Plus One Fostering

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Plus One Fostering 1 Plus One Fostering Plus One Fostering Limited 58 Bridgelands Way, Birmingham B20 3JU Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Plus One Fostering Limited is a small, privately owned fostering agency. It currently has six fostering households registered and three young people in placement. It provides emergency, short- and long-term placements.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Inspection dates: 18 to 22 September 2017

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected, their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: 12 October 2015

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

None Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Plus One Fostering 2

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Key findings from this inspection

This independent fostering agency is inadequate because:

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Key findings from this inspection

 Safeguarding processes are poor and fail to protect young people.  Leaders and managers do not take rigorous action when young people raise concerns about the care that they are receiving.  Leaders and managers failed to investigate an incident when a young person was physically restrained.  Leaders and managers do not keep written records of safeguarding allegations or complaints. They do not learn from allegations.  Young people’s risk assessments are weak. They do not provide foster carers with enough information about young people’s risk-taking behaviours.  Young people are poorly matched. Assessments do not take account of other young people living in the household, nor do they take account of young people’s individual needs.  Partnership working with placing authorities and other agencies is inadequate.  Leaders and managers have failed to provide foster carers with the training and support that they need to keep young people safe and support their progress.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Leaders and managers have failed to monitor the quality of care that foster carers provide to young people.  The quality and regularity of supervision sessions is poor. The registered manager has had poor quality supervision and guidance from the responsible individual. This has had a negative impact on the standard of the service provided to young people.  A lack of finance has had a negative impact on the everyday running of the agency as well as the quality of support and training provided to foster carers. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Plus One Fostering 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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 registered person in respect of an independent fostering agency must ensure that the welfare of children placed or to be placed with foster parents is safeguarded and promoted at all times. (Regulation 11(a)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must prepare and implement a written policy which is intended to safeguard children placed with foster parents from abuse or neglect. (Regulation 12 (1) (a)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must prepare and implement a written policy which sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect. (Regulation 12 (1)(b)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must prepare and implement a written policy which sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect and provides, in particular, for liaison and co-operation with any local authority which is, or may be, making child protection enquiries in relation to any child placed by the fostering service provider. (Regulation 12 (3)(a)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must prepare and implement a written policy which sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect and provides, in particular, for the prompt referral to the area authority of any allegation of abuse or neglect affecting any child placed by the fostering service provider. (Regulation 12 (3)(b)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must prepare and implement a written policy which sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect and provides, in particular, for notification of the instigation and outcome of any child protection enquiries involving a child placed by the fostering service provider, to the Chief Inspector. (Regulation 12 (3)(c)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must prepare and implement a written policy which sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect and provides, in particular, for written records to be kept of any allegation 30/12/2017 Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Plus One Fostering 4 of abuse or neglect, and of the action taken in response. (Regulation 12 (3)(d)) The fostering service provider must prepare and implement a written policy on acceptable measures of control, restraint and discipline of children placed with foster parents. (Regulation 13 (1)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must ensure that each child is provided with such individual support, aids and equipment which the child may require as a result of any particular health needs or disability the child may have. (Regulation 15 (2)(c)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must 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. (Regulation 17 (1)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must ensure that, in relation to any child placed or to be placed with a foster parent, the foster parent is given such information, which is kept up to date, as to enable him to provide appropriate care for the child, and in particular that each foster parent is provided with a copy of the most recent version of the child’s care plan provided to the fostering service provider under regulation 6(3)(d) of the Care Planning Regulations. (Regulation 17 (3)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a written record is made of any complaint or representation, the action taken in response to it, and the outcome of the investigation. (Regulation 18 (1)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must, on request, supply the Chief Inspector with a statement containing a summary of any complaints made during the preceding 12 months and the action taken in response. (Regulation 18 (6)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must provide all employees with a job description outlining their responsibilities. (Regulation 21 (1)(b)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must ensure that all persons employed by them receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal. (Regulation 21 (4)(a)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The functions of the fostering panel in respect of cases referred to it by the fostering service provider are to recommend whether or not a person remains suitable to be a foster parent, and whether or not the terms of their approval (if any) remain appropriate. (Regulation 25 (1)(c)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must ensure that a review of foster carers takes place not more than a year after approval, and thereafter whenever the fostering service provider consider it necessary, but at intervals of not more than a year. (Regulation 28 (2)) 30/12/2017 Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Plus One Fostering 5 A fostering service provider must maintain a case record for each foster parent approved by them which must include copies of the documents specified in paragraph (2) and the information specified in paragraph (3). (Regulation 30 (1)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain a system for monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 at appropriate intervals. (Regulation 35 (1) (a)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain a system for improving the quality of foster care provided by the fostering agency. (Regulation 35 (1) (b)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain a system which provides for consultation with foster parents, children placed with foster parents, and their placing authority. (Regulation 35 (3)) 30/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must carry on the fostering agency in such manner as is likely to ensure that it will be financially viable for the purpose of achieving the aims and objectives set out in its statement of purpose. (Regulation 37 (1)) 30/12/2017 Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Plus One Fostering 6

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inadequate

Foster carers do not have enough information about young people. This means that young people’s individual needs are not always met. For example, one young person has hearing difficulties. For this young person, there is nothing documented about how the foster carers should support her, or the potential impact that this may have on her ability to become part of their household. Assessments about how well young people may fit into foster carers’ families lack detail. For example, the assessments do not consider other young people who live in the home. When placing authorities express concerns about young people’s relationships with one another, the registered manager fails to investigate these concerns. This has a negative impact on young people’s progress and their experiences.

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inadequate

Young people’s risk management plans do not contain enough information about their risks. They are not updated after significant incidents. There is no clear guidance to support foster carers to keep young people safe. For example, when young people misuse substances and there are concerns about their peer group, there are no plans to manage these risks. Some young people’s experiences are poor as they are not receiving the support and help that they need.

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inadequate

Young people’s files do not contain up-to-date information, such as health reviews or statutory review meeting minutes. Record-keeping is inadequate. For example, some foster carers have not provided records for almost a year. The registered manager and responsible individual fail to monitor young people’s progress. When young people are struggling with their education, there are no records detailing what action professionals and foster carers are taking to support them. It is unclear how foster carers support young people with their school exams. One foster carer tried to take a young person on holiday during their exams. Although this did not take place (following intervention by the young person’s placing authority), the registered manager has failed to investigate this or challenge the foster carer about it.

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inadequate

Consultation with young people is poor. On occasion, an agency supervising social worker has attempted to visit young people to ascertain their wishes and feelings. However, these visits are infrequent and have little impact on the day-to-day experiences of young people. When young people have raised concerns about the care that they are receiving, the registered manager has failed to investigate their concerns adequately or record her conclusion. Annual reviews of foster carers do not consider young people’s views, nor do they look at any allegations or concerns that have been raised. The registered manager has not learned from incidents or sought to improve foster carers’ practice.

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inadequate

Due to financial concerns, the fostering agency has not assessed or recruited any new foster carers since the last inspection. A fostering panel has not been held since the last inspection, meaning that foster carers have not been reviewed in line with regulation. Consequently, foster carers have not had the benefit of being Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Plus One Fostering 7 independently reviewed.

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inadequate

Despite significant shortfalls, some young people say that they enjoy living with their foster carers and that they feel safe. Some foster carers advocate on behalf of young people about important issues, such as their care plans and contact with their siblings. Foster carers are good at supporting young people to see their friends and siblings. However, some foster carers do not find out who young people’s friends are or assess whether they pose a risk to the young people.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

This agency has failed to keep young people safe. The registered manager and responsible individual have failed to investigate significant safeguarding incidents and allegations. They have failed to adequately follow up or record young people’s allegations, complaints or safeguarding incidents. For example, young people alleged that they have been left on their own at their foster placement for several nights. One young person was restrained while in her foster placement. The registered manager has failed to review this incident or speak to the young person. This lack of action places young people at risk.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Leaders and managers have failed to follow safeguarding procedures. This has left young people at significant risk of harm. The registered manager has not reported safeguarding concerns to the appropriate agencies. The registered manager did not take action to safeguard young people or investigate allegations. The registered manager has not ensured that foster carers have been reviewed at panel after allegations have been made. The registered manager has failed to review safeguarding incidents, including when young people have been admitted to hospital after taking alcohol and drugs.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Foster carers are ill-equipped to understand young people’s behaviours. Generic risk assessments and a lack of safe caring plans mean that guidance to carers is weak. The registered manager does not learn from incidents when young people’s placements have broken down. Foster carers do not always receive effective support to manage some young people’s complex behaviours. Risk assessments are not updated. Consequently, decision-making is poorly informed.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Partnership working with other agencies is poor. When placing authorities have raised concerns about foster carers’ practice, the registered manager has not taken action to investigate their concerns. She has not prioritised young people’s safety and emotional well-being. The registered manager does not always share young people’s complaints with their placing authorities.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

The registered manager has failed to challenge foster carers when there has been evidence of poor practice. This includes when foster carers have not informed the agency of important information, such as changes to their family circumstances. Some foster carers have breached the agency’s safeguarding policy (by not reporting a young person as missing). The registered manager has failed to tackle this. Young people have been at risk when in the community. Foster carers have not taken effective action or shared this information with the agency. For example, one young Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Plus One Fostering 8 person had been selling petrol illegally to a local takeaway for some time. This information was not shared and no action was taken to safeguard him. There has been no work with the young person to understand this incident or to find out other important information. This demonstrates a total lack of professional responsibility

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

The agency’s response to exploitation is poor because the registered manager does not identify patterns from safeguarding incidents. When there are concerns about young people in the community or with their peer group, no action is taken to communicate these concerns to placing authorities or to reduce the risk. Consequently, young people’s behaviours continue to put them at risk.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

The registered manager is unclear about what constitutes an independent return interview. As a result, young people have not had the opportunity to speak to someone independent after they have run away. This means that important information which could be used to protect young people is lost. Foster carers do not receive enough support, training or guidance to be able to understand key issues, such as exploitation, radicalisation and substance misuse.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Management monitoring of safeguarding incidents is inadequate and does not protect young people. The registered manager’s systems for monitoring matters, such as physical interventions, complaints and missing episodes, are ineffective. Poor documentation and ineffective management monitoring tools mean that it is unclear what action has been taken to keep young people safe. The registered manager has failed to inform Ofsted of significant allegations and safeguarding concerns. This has affected the level of oversight that the regulator has between inspections.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager has been in post since the agency opened in 2004. She is also the director of the fostering agency. The agency employs one supervising social worker. The registered manager is a qualified social worker, as is the responsible individual. The responsible individual has provided some support to the registered manager. However, the responsible individual’s supervision sessions of the registered manager are poor and do not provide her with the guidance or direction that she needs in order to manage the agency effectively. The responsible individual has not had sufficient oversight of the agency and so has been unaware of the significant shortfalls raised in this inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Financial concerns have significantly affected the functioning of the agency and the progress of young people. Foster carers, the supervising social worker, the registered manager and the panel members have not received training since the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

When concerns arise, the registered manager has not used supervision sessions with foster carers to provide effective guidance or training. She has allowed poor and unsafe practice to continue without challenge. This has had a negative impact on the safety, progress and experiences of young people. There has not been a fostering Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Plus One Fostering 9 panel since the last inspection. This means that one foster carer has not had their first annual review and the panel has not reviewed safeguarding investigations. There has been no independent oversight of the functioning of this agency since the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager is not able to track the progress of young people because her management monitoring systems are ineffective. Neither foster carers’ nor young people’s case files contain current information. Safeguarding incidents and investigations are not documented. The registered manager has not completed quarterly management reports about the functioning of the agency, with the exception of just one report. However, this report was not a true representation of the performance of the agency. Foster carers and young people do not provide feedback about their experiences. The registered manager has failed to identify any areas for improvement within the agency. Consequently, poor practice has been allowed to continue.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the independent fostering agency knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and the national minimum standards. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Plus One Fostering 10

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Plus One Fostering Limited

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: 16 Vernon Avenue, Birmingham B20 1DE

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Independent fostering agency details

Email address: p.higgins@plusonefostering.co.uk

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Inspectors

Hannah Bates, social care inspector Alison Cooper, social care inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Plus One Fostering 11 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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