Sandwell Local Authority Private Fostering Arrangements Agency

Sandwell Local Authority Private Fostering Arrangements Agency Inspection report for la fostering agency

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SC079382 Unique reference number 14 May 2007 Inspection date David Morgan Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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Crystal House Address 1-7 Crystal Lane Sandwell Business Park Smethwick West Midlands B66 1QG 0845 3528609 Telephone number

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Email

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Registered person Sharon Storrod Registered manager Sharon Storrod Responsible individual

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Date of last inspection

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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Date of last inspection

You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure 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. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of ? Inspection Report: Sandwell Local Authority Private Fostering Arrangements Agency, 14 May 2007

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Brief description of the service

A private fostering arrangement is made without the involvement a local authority for the care of a child under 16 years of age. Care is provided by someone other than a parent or close relative with the intention of lasting more than 28 days. The local authority does not approve or register such carers, but it has a duty to ensure the welfare of the child is promoted and safeguarded. Sandwell Borough Council has arrangements in place through its Community Support Services to fulfil its legal responsibilities in this matter. The current role of Ofsted in Private Fostering Arrangements is solely to report on the degree to which the relevant National Minimum Standards have been implemented. Central government will review this in 2009.

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Summary

The Authority was unable to present any information at the time of inspection and the inspector was informed that no children were known to be privately fostered. In the following two weeks the Authority submitted such information as was available but this was too late to be effectively inspected. The information included a draft Statement of Purpose, an information leaflet and certain data. The data indicated that three children were being privately fostered. The overall quality rating is inadequate. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is not judged. There are no National Minimum standards under this outcome.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. NMS 2 Notifications to the Local Authority The local authority has produced a leaflet about private fostering that is available to the public and satisfactorily meets the standard. There is no programme of publicity or communication. Similarly, there was no evidence of communication with staff. The inspector was informed that social workers have responded to three referrals. This could not be checked and neither could other parts of this Standard. NMS 3 Welfare of Children. It was not possible to inspect this Standard. The Authority reported that it was unable to confirm that all carers had been vetted; this must be addressed forthwith. NMS 4 Advice and Support to Carers The fact that some children have become known to the local authority indicates that their carers had had an opportunity to speak to a social worker. However, this could not be verified. NMS 5 Advice and Support to Parents It was not possible to inspect this

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Standard. NMS 6 Information to Children. It was not possible to inspect this Standard

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is not judged. There are no National Minimum standards under this outcome. 4 of ? Inspection Report: Sandwell Local Authority Private Fostering Arrangements Agency, 14 May 2007

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is not judged. There are no National Minimum standards under this outcome.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is not judged. There are no National Minimum standards under this outcome.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. NMS 1 Statement of Purpose A draft statement of purpose was provided to the inspector. This addresses many of the requirements of this standard. However, it must be confirmed as acceptable by the authority, dated and circulated as necessary. It must also address the remainder of the criteria in this standard. NMS 7 Monitoring Currently, there is no monitoring of these arrangements.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Fostering Services Regulations 2005 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Due date Action Standard

2 July 2007 arrange for the statement of purpose to be confirmed as acceptable by the authority, dated and circulated as necessary, and, for it to include all the matters identified in this standard (Standard 1) 2 July 2007 must provide Ofsted with an action plan showing how and when it will implement both the legislation and its associated National Minimum Standards (Children Act 1989). 2 July 2007 arrange for all vetting checks of carers to be undertaken forthwith (Regulation 4) 25 June 2007 organise a system for monitoring the private fostering arrangements (Regulation 12).

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): 5 of ? Inspection Report: Sandwell Local Authority Private Fostering Arrangements Agency, 14 May 2007

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