London Borough of Sutton Fostering Services

London Borough of Sutton Fostering Services Inspection report for la fostering agency

p.1

SC053210 Unique reference number 12 November 2007 Inspection date Cheryl Carter / Caroline Wilson Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

The Lodge Address Honeywood Walk Carshalton Surrey SM5 3NX 020 8770 4307 Telephone number

p.1

Email

London Borough of Sutton Registered person

p.1

Registered manager

Ian Lewis Responsible individual 9 January 2007 Date of last inspection .

p.1

Registered manager

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.

p.2

Registered manager

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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: London Borough of Sutton Fostering Services, 12 November 2007

p.3

Brief description of the service

Sutton Fostering Service is a Local Authority fostering service that provides emergency, short term and long term, kinship and specialist placements for children and young people. The service also provide an out of hours service which means that foster carers can provide emergency placements and respite foster care for planned short term breaks. There are also a number of foster cares approved to look after the children of relatives within their extended family.

p.4

Summary

The inspection focused on the key National Minimum Standards and recommendations made at the last inspection. The fostering service has very clear policies and procedures in place. Equality and diversity is promoted in the fostering service. Children's health needs are a priority. The fostering service works very closely with the health and education professionals to ensure that the health educational needs of children are met. The inspector recognised areas of good practice in these areas. The service is well managed . There were some new recommendations made at this inspection. Recommendations made at the last inspection have all been taken on board. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Criminal Record Bureaus Checks for all foster carers have been updated. Foster Carers are now recording significant daily events for each child in their care. There is now a system in place to inform Ofsted of significant incidents.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health needs are met via a range of resources provided by the Fostering Service. The fostering service work closely with the Looked after Children (LAC) health team who has responsibility for making sure that children in foster care have access to the full range of services. Children's files have health care plans with children's medical history. Foster carers receive training and support provided by the fostering service to ensure that the health needs of children are being met. Foster carers have training in First Aid and other health issues. The LAC team work closely with other professionals including two psychologists. The Local Authority is committed to promoting the health of Looked After Children and has taken steps to support all looked after children. Children have access to a number of resources including primary health care services and CAMHS. All children are registered with a local doctor. Health needs of children

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

are recorded on file and significant health needs are recorded on the LAC forms. In most cases foster carers are given relevant information regarding children's health. However a small number report that placing social workers do not always give enough background information on children when they are initially placed which in some cases could take months to be provided. The fostering service is aware of this issue. Foster carers are able to promote the day to day health and well being of a child and this is appraised during the assessment process, training and monitoring visits. The service supports foster carers and monitors how children are cared for to ensure that the service is meeting the needs of the child. 4 of 10 Inspection Report: London Borough of Sutton Fostering Services, 12 November 2007

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The fostering service manager and the management team and staff are suitably qualified and experienced. Staff files contain completed application forms, proof of identification, written references and Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) clearance and proof of qualifications which meets with the relevant legislation. Foster carer's homes are of a good standard, comfortable warm and well decorated. Health and Safety checks are carried out as part of the assessment process to ensure that children placed with foster carers are protected and that the environment in which they live meet safety standards. Children are provided with an opportunity to comment on the quality of care that is provided by their carers as the service ensures that social workers meet with children on an individual basis once a month. When considering a placement the child's racial, cultural, religious and linguistic needs are taken into account in the matching

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

process, however there are not enough carers from minority ethnic groups and this has resulted in some trans-cultural placements. In these circumstances carers are provided with the additional identified support such as training to compensate for any gaps in the match between the young person and the foster carer. These placements are reviewed monthly. All staff and foster carers receive training in safeguarding children and young people. This training is regularly updated. Policies on how to deal with an allegations of abuse against a carer and permissible measures of control and discipline are in place. There are also policies on bullying and unauthorised absence. These policies form part of the foster carer's handbook. In the policy relating to managing behaviour mention is made that carers may have to restrain a child. The policy on restraint is included in the foster carers handbook. It is unclear whether there is any training

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

on restraint or whether restraint training is available. The London child protection procedures are followed where there is an allegation of abuse made against a foster care. Support for the carer is available from Sutton foster carers' association. Records are kept of child protection allegations, the investigation and outcomes so that the service can monitor and identify any themes and patterns of allegations made. There is no auditing of minor complaints made by children to ensure that all complaints made are taken seriously and addressed in relation to relevant guidelines and procedures. Panel minutes are detailed and provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate the proceedings or the reasons for the recommendations made. The panel members receive training to ensure that they effectively provide a quality and assurance function in relation to the assessment process. Fostering panels have access to medical expertise as

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

required. In addition one of the independent members is a former foster child and there is also a foster carer on the panel.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The fostering service attempts to address issues of diversity. The placements manager and the fostering manager highlighted the work done to promote awareness of diversity. Most social workers spoken to say they are satisfied with the way the service promotes diversity and equality, however from the evidence gathered and discussions with some foster carers the issues of trans-cultural placements was raised. 27% of foster carers in Sutton are from minority communities, this is excess of the proportion of Looked After Children, however there are occasions when children are placed with foster carers that do no match their racial or cultural identity. All children of school age have personal education plans. Sutton has an Education worker who gives children and carers additional support and tuition. Education and promoting educational achievement is a priority. All the children in foster care have an education placement,

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

5 of 10 Inspection Report: London Borough of Sutton Fostering Services, 12 November 2007 and the initiatives that are in place for the Looked after Children have resulted in marked improvement with school attendances, education and examination results. Children's achievements are recognised at an annual ceremony. Children placed for short term breaks are protected by the same policies and procedures as those place for long term foster placements. In particular, birth parents remain central to the promotion of health and educational needs where appropriate.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Contact with family and friends are encouraged and promoted. Foster carers are clear about their roles in relation to children maintaining contact with their birth parents and significant others. Children are able to have contact with their parents and siblings where it is safe to, in accordance with care plans. Contact arrangements are monitored regularly, particularly when potential difficulties are anticipated. Children have a variety of opportunities to express their views. The child can speak to their carers, their social workers and there is information about other independent agencies such as Child Line and Ofsted. Children are also encouraged to contribute to their reviews by filling in their questionnaires prior to their review meetings and by attending their reviews. There are young people forums whereby children have the opportunity to voice their opinions and the service also run a group for the birth children of

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

foster carers to discus issues that may arise for them.

p.6

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Pathway planning for children looked after lacks clarification of professional roles and dates that tasks must be completed, to ensure that children develop skills, competence and the knowledge necessary for adult living. There is a disparity of experiences of effective support in this area. Some foster carers felt that independence training delayed and impacted on the service provided. In addition, aftercare could be improved to help children who may have housing difficulties. Other experiences were more positive, where Pathway Planning was undertaken at an appropriate age for the child and foster carers were supported in providing children in their care with age and developmentally appropriate opportunities for learning independent skills. Foster carers receive an allowance and agreed expenses for each child placed. Payments are made promptly and at the agreed time.

p.6

Organisation

The organisation is good. The Statement of Purpose is very detailed and sets out the vision and values of the service. This is made available to staff and foster carers. The Statement of Purpose has recently been updated to include up to date information about the fostering service. Children have an understanding of what the service sets out to do for them as they are all provided with a copy of the 'Children's Guide'. The fostering service benefits from staff and foster carers that are committed to achieving the best outcomes for children and there are good support systems in place. The leadership of the service is robust with a qualified and experienced staff team. The foster carers records are well maintained however some children's records are poorly organised and do not contain all the information about the care and progress of a child. The service is monitored effectively and is well managed. The manager and deputy manager is experienced

p.6

Organisation

and provide support to the fostering team. There are clear lines of accountability and a back 6 of 10 Inspection Report: London Borough of Sutton Fostering Services, 12 November 2007 up system to cover managers' absences. There is a staff team with qualified, skilled and experienced workers. The staff are well motivated and are very committed to supporting foster carers and the children they look after. The inspector received four responses to questionnaires and these were very positive about this service. Foster carers are happy with the support systems that available within the Local Authority. There is a duty system operated by the service so support is available by telephone, including out of hours. Foster carers are supported by their peers. Support groups available include, the foster carers support group, Teenage fostering group, Children with disabilities, and Black carers' support group. The supervising social workers

p.6

Organisation

and foster carers are very positive about the value of the support groups and felt that this is an opportunity for foster carers to support each other and share experiences about issues that arise in their day to day caring. The supervising social workers are well supported by their managers . The team also have good organisation and administrative support and a computerised data system. Supervising social workers are able to meet timescales of foster carers assessment and approvals. Case loads are manageable. Supervising social workers have an understanding of the role of placing social workers. This has improved since representatives from the LAC Team attend the Fostering team meetings and a Social Worker from the Fostering Team attends the LAC team meeting. This exchange occurs monthly. Foster carers are provided with a copy of the Foster Carer Handbook, that contains information that keeps them up to date and

p.7

Organisation

informed about what the service expects of them and to enable them to look after the children placed with them. The foster carers' handbook and foster carers' agreement details how foster carers will be supported by the service. Foster carers records are monitored by the supervising social workers. Children's records are maintained by the placing social worker and are accessible in the hard copy format and via the PARIS computer system. There were some gaps in the Looked After Documentation on some children's files. Some were in a poor condition, difficult to follow and showed no evidence of management monitoring either to identify practice issues or concerns. The Borough is moving towards a paperless system for recording and storing of all information relating to children and their care. Foster carers are given the necessary equipment to care for children and young people. Foster carers are generally aware about the

p.7

Organisation

reasons why the child or young person was being fostered, however, as previously mentioned, information was sometimes difficult to obtain from the placing Social Workers. Confidential information about children is stored in a lockable cabinet by foster carers and the Local Authority. Foster carers use a diary to record information about the children in their care. Foster carers are aware of the complaint process and how complaints are monitored. The fostering service keeps records of allegations of abuse and complaints, however complaints that are seen as less serious are not always recorded. Foster Carers who are family members receive the same service as other carers. They are regularly visited by supervising social workers and value the support offered to them. the are assessed through the usual procedures and have access to the same training and support opportunities as mainstream foster carers.

p.7

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.

p.7

Due date Action Standard

7 of 10 Inspection Report: London Borough of Sutton Fostering Services, 12 November 2007

p.7

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that foster carers have all the relevant information relating to children's health needs (NMS 12 & 24) • ensure that all complaints, regardless of how trivial are recorded with dates, and with outcomes of any investigations(NMS25) 8 of 10 Inspection Report: London Borough of Sutton Fostering Services, 12 November 2007

p.8

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.

p.9

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.

p.9

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.

p.9

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.

p.9

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.

p.9

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: London Borough of Sutton Fostering Services, 12 November 2007

p.9

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)

p.10

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: London Borough of Sutton Fostering Services, 12 November 2007

p.10