Statement of Purpose 2019 2020 - Part of - Compass Fostering
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Statement of Purpose
2019 - 2020
Part of
Contents Aims & Objectives
Our Vision
Introduction 1
Vision, aims & objectives 2 Our Objectives Our Aims
Principles 3 To continue to improve outcomes for children in terms Compass Fostering aims to:
Status & constitution 3 “To be the preferred children’s service of their individual care plans with particular emphasis • Provide services that improve the self-esteem,
on placement stability, educational achievement, social confidence, life chances, achievements and
Equality & diversity 4 provider; renowned for an optimistic development and health. placement stability of the young people placed with
Facts & figures 5 & pragmatic approach, where it is To further develop our: us.
Quality standards 6 believed change is possible.” • Ensure fostering carers and their families receive
1. Children and young people with Problematic Sexual
Organisation structure 7-8 Behaviour
professional guidance, support and training as
Service provision 9-11 appropriate to help them fulfil their roles as easily
2. Step Down - Residential to Fostering placements and effectively as possible.
Recruitment & assessment 11
Introduction 3. Therapeutic Placement Service • Support Local Authorities by designing and
The fostering process 12 4. Parent and child providing services that meet local need and
Compass Community was established in August
Management & support of carers 13-15 2012. We have foster carers and offices across 5. Children with disabilities promote young people’s integration into their local
Training & development 16 England and Wales. We pride ourselves on being a 6. Asylum seeking children communities and networks.
Complaints & compliments 17 large enough to support and small enough to care 7. CSE We expect to be judged by our record of stable
organisation. 8. CCE placements and by measurable improvements in all
Group map 18
outcomes for the children placed with us, including:
To improve educational opportunities and • Overall experiences and progress of children &
Local Region Areas Served Office Location/s
achievements for children through the continued young people
North North Wales, Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Bolton, Blackburn, Bradford, Newton development of our services, carer awareness and
Manchester, Merseyside, Yorkshire, Aycliffe, Wrexham • How well children & young people are helped and
liaison with education authorities.
Humberside, Tyne & Wear, Teeside protected (Safeguarding)
Central West Midlands, East Midlands Loughborough To support Social Care staff in maintaining their • Effectiveness of leaders and managers
London Greater London Brixton, Hornchurch, Wembley registration with the Health and Care Professions
Council (HCPC) and Social Care Wales (SCW).
East Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Felsted, Newmarket
Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire
To provide a first class service to all our foster carers,
South East Kent, Medway Whitstable, Gravesend through the provision of exceptional support, training
South Somerset, Berks, Dorset, Surrey, Sussex, Rustington, Fareham, Hastings and recognition.
Hampshire
Wales South Wales, Mid Wales Cardiff To expand our services further geographically,
matching the needs of local authorities.
West (Formerly ABC) West Midlands, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Worcester, Stroud
Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire,
Oxfordshire
Our Commitment to
Requirements • The Regulated Fostering Services (Service Providers
Stakeholders
Our statement of purpose has been developed to meet and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulation
the requirements of the following legislation: 2019
• Care Standards Act 2000 • Statutory Guidance Fostering Services April 2019 Compass Fostering strives to continue to be recognised
• Fostering Services Regulations 2011; Care Planning, • The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) and respected by all our partners and stakeholders
Case Review and Fostering Services Regulations Act 2016 (local authorities (LAs), carers, staff, children and Ofsted/
2013. CIW) for the high standard of our work, the professional
• The Children & Young Persons Act 2008
• The Children Act 1989 A copy of the document will be made available to any expertise of staff and carers, our partnership
• The Children Act 2004 persons involved with or working for the purposes of the approach and aspirations for the children we care
• Delegated Authority for Foster Carers (Guidance fostering service, including Ofsted and CIW, any looked for. We subscribe to principles of social enterprise and
2011) after child or parent of any such child. Our Statement
• Protecting Children supporting Foster Carers – undertake to develop a sustainable company and
of Purpose will be kept under review and where extend fostering in terms of skills and innovation. We
dealing with allegations against foster carers
Protocol (Guidance, 2011) appropriate, updated, at least annually.
offer good rewards and development opportunities for
carers and staff who have responsibility for their own
1 practice.
2
Status & Constitution Equality & Diversity
Compass Fostering is an independent fostering agency and a private limited company registered under the We are totally committed to the principles of equal young people reflects this culture of diversity, ensuring
Companies Act 1985. opportunity in employment and services. No individual, that our services, recruitment and general business do
employee, foster carer or service user, will be not discriminate on any grounds of:
It is part of the Compass Community, which includes fostering services as well as residential, education and PSB disadvantaged as a consequence of race, gender,
• Age
Intervention provision. disability, sexuality or any other reason. Discriminatory
• Disability
behaviour of any sort will be challenged and dealt with
• Gender
In accordance with the Companies Acts 1985 and 1989, we produce a memorandum of Association and Articles of appropriately.
• Gender reassignment
Association.
• Marriage or civil partnership
Through our inclusive approach to recruitment, we • Pregnancy and maternity
Copies of these are available to the government commissions, which regulate independent fostering agencies and
aim to integrate equality of opportunity into all its • Race and ethnicity
children’s social care throughout the UK.
employment activities. Our service provision to Local • Religion and belief (or non-belief)
Authorities, foster carers and looked after children and • Sexual orientation
Wales England
Inclusive Foster Care Provision
Children’s Commissioner for Children’s Commissioner for We seek to operate within a framework of fairness, openness, integrity, accountability and expect the same of
Wales England those providing services for the agency, or on behalf of the agency. Our key values and principles are set down to
ensure that:
Children’s Commissioner for Wales Children’s Commissioner for England
Oystermouth House Sanctuary Buildings
Phoenix Way 20 Great Smith Street • All employment and service delivery policies and practices reflect a
Llansamlet London positive value for human difference and diversity.
Swansea SW1P 3BT • All staff and foster carers are aware of and understand
SA7 9FS T: 020 7783 8330
the agency’s commitment to equality of opportunity
T: 08088011000 Email: info.request@childrenscommissioner.gsi.
Email: post@childcomwales.org.uk gov.uk and their responsibilities in relation to this.
Website: www.childcomwales.org.uk/ Website: www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk • Our workforce has the knowledge, skills and
abilities to provide high quality services within
a clear framework of anti-discriminatory
Care Inspectorate Wales Ofsted practice.
T: 0300 790 0126 Ofsted • Our services are responsive, accessible,
Email: CIW@gov.wales Piccadilly Gate sensitive and appropriate to those who
Website: https://careinspectorate.wales/ Store Street need and may benefit from them.
Manchester
Merthyr Tydfil;Care Inspectorate Wales M1 2WD
Welsh Government office Foster carer pre- and post-approval
T: 0300 123 1231
Rhydycar Business Park Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk training encourages care provision that
Merthyr Tydfil Website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ respects the ethnic, religious, cultural
CF48 1UZ ofsted and linguistic background of children
Carmarthen ;Care Inspectorate Wales and young people who are looked after
Government Buildings through our agency. Foster carers are
Picton Terrace provided with the necessary information,
Carmarthen SA31 3BT support and training to enable them to
provide the best possible care and to
Llandudno Junction;Care Inspectorate Wales
Welsh Government office promote the heritage of a fostered child or
Sarn Mynach young person.
Llandudno Junction
LL31 9RZ
3
3 4
Facts and Figures Quality Standards
Looked after Foster carers Staff • To comply fully with all relevant childcare legislation,
fostering regulations and minimum standards for
• All foster carers will complete Skills to Foster training
children 2018-19* 2018-19* 1st April 2019 England & Wales
• Foster carers will have continuing training in line
with the DfE Training, Support and Development
• Every effort will be made to match children with Standards (Induction Framework for Wales)
Compass Fostering Compass Fostering Compass Fostering families that reflect their religious and cultural needs
North • We shall ensure each foster carer and foster home
North: 330 North: 275
Central: 269 Permanent: 31 • Issues around child protection will be dealt with fulfils all health and safety requirements, is risk
Central: 227
London: 163 London: 154 Central immediately, in line with locally agreed procedures assessed and has a safe caring plan
Permanent: 18
South: 273 South: 227 • School attendance and academic achievement will • Foster carers work to an agreed individual child and
London
Wales: 67 Wales: 51 be promoted for all children and young people, young person’s care plan and within the terms of
South East: 94 Permanent: 15
South East: 93 in line with Department for Education and Skills the Placement Agreement
East: 87 East
East: 81 Permanent: 11 guidance
West (Formerly ABC): 113 • Foster carers will promote contact with the
West: 51 South East • Daily written records on each child or young person children's families unless this is not possible due to
West (Formerly ABC): 80 Permanent: 9 will be provided by foster carers safeguarding factors
South
Permanent: 27 • Corporal punishment will NOT be used in any • Foster carers will receive regular support visits from
Wales circumstances. Guidance will be provided on the supervising social workers and regular telephone
Permanent: 9 use of sanctions and a written record kept of any contact
West (Formerly ABC) implementation
• 24-hour telephone support will be provided to foster
Permanent: 10
• Both we and our carers will maintain vigilance carers by an experienced, qualified social worker
Community
around confidentiality
Permanent: 58 • Foster carers will have an annual review
• Assessments will be completed by qualified and
experienced staff with active participation by
* All figures correct as of 31st March 2019 applicants
Staff
All staff and individuals who work in association with
the fostering agency hold a range of appropriately
recognised qualifications dependent on
their specific role or field of expertise such
as MBA, DiPsw, NVQ 4/5 in Management,
Diploma/Certificate in Management, NVQ in
Administration and that all social work staff
are registered with HCPC / SCW. The agency
employs a variety of individuals who have a
wealth of social work, management, teaching,
administration and technical experience to ensure
the needs of the agency is exceeded at all levels.
All staff receive regular support, supervision and
training. All pre-employment checks are undertaken
and reference checks are followed up with a telephone
call.
Enhanced DBS Checks are undertaken and renewed
yearly as part of annual update service.
5 6
Organisation Structure - Group Education - Children in School
We have a dedicated Education Department who give priority to ensuring that children receive full-time education
appropriate to their needs. We do this while recognising that Looked After Children have been shown to be
disadvantaged in their education and within the framework of government guidance on the education of children
in public care.
Chief Financial
Chair Person Chief Executive Officer
Officer
Carers and their supervising social workers build up close working relationships with their local schools to ensure
that children placed receive the most effective service.
Our Lead Teacher and our Post-16 Education Co-ordinator
provide advice, training and consultancy to fostering and
residential teams as well as carers on:
Director Director Group Head Executive Director Group Head Group Head Group Commercial
of of of Customer Headteacher of HR & of Carer of Head of Director
Residential Operations Engagement For Group Learning and Recruitment Marketing Compliance • Support for young people in school
Services Development and Support • Guidance on PEPs, annual reviews and
Services
strategy meetings
• Termly collection of ‘Attendance and
Regional Head of Regional Achievement’ for those of school age
Operations Practice and Assistant
Manager Development Heads • Reward vouchers for young people
achieving 100% term time attendance
Heads of • Congratulations letters and postcards
Fostering for education achievement
• LA liaison regarding all educational
Residential Fostering Placements Learning & Recruitment Marketing Database Finance
Education Team
IT Team needs including admittance in to
Services Services Team Development Team Team Development
Services
Team
schools
***
*** Administra- • Education Training for foster carers
HR tion Team
Team • Experiential Education support for
young people out of school
Organisation structures for full teams/services are available on request. • Educational Ambassador support
for carers around PEPs
• Advice and guidance for 16
plus for transition into college /
apprenticeships
EDUCATION
7 88
Service Provision
We offer a wide range of placements for all children or young people aged 0-18 years, whatever their experience
or difficulties. Our foster carers have the knowledge, skills and experience to be considered for a broad range of
placements. We have also trained foster carers who offer specialist placements. Specialist Advice for Foster Carers
• Attachment workers providing direct one-to-one with carers (Specialist Therapeutic Placements)
Standard Placement Specialist Placement • We commission a team of Consultant Clinical Child Psychologists to provide clinical sessions and advice to
foster carers and staff on the care and management of any foster child. Direct contact with the foster child is by
Types Some of these children will require care
Types •
prior agreement with the child’s social worker
Community based psychologists (PSB Specialist Placements)
• Short-term specific to their needs including: • Parent and Child • Individual PRICE training (If required)
• Respite • CSE • Education department (EE carers/post 16+ Education Coordinator)
• Unaccompanied Asylum
• Emergency • PSB • Carer Ambassadors
Seeking Children
• Permanent • Therapeutic Placements • Fostertalk membership and FISS Support for allegations
• Step Down - moving children &
• Long-term • CCE
Health
young people from Residential
• Sibling Groups to Foster Families
• Children with Disabilities
• Our foster carers take a special concern for the health of the children placed with them and promote the
Matching •
development of a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise
The foster carer has a file for each child that includes a section for the collection of detailed health information
All children and young people are different and as a result all placements are unique. Therefore, we operate an • 100% of children placed are registered with a GP and dentist
Active Placement Management process. • A personal health passport for each child is given to each child at the commencement of a placement
Approved foster carers have a wealth of experience and many specialise in areas in order to meet the needs of • Medication, appointments and health checks are recorded on electronic daily logs - Allowing health issues to
children who come into care. be monitored regularly
We have dedicated placement teams who respond to all enquiries about placement choices and who liaise closely
with supervising social workers, foster carers and local authorities. This ensures the best possible match for the
child and the foster carers.
Support Network
All carers are encouraged to identify a member of their family or close friends who be their providing care to
Supervision of Placement children and young people if ever the carers require any period of respite, as this means the child / young person
in placement is cared for by a member of the carer’s extended family who may already have a relationship with
• Supervising social workers (SSWs) have regular contact with the foster home them. We will undertake a home visit and complete a short assessment of any named support cover network. If
• Our carers have access to specialist advice and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year this is not possible we aim to link them with a specific carer for any period of respite.
• Supervising social workers have at least 6 weekly contact with the child in placement as part of their
Transport
supervisory duties
Supporting Outcomes for Children • Day to day transport requirements within the local area are the responsibility of the carer, this includes
• Our Carer Support Ambassadors provide additional, targeted support and constructive activity to maintain and transport to the local school
improve the quality and stability of placements • We try to provide transport for other situations if the carer is unable to
• Activity days for the fostering families are planned by local groups and the agency do so, e.g. contact away from the foster home or attendance at a
• Range of social events are organised for all fostering families, celebrating all children and young people’s non-local catchment school, for which a charge will be
made
achievements in a fun, activity-based way within each region
• Achievements are recognised and acknowledged with a letter or postcard by the supervising social workers
•
and recorded on our database
Consultation — we provide children and young people’s consultation events to discuss and comment on the
After Care
Agency and general fostering issues. Their views are shared with the whole agency (staff and carers) Planning for young peoples independence will
take place as part of ‘looked after’ review
Contact and care planning process. Our carers
and staff are fully involved throughout
• Foster carers are supported in facilitating contact between the child in placement and their birth family in this transition period including
accordance with their care plan if this is appropriate ‘Staying Put’ arrangements
• Supervised Contact is offered if requested by LAs. A charge is made for this service (‘When I Am Ready’ in Wales).
9 9 10
Management & Support of Carers
Supervisory Visits Foster Carer Review Foster Carer Forums Insurance Cover
Regular supervision and support meetings take place All foster carers have an annual review which is an Carer consultation groups are held throughout the year,
Insurance is provided in the event of allegations. We
between our social worker and foster carers. These opportunity to appraise the last year of their foster with Regional Foster Carer Forums chaired by the Head
also provide independent support during investigations
meetings provide an opportunity to discuss the needs care and set new goals and action for the year ahead. of Fostering for local regions. These meetings support
into serious allegations, as required.
of the child in placement and that the foster carers are Training needs are assessed and identified. Feedback the Group wide Carer Forum chaired by the Managing
Carer Ambassadors
able to progress the child’s care plan. Any concerns or from our foster carers on the training courses we Director and attended by senior managers, and
challenges are identified with support plans identified provide is consistently positive. foster carer representatives from each geographical
as required. region within the organisation. This meeting provides
Compass offers the opportunity for Carers to develop
We have a well-established learning culture. If any an opportunity to discuss practice, policies and
their own skills, experience and knowledge as well
Another primary focus during supervision is to develop concerns do arise about a foster carer’s commitment organisational developments.
as offering the opportunity to provide support to carer
the skills of the foster carers and identify training needs. to on-going development this is addressed with them.
Support for Foster Carers’
colleagues and direct work with children and young
Where necessary this can include reviewing their
Support
people.
Own Children
registration at the fostering panel.
Record Keeping
We achieve this by the use of:
Foster carers receive support from various professionals
We are committed to birth children’s involvement within • Carer Support Ambassadors
including Carer Support Ambassadors, Clinical
the service as they are an essential element to securing • Carer Recruitment Ambassadors
Psychologists, Lead Teacher for Education all of which is Foster carers maintain an individual daily log on the
a positive family experience for children in care. Social • Carer Education Ambassadors
overseen by an experienced management team. children they look after. Maintaining records is an
workers ensure they meet with birth children on a • Carer Language Ambassadors
essential part of the foster carer’s role and accurate
regular basis and social activities and events are • Experiential Educators
All foster carers are registered with Foster Talk who factual recordings help monitor the child’s progress.
arranged throughout the year.
provide support to foster carer households. This These recordings are shared with the local authority.
Carers can chose to take up these roles and are paid
Respite
includes quality specialist advice and information plus Compass has a bespoke database called FosterTrack,
an additional hourly rate for the work undertaken.
legal expenses insurance whilst rewarding foster carers allowing data to be recorded, monitored and shared in
Publications
by giving them access to a large range of discounts. a secure format.
Should any respite be necessary we are supportive of
Policies and Procedures
a child focussed practice and require that any respite is
Independent support is offered if carers face
taken in line with the child’s care plan and with the local We now have a range of publications covering all of our
safeguarding concerns.
authorities agreement. We actively encourage carers to various services and specialist projects.
We have developed a comprehensive foster carer
Unannounced Visits
utilize their support network / close family members or
manual that every approved foster carer has access
friends who are known to the child.
to in order to aid them with their fostering task.
Payment
All our foster carers receive two unannounced visits The manual contains information on fostering law,
each year; this exceeds the requirements of national complaints procedures, access to records, child
standards and regulations. protection, support, health issues, health and safety
We pay a generous fostering allowance directly
In addition, we aim to undertake management visits to matters, education information, managing behaviour
into the foster carer’s account by BACS
the foster carers home as these visits provide further and various other subjects relevant to foster carers and
transfer. All foster carers are self-
assurances that the care provided to the foster child the task of caring for a young person.
employed and as such should
is in keeping with the high quality expectations of the This manual is reviewed regularly and updates are
pay their own tax and National
agency. These visits also allow us to receive feedback issued as required to foster carers and staff.
Insurance.
from the foster carers to ensure that they are receiving
the level of support they require.
Foster Carer Support
Emergency Support Groups
Foster carers have access to advice and support Bi-monthly local groups are held in various venues.
from one of our social workers 24 hours a day 7 days These are groups where information can be shared,
a week. The on-call service is also supported by a any issues can be raised with the agency and most
manager. importantly carers can socialise together, learn from
and support each other.
In addition to local groups there are regional events
to celebrate achievements a variety of social activities
arranged during the year.
11 12
Recruitment & Assessment The Fostering Process
Applications to become a foster carer are welcomed regardless of gender, marital status, sexuality, race, disability,
religion, culture or employment status. 1. Initial Enquiry • References from all previous employment involving
children and vulnerable adults
Anyone over the age of 21 years may apply to become a foster carer. Once a prospective foster carer has enquired, the Carer • Personal references from at least three people who
Recruitment Team will contact the applicant to discuss will also be visited by a social worker
There is no upper age limit for fostering, although all applicants must be active and healthy in order to care for a their suitability and desire to foster. • Overseas checks where appropriate
child in their home. • A Health and Safety inspection will also be carried
2. Home Visit
It is a minimum requirement that a foster carer has a spare bedroom room available for fostering. The time scale out by the agency’s staff
from assessment to approval is approximately 4 to 6 months. Any applicant who has been convicted of an offence • Ex-partners and children of an appropriate age
against a child or any serious offence against an adult will be excluded. If appropriate a home visit will be arranged. The visit is from previous relationships will be interviewed
called an initial visit and will be a two way discussion
between the dedicated social worker and the applicant.
4. Panel
Once the assessment is completed the applicants will
Applicants at Skills to Foster 3. Assessment have the opportunity to read and discuss possible
unanimously agreed the swift, amendments to the report. This report will then
If appropriate, we will assign a qualified social worker
friendly and professional approach be presented to the fostering panel. Prospective
to undertake a comprehensive assessment with the
they received from a member of the prospective foster carer and their family. They will foster carers and the social worker completing the
Recruitment Team is a major factor in produce a report which we refer to as an Assessment. assessment must be in attendance at the fostering
their decision making, once they had This covers: panel.
made an initial enquiry. Some made
• Individual profiles of applicants The fostering panel is made up of a variety of
comparisons to other agencies and • Relationships and partnerships professionals and independent members, who have
local authorities where response and • Applicants’ support network the appropriate qualifications and experience to serve
contact was been poor, unfriendly and • Children in the household as panel members.
lengthy. • Other adult members of the household
• Description of family life
•
•
Valuing diversity
Parenting capacity
5. Approval
The panel members make recommendations re
The social worker will visit the home a minimum of approval, with the final decision being made by the
eight visits to spend time working with the applicants on Agency Decision Maker (ADM).
their assessment. The assessment is a joint project and
Upon approval as a foster carer we will advise you
will require full participation from applicants and their
family. A minimum of three personal referees will be in writing and allocate a supervising social worker to
required who will be visited by a social worker. support the foster carer in their fostering task. Compass
will advise local authorities of the approved foster
As part of the assessment process, potential carers will
carer’s availability.
be required to attend a training course called Skills to
Foster.
During the assessment, our staff will also carry out a
variety of statutory checks (stage 1) which are completed A number of applicants describe how they have
concurrently with your home visits (stage 2). been “ruled out” or “rejected” by other agencies or
local authority due to their personal circumstances
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
or the make-up of their family environment. They
check
• Local Authority checks were positive that Compass were more accepting
• Current or previous fostering organisation reference and flexible in their approach; understanding the
• School/health visitor reference (on own child, if potential of unique family environments which are
appropriate) positive rather than negative for fostering.
• Medical reports
• Current employment reference
13 14
REACH Training & Development
REACH is the ethos of Compass Fostering. The REACH approach works to
build resilience, provide stability and ensures a child-centred approach to
We are committed to maintaining and developing the
highest standards for all our services and our training Core Training Programme
every placement. and development programmes are central to this. All There is no limit to the training you can attend, however
carers and staff have a Personal Development Plan, the minimum expectation of training attendance within
Resilience:
reviewed annually. one calendar year is:
We encourage all carers to take responsibility for their • All foster carers - (if a couple then both) to commit
learning and developmental activity. This is achieved by: to a minimum of 16 hours of training per calendar
Stickability - carers capacity to care and nurture a child even when they year. This can include a number of options including
• An Individual Personal Development Plan
are hostile and rejecting. • An Annual training programme in-house, on-line, external, Local Authority training,
relevant reading materials/research, useful and
Education:
• Regular support and supervision visits with their
social worker appropriate documentaries etc – note each face
to face course and each online course equates to
Post approval, newly approved foster carers complete: 4 hours of learning with the exception of First Aid
The process of changing the mind and behaviour of the child begins in the which is a 6 hour course
• Induction course
mind of the care giver. Carers to reflect and understand their own drives / expectations and behaviours and • Newly approved carers (if a couple then both) to
• Induction work books (DfE Training Support and
understand their parenting styles and how this impacts on children. Development Standards for Foster Care - England attend as a minimum, the following 4 courses
Acceptance:
only) during their first year:
• Wales Induction Framework Standards (WIFS) • Induction - Roles and Responsibilities of fostering
• First Aid • Induction - Safeguarding and then in subsequent
years to complete refresher courses on an annual
To accept a child as they are. The aim is to build self basis –see courses marked with an (S) in the
Training is provided to:
esteem and provide creative opportunities for children and young people to ‘accept’ and like programme for post first year courses
• Improve knowledge, develop and refine skills
themselves even when under stress. • Establish an explicit, positive framework of values, • Induction - Supporting Children & Young People in
Child Centered:
which promotes equality and opportunity Education
• Encourage foster carers to reflect and look at • First Aid All foster carers – (if a couple then
the effects of discrimination in all parts of the preferably both) to complete Paediatric First Aid
community, recognising that they care for children training within one year of approval (if a valid
To recognise and empathise certificate not already held). Certificates must then
in the context of the wider society, and that for many
with the child /young person’s feelings and for the adult to reflect, manage be renewed every 3 years – you will receive invites
children discrimination is a fact of everyday life
and respond to the child / young person’s • Ensure that all foster carers are competent and to the next scheduled courses
feelings and behaviours. confident in safe caring and in protecting children • Newly approved carers – to complete the Training
from harm Support and Development Standards (TSDS)
Holistic:
• Encourage foster carers to take responsibility for workbook within one year of approval
their own professional development through the
creation of individual training profiles Advanced & Specialist
Training
Provide the child with a sense
of belonging to the carers family, to their own birth family Compass Fostering underpins practice within a
and wider social and community network. Support positive psychology approach, called “REACH”. This is a We also offer specialist courses, for example:
individual child / young person to accept who they are conceptual framework based on resilience, attachment • PSB (Problematic Sexual Behaviour)
and manage their complex relationships. and aspects of social pedagogy which supports our • Caring for UASC
practice, enabling children to gain a sense of security • Parent & Child
and improve their emotional well-being. All training for • Therapeutic Fostering
all staff and foster carers has the REACH • Mental Health & Risk Management (staff)
ethos as its foundation. • Level 5 Safeguarding (staff)
• Radicalisation
• CSE
“The experience of working with and supporting potential Compass foster carers over the past three
years through the Skills to Foster course has continued to be most enjoyable and positive experience
for me. The quality and consistency of the recruitment and assessment process is evident in the
quality of applicants I have the pleasure to meet during the course.”
15 16
Complaints & Compliments Where We Foster From 1st April 2019
Complaints
We take all complaints very seriously and learn from them so that we may continually improve the services we
offer. We have a comprehensive complaints procedure, recorded in our Foster Carer Handbook, which places Newton Aycliffe
an emphasis on resolving complaints at a local level and at an early stage. Complaints that cannot be resolved
this way will be dealt with by a senior manager independent to the region, who will conduct a full investigation.
Complainants can also go directly to Ofsted/CIW at any time:
Complaints forms are available digitally and can be accessed at any time.
Blackburn
1 2
Bradford
Stage 1 - Local Informal Number of complaints
Resolution 01/04/18 - 31/03/19
Bolton
Complaints will generally be raised and resolved directly
North
3
4 - 1 unfounded, 1 founded,
between the parties concerned with managers being kept 2 - partially upheld
informed. Wrexham
Central 5 - upheld or
partially upheld, 4
Stage 2 - unsubstantiated, 2 -
unfounded, 3 - ongoing. Loughborough
The agency maintains separate processes for the London 2 - 1 partially upheld,
purposes of complaints, allegations, commendations and 1 - unsubstantiated.
Newmarket
suggestions. This information and processes are monitored
and reviewed on a regular basis by each registered service South 7 - 5 not upheld, 1 - upheld,
1 - partially upheld.
and the senior management team. Worcester
Wales 4 - 1 unfounded, 1 - upheld/
partially upheld, 2 -
Suggestions ongoing.
Felsted
South East 0
We welcome suggestions about our services and how we Stroud
WembleyLDN
might improve them. All suggestions will be considered and Hornchurch
responded to. East 3 - 1 upheld, 2 - not
recorded. Cardiff Gravesend
Brixton
Whitstable
Rustington Hastings
Compliments Fareham
All compliments and commendations are recorded, with special awards being made in exceptional
circumstances. Here is a selection of comments made about our staff and the services we offer:
“I am really happy with Compass they are very supportive and caring. My SSW is excellent and a
credit to Compass, she amongst others is one reason I wouldn’t leave the agency.”
Central South East
“I have found the support from Compass Fostering very good. To be able to call someone any time
of day is very important to me.”
Compass Foster Carers.
North London South
West East Wales
17 18Compass Fostering North Compass Fostering South East Hope Park Business Centre, Pean Hill Park, Hope Park, Bradford, West Pean Hill, Whitstable, Yorkshire, BD5 8HH CT5 3BJ T 01274 288 117 T 01227 479 444 Reg No: 07054121 Reg No: 05557977 Ofsted URN: SC405567 Ofsted URN: SC036518 Compass Fostering Central Compass Fostering East Mountfields House, Exhibit House, Squirrel Way, Off Epinal Way, Dunmow Road, Loughborough, LE11 3GE Felsted, CM6 3LD T 01509 221 310 T 01371 820 600 Reg No: 04331256 Reg No: 05430202 Ofsted URN: SC065772 Ofsted URN: SC064986 Compass Fostering London Compass Fostering West 135 Albany Road, Suite G1, New Venture House, Hornchurch, Weir Lane, Essex, RM12 4AQ Worcester, WR2 4AY T 0208 325 1122 T: 01905 424 435 Reg No: 03292070 Reg No: 5975556 Ofsted URN: SC033806 Ofsted URN: SC360525 Compass Fostering South Dominion Way, Rustington, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN16 3HQ T 01903 857 250 Reg No: 08374139 Ofsted URN: SC465949 Compass Fostering Wales Unit 6, Norbury House, Norbury Road, Fairwater, Cardiff, CF5 3AS T 02920 782 912 Reg No: 05956931 CSSIW Certificate No: W060001302/0001/0004 Visit compassfostering.com
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