Setting

X10029.doc Version 1.40 Page 1 FOSTERING SERVICE

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Lead Inspector Paula Eaton Announced Inspection 4th December 2006 09:45 London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.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 London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.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 ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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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. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4

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Name of service

London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team

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Name of service

Address London Borough of Hackney 205 Morning Lane Hackney London E9 6JX

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manager (if applicable)

Type of registration Local Auth Fostering Service London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.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:

The London Borough of Hackney Social Services provides a comprehensive fostering service as part of its overall service provision to children who are looked after by the Local Authority. The fostering teams are an integral part of Hackney’s Children and Family Services.

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Brief Description of the Service:

The primary role of the Hackney fostering service is to recruit foster carers from the local area and to find suitable placements for children. A diverse group of foster carers are sought from a range of social, ethnic and religious backgrounds to match children/young peoples needs.

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Brief Description of the Service:

The following services are provided: an initial enquiry duty desk for people interested in fostering; the assessment of applicants, group preparation and training for prospective carers. Ongoing training, information, support and seminar days are available. All carers are assigned a supervising social worker that is responsible for the monitoring and support of foster carers and placements. Staff of the fostering service come from a range of professional backgrounds and generally reflect the ethnic makeup of the local community.

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Brief Description of the Service:

Experienced carers offer support, advice, mentoring and friendship to newly recruited foster carers. Support groups and social events are organised by the service and foster carers have access to a staffed ‘out of hours’ phone line and the emergency duty social work team. Membership of Hackney Foster Care Association and Fostering Network is also available.

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Brief Description of the Service:

Foster carers receive allowances and separate fees. They have access to a quarterly newsletter, equipment loans and computers and a range of professionals who can offer support (e.g. designated LAC education and health specialists). Carers are expected to work closely with the children/young peoples’ social worker in order to maximise placement success. Approved foster carers and their performance is reviewed annually and presented to the fostering panel for re-approval/de-registration decisions. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.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

This annual statutory inspection took place over five days. Time was spent in the offices of the service viewing case records, policies and procedures and interviewing staff. The Operations Manager for the service, the Group Manager and three team managers were spoken to. Also, four children’s social workers, two supervising social workers and one recruitment social worker. The Inspector also had discussions with the Marketing Officer, the Training and Development Co-ordinator the team administrator for the Access to Resources Team and the Co-ordinator for the service’s LIFE Project. Four foster carers were also visited in their own homes and four young people were spoken to.

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SUMMARY

Questionnaires were sent out to 25 children over eight years of age that were being looked after by the fostering service. Only four questionnaires were returned but the young people that completed the questionnaires were all very positive about the care they were receiving. Twenty-five questionnaires were also sent out to foster carers of which only five were returned. Again these were generally very positive about the service, however, one foster carer did raise particular issues about the care of a young person that had moved on. The department were dealing with this issue and a meeting had been arranged to try and resolve these issues.

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SUMMARY

The staff of the fostering service assisted with the inspection process and were very informative about the work carried out in the department.

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What the service does well:

The service has a committed and motivated staff team.

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What the service does well:

The service has developed an excellent database to provide efficient recording and monitoring systems across the department.

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What the service does well:

The service has developed and is in the process of implementing a time limited therapeutic fostering service (LIFE) for young people.

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What the service does well:

The service has excellent systems in place to support Looked After Children with their education.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Since the last inspection the service has further developed the database to be used by the service. Support for foster carers has improved and records relating to this have also improved. The fostering panel now has two of the departments’ social workers as members. The service has continued to develop the LIFE project ready for it to commence and training for foster carers has been further developed. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 7

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What they could do better:

The standard of recording could be improved. It is the view of the inspector that this is affected by the high workloads of social workers. More robust monitoring systems could be introduced. It is the view of the inspector that some recording and monitoring will be improved when the new database is being fully utilised.

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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. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 8

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CONTENTS

Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9

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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:

Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service.

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JUDGEMENT – we looked at the outcome for Standard:

The fostering service promotes the health and development of children and young people who access the service.

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EVIDENCE:

The young peoples files indicated that information is obtained on the details of their healthcare needs prior to a placement being made. It was evident from the records viewed that children and young people were registered with a GP and receiving regular health checks such as dental checks and eye tests.

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EVIDENCE:

The service’s foster carer handbook contains practical guidance to foster carers in monitoring the healthcare needs of young people. The service has a Looked After Children’s Health Team that includes a Looked After Children’s Nurse and Medical Advisor and a Therapeutic Intervention Service (TIS). Staff demonstrated how they had accessed this service to get advice and support for foster carers on the health needs of children and also to get advice and support regarding the health of foster carers. The Looked After Nurse was present at the fostering panel and it was evident from discussions that took place that foster carers are also able to contact her directly for information and advice.

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EVIDENCE:

The foster carers who were visited were able to describe how they meet the health needs of the children in their care.

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EVIDENCE:

The service is also in the process of implementing the LIFE project, which will involve providing intensive time limited fostering placements including regular therapeutic input for the young people placed. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10

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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):

Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service.

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

The service has a good number of appropriately trained and experienced staff. The service matches children to carers of the same ethnic, cultural or religious background where possible and ensures that any gaps in the matching process are addressed. There are good systems in place to ensure that children are protected from abuse and neglect.

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EVIDENCE:

There is a clear management structure within the service and the management team are all suitably qualified and experienced. There are also suitably qualified and experienced social work staff employed. The recruitment checks viewed evidenced that Criminal Records Bureau checks were being renewed every three years and that references were being followed up and verified.

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EVIDENCE:

Four foster carers homes were visited. All of them were safe, warm and comfortable and the young people appeared to feel at home in their environments. No health and safety issues were noted whilst visiting the foster carers homes and it was evident from the records viewed that annual health and safety checks were taking place. However, one of the foster carers visited said that she had not been asked to provide any documentary evidence to London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 support the answers she had given to questions regarding health and safety. For example, she had told the social worker that she had had her gas appliances serviced but had not been asked to provide evidence of this and the social worker had also not asked for proof of her car insurance.

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EVIDENCE:

The service has appropriate health and safety policies and procedures in place and guidance on health and safety issues is provided for foster carers.

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EVIDENCE:

The Access to Resources Team are primarily responsible for matching children and young people to appropriate foster carers. The social workers spoken to said that where possible they try to speak to the supervising social workers of foster carers to discuss placements. The Access to Resources Team also have access to a foster carers profile to allow them to make appropriate matches. One of the administration staff has developed a new database for the service. As a foster carer is being matched to a child or young person the system will raise an alert if there are specific gaps in the matching process such as ethnicity. This acts as a mechanism to ensure consideration is given to this factor before a final decision is made and is also a reminder for staff to ensure that any gaps in the matching process are addressed i.e. extra support for foster carers.

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EVIDENCE:

The young people visited had generally been appropriately matched to foster carers. One foster carer was able to demonstrate how she had addressed a gap in the matching process by supporting the young person to explore their Kenyan culture by watching television programmes relating to the country and researching other relevant information to support the young person’s sense of identity. This carer had also made efforts to prepare culturally specific foods for the young person.

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EVIDENCE:

The group Manager said that there were some gaps in the availability of foster carers for young people in particular White UK teenagers, Vietnamese foster carers and sibling groups.

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EVIDENCE:

The service has appropriate Child Protection policies and procedures in place. Adequate training on Child Protection issues is provided for staff and foster carers. Foster carers are given training on safer caring and managing challenging behaviour and it is made clear in the Foster Carer’s Agreement and in the Foster Carer’s Handbook that corporal punishment is not acceptable. An appropriate record of any allegations is maintained and appropriate action is taken. There are satisfactory policies in place on bullying and procedures in place for when a child is missing.

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EVIDENCE:

The recruitment records for two agency members of staff and two permanent employees were viewed. These contained evidence of all the required checks and were in order. The service has an experienced and knowledgeable panel in place. The panel meeting minutes were viewed. Comprehensive minutes were being kept that London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 detailed the discussions that had taken place. Part of a panel meeting was also observed. It was evident that panel members had reviewed the panel papers for the cases being presented to panel and careful consideration was given to each case. Appropriate queries were raised and satisfactory recommendations made in light of the information presented. It was noted that foster carers/prospective foster carers are not invited to panel, although there were plans for this to commence at the following panel meeting.

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EVIDENCE:

The panel procedures for the service were viewed. These were generally clear and had been recently updated. However, it is recommended that the section relating to panel members not being able to reach a consensus is expanded to include what action would be taken and who would make the final decision.

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EVIDENCE:

Independent panel members records were viewed. It was noted that these records did not all contain proof of identification and references as required. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13

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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):

Quality in this outcome area is excellent. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service.

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

The fostering service values diversity and strives to meet the diverse needs of the looked after children it cares for in the local community. The educational provision for the children placed is excellent. The short-term break service provided for parents ensures that parents remain the main carers for the child where appropriate.

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EVIDENCE:

The fostering service has appropriate policies and procedures in place regarding equal opportunities and valuing diversity and the service aims to match foster carers with children and young people from the same cultural, religious and linguistic background wherever possible.

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EVIDENCE:

Hackney is a very diverse community and the service strives to ensure that the foster carers in the borough reflect this diversity. The assessment process explores the attitudes of prospective foster carers with regard to diversity issues.

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EVIDENCE:

It was evident from the records viewed and from speaking to young people that they were encouraged to pursue hobbies and interests. For example, one young person had a mentor who visited and took them out on activities they enjoyed like the cinema, ice-skating and bowling. Another young person had a keen interest in football and was being encouraged to pursue this. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 Foster carers are given clear guidelines with regard to supporting children and young people with their education. The young people visited all had somewhere suitable to study and computers were also available for young people. The service has a Looked After Children’s Education Team that can provide additional support and tuition for young people and the service also provides a homework club at a resource centre that three of the four young people visited said that they used regularly and found helpful; two of the

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EVIDENCE:

young people had been to the club that day. The Education Team consists of three education officers and an activities officer and in the view of the inspector this is an invaluable service for Looked After Children in Hackney. All of the children’s records viewed contained up to date Personal Education Plans. It was clearly evident that improving the educational outcomes for the children in foster placements was a priority for the service.

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EVIDENCE:

The service provides a short-breaks service for birth parents and foster carers as required. Parents remain central to the promotion of health and educational needs where appropriate. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15

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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):

Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service.

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

Contact arrangements are made clear and foster carers are supported to ensure that appropriate contact is maintained between children and their families. The service consults children, young people and foster carers in various different ways to ensure that their views are heard.

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EVIDENCE:

Arrangements for contact are made when a child is placed and any restrictions are clearly stated in the foster placement agreement. The foster carers spoken to were able to describe how they manage the contact arrangements for the children placed in their care.

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EVIDENCE:

Foster carers are given clear guidelines about managing contact and recording and reporting any changes in a child’s behaviour prior to or after contact. The recordings viewed confirmed that foster carers were following these guidelines and supporting children to remain in contact with important individuals in their lives. One foster carer described what types of things that she recorded when a child in her care was having contact with family members.

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EVIDENCE:

The supervising social workers spoken to said that there had been some difficulties with contact arrangements being put in place without an appropriate risk assessment taking place first. For example, they said that arrangements had been made for a child’s family to visit at the foster carers home where this was not appropriate and this had led to difficulties for the foster carers with parents knowing their address and had led to difficulties with the placement London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 which could have been avoided if a risk assessment had been completed prior to the placement.

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EVIDENCE:

The service consults with children and young people in various ways. As mentioned earlier many young people access the homework club at the resource centre where they are able to use the resources and share their views with staff. Young people are also encouraged to contribute to annual reviews along with foster carers and their social workers. The service had developed a new consultation form for this purpose and this was being piloted. The service also has an independent visitors scheme in place. It was evident from the records viewed that one independent visitor was very actively involved in supporting and advocating for one young person. At the time of the inspection the service was also piloting a scheme where a group of young people were going to be supported to Chair their own review meetings.

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EVIDENCE:

Young people are given information on how to make a complaint in the Young Person’s Guide for the service. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17

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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):

Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service.

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

Foster carers are paid a sufficient allowance to ensure they are able to meet the needs of the children placed with them.

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EVIDENCE:

Foster carers are provided with detailed information regarding allowances and what additional financial support is available.

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EVIDENCE:

The foster carers spoken to were clear about how the allowance should be used and said that they received their payments promptly. Foster carers save money for each child placed with them. The London Borough of Hackney regularly reviews the foster carers allowance. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18

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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):

Quality in this outcome area is adequate. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service.

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

The service provides good support and training for foster carers. The service has a stable and well-managed staff team and adequate systems in place for monitoring and evaluating service performance.

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EVIDENCE:

London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 The service has a satisfactory Statement of Purpose in place that contains all of the required information. This document is regularly updated as required.

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EVIDENCE:

The service has a Children’s Guide in place called ‘What to expect from Foster Care’. It contains information regarding contact, health matters, social activities, social work visits, education, reviews and complaints. It is written in a format appropriate for children and young people.

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EVIDENCE:

The service has a clear management structure and appropriately qualified and experienced staff. However, it was noted that staff have high caseloads and that the recording in the case files for foster carers was not always in order and up to date. It is the view of the inspector that the gaps in recording were not as a result of poor practice but as a result of social workers not having the time to support foster carers and young people and keep case files in order. The social workers spoken to were very motivated and committed to providing a good service and could evidence how they had worked with foster carers, the young people placed with them and other professionals to develop good relationships and nurture successful placements. The London Borough of Hackney is an area of London that has high numbers of young people living in poverty and individuals with complex social issues. This in turn means that

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EVIDENCE:

significant numbers of complex cases are dealt with by the department. It is strongly recommended that caseloads are closely monitored and that additional staff are provided if required to ensure that the needs of foster carers and young people are met and that social workers are given manageable caseloads.

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EVIDENCE:

It was also noted that there is a fairly high percentage of agency workers in the department although some of these workers had been with the department for some time.

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EVIDENCE:

All of the social workers spoken to said that they received monthly professional supervision. They also said that they found this time valuable to discuss any issues with their cases or personal development. They also stressed that the management team were approachable and that they were able to discuss issues as they arose as well as in supervision.

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EVIDENCE:

The service has clear procedures in place for requests for service. The Access to Resources Team deals with referrals and making placements.

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EVIDENCE:

The service has satisfactory recruitment strategies in place. The Marketing Officer for the service said that the service has a monthly open day that consists of presentations and opportunities for people to be able to ask questions. The service also uses local community events for recruitment. The Marketing Officer said that the Internet and word of mouth were the most successful ways of recruiting new foster carers. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 The service has a clear assessment process in place that covers all areas of competency. Staff had received training on carrying out assessments and in general completed assessments that were seen were comprehensive. However, it was noted from panel meeting minutes and whilst observing the fostering panel that there were some obvious gaps in assessments that were not being addressed prior to their presentation to panel. This has meant that prospective

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EVIDENCE:

foster carers have had their approval unnecessarily delayed.

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EVIDENCE:

The foster carers visited and those that completed questionnaires generally felt well supported by the department and especially their supervising social workers. All of them said that they were visited on a monthly basis and said that they could always contact someone in the department if they needed to. Foster carers support groups take place on a monthly basis. The carers visited said that when they had attended these they had found sharing ideas with other foster carers useful and found ‘knowing that they were not alone’ valuable.

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EVIDENCE:

The service also has an active Foster Carers Association that supports carers and also holds monthly meetings.

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EVIDENCE:

It was noted that foster carer’s annual reviews were generally taking place on time and this had improved since the last inspection, however this could be improved further.

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EVIDENCE:

Foster carers have nominated support carers, however, the systems in place for this are not robust. The Operations Manager said that the nominated support carers were being looked at for each carer to see if they were suitable. The service needs to ensure that robust procedures are in place with regard to support carers to ensure that foster carers have adequate support to maintain placements. An appropriate assessment of the support carer’s suitability needs to be completed along with appropriate checks.

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EVIDENCE:

All foster carers have a named supervising social worker who visits them as required. All of the foster carers spoken to said that they felt well supported by their supervising social worker. The records viewed confirmed that regular visits were taking place.

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EVIDENCE:

Foster Carers are given a handbook that provides them with comprehensive information to assist them with the fostering task. It includes information regarding assessments, legislation relating to Looked After Children, reviews, placements, contact, health and safety, safe caring, behaviour management, life story work, contact, loss and separation, health information, complaints and useful contacts. The foster carers visited had a copy of the handbook and said that they had found it helpful and that it was useful to refer to when issues arose that they were not sure about. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 The service has improved the recording and monitoring of complaints. All complaints and allegations are now kept in a lever arch file and a standard format is used for recording and monitoring. It was noted that records regarding allegations were not always fully complete. For example, in the

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EVIDENCE:

records viewed a social worker had noted that the outcome for a previous allegation made about a foster carer was not on file when this information was required to follow up another allegation that was made. It was noted however that this matter had been dealt with and that it was just the records that were not up to date.

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EVIDENCE:

The service has a comprehensive training programme in place for foster carers. The service has a Training Co-ordinator who was spoken to during the inspection. She explained that the service has a core training programme that foster carers are expected to complete in their first two years as a foster carer. This training consists of twelve sessions that include child protection, sexual health, working with the department, life story work, recording, contact, loss attachment and separation, managing challenging behaviour, first aid, safer caring, the health of Looked After Children and standards training. The service then provides special interest training that includes running children’s parties, communicating with children, HIV awareness, drug and alcohol abuse and understanding teaching of Maths, English and Science. Foster carers are also supported to complete NVQ level 3 training and seven foster carers had

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EVIDENCE:

completed this training and another seven were in the process of completing theirs.

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EVIDENCE:

The Training Co-ordinator said that supervising social workers worked with carers and helped to identify any training needs and that training was discussed as part of the foster carers annual review. The records viewed confirmed this. She also said that she met regularly with the Reviewing Officer to discuss training issues. The service provides a crèche and kitchen facilities at the training venues. Individuals from the health and education teams assist with facilitating training and some external trainers are used. It was noted that although attendance at training had improved that there was still some resistance to attending training especially from foster carers who had been with the service for some time.

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EVIDENCE:

The case records for four young people were viewed. These records were generally in order and up to date. However, it was noted that some of the records of visits had been copied and pasted from previous records and that records were not always accurate as a result. This practice was being carried out by the Children’s social work team and not by the fostering service staff. Although it would be acceptable to cut and paste information from previous visits if the information was the same and nothing had changed, it is essential that the information is accurate and that this practice is not standard practice.

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EVIDENCE:

Previous inspections have highlighted deficiencies with the working environment of the fostering service. The Operations Manager explained that London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 no changes had been made to the environment as the service was due to move out of the building shortly into temporary accommodation whilst a new building is built close to the Town Hall where the service will eventually be based.

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EVIDENCE:

The service has appropriate IT equipment available and an administrator working for the service had developed a very efficient and comprehensive database that will assist in improving efficiency and recording within the department. The system reminds staff about checks that need to be carried out and enables staff across teams to have access to information. The member of staff that has developed the database is very motivated and continuously adding information and developing the system further to meet the needs of the service.

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EVIDENCE:

The service has set up a Kinship Panel to assess the suitability of kinship care arrangements. The minutes of these panel meetings were viewed and it was evident that appropriate assessments were being carried out and some support provided. This needs to be developed further to ensure that kinship carers are provided with adequate support. At the time of the inspection this support was being provided by the Children’s social workers. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23

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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 X STAYING SAFE 29 3 Standard No Score 3 3 MANAGEMENT 6 2 Standard No Score 8 3 1 3 9 3 2 X 15 3 4 X 30 2 5 X 16 3 ENJOYING AND ACHIEVING 17 3 Standard No Score 18 X 7 3 19 X 13 4 20 X 31 3 21 2 22 2 MAKING A POSITIVE 23 3 CONTRIBUTION 24 3 Standard No Score 25 X 10 2 26 2 11 3 27 X 28 X 32 3 London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 24 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? YES

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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. FS6 27(2)(d) Social workers must view documentary evidence of any checks completed with regard to health and safety. 01/02/07

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

2 FS10 14 Risk assessments must be completed before any contact arrangements commence. 01/02/07

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

3. FS21 27(2)(a) The Registered Person must ensure that CRB checks are completed for all foster carers support network where it is clear that these individuals are regular visitors to the foster home. 01/05/07

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

4 FS22 12(2)(d) Outcomes of all investigations into allegations made about foster carers must be fully recorded. 01/02/07

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

5. FS26 23 Senior managers of the local authority must promptly address the poor work environment of the premises of the fostering service (Previous timescale of 01/12/06 not met) 01/06/07

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

6 FS30 Sch 1 Recruitment checks must be completed for all fostering panel members. 01/03/07 London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 25

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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. FS16 Supervising social workers caseloads should be closely monitored to ensure that workloads are manageable and to ensure there are adequate numbers of staff for social workers to competently fulfil all of their duties. 2 FS17 Assessments for prospective foster carers should be more closely monitored and any gaps addressed prior to cases being presented to panel. 3 FS23 The service should develop further strategies to increase foster carers attendance at training 4 FS30 The fostering panel procedures section on disagreement between panel members should be expanded to include how such matters will be resolved. London Borough of Hackney Fostering Team DS0000040284.V318945.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 26

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

East London Area Office Ferguson House 113 Cranbrook Road Ilford London 1G1 4PU

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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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