Services forchildren

annual Report

2012– 2013

Laura Ritchie, Chris Brann & Fergus Smith


Contents

1introduction

1.1Purpose & scope

1.2Background

2fostering services

2.1Introduction

2.2Initial position

2.3Recruitment, preparation & approval

2.4Placement quality & quantity

2.5Fostering panel

2.6Other achievements

2.7Plans

3Contact centre

3.1Introduction

3.2Initial position & subsequent developments

3.3Referral profile amongst local family solicitors

3.4Level of use & feedback

3.5Plans

4Other services

4.1Introduction

4.2Art service

4.3Advocacy

4.4Consultancy

4.5Leasing no.47 Croham Road

4.6Room hire by therapists & others

4.7Services remaining to be developed

5Conclusions & future strategy

5.1Short term plans

5.25 year vision

SfC: Annual report 2012-2013

Introduction

1introduction

1.1Purpose & scope

1.1.1This is the third annual report about the progress of SfC and plans for its further development. We hope itis of interest and value to:

  • Staff andour foster carers whose partnership has earned the positive reputation that SfC enjoys
  • Current and potential clients (local authorities, courts or solicitors) who need to be confident that they are dealing with competent child-centred professionals

1.1.2The report had been divided into the following sections that reflect SfC’s ‘service portfolio’:

  • Fostering
  • Contact Centre
  • Other services

1.1.3Each service has been considered as in previous annual reports:

  • Its position as at the beginning of the 2012/13 financial year (September 2012)
  • Steps taken and consequences in the period through to and including August 2013
  • An appraisal in terms of the current (September 2013) position and
  • Plans for the service in question for the current financial year (01.09.13 – 31.08.14)

1.1.4Section 5 contains a summary of plans for 2013 / 14 and our aspirations (which will be refined annually)for the following five years. An appendix offers a chart illustrating our unchanged staff group.

1.2Background

Mission statement

1.2.1SfC’s‘mission statement’ continues to inform and inspire us:

  • ‘To establish, maintain and achieve recognition for a centre of excellence where carers and staff work in partnership with birth families and placing authorities to provide a consistently high standard of direct care and related services that serve to support children’s achievement of aspirations set out in the then government’s ‘Every Child Matters’ strategy’
Strategic aims & objectives

1.2.2Our strategic aim remains to develop and deliver services which maximise:

  • Achievement and recognition of quality (as evaluated by local authority commissioners and our end users)
  • Congruity between the services commissioned and actually delivered (as measured by the feedback of professional clients)
  • Flexibility and innovation, as well as compliance with all relevant law and professional standards (indicated by service users and inspectors respectively)

1.2.3More specific corporate / marketing objectives remain to:

  • Position SfC as a consistently superior small-scale / niche provider
  • Establish through market research, the nature and scale of anticipated needs
  • Develop relationships amongst local authorities in London and South East Englandand win ‘preferred provider’ or comparable status

1.2.4As acknowledged in the annual reports for the last two years, the rate of development has been and remains slower than first anticipated and diminution of local authority budgets continue to make the conditions in which we operate difficult.

1.2.5Notwithstanding the difficult environment, the company’s ‘direction of travel’ as evidenced by user feedback, established relationships with local authority commissioners and the conclusions of the 2012 Ofsted inspection are entirely consistent with our aims and objectives.

1.2.6The achievements, challenges and plans for each of the services described below should then be evaluated by the reader in terms of how well they fit with SfC’s mission and the above aims and objectives.

SfC: Annual report 2012-2013 1

Fostering Services

2fostering services

2.1Introduction

2.1.1Section 2.2 offers a snapshot of the fostering service as it was at the beginning of the 2012 / 13 financial year and is followed by summaries of significant organisational changes, the efforts and results with respect to recruitment of new carers, preparation groups, assessments and formal panel approvals.

2.2Initial position

Staffing arrangements & numbers of approved foster carers

2.2.1Throughout 2012/13, Director Chris Brann has been the’ registered manager’ and Director Fergus Smith the agency ‘decision maker’ [both roles are required by the Fostering Services Regulations 2011].

2.2.2As at 31.08.12 SfC had 22 approved carers and ended the year (31.08.13) with 24. It should be noted that as well as this modest increase in numbers, 1 more carer was approved following a postponed fostering panel on day 1 of the new financial year.

2.3Recruitment, preparation & approval

Recruitment events

2.3.1SfC has continued to recruit in the areas of greatest need with priority awarded to local authorities for which we are ‘preferred providers’.

2.3.2In September and October 2012, on the back of our ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted report, we undertook an intensive recruitment campaign targeted on Lewisham and Croydon.

2.3.3New leaflets and posters were designed with leaflets being hand delivered to targeted areas and posters placed in local shops and businesses. A large banner was made and affixed to the front of our offices.

2.3.4The culmination of the campaign was an open information meeting held on a Saturday afternoon. This was less well attended than we would have liked but did lead directly to 2 applications, one of which progressed to approval for up to 3 placements.

2.3.5Evaluation of the source of inquiries from prospective foster carers in the 6 months following the October 2012 campaign indicates that 65% came as a result of the inquirer seeing a poster in a shop, having a leaflet delivered to their home or seeing the banner outside our office.

2.3.6This compares favourably to the corresponding return of 15% of inquiries being generated by staff handing out leaflets in supermarkets, which had been up until this point our most used recruitment strategy.

2.3.7Of the 5 carers approved during the year, 3 came to us in response to leaflets through their or friends’ doors and 1 after seeing the banner.

2.3.8The overall numbers of enquiries (by phone or in writing) during 2012/13 were:

  • 36 enquiries
  • 36 ‘screening visits’ (at which basic eligibility criteria and willingness to attend preparation groups are confirmed)
Preparation groups

2.3.9Further to the completed screening visits, 27individuals (11 singletons and 8 couples) attended a preparation group, of which there were 3 between September 2012 and August 2013.

2.3.10In the same period considered by this report, 16 formal applications were made and 6 assessments completed.

Assessments & approval

2.3.11The net result of these efforts as at 31.08.13was 4 new approvals over the previous 12 months. During 2012/13 SfC also lost 2 carers, 1 as a result of retirement and the other as a result of ill health.

2.3.12Analysis of our overall effectiveness in recruitment suggests that there remains a significant gap between the number of formal applications received and the number of approvals. Some of this is explained by delay in allocating and completing assessments and some is due to applicants withdrawing or checks and references making it clear that they are not suitable to proceed.

2.3.13Nevertheless the direction of travel is upwards. 2012-13 was our most successful year in terms of recruitment since taking over the business in 2008 and the overall number of approved placements has increased during the year by 23%.

2.4Placement quality & quantity

2.4.1Our determination to become the best independent fostering agency in London and South East of England remains and we (and more significantly Ofsted) believe we are getting there. Reproduced below are just a few of the typical comments of service users.

Comments from children / young people talking about SfC to Ofsted
  • ‘Children thrive in this service; they value the support they receive exceptionally highly; they have developed a strong sense of unreserved trust in carers and fostering staff; they say there is nothing else that the carers or staff can do better or differently; children feel respected for who they are and are clear that they receive the best care that there is’
Comments from placing social workers
  • ‘V has been an excellent foster carer for E and E told me that she enjoyed her placement with V’
  • ‘K is really supported in placement; it is clear she feels at home and has maintained a settled lifestyle when her family situation has changed so much’
  • ‘The support has been invaluable. I have really valued our working together; it has been an example of good practice’
Placement activity

2.4.2End of month figures are provided below. Approved vacancies do not include siblings unless they are currently placed (in which case they are also included in the placements and % occupancy columns).

Month / Approved Vacancies / Blocked / Resting / Occupancy (% of approved vacancies) / Available Placements / Children Placed / Occupancy (% of available vacancies)
2012 Sept / 33 / 1 / 6 / 58 / 26 / 19 / 73
Oct / 32 / 1 / 5 / 56 / 26 / 18 / 69
Nov / 32 / 1 / 4 / 59 / 26 / 19 / 73
Dec / 32 / 1 / 4 / 59 / 26 / 19 / 73
2013
Jan / 32 / 1 / 4 / 63 / 27 / 20 / 74
Feb / 32 / 1 / 4 / 63 / 27 / 20 / 74
March / 38 / 1 / 4 / 53 / 33 / 20 / 61
April / 38 / 1 / 4 / 58 / 33 / 22 / 67
May / 38 / 1 / 5 / 60 / 32 / 23 / 72
June / 38 / 1 / 5 / 58 / 32 / 22 / 69
July / 41 / 1 / 5 / 54 / 35 / 22 / 63
August / 41 / 1 / 5 / 54 / 35 / 22 / 63

2.4.3Analysis of the above figures and comparison with the previous year indicates a welcome increase in average month-end figures from 18.5 in 2011/12 to 20.5 in 2012/13.

2.4.4If one takes a more recent period (e.g. 2013 calendar year) the month-end average rises to 21.4. This in part reflects our ability to make more ready use of carers recently recruited to meet current and anticipated demand.

2.4.5Efficiency measures such as the % of available placements actually in use remain relatively unchanged. It is hoped that with continuing efforts to recruit only those able to meet anticipated demand that the proportion in use will rise from its recent (January – August this year) average of 67% to become 70% by next year.

2.5Fostering panel

2.5.1Section 2.5 represents material supplied by the independent panel chairperson (Elizabeth Hunt).

2.5.2‘Panel membership is managed on the basis of a central list which ensures that there are always sufficient panel members available to achieve quoracy. Panel members show a strong commitment to their work despite the fact that they may not attend more than two or three panels a year.

2.5.3It was envisaged that the Government would introduce changes to the constitution and quoracy requirements of panel. This has not to date happened.

2.5.4Maintaining an annual appraisal system is a challenge for a panel which meets infrequently. However, all Panel members have annual appraisals and the cycle of re-appraisals will begin in October 2013.

Business covered during the year:

2.5.55 applications were presented and recommended and 5 annual reviews were presented during the year, one of which was a first review.

2.5.6The foster carer applications recommended by panel were all agreed by the agency decision maker and represented an additional twelve placements (including sibling groups).

2.5.7One of the annual reviews was brought to panel as a result of ‘standards of care’ issues. Panel recommended continued approval with a number of conditions to be met. Panel requested a return to panel following the next review.

2.5.8Business and training issues were discussed at each panel. Feedback on the progress of carers was regularly offered to panel on a formal (minuted) and informal basis.

Issues arising:

2.5.9One of the review reports presented during the last year was excellent.

2.5.10The annual review report format needs to be updated to reflect the changes which have occurred in requirements (e.g. delegated authority) and to reflect the work of a current BAAF pilot format and current review.

2.5.11Social workers need to better understand the importance of the annual review process and documentation including ‘personal development plans’ and information about training attended (including course details).

2.5.12Assessments were generally of good quality, with two of exceptional quality.

2.5.13Assessments need to conform to current practice and focus less on historical narrative and more on evidence and analysis.

2.5.14There was clear evidence that foster carers enjoy being engaged with SfC and very much appreciate that the level of support and supervision offered is of a very high standard.

Feedback from applicants & foster carers attending panel:

2.5.15Only 4 attendees completed feedback forms and it would be helpful to improve the response rate and include feedback from attending social workers. Comments were positive and attendees felt they were warmly received and properly prepared for the panel experience.

Conclusion & recommendations:

2.5.16The agency has had a productive year with a clear increase in the number of suitable applicants being assessed and recommended for approval.

2.5.17The panel works well in fulfilling both its regulatory function and in offering independent scrutiny of the practice presented and the overall work of the agency.

2.5.18Recommended action for further improvements are:

  • Training for the team and the panel on the use and understanding of annual household reviews
  • Improve feedback form response rates

2.6Other achievements

2.6.1In addition to the high level of ongoing support of existing foster carers by their supervising social workers (Winsome Josephs-May and Debbie Rose), and determined efforts to recruit more, the following achievements also need to be acknowledged.

Training support

2.6.2All SfC carers have achieved the required Children’s Workforce Development Council Training and Development Standards for foster carers and rates of attendance at the (large number) of in-house training opportunities are high.

2.6.3SfC provide formal training, workshops and support groups. All events are open to all staff and carers although priority is given to the group that the event is targeted at for example foster carers.

2.6.4In the period September 2012 to March 2013 the following training courses were provided for foster carers:

  • Sexual health and education part 1 and 2 for foster carers
  • Keeping children safe part 1
  • Working with traumatised children
  • Record keeping
  • The legal basis for fostering
  • ‘Every Child Matters’
  • Keeping children safe part 2
  • Managing allegations
  • Achieving optimal health through good nutrition and hygiene

2.6.5In planning for the 2013/2014 training programme we recognised that while the majority of our experienced carers have completed core training, we have a number of newly approved carers and anticipate more. As well as completing core training these carers will need to evidence how they have met the CWDC standards for foster carers within the first year of approval. In order to help them achieve this we have incorporated elements of the core training programme such as ‘Introduction to the Fostering Task’ into a series of CWDC workshops which we will repeat throughout the year.

2.6.6From April to September 2013 the following courses were provided:

  • First Aid
  • Drug awareness
  • Introduction to the fostering task and CWDC
  • Safer caring Part 1
  • Working with parent and child placements
Social events

2.6.7A further distinguishing feature of SfC is its high level of involvement and support of carers and those placed with them.Regular social events provide opportunities to reinforce the sense of teamwork amongst staff, carers and children. In 2012 / 2013 the following events were organised:

  • 3 support groups
  • A summer BBQ
  • A fireworks party
  • Christmas party for children
  • Christmas dinner for staff and carers
  • A ‘Croham’s Got Talent’ show

Preferred provider status

2.6.8In the past year SfC maintained ‘preferred provider’ status with:

  • Lewisham
  • Wandsworth
  • Lambeth
  • Southwark
  • The South West London Consortium (Kingston, Richmond, Merton Sutton and Croydon)
  • The consortium of Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Portsmouth and Southampton; Reading, Bracknell Forest, Slough, Bracknell Forest, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Slough, West Berkshire and Wokingham Unitary Authorities

2.6.9SfC is also included in a free-standing ‘Croydon Framework arrangement’.

Recognition of quality of service

2.6.10Considerable energy had been expended in early 2012 in preparing for the anticipated Ofsted inspection eventually completed in June of that year. Work had actually begun in the previous year with an audit of working practices against requirements of revised Fostering Services Regulations and National Minimum Standards. Work completed included the:

  • Review and updating of all policies
  • Updating of fostering procedures
  • Rewriting and circulation of our foster carers’ handbook
  • Introduction of revised matching procedure and pro-forma
  • Introduction of revised risk assessment procedure and pro-forma
  • Audit of all children’s and foster carers’ files to ensure all the required information was held and up to date

2.6.11The high standard of practice thus achieved and recognised by Ofsted’s inspector has, we believe been maintained throughout 2012/13. Notwithstanding the high standard of service, we have made limited progress in the pursuit of increased numbers of carers and placements.

2.6.12Attainment of agreed targets was delayed or rendered more complex by:

  • Acute financial pressures which necessitated reductions in the staff hours devoted to recruitment
  • An unplanned proportion of Directors’ time devoted to reinforcing the skill and confidence of supervising social workers
  • A high proportion of Directors’ time given to the completion of many excessively time-consuming and bureaucratic ‘invitations to tender’ from increasing numbers of local authorities

2.6.13Thus, in contrast to the targets put in placed a year ago, the actual position as at 31.08.13 was that:

  • SfC had 24 approved foster carers
  • The combined capacity of those carers was 41 placements of which 35 were available
  • The occupancy rate was thus 63 %

2.6.14The Directors concluded last year, and remain of the view that SfC has sufficient infrastructure (staff-time, premises, systems and experience) to significantly expand its fostering function without loss of quality. The updated plans for so doing are summarised below.

2.7Plans

2.7.1Plans for the current year include:

  • A recruitment drive in October in relevant areas
  • Development and introduction of revised monthly supervision records, annual reviews and carer assessments
  • A focus on the quality of assessments and on the recently published Ofsted document [ref 130207] on inspections of independent fostering agencies

SfC: Annual report 2012-2013 1

Contact Centre

3Contact centre

3.1Introduction

3.1.1Section 3.2 offers a snapshot of the contact service as it was at the beginning of 2012/2013 year and is followed by summaries of the efforts and results with respect to promotion of the service for:

  • Supervised contact
  • Supported (room only) contact
  • Room hire only

3.2Initial position & subsequent developments

3.2.1SfC began the year with a pool of 10 sessional contact workers. We have continued to investsignificant resources in the supervision and training of sessional contact staff, all of whom are required to complete an induction programme and undertake initial training.