Organisation

This service ensures excellent matches for children and young people in line with their unique needs and individual wishes and feelings. An outstanding range of additional resources are also provided to address any identified gaps. Consequently, many benefit from long term stable placements. Children and young people are treated and respected as individuals in their own right. Consequently, they develop a positive self view. Individual and highly complex needs and personal preferences are exceptionally well met. This includes the timely provision of highly appropriate and responsive specialist services and the service's significant financial contribution towards adaptations to carer's homes. High priority is given to carers’ personal development including the creation of a training officer. Carers say the quality, range and professionalism of the training has significantly improved. Feedback is actively

p.10

Organisation

sought after every training course and appropriate changes made to constantly improve the programme.

p.10

Organisation

Carers are clear about the payment structures in place. They are reviewed annually and the service consults with carers prior to any changes. Any allowances and fees are paid promptly. This service has an excellent retention record, so carers benefit from a highly skilled fostering team. Supervising social workers also have realistic workloads to enable them to provide outstanding supervision and support to carers. Staff morale is very high and they remain enthusiastic and committed. They confirm a very good working environment and excellent management and administrative support. This includes regular team meetings with open and honest debates and individual high quality supervision. They also have access to a wide range of relevant internal and external training courses. Moreover, they say they benefit from, 'highly visible, very personable and approachable senior managers'. Timely appraisals are undertaken which include the views of colleagues, carers and outside agencies, but

p.10

Organisation

Stringent performance management and quality assurances processes are firmly established to ensure the delivery of a highly efficient and effective service. All records are securely stored and regularly audited to ensure they are of a good quality and significantly contribute to the child's background and future aspirations. These include life story books and memory boxes full of positive life experiences during their time in foster care.

p.10

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.11

Recommendations

 ensure the children's guide is made available through suitable alternative methods of communication (NMS 16.6)  ensure all missing from care records fully detail the circumstances of the child's return (NMS 5.10)  ensure staff appraisals take into account the views of children the service is providing for. (NMS 24.6)

p.11