Complete Fostering Solutions

Complete Fostering Solutions Inspection report for independent fostering agency

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Unique reference number SC485821 Inspection date 04/10/2016 Inspector Mrs Sharon Lloyd Type of inspection Full Provision subtype

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Setting address 315 Queens Dock Business Centre, 67-83 Norfolk Street, Liverpool L1 0BG Telephone number 0330 333 8751 Email jeff.hay@completefosteringsolutions.com Registered person Mr Jeffrey Hay

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Registered manager Post vacant Responsible individual Mr Jeffrey Hay Date of last inspection N/A Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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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. Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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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.

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Brief description of the service

Complete Fostering Solutions is an independent fostering agency, which runs from a small office in Liverpool City Centre. The agency recruits, assesses, supports and trains foster carers nationally to provide a range of placements for children and young people who are placed by local authorities. The agency has been operating since October 2015. At the time of this inspection, there were two fostering households approved, both based in the north of England. No children have yet been placed.

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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

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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.

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Overall effectiveness

In the first year of registration, the agency has recruited two foster families but has not yet placed any children. Consequently, no judgement has been made about the quality of experiences and progress that children make. Progress in service development has been hampered by the departure of the registered manager in early May 2016. This has left the agency without any social Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Overall effectiveness

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. work staff to carry out assessments or to support the carers. The quality of assessments, training and support of carers is not yet good. For example, assessment reports lack depth and analysis, and carers are not well trained. They have not been appropriately supported since approval. Safeguarding practice is not yet strong. For example, staff and panel members’ files do not demonstrate safe recruitment practices. Panel processes are not sufficiently rigorous. Decision-making about approvals is not well evidenced. Leadership of the agency is not yet strong or visible. The conduct and development of the service has been on hold since May 2016 when the registered manager left. The agency has recruited an interim manager to oversee the service until a

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Overall effectiveness

permanent manager is appointed, but the agency is waiting for him to be registered with Ofsted before appointing him to post. The former manager was also a director of the company. As the only social work employee, he was fully responsible for all social work fostering tasks, and his departure has led to a review of the service and the quality of practice. The two remaining directors are social care professionals who know and understand the strengths and weaknesses of the service. They remain committed to developing the agency, in accordance with their original vision, which is to provide well-matched foster homes for children who have complex and challenging needs, including Black and ethnic minority children and asylum-seeking children. The provider is sourcing additional funding to ensure the continuing financial viability of the agency and has an action plan, which includes the urgent recruitment of a

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Overall effectiveness

competent manager and social work staff. The agency has made some progress in developing links with Black and ethnic minority communities, which is encouraging, and has led to the recruitment of one of the foster families. The agency has established links with local authorities and receives referrals for children who are hard to place. The provider recognises that the service is not yet in a position to provide safe, secure and well-supported placements and has therefore, to date, accepted no referrals. Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Overall effectiveness

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.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that must be taken so that the registered person/s meet/s the Care Standards Act 2000, Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and the national minimum standards. The registered person/s must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

4: Review of the statement of purpose & children's guide Keep under review and, where appropriate, revise the statement of purpose so that it accurately reflects the service provision; and notify Ofsted of any such revision within 28 days. If the children’s guide is revised, supply a copy to each foster carer and to each child placed by the agency (subject to the child’s age and understanding). (Regulation 4(a)(b)(c)) 30/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

6: Appointment of manager Appoint an individual to manage the fostering agency and notify Ofsted without delay of: (a) the name of any person appointed in accordance with this regulation, and (b) the date on which the appointment is to take effect. In particular, ensure that the appointed manager exercises effective leadership of the staff and operation, such that the fostering service is organised, managed and staffed in a manner that delivers the best possible childcare. (Regulation 6(1)(3)(a)(b)) 30/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

8: Registered person – general requirements Ensure that, the registered person carries on or manages the fostering agency (as the case may be) with sufficient care, competence and skill, having regard to: (a) the size of the fostering agency, its statement of purpose, and the numbers and needs of the children placed by the fostering agency, and (b) the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children 30/11/2016 Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Requirement Due date

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. placed by the fostering agency. Ensure also that the responsible individual and the registered manager undertake, from time to time, such training as is appropriate to ensure that they have the experience and skills necessary for carrying on and managing the fostering agency. (Regulation 8(1)(2)(3)) 17: Support, training and information for foster parents Provide foster parents with such training, advice, information and support, including support outside office hours, as appears necessary in the interests of children placed with them. In particular, the provider must ensure that carers are given the training, advice and information necessary to have a good understanding of the fostering task and the skills required to care

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Requirement Due date

for the children placed with them. (Regulation 17(1)) 06/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

20: Fitness of workers Ensure that the fostering service provider does not employ a person to work for the purposes of the fostering service unless that person is fit to do so. For the purposes of paragraph (1), a person is not fit to work for the purposes of a fostering service unless that person (a) is of integrity and good character, (b) has the qualifications, skills and experience necessary for the work they are to perform, (c) is physically and mentally fit for the work they are to perform, and full and satisfactory information is available in relation to that person in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 1. (Regulation 20(1)(a)(3)(a)(b)(c)) 30/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

25: Functions of fostering panel Ensure that the agency's fostering panel undertakes its statutory functions in accordance with this regulation in a robust manner. (Regulation 25) 06/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

27: Approval of foster parents 06/01/2017 Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Requirement Due date

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. Ensure that the fostering service provider does not approve X as a foster parent unless: (a) they have completed their assessment of X’s suitability, and (b) the fostering panel has considered the application. The fostering service provider must, in deciding whether to approve X as a foster parent and as to the terms of any approval, take into account the recommendation of the fostering panel. No member of the fostering panel may take part in any decision made by a fostering service provider to approve a foster carer or the terms of that approval. (Regulation 27(2)(a)(b)(3)(4))

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

13: Recruiting & assessing foster carers Ensure that the written report on the person's suitability to be approved as a foster carer sets out clearly all the information that the fostering panel and decision-maker need in order to make an objective approval decision. Ensure also that the reports are accurate, up to date and include evidence-based information that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Ensure that the reports are prepared, signed and dated by the social worker who assessed the prospective foster carer and countersigned and dated by the fostering team manager. (National minimum standard 13.7) 14: Fostering panels and decision-maker Ensure that panels provide quality assurance feedback to the fostering service provider on the quality of reports being presented to panel. (National minimum standard 14.2) 14: Fostering panels and decision-maker Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Recommendations

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. Ensure that the number, skills, knowledge and experience of persons on the central list are sufficient to enable the fostering service to constitute panels that are equipped to make competent recommendations to the fostering service provider, taking into account the nature of the children and carers that the service caters for. (National minimum standard 14.8) 16: Statement of purpose and child's guide Ensure that, when a child requires it, the guide is available, where appropriate, through suitable alternative methods of communication, for example symbols, pictures, tape recording, translation into another language. (National minimum standard 16.6) 20: Learning and development of carers Ensure that all new foster carers receive an induction. (National minimum standard

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Recommendations

20.1) 20: Learning and development of carers Ensure that all foster carers, including all members of a household who are approved foster carers, are supported to achieve the Children's Workforce Development Council's training, support and development standards for foster carers within 12 months of approval. (National minimum standards 20.2, 20.3) 23: Development and qualifications of staff Provide a good-quality learning and development programme, which includes induction, post-qualifying and in-service training, that staff and managers are supported to undertake. Ensure that the programme equips them with the skills required to meet the needs of the children, keeps them up to date with professional, legal and practice developments and reflects the policies, legal obligations and business needs of the fostering service. (National minimum standard 23.1) 23: Development and qualifications of staff Provide each person on the central list with induction training, which is completed

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Recommendations

within 10 weeks of joining the central list. (National minimum standard 23.9) 23: Development and qualifications of staff Ensure that each person on the central list has access to appropriate training and skills development and is kept abreast of relevant changes to legislation and guidance. Ensure also that each person on the central list has the opportunity of attending an annual joint training day with the fostering service's fostering staff. (National minimum standards 23.10, 23.11) 14: Fostering panels and decision-maker Ensure that, in reaching a decision or making a qualifying determination, the decision-maker lists the material taken into account in reaching the decision; Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Recommendations

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. identifies key arguments; considers whether he agrees with the process and approach of the panel and is satisfied as to its fairness and that the panel has properly addressed the arguments; considers whether any additional information now available to him that was not before the panel has an impact on its reasons or recommendation; identifies the reasons given for the relevant recommendation that they do or do not wish to adopt; and states (a) the adopted reasons by cross reference or otherwise and (b) any further reasons for their decision. (‘Fostering services statutory guidance’, 5.40) 14: Fostering panels and decision-maker Ensure that the panel keeps written minutes of its business, including the reasons for

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Recommendations

recommendations made. It is important that these are full and accurate so that the fostering service is clear about matters discussed and the reasoning behind recommendations, as they will form the basis of decision-making by the fostering service. (‘Fostering services statutory guidance’, 5.25) Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Recommendations

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.

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and young people

No children have been placed with the agency since registration.

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Quality of service

Some progress has been made in forging links with local community groups. This has enabled the agency to successfully raise awareness of the need for Muslim foster carers, through contributing to open days and delivering well-attended presentations about the needs of children in care. Initial interest has been followed up and has led to the recruitment of one foster family. Another family has been recruited through word of mouth. A further potential foster family did not progress past the initial visit. There have been no other applications. The provider recognises that the agency needs to review its recruitment strategy and do more to secure interest and applications from potential carers. Plans are in place to further develop bonds with community groups, at grass roots level, and the provider is confident that this will lead to the recruitment of carers who will have a good understanding of the needs of Black and ethnic minority children

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Quality of service

and asylum-seeking children. Like all aspects of the service, this work has ceased while the agency has been without a registered manager. The quality of assessments is poor. Vital information has not been followed up in sufficient depth to ensure rigorous assessment and effective analysis. For example, issues relating to childlessness, former partners and children’s views have not been well explored and commented on. In some cases, carers have not received pre- approval training and, when training has been given, it has not been in sufficient depth to ensure that carers have a good understanding of the fostering task and of the needs of children who are looked after. Carers are not aware of the need to undertake the Department for Education (DfE) training support and development standard for foster carers within 12 months of approval, and carers waiting for placements have completed no more than one day’s

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Quality of service

training. This does not equip carers with the skills and understanding that they need in order to foster. Following approval, carers have not received the agency’s foster carer handbook so Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Quality of 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. they do not have access to the policies and procedures set out by the agency to assist them in their task. This information is not yet available on the website. Nor have they received supervision or good support from the agency. Some carers raised concerns with the provider that the registered manager was not accessible, and that repeated efforts to contact him between January and April had been in vain. Since his departure, the provider has maintained minimal contact with carers, who understand and accept that the agency will not place children with them until it is suitably managed and staffed. Nonetheless, they are frustrated by the wait and are keen to start fostering. Although the panel membership is broad and relevant, comprising professionals who

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Quality of service

are successful and competent in their own fields, none of the panel members has previously served on a fostering panel. The agency gave them no more than a minimal induction to the service and to their role. This has not enabled the panel to provide rigorous, effective scrutiny of the assessments presented. Despite their active engagement with the panel process, the quality assurance function of the panel has not been sufficiently robust. Poor practice, such as presenting a family to panel before the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and other references have been received, has not been challenged. Concerns raised by the panel have been dismissed by the panel adviser, who was also the assessor and service manager. The panel chair has not provided strong and effective challenge and has not ensured that good feedback is given to the provider following each panel. On reflection, the provider recognises that the previous staffing and panel arrangements

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Quality of service

were neither effective nor rigorous. Following the two assessments that have been presented to panel, approval decisions were made by panel and ratified by the agency decision maker (ADM) without any clear explanation of how he had reached his decision. This demonstrates that neither the ADM not the panel chair have a good understanding of their roles or of the statutory guidance provided by the DfE in relation to the approval decision- making process. The minute taker has not been trained to record the panel minutes so that they are transparent and clear. Consequently, recommendations are not clearly set out in the panel minutes, and the reasons for deciding that the carers are suitable are not listed by the ADM. Decision-making is, therefore, not transparent or clear. The panel chair is no longer working for the agency, and a number of panel members have left. The provider is in the process of recruiting new panel members

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Quality of service

and recognises the importance of ensuring that panel members and the ADM are suitably competent and trained for this important role. Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Quality of service

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Safeguarding children and young people

Judgement outcome: Requires improvement The agency does not follow safe recruitment practices. This leaves the service open to the risk of employing people who are not suitable for the task at hand, or potentially not safe to work with children. For example, the first panel took place before DBS checks had been completed on a number of panel members. Indeed, some panel members’ files indicate that these checks have still not been completed, and the take-up and verification of references are variable. Similarly, there are shortfalls in recruitment procedures relating to the interim manager who has applied to Ofsted to be the registered manager. The provider has not always followed up checks on those professionals who are well known to the directors, relying on their long history and current employment status as evidence of their suitability. This does not ensure that those who work for the agency are suitable to work with children or

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Safeguarding children and young people

can be trusted with children’s and carers’ confidential information. Health and safety checks and pet assessments form part of the foster carer assessment, but the suitability of the layout of premises is not always fully explored or explained, either in the assessment or at panel. Interviews with former partners or with step children who spend part of the week with the foster family are not routinely conducted. This means that important information is missing from assessments, and this may impact on children’s safety and the stability of their placements. Although there is some evidence of panel raising concerns about the quality of assessments, there is little constructive written feedback that demonstrates this. There is no recorded evidence that the ADM has recognised the shortfalls in assessments. Indeed, one family was approved subject to references and DBS checks. This is not good practice. It does not ensure that full and satisfactory

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Safeguarding children and young people

information is obtained before approval or that decision-making is based on comprehensive assessments. The provider has taken robust action on becoming aware of some shortfalls in practice and other concerns. With children’s safety in mind, the current directors took the decision to admit no children until they had completed a full investigation and review of the service after the sudden departure of the previous manager. This has protected children from being looked after by carers who have not been appropriately trained or prepared for the fostering task. Concerns raised with Ofsted have been fully investigated, and the service has been deemed fit for continuing registration. Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Safeguarding children and young people

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Leadership and management

Judgement outcome: Requires improvement The agency was set up by three experienced social care professionals, one of whom was, and continues to be, the responsible individual, and another was the registered manager. The registered manager was suitably experienced and qualified both in management and social work. No other social work staff were employed, which meant that the manager was directly responsible for all aspects of the agency’s work, supervised by the responsible individual. The service began operating in October 2015. Progress in meeting the development plan was slower than expected, and the manager left suddenly in May 2016. Although some good systems enabled regular monitoring and review of the service, these have not been sufficiently rigorous to ensure good and safe practice. The manager’s assertions about progress and practice were accepted without any written evidence to back them up. For example, monthly reports were not supported by hard

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Leadership and management

evidence, such as dates of initial visits and dates of receipt of DBS and other checks. The checks and balances and auditing systems that should have highlighted shortfalls in practice were not strong. Consequently, some poor practice went unchallenged. The responsible individual has not been visible. Although he has engaged in at least one recruitment event, foster carers do not know him. He has not built rapport and trust with foster carers in the absence of a registered manager. The responsible individual is also the ADM, but was not involved in the recruitment and selection of panel members, nor did he meet with them before they took up their roles. Thus, opportunities to ensure the suitability of the panel, to influence panel systems and to promote an effective working relationship between himself and the panel chair were missed. The statement of purpose and children’s guide are available on the website.

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Leadership and management

However, neither of the documents nor the website have been kept up to date. For example, details of the registered manager remained on the website for almost five months after he had left and the contact details listed are no longer operational. Website details of panel members are out of date, and some no longer work for the agency. The provider is currently in the process of updating the website. The agency has not operated in accordance with its statement of purpose. For example, foster carers have not received the pre- or post-approval training listed. This means that the documents provided to partner agencies, parents and children are misleading. Although some carers are approved to look after very young children, Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Leadership and management

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. the children’s guide is not set out in a child-friendly way that would meet the needs of a young child, nor of one for whom English is an additional language. The agency has begun to build relationships with local authorities in the North West and has been accepted onto the joint ‘off-contract’ list, which means that it receives referrals for hard-to-place children from the region. It has not accepted any referrals, and the provider has made it clear that children will not be placed until they have a suitable manager and appropriate staff are in place. The two directors are extremely committed to their vision of providing Black and ethnically diverse foster families that meet children’s ethnic and cultural needs. They

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Leadership and management

have made, and continue to make, a significant financial investment in the agency. They recognise the strengths and weaknesses of the service, having conducted their own investigation and review. Their development plan includes the appointment of a strong and competent manager and investment in their current carers by way of appropriate training and early review of their assessments, with a focus on missing information and changes. Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Leadership and management

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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. 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.

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