Quality Fostering

Inspection report for independent fostering agency – monitoring visit: Quality Fostering 1 Quality Fostering

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1st & 2nd Floor (at the rear of), 45 Russell Street, Leamington Spa CV32 5QB

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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, but these are currently on hold.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

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 the full inspection, the agency had 15 fostering households and 17 children being cared for by foster carers. Two foster carers have resigned since the last inspection and one new child has joined the agency.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2013.

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This monitoring visit

From 2 to 6 February 2026, a full inspection of the agency was completed. Ofsted judged the agency as ‘inadequate’, as there were serious and widespread failures that meant children were not protected and their welfare was not promoted. As a result, Ofsted issued requirements in relation to regulations 8, 11, 12, 17, 18, 21 and 36, and compliance notices under regulations 8, 11 and 17.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to review the progress managers have made towards meeting the steps in the compliance notices. Managers have made good progress since their last inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual is now full time, and a quality assurance lead has been recruited and will join the agency in June. Managers have reviewed children’s in- Inspection report for independent fostering agency – monitoring visit: Quality Fostering 2 house documents and statutory care plans. Additionally, a full review of foster carer training needs and a review of the agency’s staff team learning needs have been completed.

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This monitoring visit

As a result, managers have been able to create and implement a detailed monitoring system to review all aspects of the agency. Initial reviews commenced following the last inspection and ongoing reviews and continuous monitoring will begin fully from June 2026. However, it was noted that 3 mandatory courses had been missed from each carer’s individual review. The manager is working to rectify this oversight to ensure all core training is included in the carers review.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual has introduced a number of reflective practice sessions, which have been rolled out to the team and to foster carers. All members of the agency have received safeguarding training since the last inspection. There is a greater focus on the training and development needs of carers during monthly supervision.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has reviewed one complaint made by a child, and as a result, this carer returned to the foster panel for further scrutiny. Learning and development in the agency have taken place with regard to safeguarding practices, and the reporting and escalation of incidents have now improved. As a result, child-centred practice has increased, and managers have become stronger advocates for children.

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This monitoring visit

Safeguarding policies have been reviewed, and the agency is shifting towards a learning culture. Informative training sessions to refresh carers’ understanding of their roles and responsibilities and how to apply policy guidance into everyday practice are being completed in supervision. Reflective practice sessions and weekly meetings with the wider staff team are in place to share learning and enhance good practice.

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This monitoring visit

Significant progress has been made, and the compliance notices for regulations 8, 11 and 17 have been met. The requirements raised for regulations 12, 18, 21 and 36 were not considered during the monitoring visit. There has been significant progress made to meet the compliance notice for regulation 17; however, it was identified that not all carers had yet completed all mandatory training but were being supported to complete it. Therefore, this has been raised as a requirement and will be considered at the next full inspection. Inspection report for independent fostering agency – monitoring visit: Quality Fostering 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 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 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. 1 October 2026

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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. (Regulation 17 (1) (2)) 1 October 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 1 October 2026 Inspection report for independent fostering agency – monitoring visit: Quality Fostering 4 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—

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Requirement Due date

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 all staff receive regular formal supervision and appropriate training. This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 1 October 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. This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 1 October 2026 Inspection report for independent fostering agency – monitoring visit: Quality Fostering 5

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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)  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

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 – monitoring visit: Quality Fostering 6

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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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Inspector

Joanne Hawkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency – monitoring visit: Quality Fostering 7 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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