Appendix 1 Action Plan and Progress Against Current Status of Peer Review and Ofsted Fostering Report Recommendations

(1)

1 Peer Review Recommendations

Recommendation Timescale Lead officer Actions Evidence/Impact Achieved

Embedding the progress that has been made to date – in practice and organisational culture [22PR]

Jan 2013 onwards

Interim Divisional Director, Children and Families

The improvement notice for looked after children’s services was lifted in Feb 2013.

The Fostering service was inspected in June 2013 and received an adequate rating.

Two improvement workshops have been held April 2013 consolidating the improvement journey

TriX procedures manual went live in May 2013 embedding

consistent application of standards and practice.

Framework I upgrade completed on 8 July 2013 to improve data quality and analysis

Permanent recruitment to senior

management posts.

The Fostering service was inspected in June 2013 and received an adequate rating.

“Children and young people have a positive self-view and have developed sound relationships with their carers”

quote from Fostering Ofsted Inspection and Report p5.

CAFCASS has reported significant improvements in the preparation of work for

applications.

Evidence of improvement in one to one supervision and

appraisal.

Data reports used effectively to increase compliance and quality evidence in improving

performance indicators for care plans – pathway plans

GREEN

(2)

2

Lack of performance information framework impacts upon

performance management and Member overview [23 PR]

April 2013

Head of Management Support &

Information Unit

Frameworki implementation 8 July 2013

Weekly and monthly performance reports are

presented at: CFSMT, Heads of Service meetings, PLM

meetings, Director level meetings and the WFSCB Weekly missing children report prepared for Deputy Chief Executive, Families Directorate

GREEN

Reliance on interim and agency staff [24PR]

April 2013 Interim HR Consultant

Human Resources

Recruitment and retention Strategy completed

The focus is now on the front door Four local authorities have

expressed an interest in learning from our recruitment and retention strategy and use of the micosite

Refer to 10 CP

Divisional Director and Head of Service Children in Care posts commenced Oct 2013.

Head of QA and Safeguarding to commence 1.4.14.

C&F induction pack now in use.

Dedicated recruitment team setup for C&F recruitment.

Reduction in the number of agency staff within the service:

Placement & Resources – x1 agency worker

Children in Care Services – x4 agency workers

GREEN

Work on early intervention strategy to address early help and CAF

[25PR]

31.7.13

Directorate Programme Board (DPB)

Early Intervention Strategy identified as a work stream by the DPB with support from PwC

All Waltham Forest children’s centres are judged good or outstanding by Ofsted 2011-13 Early Intervention Services demonstrate impact of effective

GREEN

(3)

3

Group Manager Early

Intervention and Prevention

The review on the Early Help service and the interface with children centres is now complete and an action plan is in

development

Tier 1 and Tier 2 practice, including the Short Breaks Service for CWDT and the Troubled Families Waltham Forest programme, which has the highest level of payment by results within the statistical neighbours group with £40,000 payment by results.

Low level complaints from CWD 6 complaints received for 2012-13

Draft strategy document out to consultation Dec 2013.

Capacity and partnership capability of virtual school and Health Advisor

[26PR] Sept 2013

Executive Head teacher

PRUs, Alternative Provision

and Looked After Children

+ Specialist Practitioner for Looked After Children

The Promoting Educational Attainment of Looked After Children action plan addresses our improvement priorities through partnership working with other key stakeholders based on 12 quality standards.

The Scrutiny Standard Report sets out how we will increase the size of the Virtual School in order to address our capacity issues and raise attainment.

Additional funding for 1:1 tuition for looked after children impacts on standards

Promoting Educational Attainment of Looked After Children action plan in place Scrutiny Standards Report to Overview & Scrutiny

Management Committee 2012 Provisional outturn for 2012-13 indicates high performance against national standards 30%

of LAC achieving 5 A*-Cs, including English and Maths.

75% of LAC achieved Level 4 in English at Key Stage 2 and 63% in Maths

25% of children in care achieve 5 GCSEs including English and Maths in 2011-12

GREEN

(4)

4

93% of children in care had an up to date health assessment in 2011-12

93% of children in care had an up to date dental check in 2011- 12.

Need to promote learning from complaints

[27PR]

April 2013 Head of Service Quality Assurance &

Safeguarding

Practice learning workshops have been programmed to commence from April 2013 onwards to include learning from complaints and audits

Learning from complaints report for 2012/13 highlighted 40

complaints received for April 2012 and March 2013. Service

improvements are in place to address staff conduct, inaccurate information and non-involvement in decision making.

IROs have a two monthly meeting with LB Islington to promote shared learning

Quarterly meetings take place between IROs and Chairs

Complaints report 2012/13 used at team meetings with IROs and chairs. Evidence from the Complaints Audit confirms change in practice as a result of learning from complaints

GREEN

Increase in-house foster placements [28PR]

April 2013 Head of Service:

Placements and Resources

Recruitment and Marketing strategy for 2013/14 contain targets to increase recruitment of in-house foster carers.

Focus on developing foster placements to match needs of children in care population.

Fostering inspection report notes

As at 3 Feb 2014:

• Enquires have

increased three fold at the information evening sessions

• 8 potential carers attended Dec 2013 Preparation Group

• Currently there are 10

GREEN

(5)

5

that C&YP enjoy relatively stable placements June 2013

ongoing assessments of carers offering 11 placements

• 7 further assessments have been allocated in- house. Assessment turnaround will meet the new 12 week

requirement

• Of those 10

assessments, two are potential candidates for dual fostering to adopt approval

(6)

6 Fostering Recommendations

Ensure the wishes, feelings and views of children and those significant to them are taken into account in monitoring foster carers and developing the fostering service (NMS 1.7) [54 F]

Nov 2013

Head of Service:

Portfolio Holder has sent letters to all looked after children, social workers and Foster Carers celebrating academic achievement along with an evaluation form to ensure their views influence 1:1 tuition and educational support.

A senior management focus on the importance of the

‘Voice of the Child’ and pathway planning has been communicated in all team meetings.

Use of the Household Review Forms and in home visit recordings emphasised and monitored through audit and supervision.

Deputy of the Virtual School supports social workers and runs open sessions for foster carers and social workers on the educational issues raised.

CiC council workshops facilitate feedback from C&YP

Evidence can be found on FWi and in audits/IRO feedback to interim Director.

Initial feedback from LAC following the 2013 education achievement is very positive from LAC and social workers. This includes a text from one of our young people:

“taking me into care has changed my life and improved my chances”

Key issues raised support for GCSE and 1:1 tuition: advocacy and planning to reflect the young person’s interests. Involvement of fosters carers in the education of C&YP.

Quarterly fostering report demonstrates how learning from feedback is improving the service.

Updating Children’s Guides incorporating the views of C&YP.

A support group is in place for C&YP of foster carers to inform change

communicated to all foster carers via fosternet.

A care leaver appointed to sit on fostering panel Jan 2014.

GREEN

(7)

7

Ensure that foster carers are

supported to make

reasonable and appropriate decisions within the

authority delegated to them, without having to seek consent unnecessarily (NMS 7.4)

[55 F]

Nov 2013

Head of Service:

Delegated Authority Policy and procedure has been written.

Delegated Authority guidance and tool is available on Fosternet.

Delegated Authority Checklist for Foster Carers’

to be agreed on 16.9.13 and circulated to foster carers. A checklist is being rolled out to all of the support groups.

The document will be added to the agenda as a standing item for training as well.

Supv Social Worker to complete Delegated Authority tool for each Foster Carer.

Foster Carers’ Handbook on Fosternet to be updated with Delegated Authority section.

Agreed that the handbook should be electronically reviewed annually. Date for 2013 update to be agreed by the 4 identified reps.

WFFCA (Carers

Association) to be briefed on Delegated Authority.

All these actions to be completed by Oct 2013.

The policy has been sent to Heads of Service and no amendments were noted. The existing document will therefore be rolled out on 1 October 2013.

Checklist as evidence.

GREEN

(8)

8

Ensure that allowances and any fees paid are reviewed annually and the fostering service consults with foster carers in advance of any changes to the allowance fee (NMS 28.3)

[56 F]

Nov 2013

Head of Service:

Prepare a Business Case to address recommendation.

Benchmarking of service costs indicate that we are a medium/low cost service.

The service is taking steps to reduce independent fostering placements.

A report has been completed which proposes financial options to streamline age bands and associated payments and to implement an increase to the carer fee element to commence April 2014. Funding agreement in progress.

Consultation with WFFCA to follow to enable implementation if funding and carer agreement approved.

GREEN

Ensure that the fostering service has a record of the recruitment and suitability checks which have been carried out for foster carers and those working (including as volunteers) for the fostering service (NMS 19.3) [57 F]

Nov 2013

Head of Service:

Audit of statutory checks to be undertaken. Agreed that team managers to

undertake audits.

Dedicated Fostering Assessment Team now in place.

Applicants are notified of when their DBS check has been completed. Prep groups are being used to discuss the changes. HR has introduced a required timescale for DBS renewal. An electronic and manual system to monitor all checks for foster carers is in place.

GREEN

Ensure that the fostering service produce a written guide to fostering which includes the address, including email address, and telephone number of HMCI (breach of Regulation 3.3) [58 F]

Nov 2013

Head of Service:

Completed, Statement of Purpose amended and uploaded to website.

Web page link:

http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk

/Documents/Fostering Statement of Purpose - FINAL.pdf

GREEN

(9)

9

in or for the fostering service,

and the central [list] of persons considered suitable to be members of a fostering panel, are interviewed as part of the selection process and have references checked to assess suitability before taking on responsibilities, and that telephone enquiries are made to each referee to verify written references (NMS 19.1)

[59 F]

Nov 2013

Head of Service:

completed by 20.9.13.

Panel member files identified during Ofsted inspection have been reviewed.

Fostering Support Team Manager to audit the files by w/c 07 October 2013.

Head of Placements &

Resources to undertake a dip sample on the w/c 14 October 2013.

appropriately.

Additional representation from health and a young person.

All procedures checked and in place

Ensure that children’s safety and welfare is promoted in all fostering placements and that children are protected from abuse and other forms of significant harm (NMS 4.1) [60 F]

Nov 2013

Head of Service:

Review procedures and processes to ensure compliance with conflict of interest issues.

Safer Caring Policy Report of allegations by C&YP.

Head of Service monitors spreadsheet re: allegations, complaints and issues of restraint

Quality assurance service to triangulate with IROs to ensure compliance.

Fosternet has been updated with new procedures and processes which foster carers can access via briefings, support groups and training.

Head of Service reports all C&YP are safeguarded appropriately.

Evidenced by fostering tracking spreadsheet.

100% of CIC case files audited in Oct 2013 were good/adequate.

GREEN

(10)

10 Ensure that the manager

regularly monitors all records kept by the service to ensure compliance with the

service’s policy to identify any concerns about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends.

Immediate action is taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring (NMS 25.2)

[61 F]

Nov 2013

Head of Service:

Placements and Resources

Clear protocols and procedures to be developed to ensure incidents of

restraint/injury to be recorded by Foster Carers via agreed incident template.

Outcome: focus on compliance, recruitment and exemptions. Team Manager monitors records in supervision.

Central records closely scrutinised by Team Manager and Head of Service

Panel business day to take place before the end of November 2013. Fostering Support Team Manager to ensure that this happens and that Head of Placements & Resources is invited.

Head of service auditing case files.

Central records fully compliant. No trends identified.

GREEN

(11)

11 Ensure that the executive

side of the local authority (a) receive written reports on the management, outcomes and financial state of the fostering service every 3 months and (b) monitor the management and outcomes of the services in order to satisfy themselves that the service is effective and achieving good outcomes for children (NMS 25.7 (a) (b)).

[62 F]

Dec 2013

Head of Service:

Placements and Resources

LBWF Chief Executive, police, health and Portfolio Holders to receive quarterly performance and financial reports.

Corporate Parenting Board to receive quarterly performance and financial reports.

First report is due by the end of Dec 2013. A Data Quality Reporting Officer is now in post and will produce quarterly performance reports. Head of Placements & Resources and Finance to address the financial element.

presented at the monthly Directorate Programme Board chaired by the Deputy Chief Executive of Families

b) A third quarter report for Oct-Dec 2013 is in draft to be presented to CFSMT in Feb 2014 for sign off