Welcome

The framework for the inspection of local authority and independent fostering services

Ofsted Annual Report 2010/2011

102 fostering services - local authority and independent

30 judged to be outstanding

51 judged to be good

20 judged to be satisfactory

1 judged to be inadequate

The new framework:

outcome focused:stability of placementsplacement with siblingsinvolvement of children and young people

raises expectations

identifies strengths and weaknesses in practice.

The inspection of fostering services from April 2012

•Inspection framework

•Evaluation schedule

•Conducting the inspection

The inspection framework and

evaluation schedule are based on:

•the regulations, statutory guidance and national minimum standards

•early discussions with the sector

•formal consultation: online and face-to-face meetings

•pilot inspections.

How we have got here?

‘Just make sure that they are doing their

job properly, and that they help

the children to be the best that they can be.’

Outcome of the consultation and

pilot inspections

Children and young people’s experiences should be central to the conduct and findings

of the inspections.

Outcome of the consultation and pilot inspections

• 10 days’ notice of the inspection• the fostering data set will

continue to be used– with an additional section based on

regulation 35 and NMS 25

Outcome of the consultation and pilot inspections

Services judged to be ‘Outstanding’

will continue to be inspected once in each three-

year inspection cycle.

Outcome of the consultation and pilot inspections

Local authority adoption and fostering

inspections will continue to be

separate.

Outcome of the consultation and

pilot inspections

Overall support for the

proposed judgement areas

Questions and answers

The inspection frameworkJudgements:

Overall EffectivenessOutcomes for children and young peopleQuality of the serviceSafeguarding children and young peopleLeadership and management

The new framework for the inspection of fostering

services is trying to achieve:

• a focus on the experiences and outcomes for children and young people

• a reduction in the focus on process • raised expectations in inspection• identification of strengths in the fostering

service• identification of weaknesses in the fostering

service• improvements in inspection and consistency.

The evaluation schedule:

• takes into account the national minimum standards and regulations

• provides grade descriptors for each judgement area to support the inspection process and the identification of an outstanding, good, adequate and inadequate service

• shows how each judgement is made based on the inspectors evaluation across a number of areas

• focuses on the detail of what makes most difference to children and young people who are fostered.

Outstanding•a service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirementsGood•a service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirementsAdequate•a service that only meets minimum requirementsInadequate•a service that does not meet minimum requirements

Outcomes for children and young people

The most important outcomes for children and young people who are fostered are that they benefit from stable, appropriate placements and, if in their best interests, they are placed with their siblings.

In those placements they: achieve their potential; develop or maintain a positive self-view; make and maintain sound relationships with their family, friends and foster carers, as appropriate; and feel valued and welcomed. Their views influence what is happening to them.

The quality of the service

The central focus of a fostering service must be the welfare and safety of children and young people who are fostered. This will be achieved by placing children with foster carers who are trained, supported and skilled and who have a positive impact on outcomes for children.

Safeguarding children and young people

Safeguarding children and young people should be at the centre of all the fostering service does. Children and young people should feel safe and be safe. They should benefit from highly effective safeguards to ensure that unsuitable people do not have unsupervised contact with them.

Foster carers should have a clear understanding and effective practice in relation to the potential impact of abuse on a child or young person’s development and behaviour, and in relation to disclosures of abuse.

Leadership and management

Leadership and management should demonstrate clear vision and ambition for children and young people who are fostered. They should monitor all areas of the fostering service, particularly the outcomes children and young people achieve, and demonstrate continuous improvement.

Effective partnerships with all those involved with looked after children and young people are essential to deliver the best outcomes. These include partnerships with children and young people themselves, looked after children’s teams, other fostering services, education and health.

Overall effectiveness

Inspectors will consider the evidence and judgements from across the evaluation schedule before arriving at the overall effectiveness judgement. It summarises: outcomes for children and young people; how the service promotes positive outcomes; and how leaders and managers ensure that outcomes improve

Conducting the inspection –pre-inspection activity

Inspectors will look at:

• fostering quality assurance and data form and reports under regulation 35 and NMS 25

• questionnaires• panel minutes• previous inspection reports• ‘other’ inspection reports• statement of purpose and children’s guide• fostering services’ websites• concerns and complaints received• notification of significant events received• any changes, including change of manager• any current or recent enforcement activity• other ‘intelligence’.

Conducting the inspection

• 10 days’ notice• No routine observation of panel• No visits to foster carers’ homes• Focus groups• Discussions with staff and placing social

workers• Clear inspection activities• Case file reading• HR files

Conducting the inspection –post inspection

• Reports published• Letters for children and young people• Post inspection survey• socialcare@ofsted.gov.uk

Questions and answers