National Fostering Agency North

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: National Fostering Agency North 1 National Fostering Agency North Elant House Unit A3, Old Power Way, Lowfields Business Park, Elland, Yorkshire HX5 9DE

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

This independent fostering agency has been registered since 1 September 2019. The service operates from a registered office in West Yorkshire and covers a large geographical area, which includes Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The agency offers a range of foster placements, including short breaks, permanent, long-term, short- term, Invictus and Bridge to Foster placements, parent and child arrangements and ‘staying put’ placements. At the time of this visit, the agency has 191 foster carers who are caring for 274 children and young people.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2024.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and we are currently checking that this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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Inspection date: 19 November 2025

Date of previous inspection: 9 September 2024

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to seek assurances from the agency regarding its response to several safeguarding notifications.

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This monitoring visit

During the visit, inspectors spoke with the appointed responsible individual, the registered manager, fostering managers and two fostering social workers. No serious or widespread concerns were identified. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: National Fostering Agency North 2 Assessments of foster carers are thorough and of a good standard. They are analytical and provide an accurate reflection of the foster carers’ strengths and areas for development.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers share any concerns about the agency’s foster carers with other safeguarding professionals. This promotes a multi-agency approach to determine whether it is safe for children to remain in the care of their current carers. Prompt action is taken to move children to alternative carers when appropriate. However, in some cases where allegations are made against carers, supervising social workers do not always visit in a timely manner. This does not ensure that children are safeguarded effectively.

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This monitoring visit

Foster carers receive the relevant training, in the agreed time frame, to meet the standards for foster care.

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This monitoring visit

Staff carry out planned and unannounced visits to check that children are safe and happy. These visits occur at a frequency consistent with the needs of both children and carers. However, not all records provide sufficient information to support managers and senior leaders to make well-founded decisions Additionally, some actions noted by staff during visits are not always followed up.

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This monitoring visit

Not all placements benefit from careful matching. Therapeutic parenting is essential for the success of placements for some children. However, one child moved in with their carers before this support was in place, leading to a placement breakdown. This could have been prevented.

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This monitoring visit

Staff benefit from receiving regular supervision sessions. However, these sessions are not always reflective, which is a missed opportunity to improve practice.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers accepted the findings of this visit and are working towards addressing the shortfalls. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: National Fostering Agency North 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, 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 registered person must maintain a system for—

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Requirement Due date

monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 at appropriate intervals, and

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Requirement Due date

improving the quality of foster care provided by the fostering agency. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to leaders and managers ensuring that safeguarding visits are completed in a timely manner following allegations.

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Requirement Due date

This also relates to leaders and managers ensuring that the quality of case recording, including staff supervision sessions, is strengthened.

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Requirement Due date

This also relates to leaders and managers ensuring that the matching processes are strengthened to prevent placement breakdowns. 31 December 2025

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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 for independent fostering agency: National Fostering Agency North 4

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: The National Fostering Agency Limited

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG

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Inspector

Evelyn Chafota, Social Care Inspector Nabeel Hussain, His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: National Fostering Agency North 5 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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