Setting

Fostering Service

County Hall Loughborough Road West Bridgford Nottingham NG2 7QP

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

Launched in April 2004, the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) is the single inspectorate for social care in England.

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

The Commission combines the work formerly done by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI), the SSI/Audit Commission Joint Review Team and the National Care Standards Commission.

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The role of CSCI is to:

• Promote improvement in social care • Inspect all social care - for adults and children - in the public, private and voluntary sectors • Publish annual reports to Parliament on the performance of social care and on the state of the social care market • Inspect and assess ‘Value for Money’ of council social services • Hold performance statistics on social care • Publish the ‘star ratings’ for council social services • Register and inspect services against national standards • Host the Children’s Rights Director role.

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Inspection Methods & Findings

SECTION B of this report summarises key findings and evidence from this inspection. The following 4-point scale is used to indicate the extent to which standards have been met or not met by placing the assessed level alongside the phrase "Standard met?"

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The 4-point scale ranges from:

4 - Standard Exceeded (Commendable) 3 - Standard Met (No Shortfalls) 2 - Standard Almost Met (Minor Shortfalls) 1 - Standard Not Met (Major Shortfalls) 'O' or blank in the 'Standard met?' box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion. '9' in the 'Standard met?' box denotes standard not applicable. 'X' is used where a percentage value or numerical value is not applicable. Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 1

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time of inspection

Number of Inspector Days spent on site: 1 Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 2

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SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE(S) OF THE VISIT

The purpose of the visit was to update on progress following requirements and recommendations arising from the inspection carried out on 26 th January 2004, and plan for the next inspection, agreement of dates for pre-inspection meeting, inspection and required preparation for inspection.

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SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE(S) OF THE VISIT

A Senior Manager was able to give verbal updates in respect of the recommendations and requirements, a summary of which appears below. Further evidence will be sought during the next inspection.

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INSPECTION METHODS USED AT THE VISIT

Inspection of relevant part(s) of premises NO Interview with senior staff member in charge YES Interview with other staff NO Discussion with children NO Individual interview with a child NO Visit foster/adoptive home NO Visit lodgings NO Interview foster/adoptive parent NO Inspection of relevant records NO Inspection of relevant policy/practice documents YES Children's survey NO Parent survey NO Placing authority survey NO Foster / adoptive parent survey NO Staff survey NO

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INSPECTION METHODS USED AT THE VISIT

Date of Inspection 31/03/05 Time of Inspection 12:45 Duration Of Inspection 1

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MONITORING AND FOLLOW UP VISITS

Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 3 The following scale is used to indicate the extent to which standards have been met or not met by placing the assessed level alongside the phrase "Standard met?"

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MONITORING AND FOLLOW UP VISITS

The scale ranges from: 4 - Standard Exceeded (Commendable) 3 - Standard Met (No Shortfalls) 2 - Standard Almost Met (Minor Shortfalls) 1 - Standard Not Met (Major Shortfalls)

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MONITORING AND FOLLOW UP VISITS

“0" in the "Standard met?" box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion. “9" in the "Standard met?" box denotes standard not applicable. “X” is used where a percentage value or numerical value is not applicable. Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 4

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(I). Inspector's assessment of the extent to which the requirements for consultation

with children are being met. Key findings/Evidence Standard met? 0 This standard was not inspected.

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(II). Inspector's assessment of the extent to which the requirements for complaints

procedures for children are being met. Key findings/Evidence Standard met? 0 This standard was not inspected.

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response to allegations or suspicions of abuse of children (child protection and

staff/carer reporting procedures). Key findings/Evidence Standard met? 0 This standard was not inspected. Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 5 (IV). Inspector's assessment of the adequacy of staffing at the time of the visit. Key findings/Evidence Standard met? 0 This standard was not inspected.

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(V). Inspector's assessment of the extent to which any children and staff/carers seen

are aware of individual children's plans (where applicable). Key findings/Evidence Standard met? 0 This standard was not inspected.

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FINDINGS ON SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THIS VISIT

Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 6

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FS26 – Immediate requirement in respect of insufficient secure storage and working

Following internal moves in the building the fostering team have a much bigger office, this move took place in April 2004 .

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FS26 – Requirement to improve the accommodation used by the Short Breaks Team,

specifically to make the building accessible to wheelchair users.

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FS26 – Requirement to improve the accommodation used by the Short Breaks Team,

This team has now moved into a new office, on 3 rd March 2004, at Station Road, Sutton in Ashfield.

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FS26 – Requirement to improve the accommodation used by the Short Breaks Team,

FS15 – Requirement in respect of Schedule 1 matters.

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FS26 – Requirement to improve the accommodation used by the Short Breaks Team,

Absence of recent photos – unable to update in respect of this issue.

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FS26 – Requirement to improve the accommodation used by the Short Breaks Team,

Evidence re qualifications – All workers are qualified, and have all registered with the GSCC.

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FS26 – Requirement to improve the accommodation used by the Short Breaks Team,

Evidence of References – A clear process is in place and all appointed staff have their referees telephoned as required by the policy.

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FS26 – Requirement to improve the accommodation used by the Short Breaks Team,

CRB – All staff employed by the fostering service have CRBs, these are administered from West Bridgeford House, where a database is held which includes carers also.

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FS30 – Panel to recommend approval rather than give final decision to carers –

Practice guidance which has been in place since 2003 requires this. Language and behaviour on the day of inspectors observing panel did not evidence this. This has been addressed via an article in the county fostering magazine regarding the role of panel; awareness raising through team management meetings and panel chairs meetings; and foster carer liaison committee.

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Recommendations

FS4 – Carers, staff and management to declare any possible conflict of interest – unclear from report precisely what this refers to.

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Recommendations

FS6 – ensure transport provided by carers is safe and appropriate to child’s needs – A new policy has been produced with effect from July 2004. Leaflets are available in respect of choosing and fitting a child seat, summarising the law, and training is to be made available for staff and carers.

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Recommendations

FS12 – carers to complete weekly diary/sanction sheets – This to be addressed by supervising social workers and monitored in supervision. Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 7 FS25 – Managers to sign off files as evidence they have been monitored – A system for auditing paper and electronic records is in place. ‘Framework’ information system set up and running from January 2005, which includes auditing process.

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Recommendations

FS25 – Young people to be informed they can access files – This has been addressed through the commissioning teams, through joint training, and team manager days. Clear SW lead in the care planning process reinforced.

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Graduate Certificate in Management from Nottingham Trent University in autumn

Alison Shield fed back the view that overall this has been a good year for fostering.

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short breaks carers has been addressed via use of the Choice Protects grant. A

salaried carers scheme for family based short breaks has been introduced.

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Agreed dates for inspection 17 th , 18 th , and 19 th May 2005, Mark Ryder to lead and Jane

Pre inspection meeting to take place on 14 th April at 12.00 at West Bridgeford House. Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 8

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FOR UNANNOUNCED, MONITORING AND FOLLOW UP VISITS

Requirements from last Inspection visit fully actioned? NA

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indicate a non-compliance with applicable Regulations or Standards under the Care

No. Regulation if applicable Standard Required actions Timescale for action

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Action is being taken by the Commission for Social Care Inspection to monitor

compliance with the above requirements. Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 9

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Independent Fostering Agencies or Voluntary Adoption Agencies only)

Providers and managers of registered services must comply with statutory conditions of their registration. The conditions applying to this registration are listed below, with the inspector's assessment of compliance from the evidence at the time of this Additional Inspection Visit.

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Date

Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 10

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Issues raised by inspector:

Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 11

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the statutory requirements under the Care Standards Act 2000, Children Act 1989, or

applicable Regulations and National Minimum Standards.

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the statutory requirements under the Care Standards Act 2000, Children Act 1989, or

No. Regulation if applicable Standard * Requirement Timescale for action

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National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice issues to be considered

No. Refer to Standard * Recommendation Action

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National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice issues to be considered

Note: Standard code is in respect of the relevant service; e.g. BS = Boarding School, CH = Children's Home, etc Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 12

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Public reports

It should be noted that all CSCI inspection reports are public documents. Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 13

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Registered Person’s comments/confirmation relating to the content and accuracy of

We would welcome comments on the content of this report relating to the Inspection conducted on 31/03/05 and any factual inaccuracies:

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Registered Person’s comments/confirmation relating to the content and accuracy of

Please limit your comments to one side of A4 if possible Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 14

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Action taken by the CSCI in response to provider comments:

Amendments to the report were necessary NO

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Action taken by the CSCI in response to provider comments:

Comments were received from the provider NO

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Action taken by the CSCI in response to provider comments:

Provider comments/factual amendments were incorporated into the final inspection report NO

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Action taken by the CSCI in response to provider comments:

NO Provider comments are available on file at the Area Office but have not been incorporated into the final inspection report. The inspector believes the report to be factually accurate

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Note:

In instances where there is a major difference of view between the Inspector and the Registered Provider both views will be made available on request to the Area Office.

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indicates how required or recommended actions and good practice

recommendations are to be addressed and stating a clear timescale for completion. This will be kept on file and made available on request.

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report:

Action plan was received at the point of publication NO

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report:

Action plan covers all the statutory requirements in a timely fashion NO

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report:

Action plan did not cover all the statutory requirements and required further discussion NO

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report:

Provider has declined to provide an action plan NO

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Public reports

It should be noted that all CSCI inspection reports are public documents. Reports on children's homes are only obtainable on personal application to CSCI offices. Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service Page 15

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to the inspection conducted on the above date(s) and that I agree with the

required/recommended actions made and will seek to comply with these.

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Date

Note: In instance where there is a profound difference of view between the Inspector and the Registered Provider both views will be reported. Please attach any extra pages, as applicable.

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Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service / 31st March 2005

Commission for Social Care Inspection 33 Greycoat Street London SW1P 2QF

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Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service / 31st March 2005

Telephone: 020 7979 2000 Fax: 020 7979 2111

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Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service / 31st March 2005

National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 www.csci.org.uk

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Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service / 31st March 2005

S0000049576.V221130.R01 © This report may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of the Commission for Social Care Inspection

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Nottinghamshire County Council Fostering Service / 31st March 2005

The paper used in this document is supplied from a sustainable source

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