Unity Foster Care

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Unity Foster Care 1 Unity Foster Care Unity Foster Care Limited First Floor, 4340 The Pentagon, Park Approach, Thorpe Park, Leeds LS15 8GB Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

Unity Foster Care is an independent fostering agency. The head office is based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. A range of placements are provided, including long-term, short-term, emergency, respite and parent and child fostering placements. At the time of the inspection, the agency was providing placements for 87 children with 70 fostering households. The manager was registered with Ofsted on 7 June 2022. Unity Foster Care was bought by a private company, BSN, in January 2023. The current Responsible Individual assumed her role in July 2023. This inspection covers the period since the previous full inspection.

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

Date of last inspection: 1 November 2021

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Unity Foster Care 2

p.1

improvement to be good

Children’s experiences of the care provided to them by their foster carers are mixed. There is a significant number of children who have moved on from their foster carers in an unplanned way. This is due to unregulated placements, poor consideration of the foster carer’s ability to meet the needs of children; and a lack of support provided to foster carers. This resulted in one foster carer leaving a child at the agency’s office. This does not help children to feel valued or cared for and contributes to children feeling rejected.

p.2

improvement to be good

Some children enjoy stability in their foster homes. One fifth of all children have been living with their foster carers for at least three years. Some foster carers secure legal orders to provide them with parental responsibility. Older children can continue to live with foster carers when they reach 18 years old and into adulthood. This helps to give children a sense of belonging.

p.2

improvement to be good

Some children make good progress. Professionals and birth family members report during statutory meetings that some children’s physical and emotional development have improved. This is due to the care provided by their foster carers.

p.2

improvement to be good

The support children receive with their education is mixed; for example, one child achieved GCSEs who was not expected to do so. One group of children moved to foster carers who lived a significant distance from their school. This resulted in these children not being supported to attend school. This prevents all children from making good academic progress.

p.2

improvement to be good

Case records are unhelpful to children. Although the documents are written as if they are addressing the child directly, any value this may bring is undermined as stigmatising language is used. Some foster carers’ records are sparse with a lack of detail about a child’s life, including important events such as the child’s birthday. Some of the agency social workers’ records lack detail such as observations of interactions between the child and the foster family during their supervisory visits.

p.2

improvement to be good

The agency benefits from skilled support workers. They provide practical help and advice, such as helping foster carers to prepare children for living independently. They also support children to make sense of their circumstances. This is achieved through creative stories and comic strips. The support workers visit the children to obtain feedback about the agency and their foster carers. Children also contribute to the organisation of the many activities that the agency provides for children. This helps children to feel in control of decisions that affect them.

p.2

improvement to be good

The support workers provide support to foster carers’ birth children. This includes providing them with opportunities to participate in activities, including breaks away. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Unity Foster Care 3 This offers these children the opportunity to express their views and feelings. Although birth children are well supported when they raise a concern about their relationship with a foster child, independent support is not then made available to the foster child. This missed opportunity prevents foster children from being supported to manage these relationships and contributes to an unstable environment for all the children affected.

p.2

improvement to be good

The agency has a junior council. This helps children to have a say about the way the agency is managed, and to contribute to important decisions. Children identified that they wished to take achievement certificates into school but felt unable to do so, as the agency fostering logo stigmatised them. In response to this, the agency supported the children to create their own design. This no longer identifies the children as being in foster care. This helps to reduce stigma and helps children to feel valued and listened to.

p.3

improvement to be good

Some children maintain positive relationships with their foster carers after they move out. One child returned to visit their foster carer on Mother’s Day. Some foster carers have also forged positive relationships with children’s birth families. This provides children with a wide supportive network.

p.3

improvement to be good

Prior to January 2023, children were experiencing unregulated placements in that they were living with foster carers outside of their approval terms. The necessary safeguarding processes did not take place and the registered manager did not challenge the existing senior leadership team. The registered manager has acknowledged this led to unplanned endings for children. Since then, those foster carers who were affected returned to panel and have had their exemptions of numbers approved.

p.3

improvement to be good

Some children have experienced a neglectful foster home environment. This continued for a significant time until one of the agency’s social workers identified the concern. The registered manager has responded to this appropriately. This was not highlighted by others, so the registered manager cannot be assured that all the agency’s social workers are following the agency’s processes to ensure children are safe in the care of their foster carers.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children’s allegations are listened to and investigated. The agency takes steps to ensure that the children are safe. However, the registered manager does not monitor and track these. This means there is no evaluation of any emerging themes or trends about the care that the foster carers provide. This has resulted in one carer being exposed to several allegations without the agency putting in place preventative strategies or measures. This leaves both foster carers and children at risk of harm. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Unity Foster Care 4 The registered manager has also failed to report foster carers to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) when allegations have been substantiated. This means that unsuitable people could work or care for children in other organisations without this important information being known and shared.

p.3

improvement to be good

Foster carers have mixed experiences of the level of support received from their agency social worker. This seems to be related to their locality and office that they are linked to. Some foster carers in one region have been without an allocated agency social worker since February 2024. Social workers’ contact with these carers has been limited, whereas many foster carers in another region said that they value the support they receive from the agency’s social workers.

p.4

improvement to be good

Foster carers do not consistently receive reviews or the required annual unannounced visit. The health and safety risk assessment of the home environment is also not consistently completed. In addition, foster carers have not received supervision sessions and visits by the agency’s social workers in line with the agency’s policy.

p.4

improvement to be good

Prior to a child moving into a foster carer’s home, an evaluation is not completed to ascertain whether the foster carer can meet the child’s individual needs. This is often documented at the time a child goes to live with the foster carer or afterwards. These do not consistently consider all known risks and evaluate the foster carer’s skills and knowledge. Information provided by the agency indicates that the registered manager does not have oversight of this decision-making process.

p.4

improvement to be good

There are widespread shortfalls with the documents that foster carers need to help them to care for children. Many foster carers do not have up-to-date statutory documents from a child’s placing local authority to support them to care for the child. This includes health, education and care planning documents. This prevents the foster carers from understanding all aspects of a child’s life to support them to make good progress. Additionally, not all foster carers receive the necessary signed documents required that allows them to legally care for a child. This prevents the carers from exercising delegated responsibility for a child.

p.4

improvement to be good

Risk assessments and safer caring plans are generic. They are not personalised and do not contain all known risks for children. Some contain inaccurate or outdated information. In addition, they do not provide the strategies for foster carers to follow so that they can manage the children’s risks to keep everyone safe. Documents showed that many children’s risk assessments and safer caring plans were created or updated the weekend after the inspection was announced.

p.4

improvement to be good

Additionally, foster carers are unclear of what process to follow when a child goes missing. When they return home, children are not always spoken to by an independent person. This means opportunities to capture information that could be crucial to a child’s welfare are missed. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Unity Foster Care 5 Not all foster carers understand what incidents they should notify the agency about. Furthermore, the agency’s social workers do not regularly review all the foster carers’ written logs in line with the agency’s policy. Some have not been reviewed for six weeks.

p.4

improvement to be good

Foster carers and the agency’s social workers do not consistently know what constitutes a physical ‘restraint’. Therefore, agency social workers do not challenge when they see such incidents. This further prevents the registered manager from being assured that foster carers and the agency’s social workers understand and follow the agency’s policies.

p.5

improvement to be good

Not all tasks are completed by those with the necessary skills and knowledge. For example, student social workers complete safer caring plans and risk assessments without the oversight of a qualified social worker. Support workers have completed statutory unannounced visits.

p.5

improvement to be good

The agency has recently introduced the new roles of therapist and mental health practitioner. Together, they provide therapeutic support for children and their foster carers. Although they currently work with only one child, this has been incredibly successful. After experiencing a move into residential care, the therapeutic team’s input helped the child to return to their original foster carer.

p.5

improvement to be good

The agency offers respite for foster carers. However, foster carers say they experience difficulties accessing this support due to the level of demand. This prevents foster carers from feeling valued.

p.5

improvement to be good

Foster carers receive support from an out-of-hours support service. This is particularly helpful when children move into the foster carer’s home on an emergency basis as support is available outside of office hours.

p.5

good

Prior to the inspection, the responsible individual had identified many of the shortfalls that inspectors found. She has developed various strategies to address these shortfalls, although the execution of this plan is in its infancy. She further adapted this during the inspection to address additional gaps identified by inspectors. This gives the regulator some assurance that the agency is taking the necessary steps to address the shortfalls.

p.5

good

The registered manager’s audit process is ineffective. Audits are completed sporadically, and management oversight is limited. There is no clear accountability for who should rectify identified shortfalls, with no timeframes. This means actions largely remain unaddressed. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Unity Foster Care 6 The registered manager fails to effectively monitor children’s welfare. There is no process to monitor, track and evaluate safeguarding concerns and children’s progress. Furthermore, the quality-of-care report does not capture how risks reduce, or how outcomes for children are improving. The registered manager does not consult with those adults who are important to the children in their care. This prevents those individuals from having an input into the management of the agency.

p.5

good

The report also contains misleading information and despite signing the report, the registered manager had neither written nor read it. This means Ofsted and the foster service’s provider/trustees, board members or management committee members are provided with misleading information. This prevents them from being assured that the agency is meeting the necessary regulations.

p.6

good

The agency’s escalation policy is not followed. Although the registered manager and staff sometimes escalate concerns such as a lack of a local authority social worker and missing documents, this is inconsistent in its approach and is therefore ineffective.

p.6

good

The responsible individual has implemented regular strategic meetings. These include operations meetings, safeguarding meetings and placement endings meetings. This provides a forum for the management team to discuss the children who are most vulnerable and consider what steps are needed to help to keep children safe. This is in its early stages with no evidence of its effectiveness.

p.6

good

The registered manager does not notify Ofsted of incidents in a timely manner. She does not provide updates on investigations and child protection enquiries. This prevents Ofsted from being assured that the agency is taking the necessary steps to help to keep children safe.

p.6

good

The agency has had at least four different Agency Decision Makers since the previous inspection. It is unclear whether these all had the necessary skills, knowledge and qualifications to fulfil the duties of this role. An Agency Decision Maker with the required expertise to fulfil this role was recently appointed.

p.6

good

The agency’s independent panel scrutinises the assessment of foster carers and they challenge the agency’s social workers about gaps in information. However, matters raised as part of the agenda are not consistently documented as being explored during the meetings. This prevents the registered manager from demonstrating that the panel holds the agency to account.

p.6

good

The staff attend regular team meetings. These provide a forum to discuss foster carers, children and create opportunities for learning and development. Staff supervision sessions are regular and reflective in nature. However, some staff say that they feel better supported than others. The responsible individual is taking steps to address this and improve the culture of the agency.

p.6

good

A strength of the agency is the training offered. The training officer is creative and resourceful in identifying training that meets the needs of the agency’s social Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Unity Foster Care 7 workers, foster carers and children. Foster carers’ attendance at training sessions is good. All foster carers have completed their mandatory training, which includes paediatric first aid. This helps foster carers to develop the skills they need to care for children and gives further assurances that foster carers have the basic skills required to foster children. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Unity Foster Care 8

p.6

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 within the given timescales.

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

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.

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

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.8

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)(c)(e)).

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that they meet the shortfalls identified that relate to National Minimum Standards 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, 5.1, 5.5, 5.9, and 10.2. 1 June 2024

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

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 1 June 2024 Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Unity Foster Care 9 the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children placed by the fostering agency, carry on or manage the fostering agency (as the case may be) with sufficient care, competence and skill.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered manager must undertake from time to time such training as is appropriate to ensure that they have the experience and skills necessary for managing the fostering agency. (Regulation 8 (1)(a)(b)(2)(3)).

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure they meet the shortfalls identified that relate to National Minimum Standards 15.1, 25.1, 25.2, 25.3, 25.4, 25.4, 25.5, and 25.7.

p.9

Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person must have regard to ‘Working Together to Safeguard children 2023’ and where appropriate make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

p.9

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.

p.9

Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must take all reasonable steps to ensure that foster parents are familiar with, and act in accordance with the policies established in accordance with regulations 12(1) and 13(1) and (3).

p.9

Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must ensure that, in relation to any child placed or to be placed with a foster parent, the foster parent is given such information, which is kept up to date, as to enable him to provide appropriate care for the child, and in particular that each foster parent is provided with a copy of the most recent version of the child's care plan provided to the fostering service provider under regulation 6(3)(d) of the Care Planning Regulations. (Regulation 17 (1)(2)(3)).

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure they meet the shortfalls identified that relate to National Minimum Standards 3.7, 21.6 and 21.8. 1 June 2024

p.9

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain a system for—

p.9

Requirement Due date

monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 at appropriate intervals, and 1 June 2024 Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Unity Foster Care 10 improving the quality of foster care provided by the fostering agency.

p.9

Requirement Due date

The registered person must provide the Chief Inspector with a written report in respect of any review conducted for the purposes of paragraph (1) and, on request, to any local authority.

p.10

Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (1) must provide for consultation with foster parents, children placed with foster parents, and their placing authority (unless, in the case of a fostering agency which is a voluntary organisation, it is also the placing authority) (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b)(2)(3)).

p.10

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the written report in respect of any review conducted is an accurate representation of the agency's working practices.

p.10

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.

p.10

Requirement Due date

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

p.10

Requirement Due date

keep under review and, where appropriate, revise the children's guide,

p.10

Requirement Due date

notify the Chief Inspector of any such revision within 28 days. (Regulation 4 (1)(a)(b)) 25 March 2024

p.10

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any staff involved in assessing the suitability of persons to be foster carers are social workers, have experience of foster care and family placement work and are trained in assessment. Social work students and social workers who do not have the relevant experience, only carry out assessments under the supervision of an appropriately experienced social worker, who takes responsibility for the assessment. (‘Fostering Services: National Minimum Standards’, 23.6). Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Unity Foster Care 11  The registered person should ensure that children are supported to attend school, or alternative provision, regularly. (‘Fostering Services: National Minimum Standards’, 8.3).

p.10

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: Unity Foster Care 12

p.11

Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Unity Foster Care Limited

p.12

Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: 4 Jardine House, Harrovian Business Village, Bessborough Road, Harrow HA1 3EX

p.12

Independent fostering agency details

Email address: joannes@unityfostercare.co.uk

p.12

Inspectors

Julia Hagan, Social Care Inspector Jacqueline Tate, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Unity Foster Care 13 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.

p.12

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.13

Inspectors

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

p.13

Inspectors

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

p.13