Parent and Child Fostering Service

Parent and Child Fostering Service Inspection report for independent fostering agency

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Unique reference number SC442125 Inspection date 18/01/2017 Inspector Sharon Payne Type of inspection Full

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Setting address 497 Sunleigh Road, Wembley, Middlesex HA0 4LY

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Telephone number 02087338213 Email pacfs@yahoo.co.uk Registered person Abimbola Ladipo-Aridegbe Registered manager Responsible individual Abimbola Ladipo-Aridegbe Date of last inspection 06/06/2014 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

The Parent and Child Fostering Service Ltd is an independent fostering provider. The main focus of the agency is parent-and-child placements but they also offer short and long-term fostering and placements for children. It was registered in May 2012 and currently has four approved foster carers. At the time of this inspection there were two parent-and-child placements.

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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

Children and their parents thrive within nurturing, stable placements which meet their individual needs. The recruitment, preparation, training and support of foster carers results in a range of skilled foster carers. They are able to meet the diverse needs of the children and parents in accordance with the agency‟s statement of purpose. 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. Relationships with partner organisations are very effective. Placing authorities appreciate that the agency provides parent-and-child placements. Parents receive personalised support and have extensive opportunities to build on their parenting, self-development and life skills.

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Overall effectiveness

Foster carers are part of the team around the child. They work in partnership with others and bring appropriate professionalism to their role. They benefit from supportive relationships with the agency and placing social workers.

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Overall effectiveness

Assessments of foster carers are completed in a timely way and their quality is improving. The fostering panel is constructively challenging. The panel chair has a commendable understanding of regulations. Their decision-making promotes the best interests of children. Their recommendations contribute to improvements in the agency‟s practice.

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Overall effectiveness

Staff are qualified, skilled, experienced and passionately committed to their role. Leaders and managers are highly visible and dedicated to improving practice and outcomes for children. There is an experienced manager in post, who is currently undergoing registration with Ofsted.

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Overall effectiveness

The agency demonstrates a good capacity to improve further. Shortfalls relate to the need to improve quality of care reports, record keeping, the notification process, and foster carers‟ profiles and assessments. Leaders and managers must appropriately safeguard children through ensuring that all foster carers have appropriate first-aid training. They must also produce a disciplinary procedure. The views and experiences of children, parents and foster carers should also influence agency developments and strategic thinking.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales. Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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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.

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Requirement Due date

17: Support, training and information for foster parents–

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Requirement Due date

ensure foster parents are provided with appropriate first aid training. (Regulation 17 (1)) 01 April 2017

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Requirement Due date

produce a disciplinary procedure which provides for the suspension of an employee, where necessary in the interests of the safety or welfare of children placed with foster parents.

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Requirement Due date

It should also highlight that the failure of an employee to report an incident of abuse or neglect, or suspected abuse or neglect, of a child placed with foster parents is a ground on which disciplinary proceedings may be instituted. (Regulation 21) 01 April 2017

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Requirement Due date

26: Assessment of prospective foster parents–

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Requirement Due date

ensure assessments include all the information in Schedule 3, particularly skills, competence and potential relevant to care for a child placed with them. This refers specifically to gay, lesbian or transgender children. (Regulation 26) 01 April 2017

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Requirement Due date

maintain a system for improving the quality of care provided by the fostering agency. The system must provide for foster parents, children placed with foster parents, and their placing authority. (Regulation 35 (1) (b) and (3)) 01 April 2017

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Requirement Due date

ensure Ofsted is notified without delay of the outcome of any child protection enquiry. (Regulation 36) 01 April 2017

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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 wishes, feelings and views of children and those significant to them are taken into account in monitoring foster carers and developing the fostering 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. service; (NMS 1.7)

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Recommendations

ensure that children are given information about foster carers before arrival, including where appropriate photographic information, in a format appropriate to their age and understanding; (NMS 11.3) ensure entries on running records are signed. (NMS 26.5) 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

Children and their parents benefit from nurturing placements. They receive consistent encouragement, which develops their confidence and builds up their emotional resilience. A parent highlighted that their foster carer has been a „big help to me and my son from day one‟. They added that the foster carer has „always been there for both of us‟ and „I could not ask for anything better.‟ Another parent highlighted that „This is one of the best placements I ever had.‟ They commented on being given „massive support‟ and that although it „has been a struggle‟ they had a „good bond‟ with their foster carer.

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and young people

Foster carers provide a warm welcome for children and parents. This helps them quickly settle into their new environments. They enjoy being part of a family, which gives them stability and a sense of belonging. Children and parents enjoy sound relationships with their foster family. A parent stated that they „all get on like a family‟, commenting on her son being „attached‟ and that the foster family „love him‟. A child described their foster carer as „caring, easy to talk to and a good cook. She has done more than a good job, looking after me.‟ They would change, „nothing at all‟. A foster carer expressed that they were „happy to play the role of grandmother and mother‟.

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and young people

Children and parents are well cared for and lead a healthy lifestyle. Foster carers ensure that they register with their local surgery. They receive support from relevant health professionals, including health visitors. Parents receive support to attend children‟s centres and other resources, which are beneficial for their child‟s development.

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and young people

Improvements occur in children and their parents‟ wellbeing. An example is that a parent‟s medication has decreased and their hypochondria has ceased. They also learn the importance of nutritious foods. A good example of this is a parent learning to make home-made blended baby food and giving her child healthy vegetable snacks.

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and young people

Children are thriving. Placements offer opportunities to meet social, educational, recreational and spiritual needs. Older children and parents learn skills necessary for adult life and independence. Some are rehabilitated back home or into the 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. community. A foster carer voiced their pride in being able to give children and parents „peace of mind‟ and a „sense of direction‟. Older children and parents benefit from reflective conversations, which raise their self-awareness. These conversations enable them to examine their actions, experiences and consequences. This contributes to their personal development, informing future decision-making.

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and young people

Foster carers assist with personal development and help children and parents to be aspirational for the future. Children and parents are encouraged to achieve their educational potential. Older children and parents are supported with finding employment and enrolling in college. One foster carer has their own hairdressing business and helps older children and parents to develop their interest in this area.

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and young people

Foster carers produce commendable life-story books, which include meaningful items and photographs. Birth children also contribute by writing letters. The recording of this information documents the child‟s life in foster care. This is valued, as it will help them recall memories, understand their past and answer any questions that they may have in the future.

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and young people

Contact is facilitated according to the placing authority plan. Support workers and respite carers are available to assist. A foster parent confirmed that there is „excellent support with contact‟, highlighting the provision of „a timetable, venues and transport if needed‟.

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and young people

There is a process for seeking regular feedback. However, one foster carer highlighted the need for the agency to „listen to foster carers‟. A professional stated that they „would expect to see greater scope for children‟s views in the future‟. The agency should consider further how the wishes, feelings and views of children and those significant to them are taken into account in monitoring foster carers and developing the fostering service.

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and young people

The agency is currently in the process of producing foster carer profiles. This will help to familiarise children and their parents with their new home. Currently children are not given information about foster carers before arrival, including, where appropriate, photographic information, in a format appropriate to their age and understanding.

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and young people

A parent described their placement as being „challenging but a very good experience‟. They admitted it „made me focus on the main purpose‟, „to give my baby the best start in life‟. Foster carers help to build on their strengths. A parent described this as more like a mother instructing her daughter. Foster carers work consistently with parents, helping them to focus on meeting the emotional, social, 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. educational and health needs of their children. Parents receive practical assistance and direct support with childcare tasks. Foster carers provide advice, support and information around basic parenting skills and routines.

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and young people

Parents receive assistance to access community resources which benefit themselves and their children. Ongoing daily support and intervention empowers them. Parents highlight their pride in relation to their enhanced cooking skills. They learn the importance of their responsiveness, physical and emotional health, safe sleeping and child development. Parents successfully introduce routines to their children, stating that they had „learned a lot‟. Their children are happy, healthy, more stimulated and making progress with their expected developmental milestones.

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Quality of service

A placing social worker praised the agency‟s „high quality care‟. The agency has carers who offer good quality, child-focused placements. A placing social worker commented that the supervising social worker and the foster carer had „worked effectively with me and my team in ensuring the young person‟s placement was a success‟. An independent reviewing officer stated that the agency was „committed to care‟ and that the child is „the priority‟. Foster carers found their role rewarding. One highlighted that they felt „useful‟ and it made their „life richer‟.

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Quality of service

Detailed reports regarding parent and child placements assist local authorities in decision-making involving parental capacity. Supervising social workers skilfully highlight the progress and strengths of parents and focus on their children‟s development and their parenting capacity. A placing authority also stated that they would in addition appreciate a summarised report for statutory reviews.

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Quality of service

The agency has a successful word-of-mouth recruitment strategy. There are plans to extend into social media, which will attract a more diverse range of carers to meet the needs of children. The preparation and support of foster carers is good. A foster carer described staff as having „good listening ears‟, being „very effective‟ and „always available.‟ Foster carers are involved in the preparation training for those new to the role. They assist effectively through recruitment events, training, mentoring and 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. sharing their expertise at meetings. Leaders and managers want foster carers to be active participants in the agency to give them a sense of belonging.

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Quality of service

Foster carers have fun and socialise together at seasonal events. There is a good mentoring system in place for new carers. Respite carers also provide back-up support.

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Quality of service

Foster carers generally receive the training and development they need to carry out their role effectively. The clear training and development framework includes the required vocational training. Foster carers‟ needs are appraised annually. They receive the support and supervision they need, in order to care for children placed with them.

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Quality of service

Foster carers are clear about their role and the professionalism required. They work effectively with children‟s social workers, forming a team around the child. They strongly promote children‟s best interests. A placing social worker stated that foster carers are „able to work proactively‟ and „inter-professionally‟. Foster carers feel well supported through regular supervisory visits, telephone calls, meetings, newsletters, training and seminars. Staff additionally use a social media messaging service to provide supportive communication.

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Quality of service

The diverse fostering panel focuses effectively on promoting children‟s best interests. The fostering panel has a wide range of relevant professional and personal expertise. The panel chair is highly experienced and has a significant understanding of the fostering service‟s regulatory framework. The panel members are constructively challenging and have an excellent command of their tasks. They provide a strong quality assurance function, which contributes to improvements in practice. It is reported that the panel has a „good working relationship‟ with the manager, who is open to „challenge and change‟.

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Quality of service

The quality of assessments is improving. Prospective foster carers described the assessment process as „thorough, helpful and reassuring‟. Assessors do not consistently include all the necessary details to inform the panel‟s decision-making. There are examples of information being missing, resulting in deferrals. Assessments do not always clearly outline s kills, competence and why an applicant is intrinsically suited to fostering, for example because they could care for gay, lesbian or transgender children.

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Quality of service

Children benefit from stable placements. A foster carer commented that staff „match well, which has made fostering easy and enjoyable for me‟. The introduction of matching criteria helps to provide effective placements. Staff are currently 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. embedding this in their records, to produce meaningful matching reports. The aim is to outline strengths and how placements will meet needs and enhance children‟s lives.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Safeguarding arrangements need to be more robust. Safeguarding must be inherent in all decision-making and become a way of thinking. Staff must think about all probabilities and potential risks. An example is that not all foster carers hold a current first-aid qualification. A professional highlighted that, „unless management is scrupulous in their application of regulatory compliance, there is a vulnerability‟.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Procedures for child protection, missing children and complaints satisfactorily meet regulatory requirements. The agency does not have a staff disciplinary procedure to address poor practice or staff not reporting an incident of actual or suspected abuse or neglect. Although no incidents have occurred relating to staff conduct, the agency must have procedures to address such issues.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Leaders and managers understand the difference between child protection and standards of care complaints. They notify Ofsted appropriately of the instigation of child protection enquires. They do not follow up with a notification regarding the outcome of child protection investigations. Risk assessments and safe caring policies help to ensure that the welfare and safety of children are promoted. Staff also undertake at least one unannounced visit every year.

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Safeguarding children and young people

There are no current issues with children going missing or being at risk of child sexual exploitation. Foster carers and staff benefit from a range of child protection and safeguarding training. This includes training to raise their awareness of the risks of female genital mutilation, child sexual exploitation and preventing radicalisation.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Where there have been cases of children having unauthorised absences, these have been appropriately managed. A placing social worker described communication during these episodes as being „extremely efficient and concise‟. They highlighted that staff worked well with the child to ensure that „appropriate safeguarding decisions were made‟.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Foster carers are aware of and sensitively manage issues of abuse. Parents feel able 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. to disclose issues. They are helped to recognise the importance of healthy relationships and the negative effect of domestic violence. They learn to prioritise their children‟s needs. Parents also learn how to manage stress, such as through discussions and going for walks.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Recruitment is sound. There is careful selection of staff, fostering households and members of the central list. Ongoing monitoring helps to prevent unsuitable people from having the opportunity to harm children.

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Leadership and management

This is an agency which benefits from committed, passionate leadership and management which is striving to provide a good service for children. Shortfalls are minor. They relate to improving the quality of care reports, record keeping and the Ofsted notification process. The service has been without a registered manager for an extended period of time. A new manager is in post who is currently undergoing the Ofsted registration process.

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Leadership and management

The agency has an inadequate quality assurance process. Reviews of the quality of care do not meet regulatory requirements. Staff regularly seek feedback from foster carers, placing authorities, parents and, where appropriate, children. This information is not included in their quality of care reports. There are also no details regarding plans to improve the quality of care. This is needed to promote a system of continual evaluation and improvement.

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Leadership and management

Leaders and managers have plans to improve the computerised recording system. They also recognise the need to develop a clearer system to monitor progress, to evidence positive outcomes better. Staff maintain a running record on all case files. Accountability is inconsistent, as entries on running records are not always signed.

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Leadership and management

It has been a challenging few years since the last inspection. This is the result of the departure of a former business partner who took a number of foster carers and placements with them. The owner and responsible individual has successfully kept the agency financially viable. The appointment of managers has helped to strengthen the leadership and management arrangements.

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Leadership and management

The responsible individual is highly regarded by professionals. One highlighted her 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. „loyalty‟ and desire to serve her community. This professional stated that the agency „care about the carers and the children and there is a “strive for excellence”‟. A foster carer described the responsible individual as „very compassionate‟ and „firm but fair‟.

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Leadership and management

Placing authorities give affirming feedback and would recommend the agency. They comment on the strong, positive working relationships. A placing social worker stated that it was a pleasure „to work with the foster carer and supervising social worker‟. An independent reviewing officer highlighted that the agency was „very proactive‟ and a commissioner felt that they were „very responsive to requests‟.

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Leadership and management

The agency now has greater management oversight, through the appointment of the new manager. This individual is an experienced children‟s social work manager and has a vision to take the service forward. The agency‟s service development plan also adequately outlines the plans for the future.

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Leadership and management

The agency has a committed supervising social worker, who has valuable experienced within the residential family-centre field. They have a strong understanding of assessing parental capacity and promoting a child-focused service. Their support to carers, parents and children is flexible and greatly appreciated. A parent described the supervising social worker as „very caring and a good listener, almost like a mother‟. A foster carer described her as „very calming‟, welcoming her relentless support. The supervising social worker receives professional support through regular supervision, annual appraisals and ongoing training.

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Leadership and management

The agency has a clear statement of purpose, which concisely outlines its aims and objectives. Children and parents benefit from their own respective guides, which inform their expectations regarding the agency. The organisational website also provides an overview and further information for interested parties. An independent reviewing officer felt that the agency‟s „strength‟ was its parent and child placements, which they felt was a „niche service‟.

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Leadership and management

Leaders and managers have effectively addressed the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection. Children receive greater protection because foster carers have updated risk assessments. There is now a clear distinction between investigation into allegations of harm and discussions over standards of care. The safeguarding and complaints procedures now comply with regulations. There are also improvements in the information provided to the fostering panel and to service monitoring. Website: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Leadership and management

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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.

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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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