Press Releases
Ealing’s fostering service rated “excellent” (PR 948)
Ealing Fostering & Adoption Connections provides “excellent” outcomes for children and young people in care, and their foster carers, according to independent inspectors from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).
Following a thorough investigation over six days, inspectors reported that Ealing provides a “good quality” fostering service that delivers “excellent outcomes for the people who use it”.
Their report highlighted a number of strengths, including:
· Competent and experienced foster carers with an
organised, professional and pleasant approach
· Stable and well-established staff who are experienced
and appropriately qualified
· Positive relationships between foster carers and
children and young people
· Up-to-date knowledge and action on legislative
changes
· A strong management team, efficient fostering panel
and well-established Corporate Parent Committee.
Councillor Ian Gibb, deputy leader and cabinet member for children’s services, said: “This is an excellent result for all of our foster carers and our dedicated fostering staff.
“They are constantly striving to provide the best support for
our children and young people in care and this independent
recognition is well deserved.”
The CSCI inspectors’ report states: “The service actively
seeks to recruit carers that can meet the diversity needs of the
children and young people it serves.
“Children and young people receive excellent additional support, which is characterised by being creative and responsive to a child or young person’s individual needs.
“It was evident from the foster homes visited that foster carers are committed to ensuring that children and young people attend school and are supported to achieve a good education.
“There has also been a marked improvement with the numbers of young people qualifying for university placements.
“The fostering service is supported by a strong management team, an efficient fostering panel and a well-established Corporate Parent Committee.”
Inspectors found many developments since their previous inspection in 2005, including a broader range of training opportunities for foster carers, new strategies for recruiting foster carers, a new drop-in centre for looked-after young people, and an updated foster carers’ handbook.
In the report’s summary, CSCI made just one suggestion for improvement; that the service ensures CSCI is always made aware of all child protection strategy meetings.
The thorough inspection included:
· Group discussions with managers, social workers and
other professionals
· Inspection of records, documents and supporting
evidence
· Visits to four foster homes
· Attendance at a foster carer support group
· Observation of a foster panel meeting
· Discussions with the service’s operations manager.
An effective and quality fostering service supports the council’s priority of providing value for money services. The council’s other two priorities are cleaner streets and safer communities.
If you would like to find out more about fostering, please call Ealing Fostering & Adoption Connections on freephone 0800 731 6550 or via email fosteradopt@ealing.gov.uk.
Notes to Editors:
· The inspection of Ealing’s fostering service took
place over six full and part days during December 2006.
· The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to
improve services and promote best practice, putting the people who
use social care first.
· Ealing’s fostering service provides short-term
placements, long-term placements, kinship placements, a sitting
service and short-term breaks for children with special needs.
· In November last year, the council scooped awards for
best corporate parent and UK social care team of the year
(looked-after children education team) at the Children and Young
People’s Services. In December, the council’s Aim Higher project
for looked-after children won an £8,000 Community Care best
practice award.
· The inspection was broken down into the five wellbeing
outcome areas determined by the Government’s Change for Children
agenda and an additional ‘Management’ category. Ealing Fostering
& Adoption service received the following ratings in each
category:
Being Healthy – Excellent
Staying Safe – Good
Enjoying and Achieving – Excellent
Making a Positive Contribution – Good
Achieving Economic Wellbeing – Excellent
Management – Excellent