Paramount Foster Care

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Paramount Foster Care 1 Paramount Foster Care Paramount Foster Care SMA House, 172 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich B70 6QG Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

A private company operates this fostering service. The agency was registered with Ofsted in October 2019.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The fostering service provides short-term and long-term foster homes and foster families to support brothers and sisters to remain living together. At the time of this inspection, 28 children were living in 15 households.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The agency is managed by an experienced and qualified registered manager.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

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

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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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.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 24 January 2022

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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requires improvement to be good

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

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improvement to be good

The registered manager has made improvements to the care planning arrangements for children when moving to foster carer’s homes. These include having a dedicated member of staff whose role is to identify suitable foster carers. Although these improvements are in place, this is still an area for further development, as children’s individual needs are not always considered. As a result, there have been occasions when care planning has not been effective and there has been an increase in unplanned endings for children.

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improvement to be good

A new reflective approach to identify areas for future learning has been implemented by the registered manager when children experience unplanned placement endings. This new approach is in its infancy and so the approach is not fully embedded. This means learning is not always shared within the agency and implemented into practice.

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improvement to be good

While supervising social workers do not sufficiently gain children’s feedback for foster carers annual reviews there are other more positive examples of children’s participation. The agency host lots of events for the children which are wide ranging. Children engage in these events, spending time with other children and having fun with their carers.

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improvement to be good

Children engage in education and are making good progress. When children are not receiving the right education, the agency is proactive and offer opportunities for alternative learning. Foster carers attend all education meetings and they have developed positive relationships with children’s teachers. However, the agency has not ensured that they receive records of these meetings in a timely manner. This means that the agency does not always know how to support foster carers with their children’s education.

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improvement to be good

Children develop strong and secure relationships with foster carers and their families. They are happy and feel welcomed by those around them. One child said living with their foster carers had put a smile on their face. It is positive that many of the children feel comfortable to call their foster carers ‘aunty’ or ‘uncle’. This enables them to feel a valued member of their foster family.

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improvement to be good

Some children have lived with their foster carers for over three years, which has provided them with a sense of permanence and stability. Several children are living with their siblings, which supports them to maintain meaningful relationships with their birth family.

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improvement to be good

Children’s health needs are managed well by their foster carers. They attend all routine health appointments and are encouraged to lead healthy lifestyles. Children with additional health needs are also supported to attend specialist appointments. Since the last inspection, the agency has employed a therapeutic practitioner who Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Paramount Foster Care 3 provides one-to-one support to children and foster carers. This work supports children to make sense of their lived experiences and promote their identity.

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improvement to be good

Children enjoy participating in activities such as being a part of football teams and going to gymnastics and swimming clubs. The agency hosts events for children and their foster carers. The events are well planned and enjoyed by all. One child said they enjoyed their trip to a winter wonderland. Foster carers embrace children as part of their family and children have enjoyed holidays and family celebrations. This supports children to experience new things and enhances their social skills.

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improvement to be good

Children say they feel happy and safe with their foster carers. They can identify people who they can talk to. One child said their foster carer always supports them when they are upset, and they are always there with a hug. Another child said they feel safe living with their foster carers.

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improvement to be good

When significant incidents occur, the agency responds promptly to ensure the safety of children. There is joint working with other professionals to ensure that all relevant information is shared. However, safety plans to further safeguard children lack detail and supervising social workers do not use their professional curiosity to assess risk. For example, a supervising social worker did not challenge a foster carer’s practice when concerns had been raised. Furthermore, the concerns were not reported in a timely way, which resulted in a delay in action being taken. As a result, there were missed opportunities to reduce the risk of harm to children.

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improvement to be good

The registered manager does not consistently share information with Ofsted when serious complaints have been made about foster carers. This reduces the regulator’s understanding of the action the agency is taking to ensure the safety of children.

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improvement to be good

Safer recruitment processes for the agency’s staff are not rigorous. The registered manager does not consistently verify the reasons for staff leaving previous roles where they have worked with children. This does not always ensure that those working for the fostering agency are suitable to work with children.

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improvement to be good

Allegations made by children regarding foster parents are responded to appropriately by the registered manager. Any allegations against a foster carer are included in their annual review of their approval. These are taken back to the panel for further oversight. This ensures that carers’ suitability to safeguard children is kept under review.

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improvement to be good

The agency carries out two annual unannounced visits to foster carers. During these visits, the children are spoken to alone and their bedrooms are seen. This provides an opportunity to ensure that children are happy and safe. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Paramount Foster Care 4 Children rarely go missing from home. When children are absent from their homes, the carers and the agency respond appropriately. Children are supported to speak to independent people following their return home.

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good

There is a suitably qualified and experienced manager in post. They are passionate about their role and committed to ensuring that children achieve positive outcomes. They have strong relationships with the foster carers and a sound knowledge of the fostering households and the children that they care for.

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good

The agency has been through an unsettled period in the last 12 months. This has resulted in a high turnover of supervising social workers. For some foster carers, this has meant they have had three supervising social workers in 12 months. At times, the registered manager and responsible individual have been supervising and supporting foster carers. Two new supervising social workers have been appointed and they are in the process of completing their probation.

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good

Foster carer feedback about the agency is mixed. Several foster carers have felt dissatisfied about the frequent changes in supervising social workers and the support they receive. One foster carer has talked about leaving the agency. However, some foster carers have talked positively about the agency and the support they receive.

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good

Although there is a wide range of training on offer to foster carers, the registered manager has not ensured that all carers have completed their mandatory training. Some foster carers have not completed first-aid or safer care training. The foster carers who have accessed the training are positive about the quality of what is provided.

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good

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has not always followed the correct procedures with regard to some foster carers’ terms of approval. This has resulted in children being placed with foster carers outside the usual fostering limit.

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good

Since the last inspection, a new responsible individual has been appointed. They are suitably qualified and have a wealth of knowledge and experience. They know the agency’s strengths and areas for development. A clear action plan is in place for continued improvement.

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good

Supervising social workers are positive about the management team and the support they receive. They are provided with a thorough induction and receive regular supervision. Supervisions provide staff with support and the opportunity to reflect on practice and the experiences of children and foster carers.

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good

The fostering panel is robust. The panel chair is very experienced and knowledgeable. Diverse and skilled professionals make up the panel. Panel provides a level of scrutiny for the agency in the approval and reapproval of foster carers. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Paramount Foster Care 5 This is further enhanced by an experienced and qualified agency decision-maker who makes clear and timely decisions. The introduction of an independent reviewing officer provides an additional level of scrutiny.

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good

The agency has positive relationships with external professionals and liaises with them effectively to share information. Social workers speak positively about the agency and the quality of care provided. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Paramount Foster Care 6

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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 within the given timescales.

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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.

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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

consideration to be given to the measures which may be necessary to protect (Regulation 12 (1)(a)(b) (3)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that supervising social workers understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. 13 January 2025

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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.

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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)(3))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that foster carers are provided with the right support. 13 January 2025 Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Paramount Foster Care 7 Also, to ensuring that fosters carers are provided with all the right information regarding the children they care for.

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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. (Regulation 36 (1)

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that all schedule 7 notifications are reported to Ofsted. 13 January 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the foster carer’s terms of approval must be compatible with the number of children the foster carer is caring for even if an exemption to the usual fostering limit has been granted, unless the placement is in an emergency and for less than six days. (The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 4: Fostering services, page 14, paragraph 3.3)  The registered person should ensure that all people working in or for the fostering service have their references checked to assess suitability before taking on responsibilities. Telephone enquiries should be made to each referee to verify the written reference. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 19.1)  The registered person should ensure that the fostering service only suggests foster carers to local authorities as a potential match for a child if the foster carer can reasonably be expected to meet the child’s assessed needs and the impact of

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Recommendations

the placement on existing household members has been considered. Where gaps are identified, the fostering service should work with the responsible authority to ensure the placement plan sets out any additional training, resource or support required. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 15.1)

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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: Paramount Foster Care 8

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Paramount Foster Care

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: SMA House, 172 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich B70 6QG

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Independent fostering agency details

Email address: info@paramountfostercare.co.uk

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Inspectors

Lydia Isaac, Social Care Inspector Charlotte Love, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Paramount Foster Care 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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