Channel Fostercare Ltd

Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies – monitoring: True Fostercare Ltd 1 True Fostercare Ltd

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Suite 3a Drake House, Drake Lane, Dursley, Gloucestershire GL11 4HH Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

True Fostercare Limited is a small independent fostering agency based in Gloucestershire. The agency offers short-term, long-term and respite foster care placements to children aged from birth to 17 years of age, including children who have disabilities. The agency uses independent assessors, consultants and trainers, and has two supervising social workers, a children’s support worker and an empathic listener. A small administrative team supports the service. There are currently seven children placed in seven fostering households in the South West and the East Midlands. An independently chaired panel meets to make recommendations about the approval of carers and the reviewing of approved carers. The agency’s decision- maker is the responsible individual.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Date of previous inspection: 13 November 2018

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This monitoring visit

At the full inspection on 13 November 2018, the agency was judged to be inadequate. Following that inspection, a compliance notice under Regulation 8 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2015 was served. The purpose of this inspection is to monitor whether the actions set out in the compliance notice have been met.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has supplied Ofsted with a detailed action plan in response to the compliance notice and the requirements made at the full inspection. The work to meet the action plan is ongoing and there are a number of areas that still need to be completed and put into practice.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has reviewed and updated the statement of purpose and this document has been supplied to the foster carers and Ofsted. The updated statement of purpose better reflects the line management arrangements and confirms that a new manager will start in January 2019. The plan is for the manager to be based in the office every day. Senior leaders hope that this provision will provide better support for staff and better oversight of the day-to-day running of the agency. Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies – monitoring: True Fostercare Ltd 2 Records and processes have been put in place to support leaders and managers to better monitor and review practice. The responsible individual has undertaken a review of records in relation to the use of physical restraint by foster parents, and into the management of concerns and complaints. The behaviour management policy has been reviewed and updated and will be shared with foster parents.

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This monitoring visit

Records now allow leaders and managers to better record the monitoring of incidents.

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This monitoring visit

The matching policy has been reviewed and updated and a system is now in place to monitor this better. A review of the matching process that raised concerns at the full inspection found that the agency’s procedure had not been followed and the concerns raised by the foster parent and the supervising social worker were not taken into account fully. As a result of this review, supervising social workers are now supporting foster parents more closely when they are asked about referrals.

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This monitoring visit

Monitoring and auditing of pocket money and children’s savings have started and all bar one of the children’s accounts have been reviewed and recorded. Changes to policy and practice are being implemented for all children.

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This monitoring visit

An audit of the actions and recommendations made by the fostering panel is still to be completed. This information is normally sent to the supporting social worker for each foster parent and is available on the records. However, this information still needs to be collated so that leaders and managers have an overview of and can respond to these recommendations and actions.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted is satisfied that enough action has been taken to meet the requirements set out in the compliance notice. However, further work is required to complete the action plan and new procedures and practice need to be embedded. These areas will be reviewed in full at the next inspection. Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies – monitoring: True Fostercare Ltd 3

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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

4: Review of the statement of purpose & children’s guide

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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; notify the Chief Inspector of any such revision within 28 days; and if the children’s guide is revised, supply a copy to each foster parent approved by the fostering service provider, and to each child placed by them (subject to the child’s age and understanding). (Regulation 4(a)(b)(c)) 21/12/2018

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Requirement Due date

8: Registered person—general requirements

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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. (Regulation 8(1)(a)(b)) In particular:

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Requirement Due date

 ensure that managers and staff follow the agency’s matching procedures and that sufficient analysis of foster carers’ abilities to meet the needs of children is made. Ensure that as much information as possible is gained about children’s needs at the point of referral;  complete internal investigations as required if children raise concerns about their care;  clarify the leadership and management arrangements, 03/01/2019 Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies – monitoring: True Fostercare Ltd 4 including day-to-day arrangements;  ensure that all necessary procedures are implemented and necessary documents are in place to safeguard and protect children, for example risk assessments and safer care agreements are on files and unannounced visits are completed in line with the agency’s policy;  clarify when foster carers have used physical intervention and ensure that these incidents are recorded properly;

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Requirement Due date

 ensure that updates are taken to panel when there are changes in circumstances or concerns;  monitor the implementation of any panel recommendations and action points;  ensure that supervision and appraisal of staff happen in accordance with the agency’s policy; and ensure that all children who are entitled to monies receive these monies. 11: Independent fostering agencies—duty to secure welfare

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Requirement Due date

The registered person in respect of an independent fostering agency must ensure that— the welfare of children placed or to be placed with foster parents is safeguarded and promoted at all times; and before making any decision affecting a child placed or to be placed with a foster parent due consideration is given to the child’s— wishes and feelings (having regard to the child’s age and understanding); and religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background. (Regulation 11(a)(b)(i)(ii)) In particular:  ensure that respite care arrangements are planned well;

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Requirement Due date

 increase opportunities for children to participate in events and to give their views about the agency. 21/12/2018

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Requirement Due date

23: Constitution and membership of fostering panel

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must ensure that the fostering panel has sufficient members, and that individual members have between them the experience and expertise necessary to effectively discharge the functions of the panel. (Regulation 23(7)) 03/01/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain a system for— 03/01/2019 Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies – monitoring: True Fostercare Ltd 5 monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 at appropriate intervals, and improving the quality of foster care provided by the fostering agency.

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Requirement Due date

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.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (1) must provide for consultation with foster parents, children placed with foster parents, and their placing authority (unless, in the case of a fostering agency which is a voluntary organisation, it is also the placing authority). (Regulation 35(1)(a)(b)(2)(3))

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Recommendations

 Suitability to work with children: Suitability to work with children. The fostering service can demonstrate, including from written records, that it consistently follows good recruitment practice, and all applicable current statutory requirements and guidance, in foster carer selection and staff and panel member recruitment. This includes Disclosure and Barring Service checks. All personnel responsible for recruitment and selection of staff are trained in, understand and operate these good practices. (NMS 19.2)  Managing effectively and monitoring: The manager regularly monitors all records kept by the service to ensure compliance with the service’s policies, to identify any concerns about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends. Immediate action is taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring. The independent foster service’s provider/trustees, board members or management committee members: a. receive written reports on

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Recommendations

the management, outcomes and financial state of the fostering service every 3 months; b. monitor the management and outcomes of the services in order to satisfy themselves that the service is effective and is achieving good outcomes for children; c. satisfy themselves that the provider is complying with the conditions of registration. (NMS 25.2, 25.7)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the independent fostering agency since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies – monitoring: True Fostercare Ltd 6

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: True Fostercare Limited

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Suite 3a Drake House, Drake Lane, Dursley, Gloucestershire GL11 4HH

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Inspector

Kerry Fell, social care inspector Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies – monitoring: True Fostercare Ltd 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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