Shine Fostering

Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Shine Fostering 1 Shine Fostering

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Suite 2, 109 George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 1AN Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Shine is an independent fostering agency, founded in 2012. It is a private company working in partnership with placing authorities, to provide foster placements for children who are looked after by the local authority.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The agency provides short-term, long-term, emergency and parent and child placements.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The registered manager has been registered with Ofsted since 26 September 2016.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Date of previous inspection: 5 June 2017

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to investigate concerns raised in an anonymous referral about the care of children placed with a foster family at this agency. The concerns were as follows:

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This monitoring visit

 that a foster carer is never around in this country to care for children placed at the foster home and frequently spends time abroad  that, in this foster carer’s absence, an inappropriate carer is paid to look after the foster children’s care needs  that, in the same foster family, children are cared for by someone who is not approved to be a foster carer  that the fostering agency fails to adequately monitor and supervise this foster family  that this foster carer’s home is overcrowded and that there are concerns about the arrangements for children’s bedrooms. Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Shine Fostering 2 During the monitoring visit the registered manager, responsible individual and a supervising social worker were all interviewed. Records kept by the agency regarding the foster carer in question’s fostering approval were inspected. Two placing authority team managers were spoken with about the children who are

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This monitoring visit

Within the fostering family, there are several adults involved in the fostering task. All the adults involved in caring for the children are either approved foster carers or nominated/support carers. The agency has ensured that all these adults had appropriate safeguarding checks completed and most have received training, dependent on their role in caring for the children.

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This monitoring visit

There are currently two children living at this foster placement. Both placing authorities reported that the children have made good progress while living at this foster home, that they like living there and that both children are familiar with the adults who are caring for them.

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This monitoring visit

When the approved foster carers are away from the home, appropriate care arrangements are in place from the nominated/support carers living at or near the home. Placing authorities are aware of these arrangements.

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This monitoring visit

The agency is always aware of the foster carer’s plans and has a clear record of dates when the foster carer is away and what the arrangements are for the children’s care at these times.

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This monitoring visit

There are good records of agency staff visiting the foster family’s home. These visits occur every four to six weeks and there has been at least one unannounced visit within the past year. Children have their own rooms at the foster home and these are checked by the agency during supervisory visits.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit did not find any evidence to support the concerns.

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This monitoring visit

Two breaches of regulation were found. One is in relation to ensuring that the agency follows up all references and sees all original documents during the assessment process for foster carers. The second breach is in relation to the agency placing children outside of foster carer’s panel recommendations and agency decision-maker’s approval, without first returning the matter to the fostering panel.

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This monitoring visit

One requirement and six recommendations were made at the last full inspection. These have all been met. Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Shine Fostering 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

Where a person ("X") applies to become a foster parent and the fostering service provider decide to assess X’s suitability to become a foster parent, any such assessment must be carried out in accordance with this regulation.

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must, as soon as reasonably practicable, obtain the information specified in Part 1 of Schedule 3 relating to X and other members of X’s household and family.

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Requirement Due date

Where the fostering service provider have obtained all the information set out in paragraph (1A) and have not given the notification in paragraph (1B) within 10 working days of doing so, the fostering service provider must, subject to paragraph (3) ─

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Requirement Due date

obtain the information specified in Part 2 of Schedule 3 relating to X and other members of X’s household and any other information they consider relevant.

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, this is in relation to ensuring that employment references are sought and original documents seen by the agency. 01/07/2019

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must review the approval of each foster parent in accordance with this regulation.

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Requirement Due date

If, taking into account any recommendation made by the fostering panel, the fostering service provider are no longer satisfied that the foster parent or the foster parent’s household continue to be suitable, or that the terms of the approval are appropriate, they must (subject to paragraph (8)) ─ 01/07/2019 Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Shine Fostering 4 give written notice to the foster parent that they propose to terminate, or (as the case may be) revise the terms of, the foster parent’s approval (a “qualifying determination”), together with their reasons and a copy of any recommendation made by the fostering panel, and

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Requirement Due date

in any case where the fostering service propose only to revise the terms of the foster parent’s approval ─

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Requirement Due date

provide a statement setting out whether the fostering service provider considers that the foster parent or members of the foster parent’s household (including any children placed there) may have additional support needs as a result of the proposed revision and, if so, how those needs will be met and

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Requirement Due date

request the foster parent’s agreement in writing to the proposed revision of terms.

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Requirement Due date

In a case falling within paragraph (7)(aa), where the fostering service provider receive the foster parent’s agreement in writing to the proposed revision of terms, the fostering service provider may proceed to make their decision, taking into account the statement referred to in paragraph (7)(aa)(i), notwithstanding that the period referred to in paragraph (7)(b) has not expired. As soon as practicable after making the decision referred to in paragraph (9), (9a), (10)(b) or (11), the fostering service provider must give written notice to the foster parents stating (as the case may be) ─ the revised terms of the approval and the reasons for the revision.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 28 (7)(a)(aa)(i)(ii)(9a)(12(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, this is in relation to ensuring that any changes to the foster carer approval and conditions are reviewed by the panel and formally approved by the agency decision-maker. Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Shine Fostering 5

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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.

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Suite 2, 109 George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 1AN

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Independent fostering agency details

Email address: khush@shinefostering.co.uk

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Inspector

Christine Kennet, social care inspector Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Shine Fostering 6 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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