Setting

X10029.doc Version 1.40 Page 1 FOSTERING SERVICE

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Lead Inspector Ms Jill Marriott Announced Inspection 23rd January 2007 10:00 Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 2 The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to:

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• Put the people who use social care first • Improve services and stamp out bad practice • Be an expert voice on social care • Practise what we preach in our own organisation

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Reader Information Document Purpose Inspection Report Author CSCI Audience General Public Further copies from 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) Copyright This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI Internet address www.csci.org.uk Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 This is a report of an inspection to assess whether services are meeting the needs of people who use them. The legal basis for conducting inspections is the Care Standards Act 2000 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for this establishment are those for Fostering Services. They can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or obtained from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online

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Every Child Matters, outlined the government’s vision for children’s services and formed the basis of the Children Act 2004. It provides a framework for inspection so that children’s services should be judged on their contribution to the outcomes considered essential to wellbeing in childhood and later life. Those outcomes are: • Being healthy • Staying safe • Enjoying and achieving • Making a contribution; and • Achieving economic wellbeing.

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In response, the Commission for Social Care Inspection has re-ordered the national minimum standards for children’s services under the five outcomes, for reporting purposes. A further section has been created under ‘Management’ to cover those issues that will potentially impact on all the outcomes above.

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Copies of Every Child Matters and The Children Act 2004 are available from The Stationery Office as above This report is a public document. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the prior permission of the Commission for Social Care Inspection. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4

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Name of service

Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families

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Name of service

Address Islington Fostering Service 11-12 Highbury Crescent Islington London N5 1RM

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Name of service

Email address david.worlock@islington.gov.uk

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manager (if applicable)

Type of registration Local Authority Fostering Service Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5

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Conditions of registration:

Date of last inspection 6th February 2006

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Brief Description of the Service:

Islington Fostering Service is a local authority service providing a range of care packages for children in the care system. Placements including permanence, short-term fostering, kinship care placements and respite care. Islington is committed to providing quality placements for children and young people who are not able to remain with their birth families.

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Brief Description of the Service:

Initially when a child is referred the placement team will be looking for a kinship placement within the wider family network. Where this is not possible a placement with approved Islington Foster Carer will be sought. It is the aim of the Local Authority to ensure that all children are matched with appropriate carers who can meet their identified needs.

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Brief Description of the Service:

The service aims to work in partnership with children, carers, families and other professionals to ensure that all young people have a care plan, which is reviewed regularly and clearly sets out the future plans for the child. Islington Fostering Service places a strong emphasis on the support, training and supervision of staff and carer’s with the aim of providing a high standard of safe care to the children and young people placed with them. The cost of placements is between £329.00 and £408.00 per week, depending on the age of the child. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6

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SUMMARY

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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SUMMARY

The inspection of Islington Fostering Service began on 23/01/07. The inspection was announced and took 43 hours to complete concluding on the Thursday 09/02/07. The inspection included the following activity: 16/01/07 – Observation of carers group (Fostering Teenagers) 23/01/07 – Planning the inspection. 23/01/07 – Meeting with the team Manager. 23/01/07 – Examining files and records. 25/01/07 – Meeting with social worker. 25/01/07 - Examining files and records. 30/01/07 - Examining files and records. 31/01/07 – Meeting with social worker. 31/01/07 – Management Team meeting 31/01/07 – Meeting with contact service manager. 01/02/07 – Home visit to carer. 01/02/07 – Visit to the Active Involvement Service (CAIS) 01/02/07 – Visit to foster carer and children. 02/02/07 – Visit to foster carer and young person. 06/02/07 – Visit to foster carer and children. 08/02/07 – Visit to the Looked after Children’s Team. 09/02/07 - Meeting with Manager of Fostering Team.

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SUMMARY

Of the questionnaires that were sent out by the inspector two were returned.

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SUMMARY

The inspector would like to thank all those who participated in the inspection process for their valuable contributions.

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What the service does well:

Islington Fostering Service provides a range of supportive and caring fostering placements for children looked after. The inspector visited a number of children in placement all of whom felt that their placements were “really good”. One young person said there wasn’t anywhere else that they would rather live. Another child told the inspector that the carer was really nice and the home was warm and safe. From discussion with children and carers it was evident that a lot of creative work had gone into some placements to enable enough private and communal space for children. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 7 One young person said that the support available to enable the placement to continue had made her feel wanted. Another household was considering an extension to the premises to enable appropriate space to keep a young family together.

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What the service does well:

Carers said they are well supported by the fostering team and the children placed with them are seen on at least every other visit.

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What the service does well:

Islington hold regular support groups for foster carers, these have over the past year become age appropriate with groups for carer’s of children under the age of 2 under 12’s and those caring for teenagers. The inspector visited the group of teenage carer’s discussion was regarding “being healthy” the topic initiated some thoughtful and engaging discussion.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The Statement of Purpose and children’s guide to the service have been completed and now meet the National Minimum Standards.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Health services have been developed and include a combined Looked after Children’s Health Team to promote closer working and co-ordinated services. The team includes CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and Health Advisors who each offer services to children in specific age groups. One Health Advisor is linked to children under 11 years and the other works with children 11 plus. A medical advisory service is available to all carers. A specific day each week is designated to ensuring annual statutory health assessments are carried out within the given timescales. The percentage of looked after children with complete health checks has increased from 43% in 2003/4 to 90% in 2005/6

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What they could do better:

It was evident from discussion with managers, social workers, carer’s and young people that Islington Fostering Service provides good placements for children looked after. However there are areas that need to be reviewed and these include:

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What they could do better:

* Fostering Social worker reports regarding children, which are placed in the Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 8 child’s section of the file needs to improve. Information seen on reports on more than one file had been cut and pasted from pervious reports. On one file the information was the same on twelve previous reports and was completely out of date. A requirement has been made.

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What they could do better:

* Fostering placement agreements need to be kept on the child’s section of each file. A requirement has been made.

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What they could do better:

*Contact arrangements for each child need to be reviewed regularly to ensure that it is a good enough experience for children and young people. Also to ensure carers are appropriately supported to cope with the arrangements made. A requirement has been made.

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What they could do better:

Recommendations have been made as follows. * The child’s section of the fostering files in most cases only includes the current review papers and these are not always complete. The children’s section of each file must be reviewed and information identified in the file index must be include.

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What they could do better:

* Evidence seen by the inspector showed a need for closer working relationships between the fostering team, the contact team and the children’s social worker teams.

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What they could do better:

Please contact the provider for advice of actions taken in response to this inspection. The report of this inspection is available from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by contacting your local CSCI office. The summary of this inspection report can be made available in other formats on request. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9

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CONTENTS

Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10

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The intended outcome for this Standard is:

• The fostering service promotes the health and development of children.(NMS 12)

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at the outcome for Standard:

Islington Fostering Service has good systems in place to promote the health and development of Looked after Children.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at the outcome for Standard:

This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service.

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EVIDENCE:

Five fostering files were tracked during the inspection. Files contained relevant information with regard to the role of foster carers to ensure the health needs of children placed with them are met. Carers who met with the inspector said that relevant information regarding the child was given to them at the time of placement. Information is also contained in the carer’s handbook. Foster carer who spoke with the inspector are clear about their role regarding the health of children placed. They described the need to offer a healthy life style and include a range of health foods in the child’s diet. Carers also talked about registering children with the local GP and ensuring that regular medical, optical and dental checks are carried out. Fostering link workers and carers confirmed, that children’s health needs are considered when making placements and carers are aware of the procedures governing consent for children to receive medical treatment.

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EVIDENCE:

Islington has a strategy in place to improve the health services for Looked after Children. Health services have been developed and include a combined Looked after Children’s Health Team to promote closer working and co-ordinated services. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 The team includes CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and Health Advisors who deliver services according to age, one Health Advisor is linked to children under 11 years and another for children 11and over. A medical advisory service is available and provides initial statutory health assessments and reviews each year.

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EVIDENCE:

There are monthly group meetings for foster carers with health professionals to discuss any issues that may arise related to the health of children placed. These group meetings are provided for specific age groups and include discussion topics such as healthy living, food and nutrition and more specific health issues for carers dealing with drugs, alcohol, sexual health and serious long term health problems. The inspector attended a group session for carer’s of older children, which concentrated on healthy life styles a range of leaflets and information was available throughout the session. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12

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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)

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following Standard(s):

Standards 3, 6, 8, 9, 15 and 30 were assessed at this inspection. Quality in this outcome area is good.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following Standard(s):

Islington Fostering Service provides nurturing foster placements. Child Protection enquiries are responded to appropriately. The organisation of the fostering panel is appropriate. The panel operates efficiently and effectively.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following Standard(s):

This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service.

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EVIDENCE:

The manager of the fostering service is suitable qualified, has a management qualification and has had appropriate checks carried out and verified prior to being offered the managers post.

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EVIDENCE:

The recruitment and retention of suitable foster carers is crucial to ensure the safety of children placed. The fostering service has a recruitment procedure in place, which is adhered to in all cases. Following initial enquiries carers are visited by a social worker from the team to consider the appropriateness of the enquiry. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 The recruitment, preparation and assessment process includes health and safety training for carer’s and health and safety checks of the home. Evidence was also seen on files tracked of car details and relevant insurance policies.

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EVIDENCE:

Where possible the fostering service uses same race placements. On occasions when this is not possible carers are given additional support to care. Evidence on the pre inspection information and on files showed that young people are given support to link with appropriate religious and cultural groups and interpreters are involved as necessary. The service offers training in “Valuing Heritage” at a basic and advanced level. Carers confirmed that this training in particular had been useful.

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EVIDENCE:

The foster carers initial and ongoing training and assessment includes safe care training. The carer’s handbook includes information regarding the protection of children. Continuous monitoring of placements ensures that as far as is possible children are kept safe in their placements. No child is placed with a care prior to the availability of full and satisfactory references and CRB disclosures.

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EVIDENCE:

The inspector examined records of allegations and complaints. These described the allegation or complaint and how it was being dealt with. The records seen were discussion with social workers and managers. The action taken and outcomes appeared appropriate in each case.

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EVIDENCE:

The fostering service has a range of policies and procedures related to safe care these include corporal punishment, bullying, sharing important information and missing from home. Staff and carers are aware of the policies and procedures related to keeping children safe.

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EVIDENCE:

All members of staff and carers in the fostering service are recruited appropriately. Staff, personnel files were seen by the inspector in September 2006 at the Human Resources Department of Islington Council. All appropriate checks including references and CRB disclosures are undertaken prior to any post being offered.

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EVIDENCE:

The Islington Foster Panel make recommendations regarding the approval of carers to the Agency Decision Maker who has the final say regarding all approvals and re approvals of foster carer’s. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14

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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)

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

Standards 7, 13 and 31 were assessed at this inspection. Quality in this outcome area is good.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

Children and young people are placed with carers who are able to meet their assessed needs related to gender, language, ethnicity, religion, culture, race and disability. Islington places high importance on the education of children looked after. Short-term breaks are provided for children as necessary and in a planned way. Carers providing short-term breaks are recruited and assessed in the same way as for all carers.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service.

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EVIDENCE:

Islington Fostering Service values diversity and where possible promotes same race placements. For all placements every effort is made to ensure the child’s ethnic, religious, cultural and linguistic needs are met. Where a child’s placement is not appropriately matched in all areas access to services and links to others from their community are made to ensure the child’s needs are met. One child’s file showed links with the local Mosque. Another child’s file showed that their family had given permission for him to celebrate Christmas the carers ensured that they also celebrated EID. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 Foster carers undertake a range of relevant training regarding the cultural and identity needs of children placed with them. Training includes supporting young people to deal with discrimination and bullying and Valuing Heritage training at

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EVIDENCE:

a basic and an enhanced level has proved valuable to carer’s who spoke to the inspector.

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EVIDENCE:

Children who spoke with the inspector talked about the activities they are involved in with their carers and those they do individually. One child told the inspector that she has singing lessons and another does African Dance. Children said they go bowling, swimming and to the cinema and theatre. Young people talked about CAIS (Children’s Active Involvement Service). CAIS is a group, which meets regularly and enables young people to share their views, talk about the services they receive and get involved with specific projects. One young person said she was regularly asked her views about services and was encouraged to get involved with projects such as learning about the rights of children in care and being involved in the recruitment process for social workers and managers of services.

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EVIDENCE:

The fostering service supports the education of children in foster care. The Looked after Children’s Service is linked closely with the REACH Team (Raising the Education Achievement of Children) who support children to reach their potential. Information seen on files by the inspector included an up to date PEP (personal education plan) and school report, children told the inspector that they had access to a computer for homework purposes. Foster carers confirmed that they attend school events and parent’s evenings, the carer’s who met with the inspector said they had a good relationship with the schools young people attend. The educational needs of each child is discussed and monitored at each six monthly childcare review.

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EVIDENCE:

Where short-term breaks are offered, carer’s are recruited in the same way as all carer’s they undergo a full recruitment process and regular training is offered. All appropriate checks are carried out these including suitable references and CRB disclosures. Carers offering short breaks are aware that the child’s parents or main carer’s continue to be responsible for the child at all times. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16

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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)

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

Standards 10 and 11 were assessed at this inspection. Quality in this outcome area is good.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

The contact of children with their families is promoted. Islington needs to improve the arrangements for contact to ensure it is a positive experience for children. Islington is aware of the importance of consultation with children and young people. All children who are fostered in Islington are given the opportunity to give their views about the services provided.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service.

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EVIDENCE:

The promotion of contact is adhered to by the fostering service. Contact is in the main arranged and supervised in an identified local office rather than in the foster carer’s home. Arrangements are made through the contact service. In general contact is a good experience for children. However it was clear from some files and from discussion with children and carer’s that contact can be a very difficult experience. General concerns were raised by carer’s and children, one child said, “I don’t want to go but I have to” another child said, “ five days after school contact is “to much”. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 Records on one file showed that the children found it very difficult to cope after contact each day. Reports clearly indicated that help and support was needed by the children and carer to cope with the situation. There was nothing

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EVIDENCE:

recorded on the fostering file or on the child’s LAC file to indicate that any support had been forthcoming. The case was discussed with the Fostering Team Manager. A requirement has been made.

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EVIDENCE:

Children and young people are supported by, foster carers by fostering link workers and by social workers to express their views. Link workers visit at least monthly to monitor placements they see the child at least on every other visit. Children’s social workers also visit monthly and remain in contact with the child’s family. Children told the inspector that they discuss their views regarding the placement with their social worker and at their six monthly childcare reviews. Some children said they were involved with CAIS (Children’s Active Involvement Service) They felt their views about the care they received was important to this group and would help to improve services for the future. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18

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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)

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

Standards 14 and 29 were assessed at this inspection. Quality in this outcome area is good.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

The fostering service supports young people to prepare for adulthood. Foster carer’s receive allowances and agreed expenses, which cover the cost of caring for children placed with them.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service.

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EVIDENCE:

Foster carers receive appropriate support to prepare young people for independent living. Carer’s who spoke to the inspector said that preparation for independence was age appropriate and involved younger children in tidying their things up and helping to make cakes and older children in budgeting, learning to cook meals and keeping themselves and their surroundings reasonably tidy.

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EVIDENCE:

Young people transfer from the Looked after Children’s Social Work Team to the Leaving Care Team between the ages of 15 and 16 years. Carers of teenagers are able to attend a specific support group, which helps to address the needs of young adults and looks at issues specifically related to independent living.

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EVIDENCE:

The fostering service is developing a new team to support carer’s of teenagers who present with difficult and challenging behaviour. It is envisaged that this new team will reduce the need for residential and out of borough placements and will provide services which can meet needs, avoid Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 placement breakdown and deliver positive outcomes at a crucial stage in a young persons life.

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EVIDENCE:

Islington has a policy and procedure related to payments and allowances for carer’s. Information is also included in the carer’s handbook. Carer’s who met with the inspector were aware of the payments scheme and allowances for young people placed they said that payments were generally correct and were made on time. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20

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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) • 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)

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The intended outcomes for these Standards are:

• 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) • Local Authority fostering services recognise the contribution made by family and friends as carers.(NMS 32)

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 Standards 1, 16, 17, 21, 24, 25 26 and 32 were assessed at this inspection. Quality in this outcome area is good.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

Overall the Islington Fostering Service is managed effectively. All staff and carers are recruited appropriately. The fostering records regarding children placed by Islington need to be reviewed and improved. Supervision and support for staff and carers is of a good standard.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service.

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EVIDENCE:

The fostering service has a statement of purpose and children’s guide, which is informative about the services provided.

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EVIDENCE:

There is a clear management structure and staff are managed in a way, which ensures an effective and efficient service is provided for the foster carers and children placed. The management team consists of the overall managers and 4 deputy team managers who are each responsible for a specific service area. These are: supervision and support, kinship and permanence, assessment and recruitment and systems procedures and review.

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EVIDENCE:

The fostering team consist of 27 appropriately qualified and experienced members of staff 8 members of staff are employed through an agency at present. The management team are at present recruiting permanently to the posts held by agency workers. The inspector examined staff recruitment records in September 2006 each file seen included relevant references and CRB disclosures and a contract of employment.

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EVIDENCE:

The inspector was told that where a placement is made with carer’s through an independent fostering service checks are carried out to ensure that the carer has been appropriately assessed and approved.

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EVIDENCE:

Social workers files hold relevant information regarding supervision and appraisal. Social workers who spoke with the inspector said they were well supported by the management team and could ask for advice at any time. There is an appropriate staff training programme, and fostering social workers are encouraged to attend appropriate extra training courses with foster carer’s. Social workers told the inspector that they were booked to attend the next Valuing Heritage Course for carer’s. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 The service has a recruitment policy and strategy in place aimed at recruiting a range of carer’s to meet the needs of young people. The assessment process for carer’s is explained at the initial induction session. Following the induction carer’s undergo a full assessment, which includes all aspects of childcare including helping children to understand their situation, life

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EVIDENCE:

story work and child protection issues. Carer’s are assessed on their own experiences and attitude towards issues of ethnicity, race culture and disability to ensure they have the ability to meet the needs of children who may be placed with them.

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EVIDENCE:

Each approved carer has a fostering agreement, which includes information regarding the support they will receive. Carer’s files showed evidence of regular supervision and of regular training and support groups. Carers are involved in their review of approval and attend their review meeting at panel.

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EVIDENCE:

Evidence from discussion with social workers confirmed that communication between the childcare teams and the fostering team is limited. An example on one file showed a lack of information, which could have been resolved with one phone call to the child’s social worker another file had an email to the LAC Team recorded but no response had been received. From discussion with social workers from both areas it was evident that work needs to be done to ensure closer working relationships between the teams.

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EVIDENCE:

The inspector tracked five files, four files did not have a Foster Placement Agreement included the agreement on the fifth file was given to the inspector during the inspection. Evidence on some files showed a tendency to cut and paste information from one report of the child in placement to the next. In one case the same information was recorded on 12 consecutive reports. This can cause confusion and in the case above has led to misleading information being recorded. Information related to children held on the fostering files is limited. The file index shows a range of information to be recorded but in fact in most cases only the child’s case review is on file.

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EVIDENCE:

Information regarding carers held on file is of a good standard. Foster carer’s told the inspector that they were given relevant information regarding children placed with them. Children said they were aware of the plans for them and were involved and attended their childcare reviews. All carer’s said they had the relevant equipment such as diaries and camera’s and storage space to enable them to ensure young people had a record of their time spent in the foster home.

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EVIDENCE:

Records for the fostering service are stored appropriately and securely. Children’s records are kept in a separate section of the carer’s file and these are passed to the Looked after Children File when the placement ends. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 Carer’s and children said they are aware of access to files and would if necessary apply to see them. The department has a policy for the retention of records and the storage and retention of confidential files, which is adhered to in all cases. Records of complaints and allegations are appropriately recorded and a copy is kept on the file with details of the actions and outcomes.

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EVIDENCE:

Islington fostering service recognises the importance of kinship care the assessment of carer’s for kinship placements is as far as possible undertaken in a sensitive way. To encourage people to care for children of friend and relatives a training and support programme is offered in the same way as for all Islington carer’s.

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EVIDENCE:

The fostering service has recently moved from Essex Road to Highbury Crescent. This was a long awaited move deemed to be for the better. However the move hasn’t worked out completely as planned, the team is based in the basement with issues regarding space and lighting. It is clear from discussion with the manager and service manager that these issues have been recognised and are being dealt with. More space has been identified with a view to repair and redecoration of these areas for use by the fostering service. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 24

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SCORING OF OUTCOMES

This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services have been met and uses the following scale.

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SCORING OF OUTCOMES

4 Standard Exceeded (Commendable) 3 Standard Met (No Shortfalls) 2 Standard Almost Met (Minor Shortfalls) 1 Standard Not Met (Major Shortfalls) “X” in the standard met box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion “N/A” in the standard met box denotes standard not applicable

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SCORING OF OUTCOMES

BEING HEALTHY ACHIEVING ECONOMIC Standard No Score WELLBEING 12 3 Standard No Score 14 3 STAYING SAFE 29 3 Standard No Score 3 3 MANAGEMENT 6 3 Standard No Score 8 3 1 3 9 3 2 X 15 3 4 X 30 3 5 X 16 3 ENJOYING AND ACHIEVING 17 3 Standard No Score 18 X 7 3 19 X 13 3 20 X 31 3 21 2 3 22 X MAKING a 3POSITIVE 23 X CONTRIBUTION 24 1 Standard No Score 25 3 10 2 26 3 11 3 27 X 28 X 32 3 Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 25 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? No

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Fostering Services Regulations 2002 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action 1 FS10 14 The Responsible Individual must ensure that the contact arrangements made for children with their families is monitored regularly. The views of the children, carer’s and professionals involved must be taken into account when reviewing the contact arrangements to ensure a positive experience is achieved. 30/04/07

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

2 FS24 35(3)(a) The Responsible Individual must ensure that all reports of visits to foster carer’s and children in placement contain current information. 30/04/07

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

5 FS24 34(3) Schedule 6 The Responsible Individual must ensure that the child’s section of each file contains a Fostering Placement Plan. 30/04/07 Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 26

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RECOMMENDATIONS

These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

No. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations

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RECOMMENDATIONS

1. FS21 The Responsible Individual must ensure that the Fostering Team, the Looked after Children’s Teams and the Contact Team communicate with each other regularly to ensure the need of the child are being met. 2 FS24 The Responsible Individual must ensure that the relevant information identified in the index of the child’s file is recorded in the appropriate section of the file. Islington Fostering Service - Children and Families DS0000041842.V321946.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 27

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

Camden Local Office Centro 4 20-23 Mandela Street London NW1 0DU

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

National Enquiry Line Telephone: 0845 015 0120 or 0191 233 3323 Textphone: 0845 015 2255 or 0191 233 3588 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk © This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI

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