Merge Fostering Service Limited

Merge Fostering Service Limited Inspection report for independent fostering agency

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Unique reference number 1183960 Inspection date 17/10/2016 Inspector Jane Partridge Type of inspection Full Provision subtype N/A

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Setting address Office 3, Prudence Place, Proctor Way, Luton, Bedfordshire LU2 9PE

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Telephone number 0330332692 Email v.jean-baptiste@mergefostering.co.uk Registered person Merge Fostering Limited Registered manager Vanessa Jean-Baptiste Responsible individual Paul Gordon 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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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

Merge Fostering is a new fostering agency, set up in December 2015. At the time of the inspection, the agency had no approved foster carers and no children in placement. The inspection has, therefore, focused on the potential of the agency to meet the needs of children considered for placement within the organisation. This agency has a clear ethos of service delivery. It aims to recruit, train and support a broad range of families to meet the specific needs of children. There is a focus on meeting and promoting the children’s cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Furthermore, the agency expects to work with local authorities to provide placements for children whom it finds difficult to place. This includes children who have mild to moderate additional needs, and unaccompanied children. Currently, the agency has four families undergoing the recruitment process. The 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. assessments are at various stages of completion. Those going through the assessment process spoke highly of their experiences of working with the agency. One added, ‘They give us the best support. You know you can call anytime. We trust them.’ At the point of inspection, the fostering panel had met on one occasion and had made recommendations for approvals of two foster carer applications. The setting up of a fostering agency requires significant time, determination and foresight. The owners of this agency have a clear vision of how their agency will operate. This is underpinned by a set of professional standards and vast experience of working within the fostering sector. Clear, strategic planning sets a framework on

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Overall effectiveness

which the owners expect to build the agency, setting a clear foundation from which they expect to recruit a range of foster carers and support them to meet the individual needs of children placed in their care. Although the agency has established strengths in its practice, such as clear policies and processes, the establishment of a skilled and diverse fostering panel and a clear development plan, its overall effectiveness requires improvement to become good. This inspection has identified a number of shortfalls. These include the agency not notifying Ofsted of any changes to its statement of purpose and not having an accessible children’s guide available to all children at the point of placement. The registered manager has yet to start a relevant management qualification. Nor has she received regular professional supervision. The fostering panel has made a recommendation to approve an applicant without all references in place. Panel

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Overall effectiveness

minutes do not reflect the full panel discussion. Furthermore, it provided no quality assurance feedback in respect of the quality of reports presented. The agency has not made professional links with partner agencies, resulting in carers not having specialist support to meet the particular needs of children in their care. The placement-matching tool available does not consider the impact that a child’s placement may have on existing members of the carer’s household. The agency has not completed carers’ profiles, resulting in the children not having access to information about their potential foster families, either prior to or at the point of placement. The agency does not have an advocacy in place to offer children independent advice. Where applicable, this report will cover the area of shortfall in each judgement area before reporting on the particular strengths.

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Statutory requirements

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. This section sets out the actions which 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

The fostering service provider must not approve X as a foster parent unless they have completed their assessment of X's suitability. Regulation 27(2)(a) 02/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must notify the Chief Inspector of any such revisions of the statement of purpose within 28 days. Regulation 4(b) 02/12/2016

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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

 Ensure that the panel chair ensures that written minutes of panel meetings are accurate and clearly cover the issues and views expressed by panel members and record the reasons for its recommendation. (National minimum standard 14.7)  Ensure that panel provides a quality assurance feedback to the fostering service provider on the quality of the reports being presented to panel. (National minimum standard 14.2)  Ensure that appointees to the role of registered manager who do not have the management qualification enrol on the management training course within six months, and obtain a relevant management qualification with three years of their appointment. (National minimum standard 17.3)  Ensure that suitable arrangements exist for professional supervision of the agency's registered person. (National minimum standard 24.3)  Ensure that the fostering service only suggests foster carers to local authorities as a potential match for a child if the impact of the placement on

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Recommendations

existing household members has been considered. (National minimum standard 15.1)  Ensure that children are given information about the foster carer before arrival, and any information (including, where appropriate, photographic information) they need or reasonably request about the placement, in a 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. format appropriate to their age and understanding. (National minimum standard 11.3)  Ensure that the child receives a children's guide that is accessible to their age and understanding. (National minimum standard 16.3)  Ensure that all carers have access to adequate social work and other professional support, information and advice, to enable them to provide consistent, high-quality care to the child. This includes assistance with dealing with relevant services, such as health and education. (National minimum standard 21.6)  Ensure that children have access to independent advice and support from adults whom they can contact directly and in private about problems or concerns, which is appropriate to their age and understanding. Children know

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Recommendations

their rights to advocacy, how to access and advocate and how to contact the Children's Commissioner. (National minimum standard 1.5) 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

The agency requires improvement in two particular areas to become good. Firstly, the agency has not devised a model of practice, which captures the foster carer’s family profile. This essential document offers children a snapshot of the foster carer’s home, of those within the household, their activities and what the child can expect when placed in their care. It introduces the child to the fostering family both prior to placement or, in emergency situations, at the point of placement. It helps to reduce the child’s anxiety or worry about the placement and assists to smooth their transition into the foster family. Secondly, the agency has not engaged the services of an advocacy service, and information about the Children’s Commissioner is incorrect in their literature. This leaves children unable to access independent advice and support from adults whom they can contact directly, and in private, about

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and young people

problems or concerns that they may experience. The agency, however, has a number of potential strengths in its ability to meet the needs of children placed. Applicants going through the assessment process bring a range of skills to benefit children. Most have experience of caring for children in care. They include experienced foster carers and carers who have cared for a child under special guardianship. These carers have knowledge and understanding of caring for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. These families have the physical space to sufficiently accommodate children. Their homes offer children a welcoming and healthy environment in which to live. They have built rapport and trusting relationships with the children in their care. One young adult remains very much part of the family unit, and, for another, frequent contact post-placement demonstrates a dependable relationship in which friendship

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and young people

and support continue. All applicants had or have successful careers within statutory services. All highly value education and attaining success in a chosen field of employment. They have supported children in their care to engage in education. For one young adult, the family support has resulted in her now studying at university. All applicants recognise the value of family contact. They have supported children to maintain links with their birth families, supporting the children’s identity and sense of self. Similarly, friendships have been encouraged and supported. Children have been included as part of everyday family life. They have enjoyed holidays and a range of activities and support in all areas of their lives. Such support and encouragement Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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and young people

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. help children to build self-esteem and resilience as valued members of the household.

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Quality of service

The agency requires improvement in three particular areas of practice to become good. The fostering panel is the main area requiring improvement. At the point of inspection, the fostering panel had sat for the first time. The minutes were not accurate. They did not clearly capture the issues and views expressed by panel members. These gaps in the recording fail to demonstrate the reasons for the panel’s recommendation. The fostering panel failed to recognise that an application for approval did not have the required number of references, yet made a recommendation for approval. The agency decision maker picked up this error and made the decision not to approve until the receipt of all satisfactory references. The fostering panel did not provide quality assurance feedback to the agency on the quality of the reports presented. This is a key role for the fostering panel. Its omission fails to assist the agency in its continued development of a quality service.

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Quality of service

The agency has devised a matching form to use in considering the needs of children against the skills of carers. However, it does not consider the impact on the potential match against those already in the household. This does not provide clear rationale for and evidence of how managers assess risk, disruption and vulnerabilities of a child’s placement in the context of those children already resident and vice versa. The final area for improvement in this judgment area is in respect of the agency forming links with the wider partner agencies. These may be in areas such as substance abuse or sexual health. Managers are aware of the need for this support to help foster carers meet the specific needs of the children but have yet to make the links. The agency does, however, have strengths in this judgement area. The agency has made links with the local authority. The two-way sharing of information enables the

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Quality of service

agency to be aware of placement need and the local authority to be aware of the agency, its ethos and aims and objectives. The agency is actively recruiting foster carers to meet placement demand. Its aim is to place children locally with skilled foster carers, to maximise placement stability. 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. The agency has a clear framework of professional development for approved foster carers. This includes an induction programme following approval and registration, a core training package and a plan for continued development. There is a comprehensive training programme to upskill foster carers in a bid to support and enhance their knowledge, understanding and practice in caring for and nurturing children in their care. The agency is set up to support approved foster carers through professional supervision and support. A foster carers’ supervision policy is in place as is a quality template on which to record discussion. The agency plans to further support foster carers by the addition of sessional workers. These will work alongside fostering social

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Quality of service

workers to support foster carers in particular identified tasks.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The agency has demonstrated good practices in this judgement area. Safeguarding is central to the manager’s practice, as she has significant professional experience as both practitioner and manager. It forms part of the preparation training for applicants going through the assessment process. Applicants spoke knowledgably about this area of learning, and the agency offers them a conscious awareness of the likely effects of abuse and neglect. It is also a vital element incorporated into the ongoing training and professional development for carers. The agency has a comprehensive range of safeguarding policies and procedures in place. In respect of safer caring, each applicant works with the assessing social worker to draw up an individual safer caring document. This ensures that they are aware of vulnerabilities and safeguards for both for the child and the foster carer. Foster carers have advice on how to prevent a missing episode and their role and

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Safeguarding children and young people

responsibility, should a child go missing while in their care. A bullying policy helps foster carers to recognise behaviour that may suggest that a child is the victim of bullying and their responses to bullying and guidance on how to support a child engaged in bullying behaviour. Foster carers have access to information on behaviour management, including unacceptable forms of discipline and strategies to support positive behaviour and self-management. The agency has a clear policy and procedure in relation to a child’s disclosure and allegations of abuse. It clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities of the foster carer, the agency and the wider statutory safeguarding teams. Furthermore, the agency offers approved foster carers ongoing training in these essential safeguarding activities in a bid to expand their Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Safeguarding children and young people

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. effectiveness and competence in safeguarding children. Annual health and safety checks ensure that foster carers’ accommodation remains suitable and safe for the fostering task. Unannounced visits are in place. These capture an unexpected moment of time in the fostering household, ensuring that children are suitably cared for at any given time. The recruitment of staff is robust, with safer recruitment practices in place. As a result, the agency only employs suitable people to work with children. As part of the foster carers’ assessment process, completed checks and references are required to be in place prior to presentation to the fostering panel for approval. The agency decision maker picks up the fostering panel’s oversight. This additional level of

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Safeguarding children and young people

scrutiny ensures that no approvals are made without the appropriate checks and references.

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Leadership and management

The agency requires improvement in three particular areas to become good. Firstly, the registered manager has not received professional supervision in line with organisational policy. She had trouble in securing the appropriate professional input, although very recently has succeeded. Without professional supervision, the manager has had limited opportunity to consider her performance, practice matters, service growth and professional development. The manager does not have the required management qualification. She has recently enrolled on the course; however, this is yet to start. Secondly, the agency has not provided Ofsted with its updated revision of its statement of purpose in line with regulatory requirements. This leaves parents, foster carers, staff and placing authorities unclear about the aims and objectives of the agency and the services it provides. Lastly, while the agency has a children’s

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Leadership and management

guide, it is very much aimed at older children, leaving younger children unable to access information about the agency. This financially sound organisation operates from suitable premises that offer the secure storage of confidential information. It allows space to deliver training to applicants and foster carers, and houses the fostering panel, all in comfortable surroundings. A financial policy sets out a clear payment structure to foster carers, ensuring that carers are clear about payments due to them. Managers have spent time ensuring that they have policies and procedures in place to underpin practice and service management. This is a foundation from which they will deliver their service and is a real strength of the agency. Similarly, good 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. monitoring processes are in place to capture service delivery, and a tool is used to consider the service’s merits and areas for development. Managers are aware of their areas of strength and have a clear plan of action for continued improvement and development of both practice and the delivery of service. Managers are experienced social workers with significant experience of working within the fostering sector of childcare. Although this is a relatively small organisation in its early days, managers have a clear vision. They share a drive and passion to deliver the best of services to children, their families, foster carers and placing authorities, through their community–based, family-run organisation.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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