Flowers Fostering Ltd

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Flowers Fostering Ltd 1 Flowers Fostering Limited Flowers Fostering Limited Ability House, 121 Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1JH Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

This privately owned agency registered in December 2019. The agency provides long-term, short-term, emergency and parent and child placements. At the time of this inspection, the agency had four fostering households and was providing foster placements for two children.

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

The suitably qualified and experienced manager took up the post on 1 June 2021 and registered with Ofsted in December 2021.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The independent fostering agency is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Flowers Fostering Ltd 2

p.1

improvement to be good

The agency has provided some training to carers to help them understand their roles and to enhance their skills and knowledge. However, carers are not provided with targeted training to ensure that they are best equipped to meet the individual needs of the children who live with them. For example, carers who are supporting children with additional needs such as autism spectrum conditions or attention deficit disorder have not received training in these areas.

p.2

improvement to be good

Foster carers are not familiar with, and do not implement in practice, the therapeutic secure-base model of care detailed in the service’s statement of purpose. As a result, the carers are not always well equipped to meet the children’s needs. This has sometimes undermined stability for children.

p.2

improvement to be good

The children develop positive relaxed relationships with their carers. However, some carers do not fully understand children’s complex or emotional needs and the impact of trauma. One placing authority representative said that a child they had placed had become more introverted, and that another child had moved on in an unplanned way. In both situations, this was linked to the carers’ lack of understanding of trauma or the child’s particular needs.

p.2

improvement to be good

The carers support the children’s basic health and education needs. They ensure that preventative health checks are completed. The children are supported by their carers to have good school attendance.

p.2

improvement to be good

The manager now ensures that new carers are appropriately assessed and that children are appropriately matched with their carers.

p.2

improvement to be good

Recruitment procedures for panel members and fostering agency staff are not always sufficiently thorough. On one occasion, gaps in employment history were not identified and explored. Checks were not taken up with the fostering service for which a panel member had previously been a foster carer. Therefore, information that has the potential to have a bearing on an applicant’s suitability may not be identified.

p.2

improvement to be good

Household and individual children’s safer care plans do not always consider all adults who are actively involved in the fostering household and what is and is not an appropriate support role. Children’s individual risk assessments and safer care plans do not always consider all relevant child-specific risks and how these risks will be reduced. This does not safeguard children effectively. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Flowers Fostering Ltd 3 Foster carers receive basic safeguarding training. However, some foster carers remain unclear about what to do if a child makes a disclosure about a person in a position of trust. One foster carer did not understand the importance of keeping the agency informed about relevant changes to their life, and about a regular visitor to the home. There is no information to suggest that this person posed any risk to children, and the agency subsequently carried out suitability checks. However, the

p.2

improvement to be good

agency was not able to carry out these suitability checks promptly because it was unaware of this situation.

p.3

improvement to be good

Foster carers do not receive training in, and do not always have sufficient awareness of, how to keep children safe online. This is particularly relevant for those caring for children who are technologically astute and have a history of being at risk online.

p.3

improvement to be good

The agency records now provide improved detail about incidents when children go missing and the action taken by carers. However, the agency does not have a system to request that the child’s placing authority conducts a return home interview. This means that potential opportunities to understand aspects of risk are missed.

p.3

improvement to be good

The agency completes annual health and safety checks on foster carers’ homes. However, in some cases, the agency is not able to demonstrate that any risks identified have been addressed.

p.3

good

This agency was judged inadequate at the last full inspection. Ofsted undertook a monitoring visit in November 2021. At this inspection, the agency is judged as requires improvement to be good.

p.3

good

The agency has not carried out a formal review of two of three fostering households which have been approved for more than a year. Therefore, the agency has not satisfied itself as to the carers’ ongoing skills and suitability.

p.3

good

The agency has not ensured that carers receive training tailored to meet the needs of the children they care for. The agency is now supporting carers to achieve their training and development standards. However, none of the fostering households completed these within the first year of approval. The lack of suitable tailored training has undermined carers’ ability to meet children’s needs.

p.3

good

The systems for maintaining and storing records are not effective. Sometimes, it is difficult for staff to swiftly access accurate and up-to-date information. There is a lack of attention to detail in some records. Some records are, on occasion, wrongly dated or the information is cut and pasted from another document. One foster carer agreement contained several different dates of approval. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Flowers Fostering Ltd 4 The manager has reviewed some policies since joining the agency. However, some other policies do not provide staff and carers with clear information and guidance as they continue to contain inaccurate and out-of-date information.

p.3

good

The quality of panel minutes has improved since the last inspection. However, there remains a lack of clarity in demonstrating how suitability decisions are reached. Furthermore, the agency decision-maker is not always provided with panel minutes promptly. This has undermined their ability to make decisions and swiftly inform new carers in writing of their approval. As a result of administrative delays, one carer did not receive their written approval until the day that a foster child moved in.

p.4

good

Further panel training is planned to ensure that panel members have a shared understanding of fostering, the functions of panel and their role as panel members. Not all panel members have been provided with an opportunity to observe a fostering panel meeting before becoming a full panel member.

p.4

good

The staff feel well supported and benefit from suitable supervision, support and management guidance. Although some staff continue to require training and support to fulfil all aspects of their roles, there are plans to address this.

p.4

good

There remain several shortfalls. However, the manager has driven positive change and is leading the agency’s improvement. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Flowers Fostering Ltd 5

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.5

Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph 6, the fostering service provider must ensure that the fostering service is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 3 (5))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that foster carers understand and implement the model of care, and understand the importance of informing the agency of relevant changes to their lives and the fostering households. 16 May 2022

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect. (Regulation 12 (1)(a)(b))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that foster carers understand their responsibilities should a child make a disclosure about person in a position of trust. Ensure that risk assessments and safer caring plans are sufficiently detailed and clear, and that actions identified to safeguard children are completed.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 16 May 2022

p.5

Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must provide foster parents with such training, advice, information and support, including support outside office hours, as appears necessary in the interests of children placed with them. (Regulation 17 (1))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that foster carers receive training in keeping children safe online and targeted training specifically relevant to the identified needs of children placed with them. 25 July 2022 Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Flowers Fostering Ltd 6 This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must not—

p.6

Requirement Due date

employ a person to work for the purposes of the fostering service unless that person is fit to do so.

p.6

Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (1), a person is not fit to work for the purposes of a fostering service unless 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) (3))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 16 May 2022

p.6

Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must review the approval of each foster parent in accordance with this regulation.

p.6

Requirement Due date

A review must take place not more than a year after approval, and thereafter whenever the fostering service provider consider it necessary, but at intervals of not more than a year. (Regulation 28 (1) (2)) 27 June 2022

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that foster carers’ homes are free of avoidable hazards, in keeping with family life. (‘Volume 4’, paragraph 3.82)  The registered person should ensure that on each occasion a child goes missing, the fostering agency requests that the placing authority carries out a return home interview to help children understand the dangers and risks of leaving the foster home without permission, and where they can access help if they consider running away. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 5.8)  The registered person should ensure that written minutes of panel meetings are accurate and clearly cover the main issues and views expressed by panel members. Minutes should reflect the reasons for recommendation and be sent to the agency decision-maker swiftly to allow them to make timely decisions. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 14.7)  The registered person should ensure that foster carers evidence that the training,

p.6

Recommendations

support and development standards have been attained within 12 months of approval. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 20.3) Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Flowers Fostering Ltd 7  The registered person should ensure that policies and procedures are accurate and updated regularly. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 21.10)  The registered person should ensure that all persons joining the central list of persons considered suitable to be fostering panel members are provided with an opportunity to observe a fostering panel meeting. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 23.8)  The registered person should ensure that staff, volunteers, panel members and fostering households understand the nature of records maintained and follow the service’s policy for the keeping and retention of files, managing confidential information and access to files (including files removed from the premises). There

p.6

Recommendations

should be a system in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of record- keeping and action taken when needed. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 26.2)

p.7

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: Flowers Fostering Ltd 8

p.7

Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Flowers Fostering Limited

p.8

Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: AW House, 6-8 Stuart Street, Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 2SJ

p.8

Independent fostering agency details

Email address: admin@flowersfosteringagency.com

p.8

Inspector

Joanna Heller, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Flowers Fostering Ltd 9 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.8

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9