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8 February 2018 Fostering Network regional conference

Fostering – a n Ofsted perspective Corrinne Barker (Regulatory Inspection Manager ) Tracy Murty (Social Care Regulatory Inspector). 8 February 2018 Fostering Network regional conference. Background.

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8 February 2018 Fostering Network regional conference

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  1. Fostering – an Ofsted perspectiveCorrinne Barker (Regulatory Inspection Manager)Tracy Murty (Social Care Regulatory Inspector) 8 February 2018 Fostering Network regional conference

  2. Background • The progress of children in care and care leavers is an important priority for Ofsted. It is incorporated in all regional plans and across all inspection frameworks. • Ofsted renewed its commitment to focusing on the progress of vulnerable and disadvantaged children in its strategic priorities for 2016-2020.

  3. Some findings • More care leavers stayed living with their former foster carers. • Children were more likely to experience a change in educational placement if they also experienced an unplanned ending. • A large minority of children who went missing had no RHI. • Around 77% of fostered children are White, with 22% of children belonging to minority ethnic groups. • Just under 10% of children were reported to be disabled. From: Fostering in England, Ofsted, 2017 www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fostering-in-england-1-april-2015-to-31-march-2016

  4. Some figures • Approximately 70,000 children in care in England. • Two thirds (75%) live in foster care – approximately 50,000 children. • Most foster children are in local authority foster care – 66% • 33% of children in foster care are in IFAs.

  5. IFAs in England

  6. Independent fostering agencies – 81% judged as good or outstanding at their last inspection (1 April 2017)

  7. Consultation and pilots - SCCIF • 218 replies to online consultation. • Meetings/webinars/events with 250+ individuals, including: • children and young people • providers • representative groups, e.g. ADCS, Alliance for Children in Care, LandEx, National IRO managers group • social workers • foster carers. • Eight pilot inspections testing the SCCIF and short notice inspections of independent fostering agencies (four IFA pilots).

  8. Outcomes of consultation • Publication of the SCCIF, for use from 1 April 2017. • Common judgement structure Overall experiences and progress of children and young people taking into account: How well children are helped and protected The effectiveness of leaders and managers. • A reduced notice period for independent fostering agencies – now two working days. • We will usually re-inspect IFAs judged as inadequate within 6-12 months, and IFAs judged as requiring improvement within 12-18 months. • 2017 - new approaches to inspecting local authority children’s services piloted. Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) now implemented. These inspection will retain a sharp focus on the experiences and progress of looked after children and care leavers

  9. Our inspection principles • Focus on what makes the most difference in children’s lives: rigorous focus on progress and experiences across all of our inspection frameworks. • Being clear about our expectations of providers: bringing commonality into our expectations on inspection wherever we can e.g. children living away from home. • Prioritise inspection where improvement is needed most:risk-based and proportionate. The SCCIF and local authority inspections embodies these principles

  10. Does the SCCIF raise the bar for good and outstanding? • We have not intended to raise the thresholds for good or outstanding judgements by introducing the SCCIF. • We will continually review the impact of the SCCIF, including any changes in inspection outcomes – interim evaluation after 6 months and formal evaluation after 12 months.

  11. Inspections of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) • The experiences and progress of children in care and care leavers and the effectiveness of achieving permanence. • Inspection activity will include: a primary focus on evaluating individual children’s experiences. • Testing the quality of decision making at all key stages of a child’s journey and meeting with children and young people, parents and carers. • We will be looking at the impact of fostering services on the experiences and progress of children in care

  12. SCCIF feedback Please send any feedback to: Matthew Brazier HMI Specialist Adviser, Children in Care Social Care Policy Matthew.brazier@ofsted.gov.uk

  13. Evaluating the SCCIF • Are we achieving what we set out to achieve? • Engage, listen, reflect and improve • Independent view • Focus on voluntary adoption agencies and the secure estate Foster care- May 2017

  14. Ofsted on the web and on social media www.gov.uk/ofsted http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk www.linkedin.com/company/ofsted www.youtube.com/ofstednews www.slideshare.net/ofstednews www.twitter.com/ofstednews

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