Family Fostering

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Family Fostering 1 Family Fostering Family Fostering Limited The Stable & the Forge, Spratling Court Office Suites, Spratling Court Farm, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 5AN Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The agency was registered in August 2014. It is privately owned and is based in Ramsgate, Kent. At the time of the inspection, the agency provided support and supervision to 30 approved foster care households and 46 children in care.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The agency provides emergency, respite, short-term and long-term placements.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

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

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outstanding

Children flourish because they receive exceptionally high-quality care from committed foster carers who are supported by skilled and dedicated staff. The relationships between children and their carers are built on trust, love and kindness. The belief that children can achieve well in life is threaded throughout the agency.

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outstanding

The therapeutic ethos of the agency is deeply embedded, and effective relationship- based interventions are having a positive impact on children's experiences.

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outstanding

Children feel able to be open and honest with their carers, who offer them unwavering support. One child described their carers as ‘amazing’, and another said they ‘never want to leave’. Children regularly take part in fun activities that are organised by the agency. This builds their confidence in social situations and encourages peer relationships.

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outstanding

Leaders are committed to securing long-term placements for children. A significant number of children are living with their siblings. This contributes to their emotional health and helps them to maintain a sense of their own identity.

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outstanding

Children's cultural needs are met through the diverse ethnicities of carers and their extended families. Children speak fondly about joining family events. Carers also strive to ensure that children have positive experiences with their birth families.

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outstanding

Carers are incredibly strong advocates for children. Some children who were previously not in education are now attending full time. One young person is attending mainstream college and enjoying work experience. This is a result of the dependable relationships that support children to succeed.

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outstanding

Children speak proudly about their achievements. These are recognised and celebrated by everyone involved in their care. Older children have achieved beyond expectations, for example, in relation to their independence skills. As a result of the support and encouragement they receive, children embrace challenge.

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outstanding

Children’s health and well-being are prioritised. Proactive carers ensure that all medical and health appointments are attended by children. The determination of carers and staff in ensuring that children receive a good service from other professionals is commendable.

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outstanding

The agency and carers focus on what matters most to children. Children’s voices are listened to and acted on. Children are encouraged to attend their own care planning meetings. This gives them a sense of belonging and indicates to them that their views and wishes are important to others. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Family Fostering 3

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outstanding

Children are safe and say that they feel safe. As a result of the trusting relationships that children have with their carers, children know that they can speak to their carers if they are worried about something.

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outstanding

Children know who to talk to if they have any concerns about their care. This includes reaching out to the supervising social workers, who know them well.

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outstanding

Staff and carers do not avoid risk. Risk assessments provide information that helps carers to provide children with the support and supervision that they need to keep children safe. This enables children to take informed, age-appropriate risks, such as participating in social outings or using public transport.

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outstanding

Staff complete one-to-one sessions with children when required. For example, they discuss online safety and the risks associated with using social media. This enables children to discover the world safely.

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outstanding

Informative and well-organised training supports staff and carers to care for children who have had traumatic early life experiences. Additional and bespoke training are encouraged and facilitated by the agency. As a result, children receive consistent, informed care.

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outstanding

Clinical therapeutic support by qualified professionals enhances the quality of care that children receive. This has been particularly beneficial at times of crisis, or when carers have needed to manage sensitive situations, such as when a child has suffered a bereavement.

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outstanding

The proactive and experienced staff ensure that all carers receive regular, reflective and informative supervision. A focus on children and carers’ well-being has identified early recognition of one carer’s compassion fatigue. As a result, a creative package of care and support prevented an unplanned placement ending.

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outstanding

Children are seen regularly by supervising social workers. This includes unannounced home visits. Children are seen alone, which enables them to discuss any worries or concerns.

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outstanding

The registered manager appropriately consults with the local authority designated officer when required. This demonstrates that the agency has effective oversight of safeguarding matters. The agency’s own escalation policy is clear and effective.

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outstanding

Complaints from children and others are managed well and in a timely way. Recording is thorough, and learning is acted on to reduce the risk of a recurrence. This is a strength of the agency and contributes to children’s safety. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Family Fostering 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The agency is led by a committed, determined and remarkable leadership team who work tirelessly to continually improve the agency. They are supported by a passionate and dedicated team of staff who are enthusiastic and highly skilled.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are valued by leaders and say that they are extremely well supported. Their own well-being is important to leaders and managers. This supports a good work-life balance and enables them to continue providing excellent support and guidance to carers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff receive regular practice-related supervision and appraisals. This provides opportunities to discuss feedback on their performance and professional development. Senior leaders appreciate the staff team’s commitment to improving children’s outcomes. This supports the agency’s retention of staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Monitoring systems are excellent. The manager and senior leaders have oversight of the agency and identify any concerns quickly to ensure that they are addressed at the earliest opportunity.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are plentiful opportunities for staff to discuss the progress of children and to share ideas and resources during research-based meetings. For example, regular, well-attended team meetings and additional briefing sessions. This further enriches the agency’s excellent practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Learning is embraced by eager staff and managers, who strive for excellence. Their ability to self-critique and reflect is admirable. This prevents complacency and ensures that children achieve the best possible outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The fostering panel consists of an appropriately qualified and experienced membership. The panel is chaired by a knowledgeable independent chair. New foster carers speak positively about their experience of attending panel.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The responsible individual in her role as agency decision-maker offers clarity and scrutiny to decision-making. Decision-making is timely, and appropriate recommendations are made in line with the overriding objective to promote the welfare of children in foster care. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Family Fostering 5

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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: Family Fostering 6

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Family Fostering Limited

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: The Stable & the Forge, Spratling Court Office Suites, Spratling Court Farm, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 5AN

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Independent fostering agency details

Email address: teresa.morgan@familyfostering.org

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Inspectors

Jill Sephton-Wright, Social Care Inspector Sonata Brisley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Family Fostering 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Family Fostering 8

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