Foundation Fostering Limited

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foundation Fostering Limited 1 Foundation Fostering Limited Foundation Fostering Limited Hop Merchants, 21 Sansome Street, Worcester WR1 1UH Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

A small private company owns this independent fostering agency. The agency offers short-term, long-term, emergency, and parent and child placements.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

At the time of this inspection, there were 35 fostering households caring for 56 children.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The manager was registered with Ofsted in January 2021. She has suitable experience and appropriate management qualifications.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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good

The independent fostering agency provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 20 September 2021

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foundation Fostering Limited 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have trusting, positive relationships with their carers. They are considered to be part of the family, go on holiday, enjoy days out and take part in activities such as going to the gym. This provides children with a sense of belonging while living with their carers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The agency offers a range of placements. There are 56 children in the agency, 36 are placed long term. Of these, 15 are placed with their siblings, five are in staying put arrangements, one in a shared lives placement and one parent and child placement. Thirty-two children have permanency plans. Placements for children provide stability and meet a range of children’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move into foster homes, there is careful planning to ensure that placements are suitable. Children are able to get to know their carers through well- thought-out transitions when they meet with them beforehand. Children are provided with a welcome book and are spoken to about their views. The agency also provides a personalised welcome box for all children. When children cannot remain in their foster homes, supervising social workers go above and beyond to ensure their emotional needs are fully supported. Additionally, carers maintain important relationships with children after they move on. These experiences contribute to children’s life stories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children attend education. The agency has formed positive working relationships with the virtual school and schools and colleges. This supports children’s learning, enables them to achieve qualifications and supports future goals. Children go on to university, with one studying nursing. Another has aspirations to become a brain surgeon. Young people in employment have gained promotions and apprenticeships have been secured to support them in their aspirations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health. They are supported by their foster carers and supervising social workers to attend appointments which promote their physical, emotional and sexual health. The agency provides hope boxes to children to promote their emotional well-being. Children are seen regularly by their social workers, who know them well. Children have positive, trusting relationships with their social workers and share their worries, hopes and dreams for the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The agency values children and young people’s views. They carry out two well-being visits per year to support children to prepare for important meetings, so they are able to share their wishes and feelings. Children have advocates who support them to share their views. This has led to two siblings being able to live together, which enables them to maintain their relationship. One birth mother spoke highly of the care her children receive, stating that the agency goes ‘above and beyond’, which gives her reassurance that her children are safe and well. Carers recognise the value and the importance of the role birth families play in children’s lives and the agency has a strong ethos of supporting positive relationships between them. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foundation Fostering Limited 3 Children are encouraged to become a part of the agency. They are well informed through children’s guides, which are adapted according to children’s age and

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

language. This informs them of important information, and they know how to make a complaint. There is a young ambassador group for children through which they are encouraged to take part in the recruitment of new staff and carers by posing questions that are shared using audio clips. This innovative approach brings the child’s voice alive, emphasising the agency’s child-centred approach and ensuring that those coming into the agency share the same ethos. The agency values and recognises children’s milestones, birthdays and achievements, which are celebrated with cards and gifts.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A therapeutic model is used by the agency to support foster carers to become trauma informed and to understand children’s needs and their journey. This approach achieves positive outcomes for children and ensures that there is always ‘connection before correction’, with a strong emphasis on meaningful relationships between carers and their children. This model is led by a passionate therapeutic team which is responsible for the agency’s approach.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children feel safe living with their carers, and there are few significant incidents. There have not been any complaints made since the last inspection. If allegations are made, children are listened to, and their concerns are thoroughly investigated. When decisions are made about carers’ suitability, decisions are clear and well evidenced. There are few incidents of self-harm involving children, and this risk is considered in children’s assessments. Carers receive training and support to help them respond to children’s needs.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Risk assessments and safer care plans are in place and are regularly reviewed and updated. Risk assessments clearly identify risks for children and provide practical, clear guidance on how to manage risk. These are shared with children so they can take ownership of risk. These documents are translated when necessary to ensure they are accessible for every child.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There is a strong emphasis on de-escalation when carers are using behaviour management strategies. There has been one use of physical intervention. The child was supported and spoken to in a timely manner and support was offered to the carers, which encouraged them to reflect.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children are encouraged to take appropriate risks in line with their age and understanding. As a result of their trusted relationships, children are open and honest with their carers about their experiences. This helps to keep children safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Carers’ homes are well equipped and safe for children to live in. The agency carries out health and safety checks to ensure the home environment is suitable for children and social workers make two unannounced visits per year in addition to their Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foundation Fostering Limited 4 scheduled visits and reflect the agency’s curiosity. The agency ensures that they only recruit suitable and safe staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is highly ambitious for children. She is exceptionally skilled and has appropriate qualifications and experience. She has extremely high expectations for her staff and as a result they share the same vision. Achieving the very best outcomes for children is at the heart of everything they do.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Since she started in the role in 2021, she has made it a priority to maintain the ethos of ‘a looked after carer is a looked after child’. She has sustained positive changes and continues to grow the agency with her dynamic approach. She said she is ‘always looking at creative ways to do better and be different’. The manager values the community feel carers talk fondly about and her expectations of carers is high, while ensuring that they align with the agency’s ethos of following a child-centred approach. She is heavily involved in the recruitment of carers and carries out initial visits and screening.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The agency has strong systems to quality assure and monitor its performance. This includes regular audits, reflective practice sessions, quality assurance during fostering panels and strong management oversight. The manager is well supported by a committed responsible individual and a dedicated team manager. These systems ensure that outstanding services are provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The training offer to staff is high quality and enables them to provide excellent support to carers. Staff are also encouraged to develop individual interests and are encouraged to use these skills in their practice. This support provides carers with new skills to develop a greater understanding of their children and to support their placement stability. The manager is continually thinking about ways to continue to enhance staff’s development, which leads to them feeling valued. As a result, staff morale is high, and retention is excellent.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Feedback from staff and carers was overwhelmingly positive and they said they feel highly valued and supported. Children’s feedback praised the manager and supervising social workers. This shows the managers and staff’s dedication and commitment to the agency and to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers are proactive in using research in practice and because of this, positive changes have been made. Case records are now written to the child, reflecting their lived experiences. This provides children with insight into their childhood and experiences. Research around trans-racial placements has enabled the agency to gain a deeper understanding of children’s cultural and identity needs. When one child was struggling to make sense of his heritage and identity, they commissioned a mentor who provided support. This has led to the child feeling secure and having a greater sense of identity. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foundation Fostering Limited 5 Panel is run by an experienced, skilled chair who has worked with the agency for a number of years. Panel members talk positively of their roles, work collaboratively and show strong curiosity. The agency decision-maker is also a highly skilled and

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

experienced professional. They have not had to challenge decision-making, because of the detailed and thorough assessments and robust recommendations made by panel.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

High-quality training is offered to carers who are committed to their own professional development. Carers know the expectations of supervising social workers and managers, which align with the agency’s dynamic approach to evolving and growing as an agency. They are able to recognise the direct impact this has on the lives of children they foster.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

When no requirements or recommendations were raised at this inspection.

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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: Foundation Fostering Limited 6

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Foundation Fostering Limited

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Hop Merchants, 21 Sansome Street, Worcester WR1 1UH

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Independent fostering agency details

Responsible individual: Naomi Ebanks-Simpson

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Independent fostering agency details

Email address: sarah.corsi@foundationfostering.org

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Inspectors

Charlotte Love, Social Care Inspector Stacie Sharpe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foundation Fostering Limited 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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