Doncaster Fostering Services

Doncaster Fostering Services Inspection report for la fostering agency

p.1

SC046856 Unique reference number 16 October 2009 Inspection date Sarah Urding / Simon Morley Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Address Directorate of Social Services PO Box 251 DONCASTER South Yorkshire DN1 3DA 01302 737789 Telephone number

p.1

Email

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Registered person

p.1

Registered manager

Tom Common Responsible individual 22 August 2008 Date of last inspection .

p.1

Registered manager

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Registered manager

You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

p.2

About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

p.3

The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 9 Inspection Report: Doncaster Fostering Services,16 October 2009

p.3

Brief description of the service

Doncaster fostering service provides foster carers who are recruited, trained, assessed, supervised and reviewed by the service. They form part of a full range of accommodation for looked after children and young people in the area.

p.4

Summary

This was an announced full inspection. All of the key standards were inspected along with the progress made since the last full inspection in August 2008 and monitoring visit in March 2009.

p.4

Summary

Improvements have been made to the manner in which the fostering service is being managed. There is a shared and clear vision. Frameworks and practice are being developed with sustainability in mind. The capacity of the service to improve is increased because of a clear strategic plan, the scrutiny of senior managers and the commitment of staff to raise standards for children and young people receiving a service. The length of time in which the service has had to implement the necessary changes limits the impact on improving lives of children and young people and inconsistencies in service delivery remain. As such, judgements relating to staying safe and organisation are fragile. Breaches in regulation relate to risk management and the immediate placement of children with people not approved as foster carers. Policy, procedural and guidance shortfalls relate to safe care; panel functions; the monitoring of educational

p.4

Summary

attainment and placements; and access to records. However, management of current practice ensures that this is not significantly impacting on children's welfare. Recommendations to improve outcomes for children and young people are made in relation to health care planning; matching; equality of opportunity; consultation; foster carer training and support for kinship carers. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Practice has improved in relation to the support, training, guidance and reviews of foster carers. Expectations are now clearer and this encourages safer and more accountable practice. Improved management structures, oversight of the team and clearer guidance to staff has lifted morale and there is now a shared focus for service delivery and improving outcomes for children and young people. The alignment of the care to share service with mainstream fostering has improved services for children and young people with disabilities. Communication and joint working between the fostering service and other children's services departments is developing which encourages efficiency and a meeting of children's needs. The sound management of panel function now provides scrutiny of process and monitoring of placements which contributes to safeguarding. Areas not yet fully met relate to inconsistencies in the provision of services for

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

children receiving care from family and friends. Recommendations are carried over in this regard.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children and young people's health is satisfactorily promoted. Health management plans are now in place for those children with complex health care needs. However, the plans lack rigour 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Doncaster Fostering Services,16 October 2009 because they do not inform carers well how to meet identified needs. In some cases health care plans are lacking which compromises the promotion of good health.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

Health is reviewed in a timely fashion via the child care review system and the fostering service works in partnership with health professionals who advise carers how to meet needs. Emotional support for children and young people is being met. A specialist nurse works directly with carers who look after children with disabilities and good advice and training is available with regards specialist health care such as gastro feeds. However, strategies are not in place as to the safe management of seizures or moving and handling. Carers are trained in this regard and are confident that they know how to manage these health conditions safely but lack of written direction makes practice less accountable and compromises monitoring. The fostering service are aware of the shortfalls and have recently put some placements on hold until risk assessments are carried out. This practice ensures that those children's welfare is being promoted.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Guidance to carers has improved and health expectations are clearly outlined. Recording systems have recently been introduced in relation to medication administered during placement; illnesses; and accidents. This makes practice transparent and enables the service to provide more focused support to carers when needed. Carers can attend 'reduce the risk' training which promotes health issues such as smoking, healthy diets, alcohol and sexual health. This improves the quality of advice given to children and young people.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The promotion of children and young people's welfare is not consistently robust. However, the fostering team is giving high priority to sustainability within the service and systems are now in place that improve historically poor practice to a satisfactory level.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people are safeguarded because people in key management positions are experienced and knowledgeable about promoting children's welfare. There are clear and established systems in place for the safe recruitment of staff on all levels. Sound assessments of the environment and health and safety matters are made by the service prior to the placement of any child with foster carers. The service has improved guidance provided to foster carers on behaviour management; children missing from home; and safe caring although this has not been implemented for kinship carers. Support and guidance to kinship carers is an area of weakness in service delivery.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The development of a multi-agency resource panel is a positive step towards promoting suitable placements. Information is shared and this promotes rigorous and monitored planning for children to ensure that they receive services in a timely fashion. Matching of children to suitable placements within the service is currently limited and children are placed external to the service where this is the case. The matching proformas developed have historically been used as a checklist when making placements as opposed to demonstrating a rigorous process that identifies placements that are wholly suitable. There are no formal processes in place for matching which does not promote consistent practice. Recent practice shows improvements as joint working between departments develops. However, foster placement agreements are not consistently made nor do they make specific reference to elements of matching. This increases the likelihood

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of needs being unmet and placements breaking down. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Doncaster Fostering Services,16 October 2009 The management and function of the fostering panel has improved. Panel is now quorate and there is a varied membership. The chairperson of the panel and panel advisor are experienced and have strengthened accountability. There are appropriate levels of challenge to improve practice within the service. Records are made of panel proceedings. However, they lack clarity in relation to the reasons for panel recommendations. Policies and procedures have not been produced in relation to panel function and this weakens sustainability.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. There are clear plans in place to promote the improvement of equality and diversity and to encourage children to achieve and enjoy life. However, practice is not yet fully embedded in all aspects of the service.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The promotion of equality and diversity is satisfactory. Some positive work has been undertaken in relation to promoting children and young people's identity particularly in relation to visiting their families country of origin. Joint work between children's and fostering social workers is developing which encourages an holistic approach to care. The process for accessing specialist equipment is now clear and understood by carers and staff. 'valuing difference' training is planned for foster carers and staff demonstrate a commitment to providing services that meet the needs of children. However, inconsistencies remain in service delivery and practice is not yet fully embedded. For example, the recording of needs relating to race, religion, culture and linguistic background is not sufficiently detailed and increases the likelihood of needs being overlooked. The recruitment strategy is not currently aimed at targeting specific ethnic groups

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

which limits placement choice. The system for payment of shortbreak carers requires carers to claim following a child's stay and the service does not make it known to carers that they are able to access some funds prior to a placement episode. This does not encourage equality of access to activities.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There have been some positive developments in promoting children and young people's achievement. The new appointment of a headteacher of a virtual school for children provides a focus point for promoting efficient service delivery and increases accountability. The service makes clear to foster carers its expectations for supporting children in their learning. The service is aware of the barriers in relation to the attainment and attendance of looked after children and is currently focused on ensuring that all children and young people in foster care have a personal educational plan. A system for monitoring the attainment and attendance levels of children who are looked after is in place. However, the information systems do not yet demonstrate outcomes for children and young people in foster care. This does not encourage focused support.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision of services for children receiving shortbreaks has improved because the service is now aligned with mainstream fostering. This means that children and young people are receiving equitable services. Policies and procedures have been produced which inform staff and carers of the parameters of the service and how to meet the needs of children with disabilities. Parents remain central to the promotion of health and education needs. However, staff do not know when placement episodes are occurring which compromises oversight and support. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: Doncaster Fostering Services,16 October 2009

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The promotion of contact is given priority. Foster carers are clear about their role and expectations are clearly defined by the service. Despite the lack of placement agreements outlining contact arrangements there is no indication that this is impacting on children and young people who report that contact with parents is consistently well promoted. The service is developing practice by providing suitable places for children and their families to meet.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Carers are strong advocates for children and young people and represent them well. The service is also taking positive steps to improve consultation. The recent development of a children's council aims to make senior managers more accessible to children and the corporate parenting role more accountable. It is intended that children will meet on a quarterly basis and contribute to service delivery. The children's rights officer works closely with the service and has worked with children to develop a pledge in relation to the services they expect to receive. Complaints and concerns are also raised via this arena which offers independence to children and young people. However, there are inconsistencies in consulting with children and young people at reviews of care and foster carers reviews. For those children receiving shortbreaks, kinship care and for children of foster carers consultation is not well developed.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. Barnados deliver the leaving care service within Doncaster and work directly with young people to promote smoother transitions. A drop in facility is available to help young people develop independence skills. The looked after children's nurse also provides guidance and support to young people regarding health matters. There is some good practice in relation to supporting young people in foster care beyond 18 when they are in full time education. However, young people are not consistently well prepared for their transition to adulthood because carers are not well informed about expectations in this regard nor do they receive training opportunities to help them support young people. Pathway plans are in place but these do not reflect individual needs well and opportunities to provide support are being missed.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

A system of payments to carers for the fostering task is in place and publicised. This is currently under review.

p.7

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. A statement of purpose is in place that clearly outlines the service. This informs children, young people and foster carers of the services they can expect to receive. The children's guide is now available in age appropriate formats. A guide for children with communication difficulties is in the process of being developed. Children are informed of who to contact should they wish to raise a concern about the service and this now includes a contact number for Ofsted.

p.7

Organisation

The management of the service has improved in relation to monitoring practice and reviewing quality. There are clear roles for managers and staff and communication systems between departments are developing. Monthly reports are completed in relation to the development of the service. However, the reports are factual not evaluative and opportunities to demonstrate improvements are being missed. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: Doncaster Fostering Services,16 October 2009 Staff share a vision for improvement and a substantial amount of work has taken place to promote consistency and improve the quality of the service for children, young people and foster carers. Accountability throughout the structure has improved due to the re-organisation of children's services. This makes cross departmental working more accessible and efficient for the fostering service.

p.7

Organisation

Senior managers remain in interim positions. However, sustainability is given priority. The recruitment of staff to permanent posts is ongoing and there is a strong commitment from interim managers to ensure that handover periods maintain the momentum in service improvement. However, there have been lengthy delays in the assessment of carers due to staff absence which compromises efficiency and support for children's placements. Agency staff have been employed to assist in the assessment process but this has resulted in inconsistencies in the quality of assessments undertaken. However, there is a clear assessment process in place that assesses qualities, competences and aptitudes for fostering. Managers are in the process of reviewing practice shortfalls.

p.8

Organisation

The management, support and training of carers is improving. The foster carers handbook has been under review and now informs carers well of expectations and the parameters of care. Out of hours support for carers is now available and the formal supervision of carers is taking place regularly. Carers are positive about improvements to the training schedule and the accessibility of the courses. External support and information services are made available to foster carers. A carers representative group has been formed and its aim will be to keep carers informed of up to date information and feedback carers views on service development to the fostering service.

p.8

Organisation

Kinship carers are not receiving the same level of support and as a result are not well informed about the task they are being asked to undertake. There is a commitment to improving joint working between children's and fostering social workers but in practice this is not well developed. The strategy for improving practice in this area does not outline clearly the expectations of support from fostering social workers, make timescales for assessment clear or fully take into account the risk management of such placements when children remain placed with carers who are not fully assessed beyond the specified six week period. Panel do play a monitoring role in this regard and set timeframes for assessments to be completed. However, agreed timescales are not being consistently met and there is no legal basis to make interim approvals. The management of this aspect of the service lacks rigour.

p.8

Organisation

Record keeping in the fostering service is improving and carers are now keeping daily logs of significant events. This contributes to an understanding of a child's life. There are clear record keeping policies in place that promote confidentiality and inform carers about practice requirements. However, carers are not clear about how and when children can access their records.

p.8

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): 8 of 9 Inspection Report: Doncaster Fostering Services,16 October 2009 • ensure the service provides foster care services which help each child or young person in foster care to receive health care services which meet his/her needs, in particular ensure that health care plans inform foster carers how to meet needs (NMS 12.1) • promote the health and development of children placed with foster carers particularly in relation to the risk management of seizures and moving and handling (breach of regulation 15(1)) • ensure that foster parents have entered into a written agreement (referred to as the foster placement agreement) as outlined in schedule 6 prior to the placement of any child (breach of regulation 34(3)) • provide safe caring guidelines to kinship carers (NMS 9.3) • ensure that the fostering panel makes a written record of the reasons for its

p.8

Recommendations

recommendations (breach of regulation 25(2)) • ensure the fostering panel has clear written policies and procedures which are implemented in practice, about the handling of their functions (NMS 30.1) • ensure that foster carers give each child equal access to opportunities to develop and pursue her/his talents, interests and hobbies, particularly ensure that carers providing respite or short break services are aware of how to access monies in advance of a placement episode (NMS 7.7) • ensure that systems demonstrate the educational attainment of children and young people in their foster care services and demonstrate the numbers excluded from school (NMS 13.6) • ensure there are policies and procedures implemented in practice to meet the particular needs of children receiving short term breaks, in particular of the need to be aware when children are in placement (NMS 31.1) • ensure that the opinions and views of children on all matters affecting them are ascertained

p.9

Recommendations

on a regular and frequent basis, in particular children receiving short break services and children who foster (NMS 11.3) • ensure foster carers receive training and support to enable them to provide effective support and guidance to young people preparing to move into independent or semi-independent living (NMS 14.3) • ensure there are structures and systems in place to ensure assessments of carers are managed and implemented effectively (NMS 16.6) • ensure that foster carers and fostered children know the nature of their records maintained and how to access them (NMS 25.7) • ensure that children are not accommodated for a period exceeding six weeks where immediate placements of children are made to people who are not foster carers (breach of regulation 38(2)) • ensure the support and training needs for family and friends carers are assessed and met in the same way as for any other carers. (NMS 32.3)

p.9

Recommendations

9 of 9 Inspection Report: Doncaster Fostering Services,16 October 2009

p.9