Star Fostering Ltd

Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Star Fostering Ltd 1 Star Fostering Ltd

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Setting address: Unit 2b, East Bridgford Business Park, Kneeton Road, East Bridgford, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG13 8PJ

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Star Fostering Ltd is an independent fostering agency based in East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire. The agency was registered by Ofsted in 2019.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The agency offers a wide range of fostering placements, including emergency, respite, short-term, long-term, and parent and child placements. At the time of the inspection, it had 27 fostering households and 39 children in placement.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The registered manager and the responsible individual have been registered since 2019.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to monitor compliance following enforcement action taken after the last full inspection. Compliance notices were issued under Regulations 8 and 11.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager and responsible individual have produced a detailed action plan that specifies how they intend to meet the identified shortfalls in safeguarding and leadership and management. This action plan is being put into practice, and progress is being made.

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This monitoring visit

In response to concerns raised, the fostering agency has recruited an independent social worker to complete a full audit and review of all fostering families. This work is underway, and some learning has been identified and acted on.

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This monitoring visit

Supervising social workers and the leadership team attend weekly child safeguarding and well-being meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to reflect on children’s Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Star Fostering Ltd 2 care and safety needs. These meetings are helping to improve staff reflection and management oversight.

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This monitoring visit

All social work staff have attended safeguarding and risk management training. The fostering agency has reflected that there has been an over-reliance on self-reported information. In response, steps are being taken to implement processes to improve the overall triangulation of information.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has introduced learning reviews with the staff team. This process reviews past incidents and reviews them through the lens of what they would now do differently. The social work team is engaging with changes and recognises that improvements need to be made.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and responsible individual have liaised with children’s local authorities and explained what processes they are taking to improve. It is positive that the fostering agency has also started to improve practice following some local authority feedback.

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This monitoring visit

Overall, Ofsted is satisfied that the necessary steps are being taken to address the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Star Fostering Ltd 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and the national minimum standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider and the registered manager must, having regard to—

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Requirement Due date

the size of the fostering agency, its statement of purpose, and the numbers and needs of the children placed by the fostering agency, and

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Requirement Due date

the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children placed by the fostering agency,

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Requirement Due date

carry on or manage the fostering agency (as the case may be) with sufficient care, competence and skill. (Regulation 8 (a)(b)) 15 March 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person in respect of an independent fostering agency must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

the welfare of children placed or to be placed with foster parents is safeguarded and promoted at all times, and

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Requirement Due date

before making any decision affecting a child placed or to be placed with a foster parent due consideration is given to the child’s—

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Requirement Due date

wishes and feelings (having regard to the child’s age and understanding). (Regulation 11 (a)(b)(i)) 15 March 2024

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect. 15 March 2024 Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Star Fostering Ltd 4 The written policy must include a statement of measures to be taken to safeguard any child before making parent and child arrangements with that foster parent.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

liaison and co-operation with any local authority which is, or may be, making child protection enquiries in relation to any child placed by the fostering service provider,

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Requirement Due date

the prompt referral to the area authority of any allegation of abuse or neglect affecting any child placed by the fostering service provider,

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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,

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Requirement Due date

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

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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) (2) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e))

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (7), the registered person in respect of an independent fostering agency must establish a written procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children placed by the agency, and by foster parents approved by the agency.

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Requirement Due date

The procedure must, in particular, provide—

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Requirement Due date

children placed by the agency (subject to their age and understanding).

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a written record is made of any complaint or representation, the action taken in response to it, and the outcome of the investigation.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— 15 March 2024 Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Star Fostering Ltd 5 children are enabled to make a complaint or representation, and

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Requirement Due date

no child is subject to any reprisal for making a complaint or representation. (Regulation 18 (1) (2)(e)(i) (4) (5)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

All relevant individuals should be provided with a written response from the registered manager that explains how their complaint will be investigated and responded to. All outcomes should be shared in writing.

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Requirement Due date

If any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 7 takes place in relation to a fostering agency, the registered person must without delay notify the persons or bodies indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table.

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Requirement Due date

Any notification made in accordance with this regulation which is given orally must be confirmed in writing. (Regulation 36 (1) (2)) 15 March 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the wishes, feelings and views of children and those significant to them are taken into account in monitoring foster carers and developing the fostering service. They should also ensure that children’s records are meaningful, and written records should explain significant milestones and placement endings for children. (‘Fostering Services: national minimum standards’, page 9, paragraph 1.7)  The registered person should ensure that, where a child is eligible for benefits because of a disability, foster carers are encouraged to apply for those benefits. There should be regular recorded discussions about how any additional benefits are being spent to promote the best interests of the child. (‘Fostering Services: national minimum standards’, page 56, paragraph 28.9)

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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.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Star Fostering Ltd 6

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: C/O Keith Willis Associates, Gothic House, Barker Gate, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG1 1JU

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Inspector

Andi Lilley-Tams, Regional Inspection Manager Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Star Fostering Ltd 7 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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