Integrated Services Programme

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Integrated Services Programme 1 Integrated Services Programme Integrated Services Programme, 9 Church Street, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 1HS Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

This is a privately owned independent fostering agency. The fostering service registered with Ofsted in September 2017. The company is a part of a much larger organisation, Polaris Community, comprising of several independent fostering agencies. There are two offices connected to the registered office in Chesham, one in Milton Keynes and one in Wisbech. Foster carers provide long-term, short-term, respite and permanent care placements. At the time of the inspection, 49 approved fostering households were caring for 47 children.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2019.

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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

Date of last inspection: 13 February 2023 Overall judgement at last inspection: good Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Integrated Services Programme 2

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outstanding

Children have exceptionally positive experiences and make significant progress while living with this agency’s foster families. Foster carers speak positively and fondly about the children, expressing pride in each child’s achievements. Children thrive in nurturing, stable and highly responsive homes where they feel genuinely valued, heard and respected. The warm, consistent and emotionally attuned care provided by foster carers enables children to develop a strong sense of belonging and security. As a result, children build trusting, meaningful relationships that support them to flourish socially, emotionally and educationally.

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outstanding

The managers and staff have a strong understanding of the children and the foster carers. Foster carers expressed that they feel well supported and enjoy a positive working relationship with their supervising social workers, all the staff and managers. Foster carers value the agency emphasises that the well-being of children is its top priority.

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outstanding

Children benefit from thoughtful moves into foster homes that consider the needs of the entire fostering household, including biological children. These well-planned moves lead to excellent placement stability and long-term relationships, enhancing children’s confidence, emotional well-being, and resilience. Many children have achieved permanence, with some young people remaining in Staying Put arrangements. Notably, two young people have progressed to university, reflecting the agency’s commitment to their success.

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outstanding

Education is strongly prioritised. The agency’s Advisory Teachers ensure that foster carers are well supported to advocate for children’s needs and entitlements. Children make significant progress from their starting points and successfully engage in learning. Outcomes are impressive, with children attending school regularly, achieving well and, in some cases, excelling into higher education.

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outstanding

Children develop the independence skills they need for adulthood at a pace that reflects their needs and maturity. Foster carers support them sensitively with daily living tasks, personal care, decision-making and community involvement. This not only equips them for future challenges but also enhances and builds confidence, self-reliance and a strong sense of capability.

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outstanding

Children’s health needs are exceptionally well met. They have timely access to both physical and mental health services, along with holistic support that addresses their emotional and psychological well-being. Children feel cared for and valued, and their improved health outcomes reflect the agency’s comprehensive approach. Foster carers have a strong understanding of children’s health needs, including complex requirements, and they demonstrate confidence, skill, and effective advocacy when working with health professionals to ensure that children receive timely and Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Integrated Services Programme 3 appropriate support. As a result, children experience, improved well-being, and consistent care that promotes both their physical and emotional health.

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outstanding

The agency’s therapy team’s support for children, foster carers, and staff is exceptional and fully integrated throughout the agency. Both staff and foster carers highly value the therapist’s involvement, which strengthens their parenting and practice and promotes a positive learning culture. Regular therapy sessions for children and/or foster carers enhance emotional well-being and improves emotional regulation.

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outstanding

Staff and foster carers understand the significance of the children’s families. They support children in connecting with important people in their lives, considering each child’s unique circumstances and preferences. Foster carers facilitate children’s time with people who are important to them, including when families live at a distance from the carer’s home.

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outstanding

Children’s views are central to practice. Their participation is an outstanding feature of the agency’s culture. Children are actively consulted through groups, activities and one-to-one conversations, and their feedback leads to meaningful action and change. As a result, children feel respected, empowered and safe to share their views.

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outstanding

Leaders maintain clear and effective oversight of safeguarding matters and respond promptly to concerns. Partnership working is proactive and professional, with appropriate challenge where needed. Staff throughout the agency know the service extremely well. Monitoring and quality-assurance systems are rigorous, meaningful, and demonstrate a clear impact on practice. There is a strong culture of reflection, accountability and continuous improvement, driven by highly skilled and visible leadership.

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outstanding

The agency demonstrates an exceptional commitment to safeguarding practice that is consistently proactive and child centred. Independent social workers enhance scrutiny by ensuring high-quality assessments and reviews, strengthening decision making and identifying risks early for effective interventions. Staff prioritise children’s welfare, collaborating with families and partner agencies to reduce harm and promote safety, resulting in timely support that protects and enhances children’s well-being.

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outstanding

Children consistently report feeling safe and know exactly who they can talk to if they have concerns. They are regularly seen by supervising social workers, which provides them with opportunities to share their worries privately. Children are confident in approaching someone if they wish to raise a complaint, and they are kept informed about any progress regarding the issues they have raised. They trust that their voices will be heard. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Integrated Services Programme 4 Foster carers demonstrate a strong and confident understanding of safeguarding and risk management. Individualised, clear and concise risk assessments provide foster carers with all the relevant information to help them support children in taking age-appropriate risks. Safer care plans are consistently implemented and promptly updated when new risks arise. Children are helped to understand risks in an age-

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outstanding

appropriate way, boosting their confidence in staying safe. Clear boundaries provide security and support positive behaviour management.

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outstanding

The agency ensures that allegations are managed promptly and fairly, and in line with statutory guidance. Standards of care investigations are thorough and balanced, with detailed reports that consider individual circumstances and focus on learning outcomes. Additionally, the agency panel and decision-maker provide independent oversight of these reviews for further scrutiny.

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outstanding

This agency is genuinely inclusive, supporting children to be true to themselves and to pursue their aspirations. Foster carers demonstrate exceptional acceptance, curiosity, and advocacy, consistently challenging discrimination and celebrating diversity. Equality, diversity, and identity are fully integrated into daily practices, ensuring that children feel safe, valued, and proud of who they are.

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outstanding

The agency delivers an innovative, well-structured and tightly monitored training programme that equips carers exceptionally well. Mandatory expectations are clear from the outset, and the accredited therapeutic pathway provides a robust developmental journey from pre-approval to ‘senior grade’ foster carers. A wide range of specialist training enables carers to meet complex needs with confidence. Completion is tracked rigorously, and carers are supported with curiosity, empathy and practical help. Training consistently translates into highly effective practice that promotes children’s safety, stability and well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership team are inspirational, ambitious and highly effective. The registered manager, responsible individual and managers demonstrate exceptional, values-led leadership that consistently promotes a strong child centred culture across all areas of practice. Their passion for improving children’s lives is evident, and there is a clear, well embedded link between the agency’s strategic vision and its day-to-day practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders are visible, accessible and fully engaged with children, staff and foster carers. This creates a culture of openness, respect and continuous improvement. Staff and carers consistently report feeling valued, listened to, and well supported. This has contributed to a stable workforce with strong retention, ensuring children benefit from consistent, high-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Foster carers report highly positive experiences. They describe a strong sense of belonging in the fostering community and commend managers and staff for being knowledgeable, approachable and responsive. Carers consistently state that the agency’s approach enables them to provide high quality care to children. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Integrated Services Programme 5 The manager’s oversight of practice is rigorous and reflective. Quality assurance processes are strong, multilayered and consistently applied. Assessments of prospective foster carers are timely, analytical and thorough, with clear exploration of strengths and vulnerabilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The panel is exceptionally well-led by the panel chair and is supported by a knowledgeable and confident panel adviser who ensures clarity, organisation, and a high standard of reports.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The agency decision maker function is robust, transparent and firmly rooted in evidence-based decisions. Leaders across the service work together to ensure that decision making is consistent, child-centred and aligned with the highest practice standards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Foster carers receive highly effective support that is consistently responsive, timely, and emotionally attuned. This enables carers to feel valued, listened to, and professionally respected. The agency’s strong, embedded child-centred ethos is evident in practice at all levels. As a result, children benefit from exceptional placement stability and experience significantly improved outcomes

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feel exceptionally well supported through meaningful supervision, accessible leadership, and high-quality training. The agency benefits from a stable and consistent team. Feedback from staff is positive. They report feeling supported and enjoying their roles. Staff retention is strong, with many employees choosing to stay with the agency because they feel valued and have shared positive experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The responsible individual and registered manager lead with clarity, integrity and a genuine passion for improving children’s lives. That commitment is visible in the confidence of carers and staff, and most importantly in the experiences and progress of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Integrated Services Programme 6

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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: Integrated Services Programme 7

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Malvern View, Saxon Business Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove B60 4AD

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Independent fostering agency details

Email address: pradeep.heera@ispfostering.org.uk

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Inspector

Sharron Dormand, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Integrated Services Programme 8 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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