Resolution Fostering Service

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Resolution Fostering Service 1 Resolution Fostering Service Resolution Fostering Services 355 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M14 6XU Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The agency was registered in October 2016. It provides long- and short-term foster care, including emergency placements, for children and young people from birth up to the age of 17. The agency currently provides eight foster families who are caring for 17 children, including four sibling groups.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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good

The independent fostering agency is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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good

Date of last inspection: 27 November 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

 8 December 2017: six compliance notices were issued. None of the notices were met.  13 April 2018: a notice of proposal to cancel the service was issued.  19 June 2018: a notice of decision to cancel the service was issued. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Resolution Fostering Service 2

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Key findings from this inspection

This independent fostering agency requires improvement to be good because:

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Key findings from this inspection

 Weak leadership and management of the agency are undermining service development and progress. Consequently, children‟s welfare, placement stability and continued progress are at risk.  The responsible individual does not have the skills, knowledge or experience to manage, monitor and improve the service.  There has not been a registered manager in post for more than 26 weeks. Furthermore, suitable interim management arrangements have not been put in place during this period.  Ofsted has not been provided with updated copies of the agency‟s statement of purpose or quality of care review reports as required.  Ineffective monitoring and auditing is preventing consistent improvements in children‟s and foster carers‟ records.  Agency records have not always been stored securely or uploaded onto the agency‟s recording system in a timely way. Consequently, some children‟s and foster carers‟ information has been lost.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Foster carers‟ review reports lack sufficient detail and important information is omitted from some carers‟ reports.  Ineffective monitoring and auditing of the agency‟s paperwork and overall performance is hindering the agency‟s improvement journey.  Nominated stand-in carers are not suitably assessed by the agency, which potentially compromises children‟s welfare and safety.  The recruitment of the agency‟s staff and panel members is not robust.  The agency‟s decision-maker is not employed by the company and does not hold a senior position within the agency. Therefore, the arrangements do not meet the fostering national minimum standards.  The approval process lacks rigour; for example, the agency‟s decisions are not clearly recorded on each foster carer‟s file. Additionally, foster carers are not routinely informed in writing of the agency‟s decisions or their terms of approval.  Systems for matching children to foster families can be strengthened. Matching

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Key findings from this inspection

considerations are poorly recorded and on one occasion, the child‟s information was inaccurate.  The agency has not obtained an exemption to the usual fostering limit from the appropriate local authority. As a result, four children have been unlawfully placed in a foster family for three weeks. This means that the foster carer may have been running an unregistered children‟s home. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Resolution Fostering Service 3 The independent fostering agency‟s strengths:

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Key findings from this inspection

 Children benefit from living with foster families who provide them with stability, nurturing care, commitment and a sense of belonging.  The agency has a strong child-centred ethos.  Foster carers and children feel well supported and guided by the agency‟s staff.  Social workers and teachers speak highly of the agency, recognising the progress that the children have made since living with their foster families.  The agency is enabling several brothers and sisters to live together and when this is not possible, they support children to keep in touch with their families. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Resolution Fostering Service 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and the national minimum standards. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must keep under review and, where appropriate, revise the statement of purpose and children‟s guide, and notify the Chief Inspector of any such revision within 28 days. (Regulation 4 (a)(b)) 27/07/2018

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Requirement Due date

A person must not manage a fostering agency unless they are fit to do so. A person is not fit to manage a fostering agency unless that person, having regard to the size of the fostering agency, its statement of purpose, and the numbers and needs of the children placed by it has the qualifications, skills and experience necessary for managing the fostering agency, and full and satisfactory information is available in relation to that person in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 1. (Regulation 7 (1)(2)(b)(i)(ii) (Schedule 1)) 27/07/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider and the registered manager must, having regard to the size of the fostering agency, its statement of purpose, and the numbers and needs of the children placed by the fostering agency, and the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children placed by the fostering agency, carry on or manage the fostering agency (as the case may be) with sufficient care, competence and skill. The registered provider must ensure that where the registered provider is an organisation, the responsible individual, undertakes, from time to time, such training as is appropriate to ensure that they have the experience and skills necessary for carrying on the fostering agency. The registered manager must undertake from time to time such training as is appropriate to ensure that they have the experience and skills necessary for managing the fostering agency. (Regulation 8 (1)(a)(b)(2)(b)(3)) 27/07/2018

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Requirement Due date

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Resolution Fostering Service 5 The fostering service provider must not employ a person to work for the purposes of the fostering service unless that person is fit to do so. For the purposes of paragraph (1), a person is not fit to work for the purposes of a fostering service unless that person has the qualifications, skills and experience necessary for the work they are to perform, and full and satisfactory information is available in relation to that person in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 1. (Regulation 20 (1)(a)(3)(b) (Schedule 1)) 27/07/2018

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must review the approval of each foster parent in accordance with this regulation. If the fostering service provider decides, taking into account any recommendation made by the fostering panel, that the foster carer and the foster carer‟s household continue to be suitable and that the terms of the foster carer‟s approval are appropriate, they must give written notice to the foster carer of their decision. (Regulation 28 (1)(6)) 27/07/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain a system for monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 at appropriate intervals, and improving the quality of foster care provided by the fostering agency. The registered person must provide the Chief Inspector with a written report in respect of any review conducted for the purposes of paragraph (1) and, on request, to any local authority. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b)(2)) 27/07/2018

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the fostering service provider‟s decision-maker makes a considered decision that takes account of all the information available to them. (NMS 14.9) In particular, ensure that a record is kept on all foster carers‟ files of the agency decision, including a list of the information and documents that informed their decision.  Ensure that the fostering service only suggests foster carers to local authorities as a potential match for a child if the foster carer can reasonably be expected to meet the child‟s assessed needs and the impact of the placement on existing household members has been considered. Where gaps are identified, the fostering service should work with the responsible authority to ensure the placement plan sets out any additional training, resource or support required. (NMS 15.1) In particular, ensure that the foster carers‟ terms of approval are adhered to; and matching considerations are accurately recorded and sufficiently

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Recommendations

detailed.  Ensure that the fostering service‟s decision-maker is a senior person in the fostering service, or is a trustee or director of the fostering service, who is a social worker with at least 3 years‟ post-qualifying experience in childcare social work and has knowledge of childcare law and practice, (NMS 23.12) In particular, Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Resolution Fostering Service 6 ensure that the agency decision-maker is a senior employee of the fostering service.  Ensure that staff, panel members and fostering households understand the nature of records maintained and follow the service‟s policy for the keeping and retention of files, managing confidential information and access to files (including files removed from the premises). Ensure that there is a system in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of record keeping and take action when needed. (NMS 26.1) In particular, ensure that all records are safely secured and uploaded onto

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Recommendations

the agency‟s recording system in a timely way.  Ensure that where there is an agency placement, the agency works with the responsible authority to ensure effective integration of information held in the agency‟s case files and those of the responsible authority. (NMS 26.8) In particular, obtain children‟s care and placement plans, review documentation and all relevant information held by the responsible authority.  Schedule 7 to the Children Act 1989 limits the number of children who may be fostered by a foster carer. The “usual fostering limit” is set at three. This means that no one may foster more than three children unless: the foster children are all siblings in relation to each other (in which case there is no upper limit), or the local authority within whose area the foster carer lives exempts the foster carer from the usual fostering limit in relation to specific placements. („The Children Act

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Recommendations

1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 4: Fostering Services‟, page 47, paragraph 5.46) Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Resolution Fostering Service 7

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improvement to be good

Ineffective leadership and management are preventing the agency from making sufficient improvements. Lack of progress in leadership and management is compromising children‟s placement stability and safety.

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improvement to be good

Despite this, children benefit from living with experienced, caring and dedicated foster families who understand and respond to their needs well. Children feel cared for and part of the fostering family. This is reflected in a child‟s comments, „It is fun living here, and I get lots of love.‟

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improvement to be good

The majority of foster carers have transferred from other fostering agencies, bringing with them a wealth of fostering experience. Most children are settled in long-term placements and also transferred from other agencies with their foster carers.

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improvement to be good

Children make continued progress from their starting points in all areas. Carers and staff have high aspirations for the children. They work collaboratively with schools to ensure that each child‟s individual needs are properly assessed and met. A headteacher said, „[name of child] has made tremendous progress. There is good communication between the school, class teacher and the carer. The teacher appreciates being kept updated by the carer.‟

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improvement to be good

While some children‟s health records are limited, in practice children‟s medical needs are well addressed. Carers are competent in seeking support and guidance from relevant health services to ensure that the children receive the help and support that they need. The agency‟s support worker provides valued support to children and foster carers. For example, a carer described how regular play sessions facilitated by the support worker have helped her to communicate more effectively with the child.

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improvement to be good

The agency is exceptionally child-centred, and all staff and carers are dedicated to improving children‟s life experiences and outcomes. The agency has enabled several brothers and sisters to remain living together. When this is not possible, the agency ensures that the children keep in touch, safely, with their family.

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improvement to be good

The recording of matching decisions can improve. For example, one matching report had an incorrect age of the child and did not detail the child‟s specific needs. This does not demonstrate that the suitability of a placement is fully assessed before a child is placed with a carer. Poor-quality matching assessments increase the risk of placement disruption.

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improvement to be good

There have not been any new carers assessed for approval since the last inspection. However, each foster carer has had their annual review and their reapproval confirmed. The carers‟ supervising social worker has undertaken the assessment of all carers‟ reviews. However, not all have been overseen by a manager Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Resolution Fostering Service 8 subsequently. This weakens objectivity and independence of the carer review process.

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improvement to be good

Furthermore, the review reports did not always reflect an accurate appraisal of the carers‟ fostering year. For example, feedback from significant people, such as children, birth children, placing social workers and schools, was not always obtained and presented within the assessment. Similarly, important information regarding some concerns about a carer was missing from the carer‟s review report. Weak carer review assessments mean that the agency panel and decision-maker are not fully informed to ensure that the agency decisions are robust, which potentially places children‟s welfare and safety at risk.

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improvement to be good

Carers feel well supported by the agency. They benefit from regular supervision, guidance and unwavering support from the agency staff. They enjoy meeting other carers at support groups and new carers appreciate being buddied up with more experienced carers. Most foster families have additional support from a nominated person who is a friend or relative of the carer. The nominated person provides stand-in care as and when needed, which usually involves them picking foster children up and caring for them for short periods of time. How the agency assesses the nominated persons can be strengthened, for example by assessing their car documents to ensure that children are safe when travelling in their car.

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improvement to be good

Overall, children are safe and they say that they feel safe. It is very rare for children to engage in high-risk behaviours, such as self-harm, child exploitation and going missing from home. Foster carers demonstrate a sound understanding of safeguarding concerns and they know how to respond to unsafe situations when children may be exposed to harm.

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improvement to be good

Children are very settled in their foster families, and their carers know them extremely well. Positive and trusting relationships between children, their carers and the agency‟s staff are enhancing children‟s safety.

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improvement to be good

Improvements in written risk assessments are helping carers to understand the child‟s individual needs and vulnerabilities and provides them with clear strategies on how to respond to risky behaviours. Ongoing safeguarding training, which covers child sexual exploitation, domestic abuse and self-harm, is equipping carers with the knowledge and skills to keep children safe. Furthermore, regular supervisory visits and support from the agency staff are building carers‟ resilience and enabling them to tackle risk.

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improvement to be good

However, safeguarding is weakened by poor recruitment practices. Shortfalls were found in application form checks and references. Recruitment practice is not sufficiently robust to ensure that only suitable people work for the agency.

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improvement to be good

The agency‟s recording system is not wholly secure. Carers‟ and children‟s information has been lost by staff who no longer work for the agency. Records and Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Resolution Fostering Service 9 sensitive information, such as carers‟ supervision notes, are not always uploaded onto the agency‟s electronic system in a timely way. This means that records are not always secured and safe, which compromises children‟s and foster families‟ safety.

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improvement to be good

The agency has made an unlawful placement because it did not obtain an exemption to exceed the usual fostering limit. Consequently, this may have meant that the foster carer was operating an unregistered children‟s home for three weeks, which placed four children‟s placement stability and welfare at risk. This also demonstrates shortfalls in the agency‟s matching of children with suitable foster carers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

After reaching a mutual agreement with the provider the registered manager resigned with immediate effect in December 2017. Since her resignation, the agency has struggled to recruit and retain a new manager. As a result, the agency has not had a registered manager in the post for more than 26 weeks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There have been four managers in place since the last registered manager resigned, and to date, none have registered with Ofsted. The interim management arrangements have not been satisfactory. Consequently, service improvements have been hindered. The many shortfalls, regulatory breaches and repeated requirements and recommendations demonstrate ineffective leadership and management.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The current manager took up the post in June 2018, and she is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted. She has previous experience of fostering services, including managing a fostering team. She demonstrates a commitment to the agency and acknowledges the agency‟s strengths and the areas that need to improve. It was not possible to evaluate the impact of the appointment of the new manager due to the short length of time that she has been in post.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The provider, who is also the responsible individual, acknowledges that he does not have the relevant knowledge, skills or experience to run the agency. His lack of knowledge and understanding of fostering services and processes prevents him from providing the necessary level of management oversight. Furthermore, prompt action has not been taken to recruit or train a suitable senior person to take over the responsible individual role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Similarly, the provider has not appointed an agency decision-maker in line with the fostering national minimum standards. The agency decision-maker is an independent worker and is not employed, in a senior role, by the company. This potentially weakens the rigour of decision-making in the agency as the person making the decisions is not accountable for any management oversight of the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Shortfalls were found in the recording of the agency‟s decisions. For example, not all carers‟ files held a record of the agency‟s decision following their first annual review. Additionally, foster carers are not formally notified in writing of the agency‟s decision following their reapproval. The decision-making process is not transparent in this agency. Nor is it soundly based on a reliable and robust evaluation of carers‟ strengths and areas for development. This potentially places children and foster Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Resolution Fostering Service 10 carers at risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There is no written evidence of regular meetings between the manager and the responsible individual to show that they regularly address and review the quality and effectiveness of the service. Additionally, the agency has not provided a quality of care review report to Ofsted as required. Internal monitoring is poor. As a result, leaders do not have a thorough understanding of the agency‟s weaknesses and shortfalls.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The agency‟s updated statement of purpose has not been provided to Ofsted as required. This has prevented the agency‟s regulator from reviewing and evaluating any changes made to the service. As a result, external monitoring and regulation of the service are undermined.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Although there have been some improvements in the agency‟s record-keeping, such as carers‟ supervision records, shortfalls continue in several of the agency‟s other records. Some children‟s files do not contain all relevant documents, such as personal educations plans, placement plans and care plan review minutes. Missing information on children‟s files makes it difficult to monitor children‟s progress and gain a good insight into their life experiences. In some instances, there is little recorded evidence of the challenge to placing authorities who have not provided the required document or not progressed in good time the child‟s care plan, such as pursuing permanency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The quality assurance of the agency‟s records and reports is weak. For example, an error was found in the date of a foster carer review report. Some carers‟ review reports omitted significant information, such as details of a parent and child placement and concerns raised about a foster carer. In the absence of adequate management oversight, these shortfalls were left unchecked. Consequently, the quality of information provided to the panel was unsatisfactory and does not enable a sound overview of the foster carer‟s performance and the agency‟s work.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the independent fostering agency knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

Using the „Social care common inspection framework‟, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and the Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Resolution Fostering Service 11 national minimum standards. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Resolution Fostering Service 12

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Resolution Fostering Services

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: 355 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M14 6XU

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Inspectors

Marina Tully, social care inspector Sharon Lloyd, social care inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Resolution Fostering Service 13 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children‟s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children‟s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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