Eastern Fostering Services

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Eastern Fostering Services 1 Eastern Fostering Services Eastern Family Services Ltd Unit 1E, The Gattinetts, Hadleigh Road, East Bergholt, Colchester CO7 6QT Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this independent fostering agency

This independent fostering agency is privately owned and specialises in providing local placements to local children in the Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex areas. At the time of this inspection, the agency was supporting 29 fostering households and providing care to 44 children.

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Information about this independent fostering agency

The manager registered at the same time as the fostering agency in September 2011.

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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: 25 September 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Eastern Fostering Services 2

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Summary of findings

Children receive highly effective and nurturing care, which helps them to make excellent progress in most cases. More than half of the children have lived with their foster carers for over 2 years, with many remaining in their homes for more than 5 years. The agency successfully supports permanence and stability for children. Eleven young people have stayed past their 18th birthday in ‘staying put’ arrangements. Others have been successfully supported to return home or move on into independent living.

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Summary of findings

The agency has a stable leadership team, whose members drive an ethos and culture of strong practice and high standards of care across an agency ‘family’. Changes in staffing are well planned and cause minimal disruption to carers. New staff and new carers are very well supported, and this support continues for the duration of their involvement with the agency. The agency has excellent safeguarding practices.

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Summary of findings

The agency has changed its case recording system in the last 12 months, and some minor gaps were identified in recording, although the agency is already beginning to address these.

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outstanding

Children’s feedback is highly positive, and the vast majority of children have excellent experiences living with their foster families. Children report they feel loved, respected and valued by their foster carers. Children are treated as individuals whose unique needs, wishes and feelings are understood and responded to well. Some children refer to their foster carers as their parents, reflecting the strength and depth of these relationships. Children also spoke positively about agency staff.

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outstanding

Children are placed with foster carers who are deeply committed to them and fully integrate them into family life. Foster families ensure that children experience the same opportunities as their own children, including holidays, clubs and leisure activities. This helps children build enduring relationships and achieve positive outcomes. Many children remain with their carers into adulthood.

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outstanding

Agency staff are creative in ensuring that children’s voices are heard. Children’s views, wishes and feelings are central to the agency’s practice. Children are encouraged and supported to participate in reviews, and they understand how to raise concerns or complaints. A ‘Choices for Young Voices’ group helps children share their views about the agency, including contributing to the recruitment of staff and foster carers. This ensures that children’s voices help shape the service they receive.

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outstanding

Children’s education is very well promoted by carers and agency staff. The vast majority of children attend school regularly and make good progress from their Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Eastern Fostering Services 3 starting points. Attendance has improved for many children after moving into their foster homes. Foster carers and staff work effectively with schools and other professionals to advocate for children and overcome barriers to learning. Children’s achievements are celebrated, and those not currently in education receive targeted support and advocacy.

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outstanding

Children’s health and wellbeing needs are very well understood and met. Foster carers ensure that children attend routine appointments and access specialist support when required. Children’s emotional wellbeing receives particularly strong support. A therapeutic approach is embedded throughout the agency’s work. The agency’s psychotherapist provides valuable guidance, and staff and carers work collaboratively to promote emotional resilience and recovery from past trauma.

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outstanding

The agency offers an excellent wide range of activities and events that helps children build relationships, self-confidence and positive memories. Children and foster carers were overwhelmingly positive about opportunities available, particularly annual camps, celebration events and specialist groups. The agency also provides support for foster carers’ birth children, and one former foster child has been offered a youth support worker role. This further demonstrates the agency’s commitment to children.

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outstanding

Children receive effective support to prepare for adulthood and increase their independence. A dedicated member of staff works closely with older children to build practical life skills, including household management, travel independence and budgeting. Children and carers spoke positively about the impact of this support.

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outstanding

Children’s relationships with people who are important to them are promoted effectively. Foster carers go above and beyond to help children maintain meaningful family relationships when it is safe to do so. For example, a carer transported a parent to see their child after the parent missed a train. Carers also do a good job helping brothers and sisters stay close when they cannot live in the same home.

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outstanding

Children are safe and benefit from highly effective safeguarding practices. Children’s individual risks are well understood by their carers and agency staff. Foster carers and agency staff know the children exceptionally well and work proactively to understand and respond to risks. Safeguarding practice is child centred, and children receive support that helps them feel safe and protected. Foster carers receive the support they need to manage risks safely while encouraging independence.

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outstanding

Matching decisions are meticulously considered. The agency seeks comprehensive information before children move into foster homes and works effectively with placing authorities to ensure that arrangements meet children’s needs. Transitions are thoughtfully planned. Personalised storybooks and introduction videos prepared by foster carers help children feel welcomed, valued and reassured. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Eastern Fostering Services 4 Placement stability is a particular strength. Unplanned endings are rare, and leaders respond to emerging concerns at the earliest opportunity. Stability meetings are used proactively to support children to remain with their fostering families and reduce the likelihood of disruption. When children do have to move, carers and staff strive to make endings as positive as possible.

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outstanding

Safeguarding incidents are infrequent. The low number of incidents reflects the effectiveness of the agency’s therapeutic approach and the skilled support provided by foster carers. Children are helped to understand and manage difficult emotions and behaviours safely. When significant incidents occur, carers and staff take prompt action and notify relevant professionals. Managers rigorously oversee records and work in partnership with relevant agencies to respond appropriately to all concerns.

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outstanding

Foster carers build close loving relationships with the children. As a result, physical intervention is rarely used. Foster carers work in a trauma-informed way; they prioritise de-escalation and relationship-based approaches. For example, when a pattern of concerning behaviour emerged for one child, the agency responded promptly by providing additional support and training, which was effective. Children rarely go missing from home, and when they do, carers follow procedures diligently and ensure that children return safe and sound. Emerging and escalating risks are reviewed carefully. The agency staff maintain highly effective oversight of risks relating to self-harm, exploitation, substance misuse and online safety.

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outstanding

Foster carers receive excellent support from staff. The agency’s duty arrangements, including out-of-hours support, ensures carers can access help when it is needed. Foster carers consistently describe staff as approachable, knowledgeable and responsive. Strong relationships with staff help carers feel comfortable seeking help.

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outstanding

Concerns about foster carers are rare. When allegations or concerns do arise, the agency responds promptly and robustly. Safeguarding procedures are followed appropriately, and children’s welfare remains at the centre of decision-making.

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outstanding

Prospective foster carer assessments are thorough and of high quality. The agency does not progress applications unless the required standards are met, while offering support to help applicants develop where appropriate. The involvement of the agency’s psychotherapist strengthens assessments and helps assessors consider applicants’ emotional resilience and capacity to meet children’s needs. Children are involved in the assessment process and contribute questions and give feedback on the answers, ensuring that their perspectives remain central.

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outstanding

The agency fostering panel provides highly effective scrutiny and oversight. Panel members ask thoughtful and challenging questions and contribute positively to decision-making. Records show that panel members receive good-quality information to support their deliberations. The agency decision-maker ensures that decisions are timely, considered and focused on children’s welfare.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Eastern Fostering Services 5 The agency is led by a highly experienced and effective registered manager, who is ambitious for children and passionate about fostering. They are supported by a strong leadership team, including the fostering team manager and responsible individual. Leaders share a clear vision and have created a culture that places children at the heart of practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The positive influence of leaders is evident across the organisation. Staff and foster carers share a strong sense of belonging, purpose and commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for children. There is a real sense of unity and family. Staff say they love their job and the agency. Foster carers express pride in being part of the organisation. The agency consists of a workforce that is unanimously committed to supporting the best outcomes for children and the carers who look after them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Recruitment practices are safe and robust. Appropriate checks are completed for staff and panel members before they begin their roles. Staffing changes are managed effectively, with clear communication and arrangements that ensure continuity of support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders have established an inspirational culture of learning and continuous improvement. Significant events, including placement endings and safeguarding incidents, are reviewed to identify learning and improve practice. Leaders welcome challenge and use feedback from internal and external sources to strengthen the service. Strong monitoring and auditing systems provide excellent oversight of practice, performance and outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The agency recruits foster carers in a measured and sustainable way. Leaders prioritise the quality of care provided to children over organisational growth. This helps maintain high standards and ensures that children are cared for by suitably skilled and well-prepared foster carers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Training and development opportunities for staff and foster carers are excellent. Foster carers benefit from extensive support. Innovative initiatives include experienced foster carers undertaking ‘nurture lead’ roles to mentor newer carers. ‘Mini-conferences’ offer activities for children alongside training for carers. These initiatives strengthen the agency’s therapeutic approach and contribute to positive outcomes, and a sense of ‘family’ across the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervision arrangements are highly effective. Staff and foster carers receive regular, reflective supervision that supports development and high-quality care. Records demonstrate meaningful discussion, challenge and reflection. Staff consistently report feeling well supported by leaders and managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Feedback from external professionals is positive. Staff are willing to challenge other agencies when required to secure appropriate services and support. Feedback from foster carers is exceptionally positive. The majority of carers contributed to the inspection and unanimously described the agency positively. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Eastern Fostering Services 6 The overall quality of documentation is strong. Records and assessments are child centred, analytical and professionally written. However, on occasion, important documents were sometimes missing from children’s files, and their legal status contained inaccuracies. While some gaps were linked to a change in the agency’s case management system, children’s records should be accurate and up to date so that key information remains available and reliable. Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Eastern Fostering Services 7

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of up- to-date and good-quality records that reflect children’s daily lived experiences. In particular, the registered person must ensure that important records and essential information, such as children’s legal status, is held on file. (‘Fostering services: national minimum standards’, 26.2)

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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: Eastern Fostering Services 8

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider: Eastern Family Services Ltd

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Independent fostering agency details

Registered provider address: Unit 1E, The Gattinets, Hadleigh Road, East Bergholt, Colchester CO7 6QT

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Independent fostering agency details

Email address: info@easternfosteringservices.com

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Inspector

Daniel Rankin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for independent fostering agency: Eastern Fostering Services 9 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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