Newham Fostering Service

Newham Fostering Service Inspection report for la fostering agency

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SC040305 Unique reference number 14 March 2008 Inspection date Jill Marriott Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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Newham Social Services Address Wordsworth Avenue LONDON E12 6SU 020 8430 5117 Telephone number

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Email

Newham Social Services Registered person Jennifer Ann Barville Registered manager Doreen Armstrong Responsible individual 13 December 2006 Date of last inspection .

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Email

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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Email

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 10 Inspection Report: Newham Fostering Service, 14 March 2008

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Brief description of the service

Newham Fostering Service is situated in Wordsworth Avenue, Manor Park London E12. The offices are close to local shops and transport links. The service comprises of three distinct teams. All based on the same site. The recruitment and assessment team is responsible for the recruitment and assessment of new carers and to ascertain their suitability to become approved foster carers and adopters. The fostering support team supports carers with the fostering task. They visit carers regularly, keep telephone contact and deal with day to day issues as they arise. This team also facilitates support groups and training for carers. The role of the placement monitoring team includes liaison with the fostering support team to match in house placements and to monitor placements made in the private and voluntary sector. The fostering service offers respite care and kinship care as well as short term and long term placements.

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Summary

This was a lighter touch announced inspection which focused on the key standards and the requirements made at the previous inspection. The fostering service has a qualified and experienced management team, supporting skilled and experienced social workers, support workers and foster carers. The health and welfare of each child is of paramount importance. The service provides good support to carers to ensure appropriate matches are made and that the child's needs can be met in each placement. There are sound policies and procedures in place which are well known to staff and carers. Policies and procedures are computerised and are available to staff on line and included in the foster carers handbook. The foster panel was observed as part of the inspection process, it is fully functioning and deals effectively with panel business. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection three requirements and three recommendations were made and these are now met. Four further requirements and one recommendation have been identified during this inspection. Newham fostering service has improved the systems in place to review the approval of foster carers. Carers are invited and encouraged to attend their reviews, which take place within reasonable timescales. There is a children's guide to the fostering service in place. Issues regarding health and safety checks of carers homes are followed up as part of the review of approval procedure. The foster carers handbook contains information regarding how the needs of children in trans-racial and trans-cultural placements will be met. Panel procedures include a section which explains the process to follow when there is a disagreements between panel members. The above improvements help to maximise the safety of children and young

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. In general, carers are given an understandable health care plan for each child at the time of placement, or within reasonable timescales. The plan details how the child's health needs are to be addressed and the roles and responsibilities of key people. Plans include and address any issues that may arise related to the child's ethnicity, race, disability, sexuality, and religion. 4 of 10 Inspection Report: Newham Fostering Service, 14 March 2008 Appropriate and up to date health information was not recorded on all files examined. Children are able to discuss health issues with their carers and with their social workers. Health needs are further considered and reviewed every six months as part of the child care review process. The fostering service works in partnership with other local key agencies and professionals, such as the children's mental health services and the Looked After Children's health team. These

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Helping children to be healthy

teams give children access to teenage pregnancy nurses, sexual health workers and drug and alcohol professionals. Good health outcomes can be demonstrated for the majority of children who are fostered . There are systems in place to monitor, review and evaluate the services provided. The fostering service uses available resources to promote good health. It offers foster carers, a range of support, information and training to ensure they are able to establish good healthy lifestyles for the children in their care. Additional training is available to enable carers to work with children who have special health care needs. Carers are aware of their responsibilities and the responsibilities of other key professionals, in relation to the health of Looked After Children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. There is a clear management structure within the service and the management team are suitably qualified and experienced. The social work teams also hold relevant qualifications and are experienced for the work they do. Criminal Records Bureau disclosures (CRB's) and references are required prior to a confirmed offer of employment being made. CRB disclosures are renewed every three years. Children are placed with carers who are assessed and approved to foster. Carers are in general provided with information about the child's family background, their behaviour and their health to enable them to care safely. They are supported to acquire equipment and adaptations so that where specific needs are identified they can be met within the placement. Support for placements is tailored to meet each child's individual needs. The matching process takes into account all aspects of the proposed placement and includes the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

needs of others living in the household. The service aims to make appropriate matches in terms of ethnicity, culture and religion. Where this has not happened any extra support needed is identified during the placement planning process. Relevant information regarding trans-racial and trans-cultural placements is available to all foster carers. There are appropriate policies and procedures in place relating to safe care. For example, Child Protection, anti-bullying, behaviour management and missing from care procedures are incorporated into the staff and foster carers handbook and are also available on line. The service follows the London Wide Child Protection procedures. Staff and carers receive regular safe care and child protection training and are informed of any changes in legislation which may affect the fostering service. Suitable procedures are in place to manage child protection concerns and referrals. The fostering

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

service works in partnership with the local safeguarding board, children, families and other agencies to ensure children are protected. The foster panel was observed as part of the inspection process. The panel serves children well, all panel members have relevant experience and clearly understand the needs of children. They are very much aware of the content of reports presented and are skilled at asking relevant and appropriate questions of social workers and carers attending panel. There is a clear decision making procedure in place. The final decision regarding panel recommendations is made by the agency decision maker. The panels tasks include making recommendations related to approval and re approval of foster carers and exemptions and extensions to placements. It also receives information related to complaints and allegations and considers issues, such as deregistration and appeals against decisions made.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Panel members receive induction training and annual refresher training which relates to the 5 of 10 Inspection Report: Newham Fostering Service, 14 March 2008 panel task. Most panel members files contained appropriate information and relevant references. Not all files included up to date CRB disclosures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The service recruits carers who can meet the diverse needs of the children placed. Its policies and procedures value diversity and equality. Children and foster carers are supported by a service which is sensitive to issues of race, gender, religion, language, culture and disability. Children are supported by foster carers to attend after school clubs. Opportunities are available for them to attend sporting activities, such as football, netball, dance, drama and after school clubs, such as youth clubs, brownies, cubs, guides and scouts. Young people are happy with the out of school support available to them. Children have Personal Education Plans (PEP's) in place for them. At the start of each placement the child's education is discussed with the carer as part of the placement planning process. Each child's plan details how their educational needs will be met and identifies the specific role of the carer and key others. Children are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

supported by their foster carer to reach their full potential with regard to education. Young people were keen to talk about their achievements and these were impressive. The service provides an education handbook for carers which includes detailed information about all aspects of the child's education. Where appropriate parents continue to be involved with the planning and decision making process related to their child's education. Fostering social workers and foster carers clearly understand the importance of their roles with regard to children's educational development. Both staff and carers receive regular supervision and attend training related to the education of Looked After Children. The service provides short breaks and respite care for children where appropriate. In each case it is recognised that the parent holds overall responsibility and remains the main carer for the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. At the beginning of each placement arrangements are made where appropriate, for children to remain in contact with their families and friends. The contact arrangements are reviewed regularly at home visits and at six monthly child care review meetings. Initial and ongoing training is available for carers related to talking and listening to children. Carers understand the importance of listening and responding to children, with regard to matters that affect them and impact on their day to day living arrangements. Where a child has specific communication difficulties a suitable communication system is adopted to ensure their voice is heard. Children are consulted at there child care reviews about their placements and plans for the future. Children are also consulted about the review of approval for their foster carers. The fostering service links with the Children's Rights Service, who provide two consultation events for Looked

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Helping children make a positive contribution

After Children each year. These events link into and improve services for children and young people. For example, young people wanting to remain in placement after the age of 18 years, are with the carers support able to apply for the placement to be converted to supported lodging. This recent change is a good example of listening to children and acting on what they say. Children are provided with a children's guide to service at the beginning of their placements, this gives information about how to access an independent advocate, how to make complaints and includes useful contact details. Children who have been in placements for some time could not remember if they had or had not receive a guide to the service. In general it is clear that children are consulted about their care. Their views are listened to and taken seriously. Young 6 of 10 Inspection Report: Newham Fostering Service, 14 March 2008

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Helping children make a positive contribution

people talk regularly with their foster carers and the carer's support social workers. It is clear that some young people do not see their own social workers regularly and the placement plans do not include dates of visits made. Children are aware of the complaints procedure. Complaints and allegations are recorded appropriately with actions taken and outcomes. Complaints are handled appropriately within the timescale identified in the complaints procedure.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Children and young people are encouraged and supported by their foster carers to achieve independence. Young people are consulted about the arrangements in place for them. They have the opportunity to discuss plans for their future at there child care review and at 16+ pathway planning meetings. Support for young people moving into independent living continues to be available from their carers and through the leaving care services. All carers including kinship carers, receive full allowances and expenses which meet the cost of caring for each child. Payment details are fully explored at the placement planning meeting and are subject to ongoing review. Systems in place and policies related to payments are easy for carers to understand and payments are made promptly. Foster carers ensure that finances are in place for children to have appropriate clothing and toiletries and to enable them to pursue a range

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The visions and values of the fostering service are clearly stated in the Statement of Purpose which includes all of the relevant information required by regulation. Managers are experienced and qualified for their roles. They ensure that working practices, processes and systems are comprehensive and support good practice. Managers are approachable, available to staff and to carers and young people where appropriate. There is a clear management structure in place and appropriate arrangements are made to cover any absents of the line manages. Job vacancies identified at the previous inspection have been filled and in general good overall support is provided for staff, carers and children. Supervising social workers hold case loads of approximately 15 cases which is reported to be manageable. There are systems in place to ensure reviews of carers approval are carried out regularly and as far as possible on time. All

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Organisation

social work staff in the fostering service have copies of the relevant working policies and procedures for the local authority and these are also readily available on the computer system. A training and development programme is available for all staff. The programme includes opportunities to train to qualification level. Records of regular supervision are available on staff files. The appraisal system is not up to date and appraisals have not been undertaken within the last year. Foster carers are supervised regularly and supported by their supervising social worker, to carry out the fostering task. Files contain a signed copy of the foster care agreement, which clearly identifies their roles and responsibilities. A copy of the fostering handbook is given to all carers on approval . There is a training programme in place and carers are encouraged to complete relevant identified training each year. Case records for children are being

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Organisation

computerised at present and information is available in hard copy and on computer while the process is being completed. Information recorded is up to date. Administrative records in general were in good order and procedures for the smooth running of the service were in place. Separate records are kept for staff, children and carers and for complaints and allegations made. There is a procedure in place for dealing with complaints and allegations and recorded are kept with 7 of 10 Inspection Report: Newham Fostering Service, 14 March 2008 actions and outcomes recorded. The agency administrative records are well maintained. The assessment of kinship care arrangements are undertaken in the same way as for all Newham carers and the same support is provided with regard to supervision, training and advice. Once completed the assessment is presented to the foster panel for recommendation of approval.

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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

30 May 2008 to ensure that placement plans for children are in place on the date that the placement is made or as soon after as is possible. All placement plans must include details of the child's health needs (NMS 12.3 Regulation 17(3) 30 May 2008 to ensure that all members of the foster panel have an up to date Criminal Records Bureau disclosures that is renewed every three years. (NMS 30.3 Regulation 20 schedule (1) 30 May 2008 to ensure that information is recorded on the children's placement plan of visits made by the child's social worker. Information should included how often visits will take place. (NMS 11.3 Regulation 34(3) schedule 6(5) 30 June 2008 to ensure that all members of staff have an appraisal which is recorded on their file and is reviewed regularly. (NMS 20.4 Regulation 21(4)(a)

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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): • that the childrens guide to the fostering service is made available in a format which will be understood by both older and younger children. (NMS 1.5) 8 of 10 Inspection Report: Newham Fostering Service, 14 March 2008

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• the fostering service promotes the health and development of children (NMS 12). Ofsted considers 12 the key standard to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• any persons carrying on or managing the service are suitable (NMS 3) • the fostering service provides suitable foster carers (NMS 6) • the service matches children to carers appropriately (NMS 8) • the fostering service protects each child or young person from abuse and neglect (NMS 9) • the people who work in or for the fostering service are suitable to work with children and young people (NMS 15) • fostering panels are organised efficiently and effectively (NMS 30) Ofsted considers 3, 6, 8, 9, 15 and 30 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• the fostering service values diversity (NMS 7) • the fostering service promotes educational achievement (NMS 13) • when foster care is provided as a short-term break for a child, the arrangements recognise that the parents remain the main carers for the child (NMS 31) Ofsted considers 7, 13 and 31 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• the fostering service promotes contact arrangements for the child or young person (NMS 10) • the fostering service promotes consultation (NMS 11) Ofsted considers 10 and 11 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• the fostering service prepares young people for adulthood (NMS 14) • the fostering service pays carers an allowance and agreed expenses as specified (NMS 29) Ofsted considers none of the above to be key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• there is a clear statement of the aims and objectives of the fostering service and the fostering service ensures that they meet those aims and objectives (NMS 1) • the fostering service is managed by those with the appropriate skills and experience (NMS 2) • the fostering service is monitored and controlled as specified (NMS 4) 9 of 10 Inspection Report: Newham Fostering Service, 14 March 2008

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Annex A

• the fostering service is managed effectively and efficiently (NMS 5) • staff are organised and managed effectively (NMS 16) • the fostering service has an adequate number of sufficiently experienced and qualified staff (NMS 17) • the fostering service is a fair and competent employer (NMS 18) • there is a good quality training programme (NMS 19) • all staff are properly accountable and supported (NMS 20) • the fostering service has a clear strategy for working with and supporting carers (NMS 21) • foster carers are provided with supervision and support (NMS 22) • foster carers are appropriately trained (NMS 23) • case records for children are comprehensive (NMS 24) • the administrative records are maintained as required (NMS 25) • The premises used as offices by the fostering service are suitable for the purpose (NMS 26) • the fostering service is financially viable (NMS 27) • the fostering service has robust financial processes (NMS 28)

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Annex A

• local authority fostering services recognise the contribution made by family and friends as carers (NMS 32) Ofsted considers 1, 16, 17, 21, 24, 25 and 32 the key standards to be inspected. 10 of 10 Inspection Report: Newham Fostering Service, 14 March 2008

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