Slough Children First

Assurance visit report: Slough Children’s Services Trust 1 Slough Children’s Services Trust

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Ground Floor West, St Martin’s Place, 51 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire SL1 3UF

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Slough Children’s Services Trust is an independent, not-for-profit company that provides social care and support services to children, young people and families. The fostering service is situated within the trust and offers placements to Slough children. The agency is registered as an independent fostering agency. The agency currently supports 41 fostering households that are providing care for 51 children and young people.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The manager registered with Ofsted on 22 August 2019.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Previous inspection judgement: Inadequate

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:  children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assurance visit report: Slough Children’s Services Trust 2

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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The care of children

The registered manager gives thoughtful consideration about where children should live and includes foster carers in these decisions. Records of this show that placements are well planned, even in emergency circumstances, and that all relevant information is available from the start. This means that children are cared for by foster carers who have the right skills and experience to meet the children’s individual needs.

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The care of children

Foster carers understand the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on children, particularly in relation to the disruption of their normal routines. One foster carer that an inspector spoke to explained how they had worked closely with the virtual head to ensure that the child was able to continue attending school during the first national lockdown.

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The care of children

Children’s views are routinely sought using a variety of methods. The resulting information and feedback provide reassuring evidence to agency leaders that the children have good relationships with their foster carers and like being part of their family.

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The safety of children

The agency’s response to COVID-19 has been thorough. Continuity plans ensure that foster carers have support available to them during periods of restrictions and self-isolation. This has included having respite arrangements set up should foster carers become too unwell to care for the children. The agency’s staff have also remained in regular contact with the foster carers to provide up-to-date advice and guidance, particularly on things that matter to children, such as Halloween.

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The safety of children

Safeguarding children is seen by everyone at the agency as a priority. Detailed plans provide foster carers with clear advice and guidance on how to manage risk and behaviour. Due to COVID-19, the scheduled training was cancelled, and quickly supplemented by online courses being made available.

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The safety of children

Children’s safety and well-being are closely monitored by the registered manager. This includes ensuring that concerns and incidents are reported in a timely manner. When practice falls short of what is expected, action is taken to prevent a reoccurrence.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager and responsible individual have created a stable management team that fully supports the work of the supervising social workers. Assurance visit report: Slough Children’s Services Trust 3 New team leaders are already making a difference to foster carers’ and children’s lives by covering sickness absence when necessary. Foster carers spoken to speak highly of the agency staff and the support they provide.

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Leaders and managers

The process for recommending foster carers for approval is working well. Feedback from panel members spoken to is positive. Records show that panels have continued to take place during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit virtually. The responsible individual, acting in the role of the agency decision-maker, is providing good oversight and scrutiny of the whole process.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager has a range of mechanisms in place to monitor the quality of care provided. These processes have been enhanced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that the standard of care is maintained.

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Leaders and managers

The remaining requirement from the last monitoring visit in May 2020 has been met. The agency team has worked hard to recruit to all of the vacant practice manager and social worker posts. As a result, there is now a sufficient number of suitably qualified and experienced staff working in the team.

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Leaders and managers

No requirements or recommendations are made following this visit.

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Slough Children’s Services Trust Limited

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Ground Floor West, St Martin’s Place, 51 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire SL1 3UF

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Inspectors:

Amanda Harvey, Social Care Inspector Sarah Olliver, Social Care Inspector Vevene Muhammad, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: Slough Children’s Services Trust 4 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:

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Inspectors:

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Inspectors:

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Inspectors:

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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