Memorandum submitted by The Fostering
Network
THE NEED
TO RAISE
STANDARDS OF
FOSTER CARE
INSPECTION
— End of advisory role to improve practice
as practiced by CSCI.
— Loss of experienced inspectors and
their replacement by people without a background in the sector.
— Important National Minimum Standards
deemed not "key standards for inspection".
— Problems dealing with complaints
about poor practice from Foster Carers.
1. In April 2007 Ofsted took over responsibility
for the inspection of children's social care from the Commission
for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) a move designed to mirror the
transfer of responsibilities from the Department of Health to
the then Department for Education and Skills. While organizational
change always produces initial difficulties, there is concern
that some of the problems may be more deeply rooted.
2. In previous years CSCI had seen improving
the practice of fostering services as an integral part of its
brief and provided advice and support about raising standards
to fostering services. Ofsted do not see this as part of their
role, arguing that this responsibility for advice and support
should have passed to the Government Offices for the regions.
However the DCSF have admitted that this function is not being
carried out by Government Offices and, given the rationalization
in Government Office teams, it was unlikely they would be taking
on this role in the near future. Many fostering services benefited
from the advice on how they could improve their practice to meet
the National Minimum Standards, which was provided by CSCI, and
if this support has been removed permanently it may have a detrimental
effect on practice.
3. The transition between CSCI and Ofsted
has seen the loss of staff with specific knowledge of fostering
services. Inspectors with fostering experience were not identified
as part of the hand over between the agencies and many have left
for roles in the private sector, often advising independent fostering
providers on how to deal with inspections. Ofsted has since trained
20 new inspectors to inspect fostering services. These new inspectors
do not have a background in the sector and will be at a significant
disadvantage in an area that requires considerable specialist
knowledge to understand the scope for potential problems. We are
concerned that this will lead to key issues being overlooked by
inexperienced inspectors.
4. One of our key concerns is that the current
inspection methodology which Ofsted has transposed from CSCI designates
some National Minimum Standards as key standards to be inspected
and others not. Unfortunately, this approach means several important
standards that affect foster carers are not considered key standards
for inspection. Consequently they are often not fulfilled by fostering
services with little opportunity for recourse. These areas not
deemed key standards for inspection include the procedures that
should be in place to support foster carers in the event of an
allegation and the payment of allowances and fees, both vitally
important procedures that have an enormous impact on foster carers.
5. Foster carers are well placed to be able
to comment on the quality of service provided by fostering services.
We are concerned that there is a lack of consistency in how the
views of foster carers are obtained by inspectors. Local foster
care associations are not routinely contacted prior to an inspection
and yet they are well placed to make observations on the strengths
and weaknesses of the fostering service.
6. Finally there has been considerable concern
amongst foster carers about the way in which Ofsted deals with
their complaints about poor practice. Ofsted have assured us that,
following the complaints of several foster carers who were told
Ofsted was not able to deal with their concerns because they were
foster carers rather than a fostering service, steps have been
taken to ensure that all helpline staff are made aware of how
to deal with calls from foster carers. While this move is welcome,
a more fundamental concern remains: foster carers had previously
been able to register complaints to be investigated about poor
practice with CSCI and would be informed of developments. Ofsted
currently argues that it will treat issues raised by foster carers
as information to inform inspections rather than investigating
the situation or providing guidance on correct practice. We are
concerned that this will reduce the ability of foster carers to
challenge poor practice outside of the inspection process.
May 2008
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