Star Fostering Ltd

Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Star Fostering Ltd 1 Star Fostering Limited

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1st Floor, Chesterfield House, Station Street, Bingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG13 8AQ

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Star Fostering Limited is an independent fostering agency based in Nottinghamshire. The agency was registered by Ofsted in 2019.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The agency offers a wide range of fostering placements, including emergency, respite, short-term, long-term and parent and child placements.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

At the time of this monitoring visit, it had 27 fostering households and 37 children in placement.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out following the death of a child who had a terminal illness. The visit focused on how well the agency supported the child and the foster carers during this time.

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This monitoring visit

The agency provided a high level of support to the foster parents, the child and other children living with them. For example, leaders made sure that the child received consistent and personalised care while they were in hospital for a long period. The agency arranged for a familiar adult to always be with the child, day and night. This helped the child to feel safe, comforted and less anxious during a very difficult time. Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Star Fostering Ltd 2 Foster carers were given the information and guidance they needed to understand the child’s complex health needs. This helped them to provide stable and caring support throughout the child’s illness. Foster carers and staff have also had access to loss and bereavement counselling to help support their emotional needs. There has also been great consideration given to the needs and care of the other children living

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This monitoring visit

Managers demonstrate strong oversight and effective partnership working. Weekly multi-agency meetings were held with key professionals, including social workers, commissioners and healthcare practitioners. These meetings ensured that information was shared promptly and that care planning was coordinated and responsive to the child’s changing needs. Consequently, decision-making was well informed and centred on the child’s best interests.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has effective safeguarding systems in place. Risks to children are clearly identified and well managed, with weekly safeguarding meetings providing strong oversight and ensuring concerns are reviewed promptly. This approach enables swift action in response to risk and helps to keep children safe.

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This monitoring visit

Concerns about children are taken seriously and shared with the relevant agencies. Allegations against foster carers are managed appropriately, with guidance from the local authority designated officer being followed. Effective safeguarding measures are put in place, and timely action is taken to ensure that foster carers remain suitable to foster.

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This monitoring visit

Overall, the agency responded with sensitivity, professionalism and a strong child- centred focus. This had a positive impact on the quality of care provided to the child and the support available to those caring for them. General safeguarding practice is strong and effective in keeping children safe and protected.

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This monitoring visit

The requirements from the previous inspection were not reviewed during this monitoring visit. They will be considered at the next full inspection. Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Star Fostering Ltd 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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 procedure under paragraph (1)(b) must, subject to paragraph (4), provide in particular for—

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Requirement Due date

liaison and co-operation with any local authority which is, or may be, making child protection enquiries in relation to any child placed by the fostering service provider,

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Requirement Due date

the prompt referral to the area authority of any allegation of abuse or neglect affecting any child placed by the fostering service provider,

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Requirement Due date

notification of the instigation and outcome of any child protection enquiries involving a child placed by the fostering service provider, to the Chief Inspector,

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Requirement Due date

written records to be kept of any allegation of abuse or neglect, and of the action taken in response,

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Requirement Due date

consideration to be given to the measures which may be necessary to protect children placed with foster parents following an allegation of abuse or neglect. (Regulation 12 (1)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 31 January 2025

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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 31 January 2025 Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Star Fostering Ltd 4 registered person must without delay notify the persons or bodies indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table.

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Requirement Due date

Any notification made in accordance with this regulation which is given orally must be confirmed in writing. (Regulation 36 (1) (2))

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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 agencies - monitoring: Star Fostering Ltd 5

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Star Fostering Limited

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: 1st Floor, Chesterfield House, Station Street, Bingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG13 8AQ

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Inspectors

Emma Dacres, Social Care Inspector Laura Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Star Fostering Ltd 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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