Avanti Fostering

Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Avanti Fostering 1 Avanti Fostering

p.1

Avanti Fostering, Devonshire House, 582 Honeypot Lane, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 1JS

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

Avanti Fostering is an independent fostering agency and was registered with Ofsted in June 2020.

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

The registered manager post has been vacant since 16 March 2021. Apart from the responsible individual, all staff working at the agency are new. This includes a manager, both supervising social workers and the quality assurance officer. The manager, who has been in post since 19 October 2021, has applied to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

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

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

At the time of this monitoring visit, the agency had nine approved fostering households. The agency provided placements for nine children. Two sisters live together with their brother in one foster family. One baby is placed together with their adult mother.

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

Date of previous inspection: 20 September 2021

p.1

This monitoring visit

The independent fostering agency was judged inadequate at the full inspection in September 2021. The purpose of this monitoring visit was to review the progress that the agency has made since then.

p.1

This monitoring visit

At this monitoring visit, the inspector reviewed evidence that the manager presented to demonstrate the progress that the agency has made in the last 10 weeks. Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Avanti Fostering 2 Leaders and managers have made significant progress in addressing the shortfalls which were identified at the full inspection.

p.1

This monitoring visit

In October 2021, the manager completed the agency’s first monitoring report on the quality of care provided. The report honestly examines the agency’s failures and includes a clear action plan to move the service forward. The report demonstrates that the agency is making positive changes and moving in the right direction.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have met 15 out of 19 requirements raised at the full inspection. The agency now provides a safer and better-quality fostering service.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There are many examples of improvements made. The agency now has an up-to- date risk management plan for each child. There is comprehensive health information that shows how each child’s health needs are met. The practices around promoting children’s culture and identity have improved. The voice of the child is stronger within the agency. Children know how to raise any worries with the agency. The agency ensures that all children are supported to learn and engage in education. Foster carers are better supported and receive training that helps them to develop their knowledge and skills. The management oversight has improved. Ofsted receives appropriate notifications of significant events.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Four requirements have been repeated. Leaders and managers have taken action to address those requirements, however, more evidence is needed to demonstrate compliance. All children currently placed with the agency are recorded on the agency’s children’s register. However, the information about the children who have left the agency is not available. As these records must be kept for 15 years, this requirement has been restated.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The records relating to how the agency ensures the suitability and fitness of staff do not demonstrate that all the required information is always obtained before staff start in their roles. An example of this is that the agency did not obtain an up-to- date Disclosure and Barring Service check for a supervising social worker when this person moved into that role from being a panel member.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Two other requirements that have been restated relate to the assessment of prospective foster carers and placing of children within the conditions of foster carers’ approval. These requirements were repeated as the agency has not completed any assessments, has not approved any foster carers and has only admitted one child since the full inspection.

p.2

This monitoring visit

One new requirement was raised at this inspection. This is with regard to keeping records relating to allegations made against foster carers. These records are fragmented and do not demonstrate clearly what happened, what steps the agency took and when, to safeguard children. These allegations were made prior to the full inspection in September 2021 and the agency is still dealing with them. Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Avanti Fostering 3 Leaders and managers work closely with placing authorities to ensure that children are not adversely affected by the inadequate inspection judgement and changes at the agency. Some children showed anxiety about the possibility of being moved from their foster families with whom they felt settled and safe, following the inadequate inspection judgement. Overall, however, they have continued to have positive experiences and have continued to make good progress.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Avanti Fostering 4

p.4

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must prepare and implement a written policy which—

p.4

Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard children placed with foster parents from abuse or neglect, and

p.4

Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The procedure under paragraph (1)(b) must, subject to paragraph (4), provide in particular for—

p.4

Requirement Due date

notification of the instigation and outcome of any child protection enquiries involving a child placed by the fostering service provider, to the Chief Inspector,

p.4

Requirement Due date

written records to be kept of any allegation of abuse or neglect, and of the action taken in response,

p.4

Requirement Due date

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 (1)(a)(b) (3) (4)(c)(d)(e))

p.4

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that clear records are kept in relation to allegations and safeguarding of children under the circumstances, and that Ofsted is informed of the outcome of the current investigations. 1 February 2022

p.4

Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must not—

p.4

Requirement Due date

employ a person to work for the purposes of the fostering service unless that person is fit to do so, or 1 February 2022 Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Avanti Fostering 5 allow a person to whom paragraph (2) applies, to work for the purposes of the fostering service unless that person is fit to do so.

p.4

Requirement Due date

This paragraph applies to any person who is employed, other than by the fostering service provider, in a position in which that person may in the course of their duties have regular contact with children placed by the fostering service.

p.5

Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (1), a person is not fit to work for the purposes of a fostering service unless—

p.5

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to that person in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 1. (Regulation 20 (1)(a)(b) (2) (3))

p.5

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that the records demonstrate that full and satisfactory information has been obtained for all staff and contractors before they start working for the agency.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must maintain and keep up to date the records specified in Schedule 2.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The records referred to in paragraph (1) must be retained for at least 15 years from the date of the last entry. (Regulation 22 (1) (2))

p.5

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that a register in respect of each child placed with the agency is maintained with the detail required.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 1 February 2022

p.5

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

At the end of the 10 working days referred to in paragraph (2)(d) (or when X’s observations are received, whichever is sooner), the fostering service provider must send— 1 February 2022 Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Avanti Fostering 6 the report prepared under paragraph (2)(c),

p.5

Requirement Due date

X’s observations on that report, if any, and

p.6

Requirement Due date

any other relevant information obtained by the fostering services provider,

p.6

Requirement Due date

to the fostering panel. (Regulation 26 (1) (4)(a)(b)(c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure better quality of the assessments of prospective foster carers, so that the assessment reports include, scrutinise and evaluate all relevant information before those reports are sent to the fostering panel for its consideration.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

p.6

Requirement Due date

If a fostering service provider decide to approve X as a foster parent they must—

p.6

Requirement Due date

give X notice in writing specifying any terms on which the approval is given, and

p.6

Requirement Due date

enter into a written agreement with X covering the matters specified in Schedule 5 (the "foster care agreement"). (Regulation 27 (5)(a)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children are placed in line with the foster carers’ terms of approval.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 1 February 2022

p.6

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.

p.6

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Avanti Fostering 7

p.6

Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Avanti Fostering Ltd

p.7

Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Devonshire House, 582 Honeypot Lane, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 1JS

p.7

Inspector

Seka Graovac, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Avanti Fostering 8 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.7

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8