Safe Base Fostering Ltd

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Safe Base Fostering Ltd 1 Safe Base Fostering Ltd Safe Base Fostering Ltd Unit 1 A, The Patrick Tobin Business Park, Manvers, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S63 7LL Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

Safe Base Fostering Limited is an independent fostering agency. A range of placements are provided, including short-term, long-term, respite and parent and child fostering placements.

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

At the time of the inspection, the agency was providing placements for 46 children in 26 approved fostering households.

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

We last visited this setting on 8 May 2017 to carry out a full inspection. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The independent fostering agency provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the independent fostering agency contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people.

p.1

outstanding

Date of last inspection: 8 May 2017 Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Safe Base Fostering Ltd 2 Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Safe Base Fostering Ltd 3

p.2

outstanding

Children are making exceptional progress from their starting points. Children and foster carers are matched robustly. This provides the feeling of a ‘forever family’, in which children experience stability, can thrive, and they can reach their full potential. A foster carer said, ‘I’m just being a good mum and doing what you should.’

p.3

outstanding

Foster carers make the children feel important and valued members of the family. Included are children who have recently moved in with their foster carers and are settling in well. The children spoken to during the inspection said that they are happy and like living with their foster carers. Children said:

p.3

outstanding

 ‘She took me on like her own son. I don’t know how I will ever repay her.’  ‘[Name of the agency] makes sure we are all treated the same and not different, we are all like a family.’  ‘Life has been better now. Looking back, I am changing into something better. I like myself.’ Children receive useful information from the agency that helps them to settle in their foster homes. For example, the custom-made memory boxes enable the children to feel accepted by their foster families. Children are provided with child-friendly information about being fostered that can be translated into different languages. This exceptionally good practice values the children’s diverse needs.

p.3

outstanding

Children’s individuality is respected and nurtured by their foster carers. Foster carers encourage children from different cultural backgrounds to learn about their heritage and remain fluent in their first language. Children’s access to culturally diverse food and appropriate hair and skincare products gives them an opportunity to feel proud of their identity and develop a positive self-esteem.

p.3

outstanding

Children’s physical and emotional health is enhanced significantly by them attending health appointments and speaking with trusted adults from the agency about their emotions.

p.3

outstanding

During the coronavirus pandemic, the children have been kept highly motivated. They have continued to engage in their educational and employment plans. Children have taken part in many fun activities both with their foster families and the agency. The band camp was a huge success for all involved. It provided the children with a fantastic opportunity for them to record music that they can treasure for years to come. The agency’s newsletters and monthly communication make sure that foster families and children are updated on the progress and plans at the agency.

p.3

outstanding

As a result of spending quality time together during lockdown, the relationships between the children and their foster carers have grown stronger. Whenever Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Safe Base Fostering Ltd 4 families have been under pressure, the agency has provided them with the support while following government guidelines.

p.3

outstanding

Children who have experienced unplanned endings in their foster families, and the reasons for them, are well understood and evaluated by the agency. The bespoke training that is delivered to learn from the unplanned endings further improves outcomes for the children.

p.4

outstanding

Older children may remain living with their foster carers should they wish to beyond their 18 th birthday. The agency supports foster carers who have applied through the courts to care for children permanently. This shows that the agency places the welfare of children at the forefront of their practice, even if it means them losing foster carers who are very important to them.

p.4

outstanding

All children, irrespective of their age, are supported to develop independence skills so that they can do more for themselves. Older children are recognised for their excellent work ethic. One child has been motivated to seek part-time employment while learning and another young adult has his own successful business.

p.4

outstanding

The agency involves the foster carer’s birth children at the start of the assessment process. As a result, the whole family can participate, and positive family values are consistently promoted by this excellent practice. New foster carers express high levels of satisfaction with the level of support from the agency. They confirm how they are made to feel welcome, that they are well prepared and have the relevant training to care for children.

p.4

outstanding

 ‘I just wanted to say they are an excellent company to work for and always try their best for the carers and the children.’  ‘If ever I have felt the need to speak with any members of staff, I can say that this has been done with no hesitation at all. All of the staff are very approachable.’  ‘It’s like a family.’

p.4

outstanding

The agency promotes an exceptionally strong safeguarding culture that places children at the centre of its safeguarding practices. Highly effective safety planning minimises the risk of harm to children and improves their sense of safety.

p.4

outstanding

The children’s written risk assessments are robust. They are well understood by the agency and foster carers, and their implementation has reduced risks over time. Missing from care incidents are rare. When children have gone missing, the incidents are handled safely and effectively. One child said that he no longer goes missing from his foster home because he now feels he belongs there. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Safe Base Fostering Ltd 5 The children’s emotional and behavioural well-being is supported directly through one-to-one support from a known member of staff from the agency that the children like. The foster carers also received independent therapeutic support from a skilled professional, who provides them with valuable advice and suggested strategies to support safe boundaries and manage children’s behaviours. Furthermore, foster carers receive research-informed training that helps them to de-escalate and

p.4

outstanding

implement positive behaviour management strategies.

p.5

outstanding

Children are learning to take responsibility for their emotions and behaviour, which is demonstrated by them repairing and rebuilding relationships. Children are also learning important life lessons as they feel safe, mature and they can develop better ways to regulate their behaviour.

p.5

outstanding

Allegations are investigated in conjunction with the designated officer for the local authority. The allegations are notified to Ofsted and the concerns are promptly addressed and the appropriate remedial action is taken. The agency ensures that safeguarding concerns are challenged appropriately with local authorities, and escalated by the agency if they fail to fulfil their safeguarding duties effectively.

p.5

outstanding

A minimum of two unannounced visits are carried out by the agency social workers to foster carers’ homes. This maximises the safeguards for children. Any concerns regarding the standard of care in foster homes are taken extremely seriously by the agency, which acts immediately to ensure that high standards are maintained.

p.5

outstanding

Foster carers are assessed thoroughly to make sure they are safe and suitable. The agency goes above and beyond to obtain the views of relatives and friends about prospective foster carers. Information that the agency has received has led to the agency making robust safeguarding decisions that protect children. The agency is sensitive to the welfare of foster carers who are experiencing difficulties, and provides support to them without placing children at risk. The second opinion visits prior to the panel process provide better protection to children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have high aspirations for all of the children. Their clear vision for the service is fulfilled in line with the statement of purpose and mission statement. Leaders and managers have an excellent oversight of the children and foster carers and they are highly visible and approachable. The leaders’ and managers’ commitment to the children ensures that children receive high-quality care and protection within fostering households, and this high expectation threads through care practices within the agency.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The agency’s leaders, managers and staff members are experts in their professional field, which strengthens the quality of care that the children receive. Leaders and managers challenge all forms of discrimination and they play a key role in promoting positive emotional health for everyone involved in the agency, including children. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Safe Base Fostering Ltd 6 The strong independent fostering panel promotes safe, secure and stable foster homes for children through the well-organised and rigorous quality assurance processes. This enables the agency decision-maker to consider the rationale for the panel recommendations and make well-informed suitability decisions.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff are highly motivated, and they thoroughly enjoy working for the agency. One staff member said, ‘All members of [Name of the fostering agency] work as a team and we are passionate about what we do, and it’s like we are part of a little family. I honestly can’t imagine working anywhere else.’

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The agency staff feel well supported and appreciated by their leaders and managers. The staff benefit from having regular team meetings, supervision and learning and development opportunities. The excellent management support during the coronavirus pandemic had enabled the staff to home-school their own children. Staff retention is promoted by these excellent support mechanisms.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers understand the strengths of the agency and the areas for improvement. As a learning organisation, the leaders and managers have shown a willingness to listen to and consider any advice that is given to them so that they continue to improve. For example, leaders and managers have been responsive to improving their recruitment practice by ensuring that all relevant references are verified as far as possible during staff recruitment checks.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have maintained a high-quality service during the coronavirus pandemic. They have not allowed the restrictions and challenges to be a barrier to keeping everyone connected, progressing with the service improvements, and supporting local authorities. This view is captured by a comment made by a professional. They said, ‘When it was COVID-19, [Name of the agency] were incredibly supportive to us and went over and above in any way they could to support us.’

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers maintain effective working relationships with local authorities so that they can work together to meet children’s needs. Where necessary, leaders and managers challenge professionals within the local authority to ensure that they have the information that they need to care for children. The agency ensures that it maintains information about children to support court proceedings and decision- making around children’s plans, which acts as a robust safety net when local authorities are not fulfilling their duties.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals rate the agency highly, which they recognise as being supportive and provides a fostering service that goes above and beyond to support children in their foster homes.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The five recommendations that were made at the last inspection have been addressed. These relate to the quality of the panel minutes, the monitoring of missing from home incidents and return home interviews, and risk assessments. The final recommendation relates to the reports to the board showing how the agency Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Safe Base Fostering Ltd 7 satisfies itself that it is operating effectively, and it is achieving good outcomes for children. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Safe Base Fostering Ltd 8

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered provider must ensure that 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 CRB checks. All personnel responsible for recruitment and selection of staff are trained in, understand, and operate these good practices. (Fostering Services: National Minimum Standards, 19.2)

p.8

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and the national minimum standards. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Safe Base Fostering Ltd 9

p.8

Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Safe Base Fostering Ltd

p.9

Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Unit 1 A, The Patrick Tobin Business Park, Manvers, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S63 7LL

p.9

Independent fostering agency details

Email address: michelle.monteiro@safebasefostering.org.uk

p.9

Inspectors

Jacqueline Malcolm, Social Care Inspector Debra Boldy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Safe Base Fostering Ltd 10 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.9

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 . 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.10

Inspectors

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

p.10

Inspectors

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

p.10