Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service

Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service Inspection report for la fostering agency

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SC043826 Unique reference number 13 December 2007 Inspection date Jane Barton Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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Lincolnshire County Council Address Social Services Orchard House Orchard Street LINCOLN LN1 1BA 01522 552222 Telephone number philip.hunt@lincolnshire.gov.uk Email Lincolnshire County Council Registered person Phillip Hunt Registered manager Peter Duxbury Responsible individual 4 September 2006 Date of last inspection .

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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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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 11 Inspection Report: Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service, 13 December 2007

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Brief description of the service

Lincolnshire Local Authority Fostering Service is managed by Lincolnshire County Council Children's Services and has recently been separated from the adoption service in a modernisation programme to deliver the Children and Young People's Plan. The assistant director of Children's Services is the responsible individual for this service. The head of regulated services has specific line management responsibility for the fostering service which is divided geographically into fostering north and fostering south, which each have a team manager. A development manager is also in place. The aims of the fostering service are to provide high quality and safe care within a family setting for children and young people who are unable to live within their own families. The service's Statement of Purpose clearly defines the nature of placement types provided as task centred, respite, permanent, placement plus and kinship carers. The service assesses and

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Brief description of the service

approves foster carers in addition to providing support, supervision and training to existing foster carers. At the time of this visit the service was supporting 259 foster carer households and was providing placements for 385 children and young people.

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Summary

This was an announced reduced key inspection. The service was assessed as meeting or exceeding all but four of the key National Minimum Standards in September 2006. This service had been inspected three times in the year of the last visit, and will have a full inspection of fostering, private fostering and adoption services. To reflect this high level of inspection activity, a reduced inspection has been carried out on this occasion, which has focused on placement plus carers who are paid a specialist rate to care for the most difficult and challenging children and young people. Extensive information relating to the service as a whole has been provided by managers. For the purposes of this inspection two placement plus foster carers and six young people in placement were tracked through the inspection of case files, home visits and discussions with placing social workers and supervising staff. Records relating to a number of other carers and

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Summary

young people were accessed to support findings. Questionnaires were returned by nine foster carers, 11 young people and two placing social workers. During the inspection the inspector spoke with the head of service, the fostering manager and team managers. A fostering panel was not observed during this inspection but two sets of panel minutes were examined and the panel chair was interviewed. The overall quality rating is outstanding. 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 the registered person was asked to ensure that full evidence of matching considerations was kept in respect of all placements. This recommendation has been carried out in full. The policy in respect of matching has been revised and records now summarise any potential shortfall in relation to the match, and how these will be addressed. Consultation with children already in placement is recorded in the running records. It was also recommended that the registered person ensure that safe caring guidelines are provided for each foster home, in consultation with all household members. This has also been carried out fully, safe caring guidance is provided in the foster carer handbook, and a thorough safe care agreement with a risk assessment has been drawn up in respect of all placements. The service was also asked to ensure consistency of carer recording practices. A clear recording policy is in place and carers

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Improvements since the last inspection

4 of 11 Inspection Report: Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service, 13 December 2007 are required to complete weekly records in respect of each child in placement. The registered person was asked to ensure that all foster carers are provided with a written health record for all children, which can be updated throughout the placement, and which should include the administration of medication. This has not been carried out, however, there is now a team in place which includes relevant health professionals and this work is planned to take place in early 2008. All carers are now required to attend first aid training every three years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people in placement benefit from health care which meet their needs for physical, emotional and social development. Young people reported being taken for regular and appropriate medical appointments, and felt their health needs were being looked after in placement. The Foster Carers' Handbook includes a clearly stated expectation of carers in relation to registering young people with health practitioners and organising appropriate appointments. Carers were aware of the need to record any medication administered to young people on weekly progress sheets. A range of specialist health services are available for young people and carers to access which include advice about sexual health issues and substance misuse. A specialist Child Adolescent and Mental Health Service (CAMHS) post specifically supports foster carers in dealing with mental health issues. Young people are involved in decision

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Helping children to be healthy

making in respect of how their emotional health needs can be addressed therapeutically. The agency provides a good range of carer training on health issues: 'Sexual health seminar'; 'Harmful sexual behaviours'; 'Eating disorders and the role of food seminar'; 'Self harm seminar', in addition to which, as part of the modular training programme for foster carers, module three focuses on promoting a healthy lifestyle, good diet and exercise. Foster carers are required to attend mandatory first aid training on a three year cycle. The core programme is supplemented through special interest seminars on ADHD, autism and asperger's syndrome. Guidance to staff and carers on smoking has been revised to reflect current British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) good practice guidance. Panel membership includes a nurse specialist from CAMHS. Health records on young people's files were scant. A full written health record for the

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Helping children to be healthy

young people they are looking after has not been made available to foster carers, plans to action this have been delayed due to unavailability of key health staff. The head of service is confident that this matter will be addressed early in 2008.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. All managers with responsibility for the service have appropriate qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge of child care and fostering, and are suitable people to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Effective leadership of staff and the operation is demonstrated. The service is well organised, managed and staffed to deliver the best possible child care. The carers' homes visited were warm, appropriately furnished, decorated and well maintained. Children said they liked their bedrooms and their needs were met by the accommodation provided. Preparation and training for carers covers required health and safety issues and they demonstrated a good understanding of their responsibilities. Children and young people benefit from being placed with carers following robust and effective matching considerations. A thorough planning process takes place, during which relevant information sharing between all

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

parties has informed decisions, involving all appropriate family members and professionals. Young people reported being welcomed to their foster homes, and excellent support is provided 5 of 11 Inspection Report: Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service, 13 December 2007 by carers to existing young people in placement. Young people say they are very happy where they are placed: 'We get treated like one of the family', 'They're good parents', being typical comments. Social Workers expressed the view that the carers were extremely effective in meeting the needs of the young people placed, and significant progress made by the young people in placement was demonstrated. The matching process is clearly recorded. The consideration given to existing children in placement is thorough, however this is recorded separately. Carers were observed to be extremely child focussed. Appropriate systems are in place to collate and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

evaluate information regarding allegations regarding children in foster care and management monitoring of these was extensive. Carers worked hard within homes and with outside agencies to minimise bullying, no young person reported having been bullied in their foster homes, although several said they were being bullied at school. This information was passed to managers during the visit. Carers are provided with clear and comprehensive written guidance on safe caring practices and safe care policies are in place for each fostering household. A new placement specific risk assessment has been introduced. The Foster Carers' Handbook contains detailed guidance in respect of appropriate forms of behaviour management, and young people reported being treated with respect and fairness by their carers. Carers seen were knowledgeable about attachment theory and the challenging behaviours which can arise from attachment difficulties.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Assessment of safety appropriately includes transport used by the carer and any household pets. A good range of training is provided for carers including: 'Safe Caring', 'Communicating with children and young people' and 'Avoiding and handling disruption'. The agency has a consistently robust staff recruitment process and all personnel files examined contained evidence of appropriate checks and a thorough interviewing process. The agency has an excellent Placement Agreement pro-forma which includes clear detailing of the roles and responsibilities of the agency, the carer, the placing authority and the young person. The panel was appropriately constituted and makes effective decisions in respect of the approval of foster carers. Good quality reports are provided by social work staff in relation to foster carer approval and annual review and these are thoroughly scrutinised by panel members.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The service records clear statistical information in respect of the diverse needs of children and young people placed in foster homes. All carers for the service are white European, which reflects the majority population in Lincolnshire. Where children from a different ethnic background are placed, extensive support is given to enable their particular needs to be met. Interpretation and translation services are provided to enable children express views about their care, and examples were given where carers work closely with birth families to develop skills and understanding of the needs of the children they are looking after. Preparation training covers how to provide care which respects and preserves each child's ethnic, religious, cultural and linguistic background and further training is provided which develops carers' knowledge and experience of diversity and equality issues. Children report being treated fairly and equally.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Matching records identify the ethnicity of young people requiring placements, however, how any needs arising from ethnicity are to be met, has not always been recorded. Young people benefit significantly from the priority the fostering service gives to education and promoting achievement. Placement planning reflects educational considerations. Young people say they feel well supported in their education by carers going into school or helping them with homework. Young people previously excluded or struggling to maintain education placements have been supported to overcome their difficulties. A virtual head and education link worker liaise with education professionals to support all children in public care and fostered children 6 of 11 Inspection Report: Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service, 13 December 2007 in particular, and exclusions are prevented as a consequence of this work. Work is also taking

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

place which focuses on developing carers' personal roles in raising attainment and aspirations in fostered children who are at secondary school. Carers demonstrated a high level of understanding of the importance of education for fostered young people and participate fully in a range of education meetings. The service acknowledges that completion of personal education plans in respect of all young people has not yet been achieved, however these were in place on files examined during this visit. The service promotes opportunities for young people to widen their horizons and develop their potential in a range of imaginative ways. Young people list a variety of hobbies and interests which are supported by their carers: camping; swimming; football; biking; day trips to a variety of locations. Some young people have attended a residential activity centre, others have had the opportunity to participate in a range of creative

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities; music, video and dance were used to develop individual expression and to widen the participants' skill base. A social worker particularly commended the opportunity provided by carers to win awards in horse riding championships. The service has information systems which clearly demonstrate the education attainment of children and young people in their foster care services, and to demonstrate the number excluded from school, and these are monitored regularly. The fostering provision for short term breaks was not inspected at this visit.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Young people placed with foster carers benefit from being encouraged to maintain and develop family contacts and friendships. Young people's views are sought in respect of contact and young people report being very satisfied with arrangements for contact and visiting friends. Contact arrangements are addressed at the planning stage of placements and clearly recorded. Consideration is given to the distance from home when making every placement, all efforts are made to place children near home where possible and appropriate. Carers are appropriately assessed and trained in respect of their ability to help a child maintain and develop appropriate relationships with family members, and have the skills required to encourage and facilitate contact. Carers spoken with demonstrated a thorough understanding of issues relating to family relationships and contact. The role of carers in contact is clearly outlined in the relevant

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Helping children make a positive contribution

agreement and financial support is provided to carers in respect of contact. Carers record outcomes of contact arrangements and their perceived impact on the child appropriately. Young people benefit from the fostering service ensuring their opinions and those of others significant to them are sought over all relevant issues. Foster carers demonstrated an extensive understanding of the need to be child centred and focused which includes listening to children and seeking their views. The service has developed a range of creative ways to seek the views of children and young people about their care, daily life and futures. This happens on a regular and frequent basis, and the information obtained is used to inform practice. Children for whom English is not their first language are provided with interpreter and translation services. Children in foster care are provided with thorough information advising them how to make a complaint,

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is not judged. This outcome was not inspected at this visit. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service, 13 December 2007

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children's directorate of Lincolnshire Children’s Services have this year undertaken an extensive modernisation programme in order to deliver the Children and Young People’s Plan. The Statement of Purpose was written prior to this modernisation, however comprehensive and detailed information was provided which demonstrated the refocusing of the fostering service within children's services. Some staff concerns about the impact of modernisation and working within the ensuing uncertainty were expressed, but no evidence that this has impacted negatively on outcomes for young people was found. Strong and confident leadership is in place within the fostering service at team manager level and above. Clear and accessible guides to the fostering service are available for children and young people. The service have been consulting young people about the use of these packs, and are aware of the need to update

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Organisation

the information with the relevant contact details for Ofsted, in addition to updating the foster care handbook with this information also. Modernisation has refocused the fostering service, which is now separate from the adoption service. Comprehensive aims and objectives for the service are in place, with a clear management structure and lines of accountability. Although acknowledging tensions created by this period of change, staff reported regular and supportive supervision, and demonstrated a clear understanding about how supervising social workers and children's social workers work effectively together. Carers demonstrated a sound understanding of the differing responsibilities of these roles. Assessments, approvals and reviews of carers are well managed and implemented effectively. The service has a staffing complement in terms of quantity, experience, skill and qualifications which effectively meets the needs of the service

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Organisation

and fulfils the statement of purpose. Staff retention is good, staff report being offered good training and beneficial terms and conditions. Fostering recruitment strategy is focused at recruiting appropriate carers to meet the needs of children requiring placement, and the assessment process is robust and thorough, considering all relevant issues. Training opportunities are available including external courses to update knowledge and skills and maintain professional social work registration. A clear strategy is in place for working with and supporting carers: All required arrangements are in place in respect of training and development, support groups, supervision and specialist professional advice and support services. Development of a formal out of hours service is planned for 2008. Children in foster care benefit from up-to date comprehensive case records being maintained, which clearly outline the nature and quality of

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Organisation

care provided and contribute to an understanding of their life events. Carers retain photographs and memorabilia to support young people's life story work. A detailed written policy on case recording is in place, and outlined in the foster care handbook. Carers are familiar with this policy. The service ensures that carers are provided with information which summarises why the child is in foster care and the basis for the placement, its duration and purpose and details of the child's legal status. Carers are supported to record significant life events for young people they are looking after. Carers store information in a secure manner in their homes. There is an ongoing commitment to improving the service and systems to evidence positive outcomes for children and young people are in place. Foster carers report confidence in the agency and the support and training offered is relevant to their needs. The administrative records held by the

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Organisation

fostering service contain all significant information relevant to the running of the service and as required by regulations. Separate records are kept as appropriate for carers, children, staff, complaints and allegations. Regular monitoring and auditing are carried out, which inform senior managers of pertinent information about the service. Records are stored confidentially and clear policy and procedures are in place addressing how confidential information is managed. 8 of 11 Inspection Report: Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service, 13 December 2007 Recording is clear, legible, accurate and of a high standard. Records of checks and references and their outcomes are kept.

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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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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that all foster carers are provided with a written health record for all children, which can be updated throughout the placement. Recording should include the administration of medication (NMS 12) • ensure that any needs arising from the ethnicity of a young person requiring placement are clearly assessed and recorded (NMS 7) • ensure the children's guides to the fostering service and the Foster Care Handbook are updated to include the relevant contact details for Ofsted (NMS 1) 9 of 11 Inspection Report: Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service, 13 December 2007

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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) 10 of 11 Inspection Report: Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service, 13 December 2007

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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. 11 of 11 Inspection Report: Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service, 13 December 2007

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