Fostering People Ltd

Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Fostering People Ltd 1 Fostering People Limited Fostering People Limited, Suite D, The Point, Welbeck Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QW

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

The agency registered with Ofsted in 2003. It is owned by a private company. The agency provides a range of placements, including short-term and long-term, parent and child, remand and emergency. The agency also provides services for disabled children, placements within a Mockingbird constellation and placements for children moving from residential care to foster care.

p.1

Information about this independent fostering agency

The agency was judged to be Outstanding by Ofsted in June 2023.

p.1

Inspection date: 7 January 2025

Date of previous inspection: 5 June 2023

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken in response to a number of serious concerns notified to Ofsted about foster parents. The purpose of the visit was to gain assurances that the agency is following its action plan in response to the concerns raised.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers’ responses to allegations and concerns about foster parents are clear and structured. The agency undertakes management-led investigations that consider foster parents’ current situations in the context of wider historical patterns and trends. They engage quickly and consistently with statutory services to ensure that children are safe.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The agency de-registers carers who are assessed as no longer suitable to foster. When foster parents resign, the agency has a clear process which ensures that any outstanding matters are concluded. Examples of these situations are well documented for foster parents and for future reference. Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Fostering People Ltd 2 Managers and supervising social workers develop clear and targeted action plans or working agreements with foster carers to address concerns raised about their care. This ensures that foster parents are clear what is being asked of them in terms of development and improvement.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Managers review working agreements and there are some good examples of review processes. Reviews are variable in quality, particularly where action plans are not governed by a working agreement. This is a missed opportunity to evidence foster parents’ responses and development. This shortfall has had no negative effect on children’s experiences. Managers recognise the importance of having clear auditable processes that demonstrate carer engagement, as well as disengagement where applicable. This is an important part of the ongoing process of assessment of continued suitability.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers are aware that some of the allegations and concerns raised about foster parents have been significant. They have given careful thought to how they respond to these incidents. The agency has undertaken considerable reflective work, including a quality assurance review. This has concluded with recommendations to strengthen areas of practice. Some recommendations have been actioned immediately and others are still in progress. This work demonstrates a strong commitment to minimising the possibility of concerns being repeated.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The agency is focusing strongly on increasing professional curiosity and opportunities to triangulate information. This has increased staff confidence in questioning practice and sharing emerging concerns. Overall, learning from allegations and complaints is dynamic, and the agency recognises this as a developing process.

p.2

This monitoring visit

No requirements or recommendations were made following this monitoring visit.

p.2

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.2

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Fostering People Ltd 3

p.2

Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Fostering People Limited

p.3

Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Suite D, The Point, Welbeck Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QW

p.3

Inspectors

Laura Walker, Social Care Inspector Tracey Coglan-Greig, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Fostering People Ltd 4 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.3

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.4

Inspectors

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

p.4

Inspectors

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

p.4