Avanti Fostering

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Avanti Fostering 1 Avanti Fostering Avanti Fostering Ltd Devonshire House, 582 Honeypot Lane, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 1JS Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

This privately owned independent fostering agency registered with Ofsted in 2020. The manager registered in July 2024.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The agency provides short-term and long-term care placements for children, including those who may need to live with their brothers and sisters.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

At the time of this inspection, the agency had seven approved foster families providing care for seven children. The inspector spoke with three foster carers and four children.

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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 good

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good

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

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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: Avanti Fostering 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience stable, nurturing foster homes, where they feel safe, valued and cared for. Carers provide warm, consistent care that meets children’s individual needs. Carers build strong, trusting relationships with children, helping them feel secure and supporting their emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Suitability processes help ensure that children are placed with foster carers who can meet their individual needs. However, the first assessment did not fully consider children’s food preferences, particularly when carers have different diets. As a result, there was no clear plan from the outset to address these needs for two brothers. When the children’s social worker raised concerns, agency staff acted promptly and worked with carers to develop a suitable plan. This responsive approach ensured that children’s dietary needs were met and that they could enjoy food they like.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress in education. Carers and agency staff work closely with schools to ensure that children attend regularly and receive the support they need to do well in their studies. Where challenges arise, such as reduced school hours or school moves, the agency acts promptly to find solutions and support continuity in learning. Children are encouraged to set goals and develop aspirations for their future. One child, who recently started college, aspires to pursue a career in health and social care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to pursue hobbies and interests that enrich their lives and build confidence. Carers actively encourage participation in sports, arts and community activities, helping children discover new talents and enjoy positive experiences. These opportunities contribute to children’s sense of achievement and personal development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children maintain important relationships with family and friends when safe to do so. Carers and agency staff support family time sensitively, ensuring that children feel connected to those who matter to them. Overnight stays and regular visits are supported, promoting continuity and stability in children’s lives.

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

Children say that they are safe and happy living with their carers. Safeguarding arrangements are effective in protecting children from harm. Managers, staff and foster carers understand their responsibilities clearly and act promptly when concerns arise.

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

Incidents involving children are managed well. Records show that managers take time to understand the circumstances and respond appropriately. Notifications to relevant agencies are timely, ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed. This approach demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting children and maintaining transparency in practice. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Avanti Fostering 3 The local authority designated officer (LADO) had no records relating to the agency, although one referral was managed by a LADO in the local authority where the foster carer is based. This omission has not affected the quality of care the child receives. However, the agency should clarify expectations and strengthen communication with all safeguarding partners to ensure that referrals and their outcomes are properly recorded.

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

Recruitment practice is mostly safe. However, managers did not verify references for one staff member, and one staff member was interviewed by a family member. This does not align with safer recruitment principles and compromises impartiality in the recruitment process.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leadership in the agency is now stable following the appointment of the current registered manager. Staff and foster carers report that this change has positively impacted the support they receive, which has improved the care provided to children. Leaders and managers are receptive to feedback and demonstrate a clear commitment to further developing the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager uses quality monitoring systems to review information about children, staff and foster carers. These checks are effective, but reviews show that foster carers do not always complete children’s records promptly. This means that important information about children may not be accurate or up to date, which hinders supervising social workers’ and leaders’ oversight of children’s care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about the support they receive from managers, highlighting improvements since the current registered manager’s appointment. Staff have access to helpful training, regular team meetings and supervision. These all contribute to the promotion of high standards of care and professional development. Foster carers also describe the support from staff as ‘helpful’ and ‘consistent’, which mirrors how staff feel about their support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New foster carers complete the training, support and development standards within 12 months of their approval. However, one foster carer said they would benefit from more structured and frequent support in addition to weekly calls and monthly supervision. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Avanti Fostering 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should demonstrate, including through written records, that they consistently follow good recruitment practice and all applicable current statutory requirements and guidance. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 19.2)  The registered person should ensure that foster carers keep up-to-date information about children, and they take action when needed to address this. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 26.2)  The registered person should ensure that foster carers have the necessary information about a child’s circumstances to help them understand and predict the child’s needs and support them effectively. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 11.2)  The registered person should ensure that foster carers who are new to fostering receive adequate support to acquire skills so that they provide foster children with care that meets those children’s needs. (‘Fostering services: national minimum

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Recommendations

standards’, 21.1)  The registered person should ensure that they have a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the service, either identifying any planned changes in the operation or resources of the service, or confirming the continuation of the service’s current operation and resources. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 18.2)

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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: Avanti Fostering 5

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Avanti Fostering Ltd

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Devonshire House, 582 Honeypot Lane, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 1JS

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Independent fostering agency details

Email address: info@avantifostering.co.uk

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Inspector

Thobekile Bandama, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Avanti Fostering 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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