Foster Care Associates Midlands

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foster Care Associates Midlands 1 Foster Care Associates Midlands Foster Care Associates Limited FCA Midlands, Senate House, Saxon Business Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 4AD Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

This agency was registered in 2004. It is part of a large privately owned national organisation. The agency offers a range of placements.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

At the time of the inspection, there were 187 children living in 131 fostering households. There is a new manager in post; they have submitted their application to Ofsted to become registered. The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and we are currently checking this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that a serious incident that occurred since the last inspection, is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the agency in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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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: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foster Care Associates Midlands 2

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Summary of findings

Children are highly valued by their foster carers and the agency staff. Foster carers provide children with nurturing care. As a result, children make progress and are having a good experience. Children enjoy participating in activities organised by the agency, and these opportunities enrich children’s lives.

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Summary of findings

Overall staff and foster carers have a good understanding of children’s risks and vulnerabilities. There are some instances where children’s plans lack detail about the measures in place to keep them safe. This means foster carers do not always have clear guidance, and the agency is not monitoring these measures effectively.

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Summary of findings

The previous registered manager has moved into the responsible individual role. In addition, there has been an internal manager appointed to the registered manager’s role, although their suitability is yet to be assessed by Ofsted. These changes have been well planned and carefully managed, resulting in continued stability in leadership at the agency. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foster Care Associates Midlands 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move to their foster homes, this is usually well considered and carefully planned. Agency staff provide bespoke welcome packs to children. This includes a backpack and blanket, handmade and designed in line with their individual interests. As a result, children generally settle well into their foster homes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress from their starting points because of the nurturing and consistent care they receive from their foster carers. For example, foster carers help children to reach their developmental milestones. Agency staff and foster carers delight in celebrating children's progress and achievements. The agency values and recognises children for their key achievements, for example, by sending them a card and gift.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Many children have lived with their foster carers for several years, providing them with a significant period of stability. A high number of children are formally long term matched with their foster carers. Furthermore, many foster carers extend their care of young people into adulthood, through ‘staying put’. As a result, children and young people are often well prepared for their adult lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The agency welcomes and encourages young people's participation in the agency post 18. Staff continue to be invested in young people and provide practical and emotional support, along with opportunities to socialise with others at agency events. The agency values their contribution, for example, by including them on interview panels.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Agency staff spend time with children and seek their wishes and feelings. They advocate for children, for example in securing suitable family time arrangements. Staff and foster carers actively help children to develop their communications skills, so they can express their views. Where children have additional needs, the foster carers are trained in their preferred communication methods, for example signing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A dedicated education team maintains a strong focus on promoting positive educational outcomes for children. This support includes preparing children for transitions effectively, as well as identifying and addressing any barriers to engagement in education. As a result, most children are attending education. For those children who are not, there is clear planning to secure an appropriate provision.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Overall, children’s health needs are well understood and met by their foster carers. The agency health lead monitors children’s health needs and outcomes. The agency uses research to keep up to date with current health practice and has recently introduced oral health packs to support children to maintain good oral hygiene.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The agency participation workers have positive and trusting relationships with children. They support children to engage in a range of meaningful activities. For Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foster Care Associates Midlands 4 example, one child has benefited from Lego-based therapeutic work, which has supported them to explore and develop their understanding of safe and healthy relationships. This has increased their confidence and aided their emotional development. Children feel a strong sense of belonging to the agency and enjoy engaging in the range of activities and groups provided for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The agency operates a diligent approach for assessment and approval of foster carers. Furthermore, foster carers feel highly valued and supported by the agency. Agency staff know their foster carers and the children in their care very well. As a result, foster carers are assured that they can seek help and guidance in their roles, and they know they will gain timely and helpful responses.

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

Overall, safeguarding practice is effective and children feel safe. The agency operates a structured reporting system for any concerns or incidents relating to children. This enables managers to have oversight and to monitor the agency’s actions taken in response. As a result, the agency is proactive in sharing relevant information or concerns with partner agencies.

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

The agency provides resources and information to foster carers that helps increase their knowledge and ability to keep children safe. For example, the organisation issues a monthly online safety newsletter geared at different age groups. This helps to keep foster carers up to date with current themes and risks relating to online safety for children. The organisation holds a vast wealth of resources on their safeguarding hub, accessible to foster carers and staff. Staff and foster carers complete a range of training relating to safeguarding topics and this is frequently being enhanced. As a result, staff and foster carers are well equipped to keep children safe.

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

Foster carers promptly establish routines and boundaries for children. As a result, children understand what is expected of them so there are a low number of behavioural incidents overall. The agency draws on the organisations wider facilities and external sources to enhance children’s care planning. For example, following an incident the agency consulted with a behavioural specialist to guide the foster carers of how to respond positively to behaviours of concern. As a result, the child’s fostering arrangement is no longer at risk of breakdown.

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

Overall, allegations against foster carers are well managed, with good information sharing and partnership working by the agency. However, there are some occasions where foster carers continued approval following allegations, has not been independently or sufficiently assessed.

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

When risks for children increase, agency staff work in partnership with foster carers and relevant professionals for safety planning. However, children’s plans do not consistently or sufficiently detail the measures foster carers must take to keep them safe. For example, for managing missing and self-harm risks. Furthermore, agency staff do not consistently seek assurance from foster carers that measures are Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foster Care Associates Midlands 5 implemented. As a result, the effectiveness of measures is not always assessed, and this could leave children exposed to harm.

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

The physical environments where children live are monitored by the agency, as fostering homes have an annual health and safety assessment and an unannounced visit at least once a year. However, there have been some instances where medication has not been consistently stored or managed appropriately in the home. This has contravened safer care plans and has led to children having unsafe access to medication. The agency has recognised this and has reiterated the expectations with all foster carers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is currently a comprehensive handover taking place, to embed leaders and managers into their new roles. Leadership and management are enhanced by two fostering service managers. As a result, staff feel highly supported in their roles by a strong leadership team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a stable workforce at the agency and there are some very long-standing staff members. The agency welcomes and champions student social workers, with several of the staff team progressing from being a student, into qualified and then management roles. Furthermore, the staff team really support and uphold each other with immense care and empathy, particularly through any difficult times.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff and foster carers have access to comprehensive learning and development opportunities. This is well organised and foster carers have flexibility to attend training at a time that suits them, for example, an evening session.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The agency provides therapeutic support to the foster carers through an experienced therapeutic practitioner, who is committed to promoting positive outcomes for children. Carers are encouraged to attend regular support groups and are also offered individual one-to-one support. This support is flexible and not time-limited, enabling carers to access support in line with children’s changing needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The agency is part of a larger organisation and has a clear recruitment strategy. Foster carer assessments are comprehensive and provide appropriate analysis to determine suitability for fostering. There is a skilled and experienced panel chair and panel members bring a wealth of experience and diversity. The panel provides an appropriate level of scrutiny and quality assurance. Furthermore, agency decision makers make clear and well-reasoned decisions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals are overwhelmingly positive about working in partnership with the agency. One local authority stated that ‘communication with the agency is excellent, friendly and courteous,’ another commenting that ‘all staff members have the children’s best interests at heart’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The quality of children's records completed by foster carers is variable. They do not always provide sufficient narrative of children's experiences. The agency has Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foster Care Associates Midlands 6 recognised this, they have consulted with children and foster carers and used this to develop a renewed approach, due to launch imminently.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The agency provides a high level of support to their foster carers which results in good experiences for the children in their care. The agency is constantly seeking to develop and are aspirational for all children to make progress and achieve their best outcomes. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foster Care Associates Midlands 7

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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. (Regulation 11(a))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to managers ensuring that children's plans reflect their current risks and provide foster carers with clear guidance of what action to take to reduce these risks.

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Requirement Due date

This also relates to the agency being professionally curious to assure themselves that foster carers are consistently following measures in place to manage risks for the children in their care. 30 October 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that as soon as possible after an investigation into a foster carer is concluded, their approval as suitable to foster is reviewed. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 22.8)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that medicines kept in the foster home are stored safely and are accessible only by those for whom they are intended. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 6.9)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that information about the child is recorded clearly and in a way which will be helpful to the child when they access their files now or in the future. Children are actively encouraged to read their files. This includes ensuring that all records are completed in a timely way and there are no gaps. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards'’ 26.6) Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foster Care Associates Midlands 8

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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: Foster Care Associates Midlands 9

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Foster Care Associates Limited

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Independent fostering agency details

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

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Inspectors

Alison Snell, Social Care Inspector Lydia Isaac, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Foster Care Associates Midlands 10 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

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