Fostering Solutions Ltd

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Fostering Solutions Ltd 1 Fostering Solutions Limited Fostering Solutions Limited Priestly Court, Gillette Close, Staffordshire Technology Park, Beaconside, Stafford, Staffordshire ST18 0LQ Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Fostering Solutions Limited (Midlands) is one of a number of fostering agencies owned and managed by the National Fostering Group (NFG). The registered office is situated in Stafford and there is a satellite office in Long Eaton, Nottingham.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Its function is to support, supervise and provide ongoing training to foster carers so that they are able to provide a comprehensive service that addresses the physical, emotional, educational and health needs of the children and young people placed.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The fostering agency has 94 approved fostering households. There are 115 children in placement. The agency provides short-term, long-term, permanent, respite and emergency placements. It also provides specialist placements for children with complex needs, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, children who present with sexually harmful behaviour, disabled children, bridge to foster, parent and child placements and staying put.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The registered manager has been in post for over two years. She has almost completed the level 5 qualification in leadership for health and social care in children and young people’s services.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The independent fostering agency provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 9 July 2018 Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Fostering Solutions Ltd 2 Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

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

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Foster carers feel welcomed into this agency by managers and staff. Assessments of foster carers are detailed, analytical and timely. The preparation and training of prospective foster carers is thorough. This enables them to become strong advocates and set high aspirations for the children they care for. Foster carers work closely with other professionals, such as teachers, social workers and therapists. As a result, the children experience positive achievements and make good progress from their starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide valuable support and supervision to foster carers. For example, some foster carers are encouraged to attend reflective and consultation sessions and can access additional support from a consultant psychologist when required.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children flourish. There are regular opportunities for them to share their views and influence their care. They develop a strong sense of identity and experience a wide range of positive personal achievements. Foster carers and staff quickly identify any developmental delays or behavioural concerns and introduce age-appropriate routines and play to support the child’s development. The well-being and stability of the children is central to the aims of foster carers and staff at this agency.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s education is a priority. The agency provides educational services, such as additional tutoring and online resources, to all children, including birth children. As a result, the children’s attainment and school attendance are good. This agency is particularly proactive in seeking input from their internal education and careers specialists. This ensures that foster carers have expert support and the children reach their full potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children participate in a wide range of activities. For example, four children are on target to complete their bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award through the agency’s scheme. Foster carers support children to access hobbies and activities in their local community. As a result, the children develop existing skills and interests and acquire new ones.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Foster carers promote and celebrate age-appropriate independence. For example, one child has become head girl at her school and other children have part-time jobs. The agency’s staying put arrangements encourage the children to remain living with their foster carers into adulthood. This helps children receive the support they need to become successful adults.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children maintain family links and sustain relationships that are important to them. Foster carers help the children and their families understand their past, and to experience positive futures. They promote the birth family and proactively support contact, while always listening to the experiences of the children. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Fostering Solutions Ltd 4 Managers celebrate the achievements of the children, foster carers and staff. For example, all newly approved foster carers receive flowers, all children receive chocolates or flowers when they complete exams, and there are long-service awards for foster carers and monthly staff, and foster carer and child awards. This means people feel valued by the agency, which enhances their sense of belonging.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Managers, staff and foster carers ensure that the safety and well-being of the children are paramount. This practice is embedded in foster carers’ assessment, approval, training, supervisions and regular support groups.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Foster carers help the children learn through day-to-day discussions and experiences. Family support workers and staff undertake one-to-one sessions with some of the children to explore specific topics such healthy relationships and managing emotions. Foster carers and staff get to know the children’s friends and family members to help manage risks and keep them safe. Where appropriate, the children are supported to access external agencies such as the clinical psychologist and women’s aid. This helps the children develop knowledge that enables them to make informed decisions to keep themselves safe and healthy as they become adults.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been some incidents of children going missing from care. There have been regular meetings with partner agencies to identify and reduce risks. As a result, incidents for these children have stopped or significantly reduced. These actions have not, however, been reflected in the children’s risk assessments and records.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The registered manager takes all allegations about foster carers seriously. She quickly informs relevant partner agencies and ensures that independent support is offered to foster carers. When required, post-allegation reviews are completed. These are considered by the agency’s independent reviewing officer and fostering panel, even if foster carers resign during the investigation. This independent scrutiny of the agency’s practice ensures that decisions are driven by the children’s best interests.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Foster carers do not ordinarily use physical intervention. When physical interventions have been needed, specialist training in de-escalation is given to those foster carers, and supervising social workers regularly reflect with the foster carer to help their development. This means that restraints are only used as a last resort to keep a child and others safe, and they are rarely repeated.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Managers and staff consult with all the children on a regular basis through supervisions, annual reviews, youth council and the youth voice tool. Children also have access to an advocacy service. As a result, the children can confidently identify adults who they can talk to and share their worries and concerns. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Fostering Solutions Ltd 5 There is careful recruitment and regular monitoring of staff and foster carers that prevent unsuitable staff or foster carers from being recruited and having the opportunity to harm the children or to place them at risk.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Foster homes are safe and secure and protect the children from harm or the risk of harm. They provide comfortable and welcoming environments in which the children can grow and develop.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Experienced and appropriately qualified managers have good oversight of the agency. They have a clear plan and vision for the service, are reflective and drive change.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers know the strengths of this agency and the areas that require development. For example, the agency has gone through a period of staff changes. Managers are aware that this has caused drift in some areas of practice, including youth council meetings, second unannounced visits, foster carer supervisions and standard of records. All supervising social worker posts have now been recruited to. Managers have reviewed practice, have plans in place that are developing these key areas and are working with the staff team to ensure that good practice is embedded moving forward.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Most case records reflect the children’s lives, their achievements, the work that is carried out with them and plans for their futures. The quality of these records is improving in line with manager’s plans. However, some still lack clarity, and this has not been identified or addressed by staff or managers. This could impact the understanding that the children have about their histories, background and experiences and how the children are kept safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers actively and regularly monitor the quality of care provided. They use learning from practice and feedback to further develop the experiences of foster carers, staff and the care of children. For example, staff are currently trialling working a four-day week. There are plans in place to ensure all staff and foster carers have attended the foundation for therapeutic parenting training by the end of November 2022. A family space is being developed in the office and a transitions day for children moving between junior and senior school is being run for the first time in August 2022. This ensures that the agency continues to develop to meet changing needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff work proactively and positively with other agencies and professionals. They build effective working relationships with social workers from placing authorities and with the local authority where they are located to secure positive outcomes for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The culture of the agency is characterised by high expectations and aspirations for staff, all foster carers and the children. This is demonstrated in practice. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Fostering Solutions Ltd 6 Staff feel well supported and receive regular good-quality supervision, appraisals, team meetings and training. They are now also accessing monthly reflection meetings with a clinical psychologist and have covered topics such as managing stress and supporting foster carers who are experiencing compassion fatigue. This ensures professional development and results in the right environment for good practice to thrive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a successful range of imaginative foster carer recruitment strategies. These involve carer recruitment officers, staff, foster carers and volunteers. There is excellent management oversight, and rewards schemes and recognition for all those involved. As a result, recruitment targets were exceeded last year and have been met for this year.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Foster carers receive regular and effective supervision that is focused on children’s experiences, needs, plans and feedback. Foster carers receive a formal review annually. Early reviews are held when needed. Mandatory training for all foster carers has been increased. From the beginning of 2022, a greater emphasis has been placed on monitoring training through annual reviews. As a result, staff and management overview of training has increased, and specific training needs are now clearly identified and any drift is monitored.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The agency’s independent reviewing officer and fostering panel are challenging and effective. They provide good-quality assurance functions. The agency decision-maker makes reasoned decisions, with comprehensive qualifying determinations. The agency decision-maker, the fostering panel chair and the registered manager meet regularly. This adds to the strong quality assurance. The panel includes a good range of qualified and experienced professionals. Panel members have annual appraisals and undergo training that helps them fulfil their roles and responsibilities. This ensures that they keep up with developments in practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A key strength of this agency is the child-centred decision-making when matching children with foster carers. This is comprehensive, well considered and explores the specific needs of each child and the foster carer’s ability and knowledge to meet need. Another key strength is the support that staff give to foster carers who enable brothers and sisters to remain living with each other or nearby. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Fostering Solutions Ltd 7

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that foster carers know and implement the fostering service and responsible authority’s policy in relation to children going missing. This specifically relates to ensuring there is an accurate record of the event and actions taken. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 5.2)  The registered person should ensure that managers and staff regularly monitor all records to ensure compliance with the service’s policies, to identify concerns about specific incidents and identify patterns and trends. Also, that immediate action is taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 25.2)

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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: Fostering Solutions Ltd 8

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Fostering Solutions Limited

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Acorn Norfolk Limited, Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG

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Independent fostering agency details

Email address: andrea.treble@fosteringsolutions.com

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Inspectors

Dawn Bennett, Social Care Inspector Mazviita Makiyi, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Fostering Solutions 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.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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