Quality Fostering

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Quality Fostering 1 Quality Fostering Quality Fostering Limited 1st & 2nd Floor (at the rear of), 45 Russell Street, Leamington Spa CV32 5QB Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The fostering service was registered in April 2007. It is part of a private organisation. The fostering service provides long-term, short-term, respite, emergency, and parent and baby placements. The fostering agency regularly provides care for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

At the time of this inspection, the agency had 15 fostering households and 17 children being cared for by foster carers.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2013.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and/or widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and/or the care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: 11 November 2024

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement

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inadequate

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

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inadequate

There are widespread failures in the safeguarding arrangements for children. The management oversight of the agency is poor. This compromises the quality of care that children receive.

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inadequate

Children have mixed experiences living with their foster carers. One child's experience living with their foster carer was poor. The child was highly vulnerable and went missing frequently. The foster carer did not have the skills or adequate training to safely care for them. This compromised the child's safety, and they were exposed to significant risk.

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inadequate

The agency provides parent and child placements; however, they are poorly planned. One foster carer showed little empathy, respect and understanding for one parent. As a result of this the parent often felt unnecessarily distressed during the latter stages of their pregnancy.

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inadequate

The registered manager investigates complaints. However, they do not respond to them with the same level of scrutiny. One child's complaint was received by the agency a month after they left. The registered manager investigated this however, the investigation was not child focused and largely focused on the views of the foster carer. It was evident that the foster carer demonstrated limited insight, reflection or learning. They blamed the child and other professionals involved in the child's care. There was no exploration around this during the investigation.

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inadequate

Some children experience stability with their foster carers. Some remain living with their foster carers as adults. Most foster carers have been approved for several years. However, some of them have been subject to repeated complaints and allegations which have not been adequately explored.

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inadequate

The quality of annual review reports varies. They include children's experiences but lack reflection on unplanned moves. Some reports also contain inaccurate information. One stated that a foster carer shows a strong commitment to training and development. However, they had not completed any training during the review period. This was despite them caring for children with increased vulnerability and complex developmental needs.

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inadequate

The agency has developed their pre-admission processes. They now provide placing authorities with a detailed 'foster carer profile'. However, some of the information they share is inaccurate. Such as how experienced foster carers are and what training they have completed. This compromises children's stability.

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inadequate

Since the last inspection, the agency has undertaken one assessment. Overall, the assessment analysed the strengths and vulnerabilities of the potential foster carer. The assessment also identified relevant areas of vulnerability and protective factors. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Quality Fostering 3 Some supervision records illustrate positive interactions between supervising social workers and children. Supervising social workers spend meaningful time with children. They use newly designed child friendly consultation forms to gain their views.

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

Managers, staff, and foster carers do not understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. The agency fails to take appropriate action when foster carers do not keep children safe. This includes when foster carers are subject to allegations or complaints. Managers do not adequately risk assess the level of support and monitoring required. Therefore, children's safety is compromised.

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

One foster carer reported disclosures from their birth children about their care. The concerns prompted initial child protection inquiries. The agency delayed verifying this information with children's services. During the delay, they did not contact the foster carer or the foster children. Children's services took no further action but moved the foster children out of their home. One foster child later reported not feeling part of the family. They also said there was a lack of 'family warmth' and 'shared meals'. The agency now uses a monitoring tool to gain children's views about their care. This includes their living environment. As a result, the manager is gaining a better understanding of childrens lived experiences.

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

Managers and staff are not proactive and do not show professional curiosity. Some foster carers have not been open and honest with the agency. In particular about changes in their personal circumstances. This questions their integrity and is not always explored promptly by the agency, if at all. This has potential to impact on the quality-of-care children receive and their safety.

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

On one occasion, the police relocated a foster carer, their birth and foster children. This was due to serious safety concerns. The agency was unaware of this for four days although once aware visited the family. However, they failed to complete accurate records of the visits and children's presentation. The supervising social worker also reduced their monitoring without consulting the registered manager. This was despite a safety plan being in place that included increased visits. Arrangements to monitor the fostering household were weak. Particularly when the supervising social worker was absent from work. This led to significant gaps in the agency's oversight of children's safety.

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

Some children have been missing from their homes. Overall, foster carers follow the agency's missing from home protocols and reporting procedures. They utilise the out of hours service and contact relevant professionals. Such as the child's placing authority and the police. One foster carer did not disclose to the agency that they had changed their working pattern. This led to delays reporting when one child went missing. This was at a time there were increased concerns that this child was being exploited in the community. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Quality Fostering 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The management oversight of the agency remains inadequate. Leaders and managers are unaware of the many shortfalls identified during this inspection. There is poor oversight of foster carers, and the quality-of-care children receive. This has impacted negatively on the overall functioning of the agency, and the care and protection children receive. Managers have failed to inform Ofsted of all notifiable events. This hinders the external monitoring of the agency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There has been a period of instability with two supervising social workers leaving the agency in quick succession. Contingency planning was poor. This led to a decline in the continuity of care and support for children and their foster carers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Senior leaders and managers do not monitor the agency effectively. This limits their understanding of the strengths and weaknesses. The registered manager is unaware if children are seen after safeguarding incidents. Leaders and managers do not take prompt or urgent action to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The responsible individual and registered manager have devised new monitoring systems. Some of them have begun to be implemented but remain untested. The provider has employed a consultant who will be assisting in formulating a development plan for the agency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager is now receiving supervision. Joint supervision is also taking place between leaders and managers. This tracks the completion of tasks including the effectiveness of new systems. While this includes the monitoring of safeguarding incidents there is no overall reflection on childrens lived experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The quality of the agency's record keeping is inconsistent. Records of supervision with supervising social workers were unavailable. In addition to some records of unannounced visits to fostering households. This compromises the managers monitoring and oversight of children's safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The agency now has a functional fostering panel. The panel and vice chair are very experienced and appropriately qualified for their roles. The panel provides adequate quality assurance when approving and reviewing foster carers' suitability. Recommendations are helpful and support foster carers in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The agency's decision-maker now has oversight of foster carer annual reviews. The independent scrutiny of continued approval of foster carers has improved. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Quality Fostering 5

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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 within 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, and

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Requirement Due date

before making any decision affecting a child placed or to be placed with a foster parent due consideration is given to the child's—

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Requirement Due date

wishes and feelings (having regard to the child's age and understanding), and

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Requirement Due date

religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background. (Regulation 11 (a)(b)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the provider ensuring that managers, staff, and foster carers understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person should review and ensure that care planning processes consider foster carers' skills, knowledge, personal circumstances, and capacity to meet children's individual needs and to keep them safe.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person should demonstrate effective oversight to ensure that foster homes are safe and stable, and that foster carers are supported to provide positive outcomes for children. This includes prompt review and assessment of any change in foster carers personal circumstances which may or may not impact on their suitability. 8 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

*The registered provider and the registered manager must, having regard to— 8 May 2026 Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Quality Fostering 6 the size of the fostering agency, its statement of purpose, and the numbers and needs of the children placed by the fostering agency, and

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Requirement Due date

the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children placed by the fostering agency,

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Requirement Due date

carry on or manage the fostering agency (as the case may be) with sufficient care, competence and skill.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

where the registered provider is an individual, that person,

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Requirement Due date

where the registered provider is an organisation, the responsible individual,

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Requirement Due date

where the registered provider is a partnership, one of the partners, undertakes, from time to time, such training as is appropriate to ensure that they have the experience and skills necessary for carrying on the fostering agency.

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Requirement Due date

(3) The registered manager must undertake from time to time such training as is appropriate to ensure that they have the experience and skills necessary for managing the fostering agency. (Regulation 8 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered persons ensuring that the responsible individual and the registered manager has a good understanding of their role responsibilities and carries them out effectively in particular their role in relation to safeguarding children.

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Requirement Due date

The registered persons must ensure that there are effective systems in place to assist in the management monitoring and oversight of the agency at every level. This includes systems to monitor the agency's response to safeguarding concerns and the outcome.

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Requirement Due date

Arrangements for the protection of children - The fostering service provider must prepare and implement a written policy which—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard children placed with foster parents from abuse or neglect, and 8 May 2026 Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Quality Fostering 7 sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect.

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Requirement Due date

The written policy must include a statement of measures to be taken to safeguard any child before making parent and child arrangements with that foster parent. (Regulation 12 (a)(b) (2))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person should ensure that the agency's safeguarding policies and procedures are fit for purpose, with particular regard to parent and child placements and specifically when the parent is also a child themselves. The provider must ensure that foster carers understand their safeguarding responsibilities and take appropriate action when they do not adhere to them.

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Requirement Due date

*The fostering service provider must provide foster parents with such training, advice, information and support, including support outside of office hours, as appears necessary in the interests of children placed with them.

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must take all reasonable steps to ensure that foster parents are familiar with, and act in accordance with the policies established in accordance with regulations 12(1) and 13(1) and (3).

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that foster carers complete the essential training required to support the safe care of children. This includes foster carers who provide parent and child placements.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that there are monitoring systems in place to ensure foster carers have completed the required training including when training needs to be renewed or refreshed.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 8 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (7), the registered person in respect of an independent fostering agency must establish a written procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children placed by the agency, and by foster parents approved by the agency.

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Requirement Due date

The procedure must, in particular, provide— 8 May 2026 Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Quality Fostering 8 The registered person must ensure that a written record is made of any complaint or representation, the action taken in response to it, and the outcome of the investigation. (Regulation 18 (1) (2) (4))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that any investigation of a complaint is child focused. They must ensure that comprehensive records are completed of all actions undertaken, involve all parties and available information and include clear rationale for the outcome.

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Requirement Due date

The fostering service provider must ensure that all persons employed by them—

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Requirement Due date

receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal, and

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Requirement Due date

are enabled from to time to time to obtain further qualifications appropriate to the work they perform. (Regulation 21 (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that the all staff receive regular formal supervision and appropriate training.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 8 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

If any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 7 takes place in relation to a fostering agency, the registered person must without delay notify the persons or bodies indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table. (Regulation 36 (1))

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Requirement Due date

This refers specifically to ensuring that matters listed under schedule 7 are notified to Ofsted and that, when matters have concluded, an update is also provided to the regulator.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 8 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Quality Fostering 9

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that records are completed without delay when staff have contact with foster carers and children. In particular after unannounced visits or following visits when there are concerns. ('Fostering services: national minimum standards', page 52, 26.2)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that foster carers are provided with peer support. This could be in the form of support groups with other foster carers, to share experiences and build support networks ('Fostering services: national minimum standards', page 42, 21.4).

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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: Quality Fostering 10

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Quality Fostering Limited

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Celixir House, Stratford Business & Technology Park, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7GZ

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Independent fostering agency details

Email address: andrew@qualityfostering.com

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Inspectors

Sarah Berry, Social Care Inspector La'Toya Morgan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Quality Fostering 11 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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