SWAP Foster Care

Inspection report for independent fostering agency - monitoring: SWAP Foster Care 1 SWAP Foster Care 43-47 Kings Street, Bedworth, Warwickshire CV12 8NB

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Registered provider: Social Work Assessment Partners Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

This privately run fostering agency provides short- and long-term foster placements and parent and child placements. At the time of this inspection, the agency was providing care for 57 children and one parent. The agency had 35 fostering households.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The agency has a suitably experienced manager, who registered with Ofsted in April 2023. She is in the process of completing her level 5 diploma in leadership and management for care services.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Date of previous inspection: 4 March 2024

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place following Ofsted being notified of a significant incident. Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind. However, actions taken by the agency were reviewed alongside other evidence available at the time of the monitoring visit. Ofsted is assured that leaders and managers have responded appropriately to the difficult circumstances, including by providing support to the foster carers and staff within the agency.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, one child with a life-limiting condition unexpectedly died. Foster carers who care for children with complex health needs and disabilities have a good understanding of children’s needs. They work closely with health professionals to ensure that children’s health needs are met. Foster carers are attentive to children’s health and will seek appropriate support if there are any changes or concerns. This includes attending hospital and specialist appointments. Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: SWAP Foster Care 2 The agency has formed strong links with health professionals to ensure that the right support is in place for children. Safer care plans and risk assessments are individual to each child. They provide detailed guidance and steps to foster carers and supervising social workers to ensure that children receive support in line with

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This monitoring visit

Foster carers complete specialist training delivered by health professionals to equip them with the skills required to support children with specific health needs. Managers ensure that carers receive appropriate training, including paediatric first aid and medication administration. When children’s health needs change, additional training is provided to ensure that carers remain confident and well prepared in their role.

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This monitoring visit

Care planning arrangements for children are carefully considered. Detailed assessments are completed to evaluate each child’s individual needs alongside the foster carers’ capacity to meet them. Decisions are made collaboratively, involving input from foster carers, supervising social workers and the placing social workers. The effective assessment of foster carers’ suitability to meet children’s needs is well informed and management oversight is robust.

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This monitoring visit

Foster carers build positive working relationships with their supervising social workers. Following a significant incident, support for foster carers increased through regular phone calls and visits. This practice contributes to foster carers feeling supported.

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This monitoring visit

This visit did not consider the requirement and recommendations made at the previous visit and they are restated. Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: SWAP Foster Care 3

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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, Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and the national minimum standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person in respect of an independent fostering agency must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

the welfare of children placed or to be placed with foster parents is safeguarded and promoted at all times. (Regulation 11 (a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that relevant information is shared with placing authorities to inform their decision-making when placing children. In addition, ensure that foster carers’ individual and changing circumstances are fully considered before new children are placed with them. 31 July 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that foster carers understand the nature and level of support that will be provided to them by the fostering service. (Fostering Services: National Minimum Standards, 21.2, page 42)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that there is regular monitoring of all records kept by the service to ensure compliance with the service’s policies, to identify any concerns about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends. Immediate action should be taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring. (Fostering Services: National Minimum Standards, 25.2, page 50)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when an assessment is undertaken of a person who applies to become a foster carer, regulation 26 prescribes how the assessment must be carried out and requires the fostering service to obtain the information specified in Schedule 3 of the regulations. In particular, ensure that when foster carers are transferring into the agency from another agency, that information about past employment is recorded. (The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 4: Fostering Services, para, 5.29, page 49) Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: SWAP Foster Care 4

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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.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: SWAP Foster Care 5

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Social Work Assessment Partners Ltd

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: 51 Long Street, Bulkington, Bedworth, Warwickshire CV12 9JZ

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Inspector

Lydia Isaac, Social Care Inspector Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: SWAP Foster Care 6 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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