Family First Fostering Agency

Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Family First Fostering Agency Family First Fostering Agency 413 High Street, Stratford, London E15 4QZ

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Registered provider: Family First Fostering Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Family First fostering agency is an independent fostering agency based in East London. The agency offers a wide range of placements, including short- and long- term placements, planned, emergency and respite care in London and the Midlands area.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The fostering agency registered in November 2012. The manager registered in February 2025.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

Date of previous inspection: 10 February 2025

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken because of the death of a child in foster care. The child had a life limiting medical condition. Despite undergoing a range of treatment options, these were not successful. The child died in June 2026.

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This monitoring visit

This visit focussed on the support to the child’s foster carers prior to and after their death and the impact on any other children living with the foster carers.

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This monitoring visit

The support for the fostering social worker linked to the foster carers, any other fostering staff directly involved and the potential impact on others working in the fostering service.

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This monitoring visit

The ability of managers and staff to work collaboratively as part of a multi- disciplinary team to ensure the child’s plan was implemented effectively. Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Family First Fostering Agency The foster carers report that the support offered to them was ‘exemplary’ and ‘phenomenal’. The foster carers said that it was clear that the fostering agency is child focused in the way they addressed their foster child’s needs, but they experienced, ‘pastoral care being extended to us.’ The foster carers have been provided with respite, offering them a break from fostering tasks.

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This monitoring visit

The other child living in the home is too young to fully understand what has happened. However, the foster carers know that the child has experienced loss in their own life and will have similar feelings in respect of the child who has died. The foster carers and fostering staff are considering how best to address this.

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This monitoring visit

The fostering social worker linked to the foster family described the support offered to them as ‘exceptional’. This included time off work, and therapeutic support. The fostering social worker found the support from the wider staff team and reflective discussions with their manager to be helpful. The fostering social worker expressed the view that managers and staff went ‘above and beyond’ to ensure that the foster carers were supported and the foster child’s wishes and feelings were acted on. The foster social worker said, ‘I can say that I feel proud to be part of this fostering agency and what we have done.’

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers gave thought to the possible impact of the child’s death on other staff. The in-house therapeutic clinician has provided information and guidance to staff on loss and bereavement. Leaders and managers are following this up with workshops on bereavement and loss. Managers view this as a focus for future training and guidance.

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This monitoring visit

Case files evidence that managers and staff played a key role as part of the multi- disciplinary team in ensuring that plans agreed were achieved. An example of this was the coordination of support, which enabled the foster carers to focus on the foster child, and the specialist medical teams on the needs of the child. This was most evident with fostering staff supervising keep in touch time within the foster home with the birth family. The child’s social worker described the fostering agency as ‘excellent’ in supporting the local authority plan and providing support to the foster carers.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers are supporting the foster carers in holding a celebration of life event for the child. Leaders and managers are having a memorial tribute to the child at a fostering event later in the year.

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This monitoring visit

This visit found that leaders and managers supported the foster carers and staff during this difficult period. Leaders and managers worked effectively and collaboratively with the professional network to implement the plan for the foster child.

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This monitoring visit

Recommendations made at the last inspection are outside the scope of this visit. These will be reviewed at the next inspection. Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Family First Fostering Agency

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that each person on the central list is given the opportunity of attending an annual joint training day with the fostering service’s fostering staff. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 23.10)

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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 template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Family First Fostering Agency

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Family First Fostering Limited

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: 413 High Street, Stratford, London E15 4QZ

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Independent fostering agency details

Responsible individual: Geeta Hasmat Ali

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Inspector

Colin Bent, Social Care Inspector Inspection report template for independent fostering agencies - monitoring: Family First Fostering Agency 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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