SWIIS Foster Care Ltd

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: SWIIS Foster Care Ltd 1 SWIIS Foster Care Ltd SWIIS Foster Care Limited 24 Highfield Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3DP Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

A large private provider operates this agency. It provides a full range of fostering services. It provides a range of fostering placements, including short term, long term and for sibling groups. At the time of the inspection, the agency had 186 children living with foster carers and 129 fostering households.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The experienced and suitably qualified registered manager has been in post since 2018.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The independent fostering agency provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the independent fostering agency contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 11 October 2021

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

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

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outstanding

Children are making exceptional progress in all areas from their starting points, because of the high-quality, individualised, nurturing care and support they receive from their foster carers and the agency. One child who was nonverbal when they moved to their foster carers is now a peer mentor at school. Another child who speaks English as an additional language is making remarkable progress and is working towards a recognised English language qualification.

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outstanding

The secure base model is at the forefront of the agency. This has enhanced children’s relationships and stability within their foster homes. A high number of children have lived with their foster carers for a significant length of time. For some children, this has been over 10 years. Children have formed secure attachments with their foster carers and their foster carers’ families and refer to them with terms of endearment. One child said that living with their foster carer is brilliant. Another child said: ‘I tell my [name of foster carers] I love them every day.’ This supports children to feel highly valued and form lasting bonds.

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outstanding

‘Staying put’ arrangements for children constitute a strength of the agency. Over three quarters of children have continued living with their foster carers beyond their 18th birthday. Young people have spoken positively about this experience and have provided a guide to support other young people when making informed decisions about their future. One young person said: ‘It’s my destiny to be here, and [names of carers] have played a significant role in who I am today.’ As a result, young people maintain existing relationships and receive continued support.

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outstanding

Care planning for children is excellent. The agency takes a meticulous and considered approach when children move to their foster carers’ homes. Children already living with foster carers are consulted and their views heard. This ensures that stability for all children is maintained. Children are welcomed sensitively to their foster carers’ homes. They are provided with comprehensive information through child-friendly guides. For some children, the guides have been adapted to reflect their communication needs. This means that children are supported to understand their journey into foster care.

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outstanding

The agency and foster carers are strong advocates for children’s education. Most children are accessing formal education and making progress. Specialist and bespoke support is provided by a dedicated team that works alongside children to break down any barriers to their learning. As a result, children who have not attended school for a significant period are now engaging in education. The agency has high aspirations for children’s education and arranges workshops for children who are sitting their exams as well as trips to universities to encourage children to aim high and reach their potential. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: SWIIS Foster Care Ltd 3 Good health for children is a priority. Children lead healthy lifestyles, and foster carers ensure that they promote children’s physical, emotional and social well-being. The agency has employed a qualified health practitioner who provides current advice

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outstanding

and guidance to foster carers to support children’s health. For example, all children under the age of three years old receive additional one-to-one support to ensure that good practice is adhered to. Furthermore, there is collaborative working with other health professionals to ensure that children receive the best possible healthcare.

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outstanding

Children’s participation is at the heart of the agency. Children are encouraged to share their views in many ways, including as part of their foster carers’ annual reviews and child-focused visits. In addition, children attend regular participation groups which are tailored to ensuring that they can share their wishes and views. The agency uses any feedback to improve the service; an example of this has been the changes to the children’s memory boxes, based on what children wanted to be in them. As a result, children feel their views are heard.

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outstanding

Foster carers understand the importance of children spending time with their birth families. Foster carers and staff support children to maintain safe and meaningful relationships with birth parents and relatives. Foster carers have forged positive relationships with birth families and have welcomed them into their homes to celebrate special occasions.

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outstanding

Foster carers support children well to celebrate their cultural identity, by facilitating visits to religious venues and providing specialist foods. One child was taken to a ‘Black Santa’s Grotto Experience’ which provided them with a relatable and positive experience of their culture and heritage.

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outstanding

Children enjoy a range of opportunities and activities with their foster carers, including holidays and family events. The agency arranges events for children, including summer and Christmas parties. More recently, the agency has adopted a rescue donkey and some of the children have been to visit him. This was an enjoyable experience for children.

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outstanding

Safeguarding children is at the centre of the agency. The registered manager’s initiative-taking approach to safeguarding ensures that children are safe. Children have strong relationships with their foster carers whom they trust to share any worries or concerns they may have. One child said: ‘I can talk to [name of foster carer] and I know they will always listen.’

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outstanding

Foster carers and supervising social workers have an exceptional understanding of children’s vulnerabilities and risks. This is further enhanced by the agency’s high level of support and oversight when safeguarding concerns arise. Regular safeguarding meetings and effective communication ensure that incidents are not reviewed in isolation and the welfare of the children remains paramount. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: SWIIS Foster Care Ltd 4 Comprehensive safer care and risk management plans contain relevant information to keep children safe. In addition, the agency seeks advice from other professionals to ensure that the right support is in place for children. Plans are highly effective and routinely updated when new risks emerge. This helps to ensure that a holistic approach to children’s vulnerabilities is undertaken, and the agreed strategies are in place to reduce risk.

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outstanding

The registered manager is innovative in their approach to safeguarding. They are continually looking to current research to improve their practice to safeguard children. The agency is currently working alongside an reputable university to further enhance their understanding of coercive control, child sexual exploitation and social media. As a result, the agency has changed their safeguarding polices and training to reflect the most up-to-date and current safeguarding topics.

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outstanding

Since the last inspection, there have been a high number of allegations. When children make allegations, these are responded to quickly and investigated thoroughly by the agency. The registered manager works closely with partner agencies to ensure that matters are concluded promptly. Where needed, the outcomes of enquiries into allegations are considered at panel and appropriate decisions are made to ensure that children are safeguarded.

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outstanding

Children do not regularly go missing from foster carers’ homes. However, for one child there had been an increase in missing-from-home incidents. When these occurred, the agency and foster carer responded quickly to find the child and reported any missing-from-home incidents to the relevant professionals. The foster carer remained vigilant to changes in the child’s behaviour and worked with all professionals to try and reduce incidents of going missing. Furthermore, the agency ensured that the child received a return home interview. This allowed for further opportunity to understand the reasons for the missing episode and to reduce the risk of reoccurrence.

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outstanding

Foster carers have a comprehensive knowledge of children’s behaviours. They respond appropriately to children when they are anxious and upset. The agency also provides on-the-spot, bespoke support to carers and children during periods of crisis. As a result, children are supported to regulate their emotions safely and the risk of escalation reduces. On rare occasions, children are physically held. When a physical intervention takes place, the agency provides good management oversight and there is clear focus on alternative strategies. Physical intervention by foster carers is proportionate and used only as a last resort.

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outstanding

The agency completes one annual unannounced visit to fostering households. Children are spoken to on their own and checks on their bedrooms are completed. Recordings of the visits are thorough, and children’s views are captured.

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outstanding

The agency follows safer recruitment processes for foster carers, staff and panel members. This helps ensure that foster homes are a safe place for children to live. Careful recruitment also ensures that only safe adults are working with children. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: SWIIS Foster Care Ltd 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The agency is led by a suitably qualified and highly experienced registered manager. They are enthusiastic, child centred and dedicated to providing excellent outcomes for children. The registered manager is supported by a strong, confident leadership team who share the same ethos and vision for the agency and children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership team presence is noticeable within the agency. They have regular communication with children, foster carers and staff. Their knowledge of the children and their carers is extensive, and they have an exceptional oversight of children’s progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a stable, consistent and skilled staff team. All staff spoke highly of the agency and describe managers as being supportive and knowledgeable. Staff are proud to work for the agency and they are committed to the children and their foster carers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership team has an in-depth understanding and thorough oversight of the agency’s strengths and areas for development. The team has highly effective monitoring systems in place. This includes monthly monitoring and case file audits to help to identify any shortfalls in practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The agency has a culture of learning. The registered manager is continually looking to implement research-informed practice to improve outcomes for children. An example of this has been the changes in how entries in the children’s records are written. The registered manager has adopted the ‘language that cares’ model to empower children through their journey in care. Consequently, research-informed practice is embedded throughout the work of the agency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A comprehensive training package is available to foster carers and children. Training prepares foster carers for the reality and expectation of the role and there is a strong focus on their emotional well-being. Carers can access in-house and online learning courses as well as additional training opportunities from specialist advisers. Foster carers spoke positively about the quality of training provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The fostering panel is well established and chaired by an independent chair who knows the agency well. Panel members are appropriately qualified and experienced. The panel conducts a rigorous quality assurance function and promotes thorough assessments, training and support for foster carers. Recommendations are child focused and underpinned with sound evidence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The agency decision-maker takes account of the fostering panel’s recommendations and makes timely, appropriate decisions in line with promoting the welfare of children. The rationale for decisions is clear and child centred.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Foster carers have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback about the support they receive from the agency. A foster carer said the support they had received from Inspection report for independent fostering agency: SWIIS Foster Care Ltd 6 the agency had been exceptional. Another carer commented that it has been a great journey that will continue.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is close partnership working with children’s social workers, independent reviewing officers and other professionals. Overall, professionals speak highly of the agency and describe a close and collaborative working relationship. One professional said the agency is very child focused, honest and pragmatic about caring for their children. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: SWIIS Foster Care Ltd 7

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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: SWIIS Foster Care Ltd 8

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: SWIIS Foster Care Limited

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: 4th Floor, Prince House, 43–51 Prince Street, Bristol BS1 4PS

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Inspectors

Lydia Isaac, Social Care Inspector Joanne Hawkins, Social Care Inspector Sarah Oldham, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: SWIIS Foster Care 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 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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Inspectors

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