Apex Fostering Limited

Inspection report for independent fostering agency – monitoring visit: Apex Fostering Limited 1 Apex Fostering Limited

p.1

Brickfield House, High Road, Thornwood, Epping CM16 6TH Monitoring visit

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

This privately owned independent fostering agency provides a wide range of placements, including parent and child. At the time of this visit, the agency had nine fostering households and 13 children placed with foster carers.

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

The registered manager has been in post since the fostering provider registered with Ofsted in July 2021.

p.1

Inspection date: 30 November 2021

Date of previous inspection: not applicable

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken to ensure that adequate management support and oversight are in place at the agency.

p.1

This monitoring visit

There is a responsible individual and a full-time registered manager overseeing the operation of the agency. The agency employed a full-time supervising social worker in November 2021, who is contributing to the supervision and support of nine fostering households.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Foster carers are wholly positive about the support that they receive from managers and the supervising social worker. Carers receive regular supervision from a qualified social worker and benefit from additional ‘keeping in touch’ communication with the agency.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Foster carers said that managers are accessible and responsive, including when contacted outside of usual office hours. When needed, managers appoint a peer mentor who can offer guidance, empathy and support to foster carers. Managers Inspection report for independent fostering agency – monitoring visit: Apex Fostering Limited 2 recently organised a Christmas event that was well attended and appreciated by foster carers and their families.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The managers identify foster carers’ training needs and arrange relevant consultation with professionals. Foster carers gave examples of training that they have asked for and which has already been provided, despite the carers only being with the agency for two months. This has helped foster carers feel more confident when responding to children’s behaviour, such as incidents of children self-harming.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Managers have systems in place to help monitor incidents and other relevant information about the agency. The agency has received two complaints, since it registered in July 2021, from an external organisation. Managers did not ensure that the complaints were fully or independently investigated.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Managers have established a central list of panel members. The panel has considered the suitability of several fostering households transferring to the agency. In some instances, foster carers who had children in their care had already resigned from their previous fostering agency. This introduces the risk of children living in an unregistered placement should there be delays in the panel process, or if the panel is not recommending the applicants as suitable to foster.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager feels well supported in her role. She receives regular supervision from an experienced, qualified practitioner. The agency is currently recruiting a deputy manager to increase social work and management capacity as the agency continues to grow. Inspection report for independent fostering agency – monitoring visit: Apex Fostering Limited 3

p.2

Recommendations

 The registered provider should be able to demonstrate, including from written records, that the fostering service consistently follows good recruitment practice and all applicable statutory requirements and guidance. In particular, adhere to the transfer of foster carers protocol 2014 (revised) in relation to the timing of foster carers resigning from their agency when they have children in placement. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, page 38, paragraph 19.2)  The registered provider should ensure that there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring and controlling the activities of the service. This includes monitoring complaints. In particular, ensure that any complaint is not investigated or responded to by a person who is subject to the complaint. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, page 50, paragraph 25.1)

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for independent fostering agency – monitoring visit: Apex Fostering Limited 4

p.3

Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Apex Fostering Limited

p.4

Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Brickfield House, High Road, Thornwood, Epping, Essex CM16 6TH

p.4

Independent fostering agency details

Responsible individual: Sali Walker-Borthwick

p.4

Inspector

Paula Edwards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency – monitoring visit: Apex Fostering Limited 5 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.

p.4

Inspector

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 . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

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

p.5