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Lead Inspector Russell Shackford Announced Inspection 5th December 2005 9:30 Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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 Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 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. Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 4

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Name of service

Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

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Name of service

Address Wellington House 36 Wellington Street Barnsley S70 1WA

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manager (if applicable)

Type of registration Local Auth Fostering Service

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of places

Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 5

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Conditions of registration:

Date of last inspection 31st January 2005

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Brief Description of the Service:

The statement of purpose describes the fostering service as part of a range of services for children and young people who are “Looked After”.

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Brief Description of the Service:

The stated aims being to provide a safe, stable and secure family environment, to meet the assessed needs of the child and family within the foster placement and to provide quality fostering support, staff and services. Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 6

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SUMMARY

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

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SUMMARY

Prior to the inspection a number of questionnaires were sent out to placing officers, foster carers and foster children, giving them the opportunity to tell us about their own views of the service.

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SUMMARY

The inspection was conducted by two inspectors and took place over two days. One day was spent visiting foster children and their carers at home. The other day was spent at the office base, where a number of records were checked including children’s, carers and staff files. Interviews also took place with a number of supervising support workers and the service manager.

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SUMMARY

The response to questionnaires, visits and interviews was pleasing and in all the total number of views assembled was: - Children and Young People 6 Foster Carers 11 Fostering Services Staff 5

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What the service does well:

The health and development of the children and young people was very well promoted by the fostering service. A written health care record was maintained in a format that could be understood, accessed and ‘moved’ with the child/young person.

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What the service does well:

Suitable foster carers were being recruited by the fostering service. Matching children and young people with an appropriate family was considered and facilitated where possible.

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What the service does well:

Appropriate training and information was available to carers. Children and young people are provided with foster care services, which value diversity and promote equality. Appropriate training was available.

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What the service does well:

Children and young people’s education was a high priority and it was actively promoted.

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What the service does well:

The service is meeting the particular needs of children receiving short-term breaks.

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What the service does well:

Children and young people are supported to maintain family contact. The fostering service ensures that the opinions and views of children and young people are ascertained. Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 7 Foster carers provide support to young people preparing to move to independence. The leaving care service works with foster carers to help develop skills, competence and knowledge necessary for adult living.

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What the service does well:

Carers receive clear information about the allowances and expenses payable. All monies were said to be paid promptly.

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What the service does well:

The Statement of Purpose clearly sets out what services are provided for children who are placed by the fostering service. The people involved in carrying on and managing the fostering service have the necessary skills to deliver good quality childcare.

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What the service does well:

Foster carers reviews take place at the required minimum intervals. The service offers a range of good quality training. Foster carers were well supported. Case records kept for young people were up to date and well maintained.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

20 new general carers were approved between December 2004 and November 2005.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

14 family and friend carers were approved between December 2004 and November 2005.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

In the same period just 3 general carers were deregistered/terminated giving a net gain of 17 general carers.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The service has acquired larger team accommodation.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

There has been an Increase in foster allowance rate for foster carers up to the Fostering Network recommended rate.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The service has approved 5 newly recruited specialist carers to the service’s enhanced fee ‘Care Plus’ Scheme as well as promoted 3 existing carers to the Care Plus Scheme. Care Plus encompasses specialist carers who undertake emergency care, or care for children with complex needs or significant disabilities.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The Fostering team have taken responsibility for all family and friend foster career assessments, previously undertaken by different teams which enables a more committed and specialist approach to these assessments.

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Current/Ongoing Service Developments – December 2005

The Project Team are developing placement/permanence strategy. Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 8 Team to establish assistant team manager post to enhance capacity to manage expanding team and service.

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Current/Ongoing Service Developments – December 2005

Up to 60 hours admin/business support posts additional to current establishment to be established to enhance business support capacity for expanding team and service.

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Current/Ongoing Service Developments – December 2005

All Social Workers in team to undertake 4-day training course on attachment theory for family placement workers including adult attachment interviews.

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Current/Ongoing Service Developments – December 2005

Foster carer attending Men in Foster Care Event in December with a view to aiding the service to establish Men’s Support Group, possibly with neighbouring authority.

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What they could do better:

All staff recruitment files need to contain the required information.

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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. Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 9

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CONTENTS

Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 10

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The intended outcomes these Standards are:

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

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The Commission considers Standard 12 the key standard to be

inspected at least once during a 12 month period.

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JUDGEMENT – The intended outcomes for these Standards are

The health and development of the children and young people was very well promoted by the fostering service. A written health care record was maintained in a format that could be understood, accessed and ‘moved’ with the child/young person.

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EVIDENCE:

Carers spoken to said that the fostering service provided them with as much health information as possible at the start of the placement. The importance of obtaining health information was seen as a priority in ensuring that the foster carers were able to meet the child’s physical, emotional and social needs and development. All children and young people spoken to said that their foster carer supported them to attend appointments with such people as the dentist and optician. Children and young people said their foster carers were constantly offering them advice about ‘eating healthy foods’, ‘brushing teeth’, ‘exercise’ and personal hygiene’. Foster carer training was available which ensured that carers were giving accurate advice and guidance to their foster children. Two young people spoken to said that they had a written health record, which detailed any health issues and any medical appointments, they had attended.

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EVIDENCE:

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The intended outcomes 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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The Commission considers Standards 3, 6, 8, 9, and 15 the key

standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period.

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JUDGEMENT – The intended outcomes for these Standards are

Required documentation was not retained on all staff recruitment files. Suitable foster carers were being recruited by the fostering service. Matching children and young people with an appropriate family was considered and facilitated where possible. Appropriate training and information was available.

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EVIDENCE:

The manager’s personnel file was checked. It did not contain all of the required information, which assists in ensuring the safety and welfare of all those using and working within the service. The files of two supervising support workers were also checked. Not all required information had been sought and placed on the files. Examples of omissions included Criminal records Bureau check details, identification, and application form details. Information received from the children and young people interviewed and consulted with confirmed that the service recruited carers who provided a safe, healthy and nurturing environment. Comments from young people included ‘my carer talks to me about not talking to strangers’, ‘I’m encouraged to eat healthy food, get plenty of exercise and keep regular bedtimes’. All children and young people consulted said they felt safe at their placement. Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan

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EVIDENCE:

Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 12 Staff spoken to confirmed that assessments were carefully considered when matching a child with a family and the child’s assessed needs in relation to language, religion, race, culture, ethnic origin and any other special individual needs were identified. Foster placement agreements seen by the inspectors confirmed that specific aspects of matching had been taken into consideration when children had been placed. The service had a policy on safe caring, bullying and risk assessment, which was included in the foster carers policy and guidance file. The service had become involved with other local authorities to agree and work together with a new protocol regarding ‘Running away from Care and Home’, its aim being to safeguard children. The carer’s handbook covered the issues of difficult/ challenging behaviour and corporal punishment. Carers spoken to had received training on the records they were required to

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EVIDENCE:

maintain of any significant events. Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 13

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The intended outcomes 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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The Commission considers Standards 7, 13, and 31 the key standards

to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period.

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JUDGEMENT – The intended outcomes for these Standards are

Children and young people are provided with foster care services, which value diversity and promote equality. Appropriate training was available. Children and young people’s education was a high priority and it was actively promoted. The service is meeting the particular needs of children receiving short-term breaks.

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EVIDENCE:

The service promoted equality and diversity by the monitoring of matching children to carers, planned carer recruitment strategies and by offering ongoing training to staff and carers. Carers spoken to were able to recognise and address young peoples diverse needs. A number of carers spoken to had attended the training offered, which was designed to enhance their skills in assisting young people to deal with issues of discrimination, sexuality, disability and feeling of self-worth. All of the young people consulted were attending some form of educational provision. They confirmed that carers offered support with homework and other matters as required. Carers consulted said that the service provided the necessary funds and resources for children and young peoples education. Children’s questionnaires confirmed that young people were given practical and financial assistance to pursue activities and hobbies.

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EVIDENCE:

Carers who regularly offered short-term care to children and young people said that they were well supported by their supervising social workers and were Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 14 visited more often than at the agreed interval of once a month. Where appropriate, they had communicated with the children’s parents to ensure continuity with routines. Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 15

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The intended outcomes 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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The Commission considers Standards 10 and 11 the key standards to

be inspected at least once during a 12 month period.

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JUDGEMENT – The intended outcomes for these Standards are

Children and young people are supported to maintain family contact. The fostering service ensures that the opinions and views of children and young people are ascertained.

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EVIDENCE:

The fostering service had written guidance for staff in their regarding promoting contact with the child’s family, relatives and friends. Information from children’s questionnaires and carer interviews confirmed that both were aware of contact arrangements. Any changes to this were discussed and agreed with the carers and young people. Any resources identified as being necessary to support contact between a child and their family were provided. Details of contact visits were fully recorded on the young peoples files seen. Six young peoples questionnaires were received. All of these stated that the fostering service had asked them their opinions about how the fostering service could be made better and asked them their opinion of their foster carers. They also stated they were aware of how to raise any concerns or complaints. Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 16

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The intended outcomes 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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The Commission considers Standards 29 the key standard to be

inspected at least once during a 12 month period.

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JUDGEMENT – The intended outcomes for these Standards are

Foster carers provide support to young people preparing to move to independence. The leaving care service works with foster carers to help develop skills, competence and knowledge necessary for adult living. Carers receive clear information about the allowances and expenses payable. All monies were paid promptly.

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EVIDENCE:

Carers said that they had received ‘Preparation for Independence’ guidance from the fostering service. Two young people surveyed said that their carers helped them to develop skills such as managing money, cooking, clothing care and other issues relating to independent living. The service has a separate Leaving Care Team, known as Backup. The service had written policies, which detailed the fostering allowances currently payable to all carers. Foster carers allowances paid were clearly documented and all carers interviewed said that they were clear about their allowances and any agreed expenses. Carers spoken to said that the payments were made promptly. Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 17

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The intended outcomes 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 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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The Commission considers Standards 17, 21, and 24 the key standards

to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period.

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JUDGEMENT – The intended outcomes for these Standards are

The Statement of Purpose clearly sets out what services are provided for children who are placed by the fostering service. The people involved in carrying on and managing the fostering service have the necessary skills to deliver good quality childcare. Foster carers reviews take place at the required minimum intervals. The service offers a range of good quality training. Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 18 Foster carers were well supported. Case records kept for young people were up to date and well maintained.

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EVIDENCE:

Staff spoken to were aware of the Statement of Purpose’s existence and content. The Fostering Service manager had the appropriate skills and knowledge to effectively run the service. Carer reviews had taken place annually. The inspectors spoke to four supervising support workers and four foster carers, the inspectors found staff to be professional and carers demonstrated the skills and awareness necessary to carry out their role. All supervising support workers and carers spoken to said that there was a good range and quality of training courses available. Established carers said that their supervising social workers had spoken to them about the importance attending courses. Four supervising social workers were spoken to. All said they had good support from their line manager. All foster carers consulted said that there was a good system of communication between themselves and the fostering service. A copy the foster carer agreement was seen on carer’s files. These contained

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EVIDENCE:

all of the required information as referred to in Schedule 5 of The Fostering Services Regulations 2002. Young peoples case records seen were up to date and informative. Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 19

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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 4 Standard No Score 14 3 STAYING SAFE 29 3 Standard No Score 3 3 MANAGEMENT 6 3 Standard No Score 8 3 1 X 9 3 2 X 15 2 4 X 30 X 5 X 16 X ENJOYING AND ACHIEVING 17 4 Standard No Score 18 X 7 4 19 X 13 4 20 X 31 3 21 4 22 X MAKING A POSITIVE 23 X CONTRIBUTION 24 4 Standard No Score 25 X 10 3 26 X 11 3 27 X 28 X 32 X Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 20 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 FS15 20 All staff recruitment files must contain the required information. 01/04/06

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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 Fostering Team - Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council DS0000043768.V257872.R01.S.doc Version 5.0 Page 21

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

Sheffield Area Office Ground Floor, Unit 3 Waterside Court Bold Street Sheffield S9 2LR

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 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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