30 November 2017 Fostering Network regional conference Fostering – an Ofsted perspective Patrick Sullivan (Regulatory Inspection Manager) 30 November 2017 Fostering Network regional conference

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 has renewed its commitment to focusing on the progress of vulnerable and disadvantaged children in its strategic priorities for 2016-2020.

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

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.

IFAs in England Region Number of IFAs East Midlands 13 East of England 31 London 55 North East, Yorkshire & Humber 33 North West 36 South East 60 South West 21 West Midlands 46 Total 295

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

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).

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. We are currently piloting new approaches to inspecting local authority children’s services (for implementation in 2018) – these inspection will retain a sharp focus on the experiences and progress of looked after children and care leavers

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

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.

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

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

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

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