Doncaster Children's Trust - Fostering Service

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. Doncaster Children's Trust - Fostering Service Inspection report for independent fostering agency

p.1

Unique reference number SC481446 Inspection date 17/08/2015 Inspector Jacqueline Malcolm Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Agency performing the function(s) of LAs

p.1

Setting address The Blue Building, 38-40 High Street, DONCASTER, South Yorkshire, DN1 1DE Telephone number 01302 737789 Email Registered person Doncaster Children's Trust Limited Registered manager Susan May Responsible individual Paul Moffat Date of last inspection N/A

p.1

Brief description of the service

This independent fostering agency (IFA) is managed by Doncaster Children’s Services Trust (DSCT). It was registered in September 2014 and came into operation on 1 October 2014, performing the functions of a local authority fostering service. It recruits, prepares, assesses, approves and reviews foster carers. Doncaster Children’s Trust also runs a voluntary adoption agency under the same arrangements. It provides a range of placements for children and young people needing short and long-term fostering, emergency and specialist fostering, including parent and child, as well as complex needs and behaviours. A number of connected person’s foster placements have been assessed and approved to enable extended family or friends to care for those children and young people who are unable to live safely with their birth parent(s). A number of young people continue to stay with foster carers on ‘staying put’ arrangements. The agency has 182 children and young

p.2

Brief description of the service

people placed in 121 fostering households. The agency has recruited 22 new fostering households this year.

p.2

The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : An agency demonstrating and exceeding the characteristics of a good judgement where children and young people are making significantly better progress and achieving more than was expected in all areas of their lives. Good : An agency where children and young people, including those with the most complex needs, have their individual needs met and their welfare safeguarded and promoted. They make good progress and receive effective services so they achieve as well as they can in all areas of their lives. Requires improvement : An agency that may be compliant with regulations and observing the national minimum standards but is not yet demonstrating the characteristics of a good judgement. It therefore requires improvement to be good. There may be failures to meet all regulations or national minimum standards but these are not widespread or serious; all children's and young people's welfare is safeguarded

p.2

The inspection judgements and what they mean

and promoted. Inadequate : An agency where there are widespread or serious failures which result in children and young people not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

This is a good fostering agency. It is well managed and monitored by highly motivated, child-centred and passionate leaders and managers. They effectively oversee the functions of the agency. The managers share the same ambitious vision for all children and young people to get the best possible care in safe and nurturing foster homes. Managers understand the shortcomings of the service too. Their realistic development plans intend to tackle identified weakness and elevate the service to the next level. A well-established fostering team consists of experienced and trained professionals in their field. They are well motivated, hardworking and share the same aspirations to improve children and young people’s outcomes. A representative from the team said, ‘I am really proud of us.’

p.2

Overall effectiveness

The agency is well organised and can effectively deliver the functions that are congruent with its Statement of Purpose. Partnership relationships are strong and effectively help the agency to grow and diversify. The agency’s involvement in a range of government funded pilots, although not yet embedded, show potential to further enhance services for children and young people and increase sufficiency. Matching children and young people with foster carers has improved. The agency has identified that placement stability requires closer analysis to understand why some foster placements still break down. Foster carers and connected persons go through the same assessment process and they report very good levels of support and training. This ensures their competence to meet children and young people’s complex and diverse needs and gives their role more credence. Foster carers and connected persons welcome children and young people into their homes and treat

p.3

Overall effectiveness

them like their own. Children and young people’s health, education, leisure and contact needs are actively promoted and met. They have excellent opportunities to consult with people from all levels of the agency to express their views and make a real difference to how they are cared for.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

One requirement and three recommendations are raised to improve outcomes for children and young people. Not all significant events have been notified to Ofsted. The telephone verification of written references are not consistently recorded. The records following supervisory visits to foster carer’s homes do not consistently provide a clear appraisal of the visit. A recommendation is made to support the consolidation of the service development plans and for the agency to conduct visits to foster homes in accordance with the foster care agreement. The shortfalls have not impacted on children and young people’s safety and welfare.

p.3

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 (England) Regulations 2011 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

p.3

Requirement Due date

If any events listed in in column 1 of the table in Schedule 7 takes place in relation to a fostering agency, the registered person must without delay notify the persons or bodies indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table (Regulation 36(1) and Schedule 7). This specifically relates to notifying Ofsted about significant events and send retrospective notifications to Ofsted. 30/09/2015

p.4

Recommendations

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

p.4

Recommendations

ensure telephone enquiries are made to each referee to verify the written references (NMS 19.1). This specifically relates to panel members ensure the registered person takes action to address any issues of concern that they identify or which are raised with them (NMS 25.8). In particular, fully implement the service development plans and conduct visits to foster homes in accordance with the foster care agreement ensure there is a system in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of record keeping and take action when needed (NMS 26.2). In particular, improve the quality of supervisory visit records.

p.4

and young people

Overall, children and young people make good progress from their starting points. They experience the right to a family life, cherishing the positive memories that are often captured in pictures, words and memorabilia. Placing social worker’s testimonials highlight the positive difference that being fostered has on improving children and young people’s outcomes. For example, how a child from a background of neglect significantly thrived in their foster home which resulted in them being placed for adoption. Another example, relates to a child with disabilities who moved into a foster care household with no verbal communication to developing speech. Foster carers spoke about the difference in children’s physical presentation and improved self-awareness and confidence since living with them.

p.5

and young people

Most children and young people currently benefit from stable placements; some are placed with their brothers and sisters if this is considered to be in their best interests. This helps to preserve their sibling bond and to some extent, satisfy their identity needs. Foster carer’s thorough understanding of children and young people’s strengths, difficulties and needs help them to deliver the best possible care. The strong and secure attachments that have developed between children, young people and their carers promote their safety and welfare. This helps to fully integrate them into family life.

p.5

and young people

Children and young people report that they like living with their foster families and they comment positively about their care and treatment. The majority of children and young people are matched with foster carers who are from the same ethnic background as them. The small number of children and young people from a different background are carefully matched with foster carers who can demonstrably meet their cultural and religious needs.

p.5

and young people

Most children and young people’s exposure to positive role models by their foster carers and birth children help them to learn acceptable behaviours. Most foster carers are responsive to supporting children and young people to regulate their moods and behaviours. Measures, such as implementing agreed behaviour management strategies support foster carers to de-escalate situations. This carries varying degrees of success.

p.5

and young people

Children and young people have access to primary and specialist health services that meet their individual health needs and help them to thrive. Foster carers with babies work with health and hospital visits and show a good understanding of child development and attachment issues. Fast track arrangements ensure that children with disabilities and serious complex health needs receive prompt medical attention. Foster carers are persistent in seeking to secure specialist mental health and counselling services. They act as strong advocates to ensure that children and young people’s emotional vulnerabilities are quickly attended to. Foster carers encourage children and young people to live a healthy lifestyle, keep active and develop self- care skills that will help them in the future.

p.5

and young people

Children and young people benefit from living in households that highly value and promote their education. This encourages children and young people to aspire, irrespective of their age and ability. Furthermore, this contributes to their overall good educational progress and attendance. Foster carers’ active contributions to education meetings ensure they are fully appraised about children and young people’s education plans and they can deal with any issues before they escalate. A foster carer spoke confidently about how they researched the most appropriate schools to maximise the children and young people’s engagement and achievements. Their understanding of the purpose of the pupil premium is good.

p.6

and young people

Foster carers act as strong advocates for those children and young people who have been excluded from school. Their involvement with the looked after children education service provides a strong force. This ensures that children and young people get a fair hearing and can be promptly reintegrated into the education community. Foster carers support children and young people with their homework. This includes utilising additional learning opportunities, such as borrowing books through the resourceful education partnerships. A foster carer said that they help children and young people with their homework in a ‘Fun and creative way.’

p.6

and young people

Older young people have pathway plans and benefit from ‘staying put’ arrangements. This enables them to pursue their further education goals, apprenticeships and other ambitions without having to move. This firmly reinforces their position as a member of the family.

p.6

and young people

Children and young people have exceedingly good opportunities to enjoy their leisure time in the communities in which they live and beyond. Their hobbies and interests are harnessed and supported by their foster carers. Children and young people’s confidence in their abilities are derived from these fun and exciting times. The independently run foster care association (FCA) is very resourceful at fundraising and organising social events and activities in consultation with children, young people, their carers and the agency. Activities, such as day trips to interesting places, carer and toddlers play sessions, arts and crafts and celebrations encourage children and young people’s participation and socialisation. Those children and young people involved in the Duke of Edinburgh and another well established award are helped to develop their personal and social qualities and test their resilience.

p.6

and young people

Effective partnership relationships have supported the launch of the fostering youth club. This is a significant development. It adds value to the social lives of children and young people, foster carers and their birth children. This, amongst a range of other benefits, makes for good social interaction and camaraderie for all.

p.6

and young people

Consulting with children and young people is an exceptional and notable strength. Their constructive, yet common sense feedback is used to inform the shaping of the service. The level of importance is noted in the development of a small group of influential young advisors. They meet with the Responsible Individual and share their ideas about how the service can improve. Their suggestions are taken seriously, listened to and acted on. This shows children and young people that their views are respected, which adds a massive boost to their self-confidence. Amongst other active and developing groups, the voice of foster carer’s birth children is also heard. A group of foster carer’s birth and looked after children meet and consult with each other. Their feedback is shared with the Registered Manager who is a familiar and approachable face to them. Of note, their contributions led to the development of the successful youth club. On a general level, children and young people’s wishes

p.7

and young people

and feelings are solicited through their own reviews, foster carer reviews, independent advocates and their participation at social events.

p.7

and young people

The agency, through their positive relationship with foster carers is very good at recognising and rewarding children and young people’s achievements. An awards ceremony was held in their honour. Those children and young people who won awards made quotes at the time, such as, ‘I have never won an award before’ and ‘Tonight made me feel special.’

p.7

and young people

The importance of promoting contact is fully endorsed by the agency. Children and young people’s contact with their birth families and other significant people is supported in alignment with their relevant plans and legal restrictions. This helps to sustain relationships and keep children and young people in touch with who they are. A social worker said that a number of foster carers have, ‘really positive relationships with parents’ with successful outcomes, such as long term matches arising from these positive interactions.

p.7

Quality of service

The agency offers children and young people a good quality of service. It currently provides sufficient placements for babies and younger children, some with complex health needs. Some teenage placements exist. These include older young people who are ‘staying put’ with their foster carers. A clear and targeted recruitment strategy is intended to attract a broad range of foster carers that can specifically meet the current demand for teenagers and sibling groups. Good partnership relationships with the local churches, football club and lesbian, bisexual and gay groups and the use of social media has attracted some interest. The agency aims to recruit 30 new foster carers this year and they are currently on target with just over 50% of potential foster carers either in assessment or due to commence this process. The agency’s involvement in an innovative government funded pilot has led to collaborative partnership relationships with local independent fostering agencies.

p.7

Quality of service

Amongst other benefits, this has increased placement sufficiency. This ensures that suitable placements are sought for children and young people.

p.8

Quality of service

Despite the need for more foster carers, the agency will not favour the approval of just any foster carer over the safety and welfare of what they consider to be ‘their’ children. This is keenly voiced by representatives from the agency who share the view that, ‘No-one has a right to foster’ and their priority is to ‘Safeguard children to provide the best possible placement to meet their needs.’ With this in mind, prospective connected persons and foster carers undergo a thorough preparation process, described by a representative from the agency as ‘hard hitting’. This gives people the opportunity to walk way without obligation if they do not feel that fostering is for them. Work has been done to develop the prospective foster carer’s assessments. This improves the analysis and supports the standards that all prospective carers must achieve to be deemed competent to foster. New foster carers are positive about the recruitment, training and assessment process. They

p.8

Quality of service

have a very coherent understanding of the expectations from the fostering service of them.

p.8

Quality of service

A robust, well organised fostering panel and agency decision making processes have a safeguarding focus. An independent panel chair is described by an agency representative as having, ‘Very good technical knowledge.’ The combined skills and experience of the central list members enables them to contribute and make recommendations to the agency decision maker. Good quality assurance systems allow for the panel to scrutinise the assessments and other information and give constructive feedback. This is shared with the appropriate fostering and fieldwork teams so that standards continue to improve. The agency decision maker’s attention to detail and timely responses show that they have read all of the information and can justify the rationale for his decisions. An independent member of the panel said, ‘Out of all of the decision makers I think he is most on the ball.’

p.8

Quality of service

Improved matching of children and young people with foster carers is supported by written documentation. Positively, children and young people are returning to panel to be matched for permanency, special guardianship orders and adoption. One independent source who commented about matching said, ‘I can’t tell you how much it’s improved.’ Good managerial oversight at the resource panel considers all placements and social workers see the benefits of this system. Most foster carers agree that they are well matched with children and young people. Some foster carers feel they have sufficient information than others. A foster carer who did not feel as well informed said, ‘Since complaining this has got better.’

p.8

Quality of service

The agency recognizes the work they need to develop to strengthen placement stability. Their involvement in an innovative government funded project aims to offer ‘hubs’ of intensive emergency and respite foster care support for a small number of foster carers. Although still to be fully embedded, it is responsive to the issue of placement stability, well organised and shows signs of promise.

p.9

Quality of service

Foster carers speak very highly about their mandatory and core training. For example, attachment, challenging behaviour, first aid and safeguarding children. Children with disabilities and complex health needs benefit from the bespoke training received by their foster carers. This ensures their safe and consistent care. Of the 246 carers, 187 have attained the national standards for foster carers. It is compulsory for all foster carers to complete this training as part of their personal and professional development. Foster carers understand the purpose and benefits that training has on raising their awareness and they apply and share their learning accordingly. A foster carer said, ‘Understanding why children behave as they do.’ Foster carers spoke about how they can access training outside of the agency. As a result of a successful training, their recommendation was pursued by the agency. A foster carer said, ‘The training is really good’ and ‘The new on-line option will help

p.9

Quality of service

tremendously. Some training is now available during the evening.’ A social worker described the training as ‘Fantastic.’

p.9

Quality of service

Most foster carers speak positively about their supervisory visits and high levels of support from the agency. This helps them to stay resilient, which promotes their retention. Typical comments include, ‘My supervising social worker communicates really well with me and this helps me to foster to the best of my ability’ and ‘Support is brilliant, get text and call ups make things alright about what I’m doing and it’s reassuring’ and ‘Support and guidance are excellent.’ The positive comments made about the out of hours support outweigh the negatives. For example, a carer spoke about the ‘Fantastic support’ they received when the Registered Manager attended hospital at 4am to support them with a very sick baby with complex health needs.

p.9

Quality of service

Similarly, peer support is strong. Foster carers are involved in a range of support groups. They are an invaluable means of networking, socialising and sharing their expertise and issues. A foster carer said, ‘As you can see, it’s a really good team together.’ Members from the foster care association (FCA) regularly meet with managers and representatives from the agency to discuss a range of child-focussed issues. For example, themed nights, Duke of Edinburgh Awards and carers taking the lead on more activities. A foster carer said, ‘The foster care association (FCA) come to meetings. It’s not an ‘us and them’ situation; your opinion is valued.’ Foster carers demonstrate boundless levels of enthusiasm and they are very resourceful during the meetings. This generates a lot of good ideas that the agency are keen to carry forward.

p.9

Quality of service

Foster carers take their role seriously. Some excellent practices confirm that children and young people are well integrated into their fostering communities. This elevates their life chances and clearly values them. Children and young people’s inclusion avoids institutional practices because foster carers are clearer about what they can and can’t do. A foster carer said, ‘We treat them as our own’ and ‘We know how to parent children.’ A social worker said, ‘It’s hard to tell they are not their kids.’ Children and young people benefit from supportive respite arrangements from foster carers who know them well and can meet their needs. Foster carers confirm they feel like a part of the ‘team around the child.’ As strong advocates for children and young people, foster carers effectively interact with families, social workers and independent reviewing officers. This ensures that children and young people’s needs

p.10

Quality of service

remain the central priority. Most foster carers are perceived by other professionals to be developing into a credible, skilled workforce. An independent representative said, ‘The trust has given them (foster carers) more recognition, better and effective.’

p.10

Safeguarding children and young people

A strong safeguarding culture and good mechanisms promote children and young people’s safety and welfare. As a result, children and young people feel safe in their foster homes, living out their childhoods without fear, yet taking appropriate risks that conform to their needs. Good risk management and supportive safe care plans minimises children and young people’s vulnerability to risk and associated anxieties. A young person said that they felt safer since living with their carers because they no longer live in a violent home. Professional stakeholders consider children and young people to be safe. An independent reviewing officer said that if they felt that children were unsafe, ‘I would do something about it.’ A carer said, ‘We are always observing and always watching, we know each other’s children.’

p.10

Safeguarding children and young people

Safer recruitment and vetting practices ensure that children and young people are not wilfully exposed to unsuitable staff and carers who intend to harm them. Panel members experience a similar process; however, not all of the recruitment files confirm that telephone enquiries are made to validate the written references. This shortfall presents no impact on children and young people’s welfare.

p.10

Safeguarding children and young people

As a requirement of their ongoing suitability to care for children and young people, foster carers’ and connected persons are visited in their homes. This includes at least one unannounced visit every year. Children and young people are seen alone by their social workers and independent reviewing officer during their respective visits. A social worker said, ‘We see the child on their own and would see the carers on their own.’ These safeguards afford children and young people opportunities to express their wishes and feelings. It also assists safeguarding professionals to satisfy themselves that children and young people are safe and their welfare is promoted.

p.10

Safeguarding children and young people

Foster carers feel confident about dealing with child protection issues, such as bullying, missing from care and child sexual exploitation (CSE). Their confidence is rooted in their training, coupled with their experience in caring for and protecting children. A foster carer said, ‘I have recently fostered a young person who was at risk of sexual exploitation and I feel I had the correct training to enable me to respond appropriately.’ There are no current children or young people identified to be at risk of child sexual exploitation. Missing from care incidents are few. Foster carers take advice from the ‘out of hour’s’ service and follow the agreed missing from care protocols when children and young people have gone missing or left home unauthorised. A foster carer said, ‘we normally foster younger children and babies but contacted ‘out of hours’ when a baby was very late being returned from unsupervised contact.’ Safe and well visits enable children and young people to have

p.11

Safeguarding children and young people

an independent means to express their reasons for running away. A professional stakeholder said, ‘missing from care has not been a massive issue.’ An agency representative giving an oversight of activities in the area said they have a ‘Clearer picture of the risks to young people than we ever have done.’

p.11

Safeguarding children and young people

The agency involvement in an innovative and creative research based CSE project with partner local authorities is gaining momentum. The project aims to provide children assessed at risk of CSE with intensive therapeutic support and work with families. Children and young people who are considered unsafe in their family homes will be placed with specially trained and supported foster carers. The success of this project is yet to be determined and will be under close scrutiny by all interested stakeholders.

p.11

Safeguarding children and young people

The introduction of a dedicated local authority designated officer (LADO) provides consistent safeguarding oversight. They raise no significant concerns about how the agency interacts with them when safeguarding issues have arisen. Foster carers understand that allegations may be made against them at any point in time. Those who have been made the subject of an allegation felt well supported, and had the benefit of independent support during the investigation process. Established foster carers whose subsequent actions have raised serious concerns about their suitability have either been deregistered or are going through the process. The agency has learned lessons from these experiences and this allow for reflection and informs future practice.

p.11

Leadership and management

Overall, leadership and management is visible, approachable, dynamic and spirited. This is consistent at strategic and operational levels of the service. Consequently, children and young people benefit from a child focussed service that places them at the heart of service delivery. The Responsible Individual and Registered Manager are realistic about service developments nearly 12 months into the fostering agency’s inception. Managers understand the strengths and weakness of the fostering agency and they are acting on them accordingly. This includes an urgent remedy to ensure that robust systems are implemented that fully supports the agency’s work. Leadership and management shortfalls noted at this inspection include the timeliness of some visits that have not been conducted in line with the foster carer’s supervision agreement. Similarly the records following home visits do not consistently provide a clear appraisal of the visit.

p.11

Leadership and management

Not all significant events have been notified to Ofsted. However, these have been dealt with through the LADO. This oversight does not enable the regulator to carry out its regulatory duties and follow up on any issues arising from the notifications. This first inspection under the new management arrangements has considered the recommendations made at the inspection in 2010. This was when the agency was with the local authority. These have been suitably addressed. The agency’s development plans allow for growth and they are reviewed to ensure they remain current. The monitoring systems inform service developments and ensure that information is shared with the trustees on where the agency is up to. This is performed three monthly. The service is financially viable. Social workers and independent reviewing officers (IRO) speak positively about the fostering agency. Social workers said there are some ‘brilliant’ foster placements and

p.12

Leadership and management

confirm that supervising social workers attend all reviews and contribute well. Social workers said that the supervising social workers, ‘really know the children’ and ‘supervising social workers are good at working with children, also very knowledgeable and skilled.’ Improved consistency and a better interface between the fostering agency, social work and IRO teams permit healthy professional challenges. It also allows for greater stability for children and young people, minimising the number of professionals entering their life. Improvements in the timeliness of foster carer’s reviews promote safe practice. The members of the fostering team are well qualified, experienced and trained to carry out their role. A supervising social worker said, ‘It’s a nice big team, a lovely team.’ Their positive attitude and motivation to recruit and support quality carers ensures that they provide the best possible care for children and young people. A

p.12

Leadership and management

supervising social worker said, ‘We want to be the best that we can for our carers’ and ‘our focus is totally with the kids.’ Supervising social workers are well supported by their managers and peers. They report manageable caseloads. Team members have good opportunities to enhance their practice and skills through continuous training and development.

p.12

Leadership and management

The Statement of Purpose is available on the website and can be read by all interested parties. Information for children is aimed at both younger and older ages and written in child friendly language. Consequently children and young people are informed about how they will be cared for.

p.12

About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to inform 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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards and to support services to improve.

p.13

About this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the inspection framework and the evaluation schedule for the inspection of independent fostering agencies. inspection framework and the evaluation schedule for the inspection of independent fostering agencies.

p.13