Foundation Fostering Limited

Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Foundation Fostering Limited 1 Foundation Fostering Limited

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Acorn Business Centre, Office 7, Roberts End, Hanley Swan, Worcester WR8 0DN Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

A small private company now owns this agency. It was re-registered in December 2017.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

There are currently 19 fostering households caring for 26 children. The agency offers short- and long-term, emergency and planned placements.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

A new manager started work in February 2020. She has applied to become registered with Ofsted, and this is being processed. A new responsible individual was appointed in May 2020.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Date of previous inspection: 9 December 2019

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This monitoring visit

This independent fostering agency was judged inadequate at the last full inspection, conducted between 9 and 13 December 2019. Two compliance notices were raised at the full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

A compliance monitoring visit on 3 February 2020 found that the responsible individual had not taken sufficient action to meet all the required steps in both compliance notices. The two notices were reissued .

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This monitoring visit

An off-site compliance monitoring visit was undertaken on 8 April 2020 to review the progress in meeting the compliance notices. The inspector found that the responsible individual had taken sufficient action to meet the two compliance notices. Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Foundation Fostering Limited 2 This inspection was undertaken to review the progress of the remaining requirements and recommendations from the last full inspection conducted in December 2020. This inspection took place off site. The inspectors held detailed discussions with the responsible individual and manager by telephone. They were asked to provide documentary evidence of their actions to meet the shortfalls. The inspectors reviewed their evidence of children’s records, policies and procedures and agency records. Placing authorities were asked for their views.

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This monitoring visit

The agency continues to improve their practice in monitoring safeguarding concerns. The manager has implemented a critical incident tracker, which records details of all serious incidents. This clearly identifies actions and updates and includes a lessons- learned section. Staff have been supported to review incidents and to consider what worked well and areas for development. This means that staff support carers to provide the best care to meet their needs.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of the inspection, the agency was managing an allegation made by a child about a serious incident in her foster placement. Although managers had appropriately notified Ofsted and the placing authority of this incident, inspectors found that there was a delay in the carers notifying the agency and the placing authority of this incident, which amounts to a serious occurrence affecting the child, as detailed in the agency’s foster care agreement. Additionally, the agency did not take effective action and escalate this matter to ensure that the designated officer was notified in a timely manner. This means that the child has not been given the appropriate support, and the delayed response may have compromised the child protection investigation.

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This monitoring visit

Complaints are robustly investigated, and staff practice is reviewed. However, on one occasion a child and a parent did not receive feedback about the actions that the agency had taken to investigate their concerns. This demonstrates that people who raise complaints do not consistently receive feedback to demonstrate that the agency has taken their views seriously. On this occasion, the issue was raised by the placing authority on behalf of the child and her parent, but the agency failed to provide feedback and evidence the robust work they had completed in investigating the concerns raised.

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This monitoring visit

Following a review of all carers’ approval, placements are now only made within these approval categories. This means that children are placed with carers who have been assessed as being able to meet their needs. Where the agency has become aware of concerns, such as adult children moving back into the fostering household without informing the agency, they have appropriately challenged carers and conducted a standard of care review. This review has then been presented to the fostering panel for independent oversight.

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This monitoring visit

Inspectors found that the quality assurance function of panel has improved with increased challenge in relation to the quality of information in social work reports. Lines of communication have improved between the panel chair, the independent panel adviser and the manager of this agency. Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Foundation Fostering Limited 3 Staff receive regular supervision from their manager, who is suitably qualified. The supervision is of good quality, and the agenda is established and allows for comprehensive discussion of professional and personal issues. This demonstrates that staff are supported in their roles. Managers follow up actions identified in earlier supervisions and recommendations from the agency decision maker. This supports children to live with carers who have the skills and experience to meet their needs.

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This monitoring visit

The agency has implemented an electronic recording system, which is maintained to provide up-to-date and accurate information about children and carers. This is a developing area, and there are plans to support carers to use the system for daily recording. This will provide supervising social workers with the information they require to keep children safe and support carers.

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This monitoring visit

The agency has provided the regulator and stakeholders with a comprehensive review of the quality of care provided. This includes areas for further development, the aim of which is to continue to develop the service and care provided to children.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have reviewed all documents used by the agency. They have developed new forms, which clearly identify their decision-making and the reduction of risk. For example, throughout the agency’s documentation there is clear reference and assessment of children who share a bedroom.

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This monitoring visit

The agency has improved their consultation with children and carers. Children have been asked to consider questions they would like to ask potential foster carers. This enables the things that matter to children to be considered when new carers are being assessed by the agency. Again, managers are continuing to develop this area. Their goal is that children and carers’ views are central to the development of the service.

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This monitoring visit

The new manager has made an application to become registered by Ofsted, and this is being processed. She has enrolled on a suitable management qualification programme. Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Foundation Fostering Limited 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 procedure under paragraph (1)(b) must, subject to paragraph (4), provide in particular for consideration to be given to the measures which may be necessary to protect children placed with foster parents following an allegation of abuse or neglect. (Regulation 12(3)(e)) 31/08/2020

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that a written record is made of any complaint or representation, the action taken in response to it, and the outcome of the investigation. (Regulation 18(4)) 31/08/2020

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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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Information about this inspection

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is currently posing to those we inspect. During this inspection, the inspectors took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 by the agency. This has included the effect these have had on staffing arrangements. Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Foundation Fostering Limited 5

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Foundation Fostering Limited

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Acorn Business Centre, Office 7, Roberts End, Hanley Swan, Worcester WR8 0DN

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Independent fostering agency details

Responsible individual: Naomi Ebanks-Simpson

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Inspectors

Annemarie Parker, social care inspector Joanna Warburton, social care inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Foundation Fostering Limited 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 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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