Statement of Purpose Compass Fostering South East 2021-2022 - "Big enough to support and small enough to care"
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Statement of Purpose
Compass Fostering South East 2021-2022
“Big enough to support and small enough to care”
Part of
Photo : Herne Bay in Kent, taken
by Glen aged 16 as part of his
GCSE photography work.
Ofsted URN: 2600900 | T: 01227 479 444
Contents Aims & Objectives
Introduction
Aims & objectives
1
2
Our Vision Our Aims
• Provide services that improve the self-esteem, We expect to be judged by our record of stability for
confidence, life chances, achievements and stability children and by measurable improvements in all
Status & constitution 3 “To be the preferred children’s service of children and young people cared for by us. outcomes for the children cared for by us, including:
Equality & diversity 4 provider; renowned for an optimistic • Ensure foster carers and their families receive • Overall experiences and progress of children &
Quality standards 5 & pragmatic approach, where it is professional guidance, support and training as young people
Compass South East’s Team 6 believed change is possible.” appropriate to help them fulfil their roles as easily
• How well children & young people are helped and
Education: Motivate - Educate - Inspire 7 and effectively as possible.
protected
Our Improvement Plan 8 • Support Local Authorities by designing and
• Effectiveness of our leaders and managers
Services for Children 9-10 providing services that meet local need and
Management & support of carers 11-12 Introduction promote young people’s integration into their local
communities and networks.
relationships with our Local Authority partners where
we:
The Panel Members 13 Compass Fostering South East was established in
Our Objectives
• Provide services that improve the self-esteem,
The Fostering Process 14 2021. We currently have one office in Whitstable. We confidence, life chances, achievements and stability
are seeking a location in North West Kent for another of the young people living with our foster carers.
The REACH Approach 15 office premises. To continue to improve life chances and outcomes • Ensure foster carers and their families receive
Training and Development 16 for children and young people by working within the professional guidance, support and training as
Complaints and Compliments 17 We currently serve the Kent and Medway areas. expectations of their care plans. We place a particular appropriate to help them fulfil their roles as easily
emphasis on ensuring that our foster families provide and effectively as possible.
The Voice of our Children 18 children and young people who live with them with • Support Local Authorities by designing and
We pride ourselves on being big enough to
What People Say About Us 19 support and small enough to care. love and stability whilst supporting their educational providing services that meet local need and
achievements and social, health and development. promote young people’s integration into their local
Our Children’s Achievements 20 communities and networks.
1. To support and understand children and young
people who’s early life experiences has contributed To be judged by our record of ensuring our foster carers
to them displaying Problematic Sexual Behaviour. provide a safe and nurturing home for children by
2. To support children to safely move from residential where we measure their achievements and the degree
Whitstable Office living to a family home when appropriate. to which they are meeting their own personal potential
Pean Hill Park, 3. To ensure children are living in foster homes which Ensuring children & young people are helped and
Pean Hill, are therapeutic in approach. protected by effective leaders and managers.
Whitstable, 4. To support foster carers in caring for and nurturing
CT5 3BJ. parent/s in caring for their own child in a family
environment.
T 01227 479 444 5. To enable children that have disabilities to reach
their full potential.
Ofsted URN:- 2600900 6. To support and care for children and young people
seeking asylum.
7. To support children who are overcoming Sexual
Trauma.
8. To Support children who are overcoming Child
Criminal Exploitation.
9. To improve educational opportunities and
achievements for children through the continued
development of our services, carer awareness and
liaison with education authorities.
10. To support social workers in maintaining their
registration with Social Care England.
11. To provide support and supervision to all foster
carers, through the provision of bespoke training,
recognition and rewards.
1 To continue to maintain and develop trusting 2
Status & Constitution Equality & Diversity
Compass Fostering is an independent fostering agency We are totally committed to the principles of equal • Pregnancy and maternity
and a private limited company registered under the opportunity in employment and services. No individual, • Race and ethnicity
Companies Act 1985. employee, foster carer or child, will be disadvantaged • Religion and belief (or non-belief)
as a consequence of their race, gender, disability, • Sexual orientation
It is part of the Compass Community, which includes sexuality or any other reason.
fostering services as well as residential and education.
Discriminatory behaviour of any sort will be challenged Following ongoing global events, staff and carers within
and dealt with appropriately. the Compass Community came together in 2020 to
In accordance with the Companies Acts 1985 and 1989,
we produce a memorandum of Association and Articles Through our inclusive approach to recruitment, we form G.R.A.C.E, the Group and Regional Ambassadors
of Association. aim to integrate equality of opportunity into all its Committed to Equality.
employment activities.
Copies of these are available to the government
commissions, which regulate independent fostering The GRACE group represents all corners of the Compass
agencies and children’s social care throughout the UK. Our service provision to Local Authorities, foster carers service and does not have a static membership. They
and looked after children and young people reflects receive feedback from members across the different
this culture of diversity, ensuring that our services, services on the work of the teams, honour safe space
Children’s Commissioner for recruitment and general business do not discriminate necessary and have led on our Compass Community
England on any grounds of: Anti Racist Strategy.
Children’s Commissioner for England
Ofsted • Age
Ofsted • Disability
Sanctuary Buildings
Piccadilly Gate • Gender
20 Great Smith Street
Store Street • Gender reassignment
London
Manchester • Marriage or civil partnership
SW1P 3BT
T: 020 7783 8330 M1 2WD
info.request@childrenscommissioner.gsi.gov.uk
www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
T: 0300 123 1231
enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
Promoting Inclusion
www.gov.uk/government/
Requirements
Compass Fostering strives to foster a culture of fairness, openness, integrity, accountability and expects the same
organisations/ofsted
of those providing services for the agency, or on behalf of the agency. Our key values and principles are set down
to ensure that:
Our statement of purpose has been developed to meet
the requirements of the following legislation:
• All employment and service delivery policies and practices reflect a positive value for
• Care Standards Act 2000 human difference and diversity.
• Fostering Services Regulations 2011; Care Planning,
Case Review and Fostering Services Regulations
Our Commitment to • All staff and foster carers are aware of and understand the agency’s
2013. Our Partners commitment to equality of opportunity and their responsibilities in relation
to this.
• The Children & Young Persons Act 2008
• The Children Act 1989 Compass Fostering strives to continue to be • Our people have the knowledge, skills and abilities to provide high
• The Children Act 2004 recognised and respected by all of our partners quality services within a clear framework of anti- discriminatory
• Delegated Authority for Foster Carers (Guidance 2011) - local authorities (LAs), carers, staff, children and practice.
• Protecting Children supporting Foster Carers –
Ofsted for the high standard of our work, the • Our services are responsive, accessible, sensitive and
dealing with allegations against foster carers Protocol
professional expertise of all of our team, including appropriate to those who need and may benefit from them.
(Guidance, 2011)
• Statutory Guidance Fostering Services April 2019 staff and carers, our partnership approach and
aspirations for the children we care for. We Foster carer training, both pre- and post- approval encourages a
A copy of the document will be made available to any subscribe to principles of social enterprise and commitment to respecting an individual’s ethnic, religious, cultural
persons involved with or working for the purposes of undertake to develop a sustainable company and and linguistic background of children and young people who are
the fostering service, including Ofsted, or any looked extend fostering in terms of skills and innovation. looked after through our agency.
after child or parent of any such child. Our Statement We offer good rewards and development
of Purpose will be kept under review and where opportunities for carers and staff who have Foster carers are provided with the necessary information, support
appropriate, updated, at least annually. responsibility for their own practice. and training to enable them to provide the best possible care and to
promote the heritage of a fostered child or young person.
3
3 4
Quality Standards Compass South East’s Team
• To comply fully with all relevant childcare legislation, • To ensure that foster carers have the opportunity Chief Executive Officer
fostering regulations and minimum standards for for continuous development, in line with the DfE
England. Training, Support and Development Standards.
Foster carer’s skills and knowledge are reviewed at
• To ensure that children and young people are living
least annually. Director of Operations Group Head of Group Head of Foster
with families that are able to meet their religious Customer Engagement Carer Recruitment
Therapeutic Head
and cultural needs. • To ensure foster carer’s homes are safe and
welcoming for children, and have been Risk Assistant Director of Fostering
• To ensure that children are always safeguarded Therapeutic Manager
Assessed to meet Health and Safety requirements,
and protected, issues around child protection
ensuring that the whole family is safe. Registered Manager (HoF) Regional Family Finding Panel &
will be dealt with immediately, in line with locally
Manager Assessment Manager 1x Therapeutic
agreed procedures. • An individual risk assessment for children as well Coordinator
as a Safer Caring Plan is in place to ensure that
• To ensure that all children’s individual potential with
children and families are living together safely. 1 x Operations Manager
in education is reached. School attendance and
1 x Compliance and
academic achievement will be promoted for all • To ensure foster carers understand children’s Support Service Manager
children and young people, in line with Department individual needs and are working within the child’s 2 x Advanced Practitioner
for Education and skills guidance. care plan and ‘Placement Agreement’. 2 x South East Family 2 x Compliance and
Finding Team Members Support Service Coordinator
• To ensure reflective and child focussed records on • To ensure that where possible foster carers will 6 x SSW
children’s progress are provided by Foster Carers. promote relationships between children and their
birth families and make plans for them to see each
• To ensure that children live and thrive in a Foster Carers
other where appropriate and in line with the child’s
therapeutic environment where corporal
‘care plan’.
punishment is NOT used in any circumstances and
where guidance will be provided with training and • To ensure that foster carers continue to receive Looked after children 1st April 2021
support on behavioural strategies. support and supervision, from supervising social
Compass Fostering South East: 86
workers including unannounced visits, regular
• To ensure that everybody including staff and carers
telephone contact, and an on-call service.
maintain the principles of confidentiality. Foster Carers 1st April 2021
• Assessments will be completed by qualified and
• To ensure that foster carers have support,
Compass Fostering South East: 78
supervision and guidance during emergencies.
experienced staff with active participation by
potential new foster carers. • A 24-hour telephone support, and visit (where Staff 1st April 2021
• To ensure that as part of their assessment all
deemed necessary) will be provided to foster carers Compass Fostering South East: 17
by an experienced, qualified social worker.
potential new foster carers receive training and
support known as Skills to Foster training.
Quality Staffing
All Compass South East staff and carers 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 all social work staff are registered with Social Care England.
The service 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. We also have
a Therapeutic Practitioner who supports our South East foster carers.
All staff receive regular support, supervision and training where 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, ensuring that children
are kept safe.
5 6
Education “Motivate - Educate - Inspire” Our Improvement Plan
Compass Fostering South East have a dedicated Education Department who ensure that children access their right
Our Five Key Priorities
to an education that meets their individual needs and potential. We recognise that children who are in care are
Quality of Practice
often disadvantaged in their education attainment.
Carers and their supervising social workers build up close working relationships with their local schools to ensure • Shared and embedded social work practice model - REACH
that children who live with our carers receive the support needed to meet their own potential. • Improved response to risk management using via individual risk assessments
• Embed QA process through all aspects of the Agency
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:
• Support for young people in school
• Guidance on Personal Education Plans, annual reviews and strategy meetings for children Capability of our Workforce
• Termly collection of Attendance and Achievement information for those of school age. • Competency and skills review
• Reward vouchers for young people achieving 100% term time attendance • Recruitment and retention of Operations Manager & Supervising Social
Workers (SSWs)
• Congratulations letters and postcards for education achievement • Delivery of Core Training to all SSW’s
• LA liaison regarding all educational needs including admittance in to schools • Management training and development
• Training for carers which enhances knowledge on education rights and
responsibilities
• Additional support for children not in school known as Experiential
Education support
Effective Leadership and Management
• Reflective practice and the ability to offer professional challenge
• Educational Ambassador will support their foster carers peers and • Review of regional boundaries in respect of the geographic spread
their children in achieving against their for PEPs • Resources committed to support improvement
• Advice and guidance for young people aged 16 plus for
transition into college/university/Apprenticeships.
QA and Performance Management
Regional attendance April 2020 to March 2021:
National National Compass Compass Compass
Average Average SE SE SE
• Updated learning audit tool and consistencies of approach
CLA Summer 20 Autumn 20 Spring 21
• Clear link between audit activity, learning and development and practice
95.0% 94.5% 100.00% 89.0% 100.00% outcomes of the agency
(Figures based on Foster Track data) • Performance reporting which supports practice improvements
Percentage of Children Classified as Persistent Absentee
(Attendance >90.0%):
National Average Compass SE
National Average
Compass SE
Autumn
Carer, Staff, CYP and LA Engagement
CLA 20 • Carers development group to focus on the implemented changes
13.4% 12.5% 4.0% • Improved engagement with children and young people
(Figures based on Foster Track data) • Reflective practice development sessions for all staff to influence practice
delivery
Important to note the impact of COVID19 restrictions and school
closures on attendance and absence percentages for the
How will we measure impact?
year 2020-2021.
• What Children and Carers Say • Quality and Audit Review
EDUCATION • Performance Indicators • What Staff and LAs Say
7 8 8
Services for Children
Compass Fostering South East provides a wide range of family homes for all children aged 0-18 years who cannot
currently live with their birth families, either temporarily or permanently. We work in partnership with our fostering families
Supervision of Children Living with Foster Carers
to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to provide homes for children from a wide range of backgrounds and • Supervising social workers have regular contact with the foster home to ensure children are being cared for and kept
experiences. Our foster carers also continue to develop their skills to enable them to support children with more specific safe.
additional needs. • Our carers have access to specialist advice and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Every 8 weeks supervising social workers will visit children who are in our care.
Compass South East foster Some children will require care Foster carers can receive specialist
carers will provide: specific to their needs, including: training to support the following needs:
• Short-term • Children seeking asylum • Parent and Child Health
• Respite • Moving children from • Child Sexual Exploitation
• Emergency Residential to Fostering • Problematic Sexual Behaviour • Our foster carers will have regard for the health of the children living with them and promote the development of a
• Permanent Families (Step-down) • Overcoming Sexual Trauma healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise.
• Long-term • Children that have disabilities • Child Criminal Exploitation • Foster carers will maintain child centred records for each child that includes a section for the collection of detailed health
• Sibling Groups information. Medication, appointments and health checks are recorded on electronic daily logs - Allowing health issues
to be tracked.
Family Finding - Ensuring Children Live With Families Safely
• 100% of children living with foster carers should be registered with a GP and dentist.
• A personal health passport is given to each child when they move in with their foster carers will be monitored regularly.
All children and young people are individuals and have individual and specific needs. Compass Fostering takes
particular care to match children with appropriate foster families in order to meet their needs and ensure stability.
Compass Fostering South East carers are approved, supervised and supported to ensure they have the transferable skills Support Network
and experience in order to meet the needs of children who come into their care. We have a dedicated Family Finding Foster carer’s support networks are key to providing consistency and support to children. All carers are encouraged to
Team who respond to requests from LAs for families for their children. The team work closely with supervising social identify a member of their family or close friends who are suitable to provide care to children and young people in their
workers, foster carers and local authorities, to ensure that children’s needs are met and they can live safely with their absence. This person will usually be a member of the carer’s extended family who may already have a relationship with the
foster carers. young person. Where this is not possible we will link them with a specific carer for respite period.
Supporting Outcomes for Children Support Children to Maintain Relationships With Family
• Our dedicated Carer Support Ambassadors provide targeted additional peer support to their foster carer colleagues,
Foster carers are supported in facilitating meetings between the child in our care and their parents, brothers/sisters and
ensuring that children experience positive outcomes and stability by avoiding disruption in their lives.
extended family members in accordance with their care plan. Foster carers, can on occasion, be asked to supervise
• Activity days for the fostering families are planned by local groups and by Compass.
meetings between children and their families.
• A range of social events and local support groups are organised for all fostering families, celebrating all children and
young people’s achievements in a fun, activity-based way.
• Achievements are recognised and acknowledged with a letter or postcard by the supervising social workers.
Transporting Children
• Day to day transport requirements within the local area are the responsibility of the carer, this includes transport to the
child’s local school.
Specialist Advice for Foster Carers • We try to provide transport for other situations if the carer is unable to do so, e.g.... contact away from the foster home or
attendance at a non-local catchment school, for which a charge will be made.
• Attachment workers work directly with foster carers to provide one to one support to foster carers where appropriate
to help them understand and make sense of childrens needs.
• We work closely with a team of Consultant Clinical Child Psychologists to provide support and assistance to our foster
carers and staff to help them provide therapeutic responses to meet the individual needs of children.
When Children Leave Foster Care
• Direct contact with the foster child is by prior agreement with the child’s social worker where community based Planning for young people’s independence will take place as part of ‘looked after’ review and care planning process. Our
psychologists can work alongside our staff and foster carers to provide therapeutic intervention for children. carers and staff are fully involved throughout this transition period including ‘Staying Put’ arrangements.
• Compass Fostering South East will work with children and their foster families to ensure behaviour can be supported
safely and that physical intervention is always a last resort.
• Fostertalk membership and FISS Support for allegations.
9 10
Management & Support of Carers
Supervisory Visits Publications Children’s Council Insurance Cover
Regular supervision and support meetings take place We now have a range of publications covering all of To ensure children’s voices are heard, children are Insurance is provided in the event of allegations. We also
between our social worker and foster carers. These the services we provide, including information about given the opportunity to participate in the Children’s provide independent support during investigations into
meetings provide an opportunity to discuss the needs our specialist services, our holistic approaches and Council. This provides the opportunity for children to serious allegations, as required.
of the children and ensure that the foster carers are the process of becoming a foster carer. We publish a discuss and comment on their experiences and areas
able to progress the child’s care plan. Any concerns or quarterly newsletter to celebrate staff, foster carer’s and of development for Compass.
Carer Ambassadors
challenges are identified with support plans identified children’s achievements.
as required. We are committed to involving foster carer’s birth
Foster carers receive support from a wider range children within the service as they are an essential Compass offers the opportunity for carers to develop their
Another primary focus during supervision is to develop of professionals including their peers in the capacity element to securing a positive family experience for own skills, experience and knowledge as well as offering
the skills of the foster carers and identify training needs. of a Carer Support Ambassadors, Lead Teacher for children in care. Social workers ensure they meet with the opportunity to provide support to carer colleagues
Education matters and Therapeutic Practitioners, all of birth children on a regular basis and social activities and direct work with children and young people. We refer
Foster Carer Review
which is overseen by an experienced management and events are arranged throughout the year. to these people as carer ambassadors.
team.
All foster carers have a minimum of an annual review
which is an opportunity to appraise the last year of their All foster carers are registered with Foster Talk who Respite We achieve this by the use of peer to peer support known
as:
foster care and set new goals and action for the year provide support to foster carer households. This Should children or carers need to take a break we are • Carer Support Ambassadors
ahead. Training needs are assessed and identified. includes quality specialist advice and information plus supportive of this child focussed practice but require that • Carer Recruitment Ambassadors
Feedback from our foster carers on the training courses legal expenses insurance whilst rewarding foster carers any respite is taken in line with the child’s care plan and • Carer Education Ambassadors
we provide is consistently positive. by giving them access to a large range of discounts. with the local authorities agreement. • Carer Language Ambassadors
• Experiential Educators
Support Groups
We have a well-established learning culture. If any Independent support is offered if carers face
concerns do arise about a foster carer’s commitment safeguarding concerns or if children make allegations Carers can chose to take up these roles and are paid an
to on-going development this is addressed with them. against them. additional hourly rate for the work undertaken.
Where necessary this can include reviewing their We hold support group meetings four times a month
registration at the fostering panel. Unannounced Visits at present virtually, in addition to a Saturday morning
Support for Foster Carers’
for those working or who struggle to get to a meeting
Record Keeping Own Children
All of our foster carers receive a minimum of one during working hours in the week. These are often
unannounced visit to their home within each year to themed, however, sometimes will be led by the foster
Foster carers maintain an individual daily log on meet the requirements of national standards and carers participants and what comes up for them on the We are committed to birth children’s involvement within
the children they look after which is maintained on regulations, with our best practice intention to undertake day. We are hoping to have support groups return to the service as they are an essential element to securing a
Compass’ bespoke database called FosterTrack, two unannounced visits within a year to ensure that face to face from September 2021. positive family experience for children in care.
allowing data to be recorded, monitored and shared children are safe and are being well cared for.
in a secure format. Maintaining records is an essential We have regular children events, in the May half term Social workers ensure they meet with birth children
part of our foster carer’s role and accurate factual Emergency Support 2021, we held a virtual – Great Team Compass Bake- on a regular basis and social activities and events are
arranged throughout the year.
recordings help monitor the child’s progress. These Off. We have other activities and events throughout the
recordings are shared with the local authority. Foster carers have access to advice and support from year for children and families. We are looking forward
one of our social workers 24 hours a day 7 days a to being able to do these in person when it is safe to do
Policies and Procedures
week. The on-call service is also supported by a duty so.
manager.
We have developed a comprehensive foster carer
manual that every approved foster carer has access to Foster Carer Forums Payment
to assist them in their role as a foster carer. We pay a generous fostering allowance directly into the
Carer consultation groups are held throughout the year, foster carer’s account by BACS transfer. All foster carers
The manual contains information on fostering law, with Regional Foster Carer Forums chaired by the Head are self-employed and as such should pay their own
complaints procedures, access to records, child of Fostering for local regions. These meetings support tax and National Insurance.
protection, support, health issues, health and safety the Group wide Carer Forum chaired by the Director of
matters, education information, managing behaviour Operations and attended by the Chief Executive Officer,
and various other subjects relevant to caring for children senior managers, and foster carer representatives from
in care. This manual is reviewed regularly and updates each geographical region within the organisation. This
meeting provides an opportunity to discuss practice,
are issued as required to foster carers and staff.
policies and organisational developments.
11 12
The Panel Team 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
Once a prospective foster carer has enquired, the Carer
Anyone over the age of 21 years may apply to become a foster carer. There is no upper age limit for fostering, Recruitment Team will contact the applicant to discuss • Personal references from at least three people who
although all applicants must be active and healthy in order to care for a child in their home. their suitability and desire to foster. will also be visited by a social worker
• Overseas checks where appropriate
It is a minimum requirement that a foster carer has a spare bedroom room available for fostering. The time scale
from assessment to approval is approximately 4 to 6 months. Any applicant who has been convicted of an offence
2. Home Visit • A Health and Safety inspection will also be carried
out by the agency’s staff
against a child or any serious offence against an adult will be excluded. If appropriate a home visit will be arranged. The visit is • Ex-partners and children of an appropriate age
called an initial visit and will be a two way discussion from previous relationships will be interviewed
between the dedicated social worker and the applicant.
Our South East Panel Team 3. Assessment 4. Panel
A number of applicants describe how they have been Once the assessment is completed the applicants will
The Compass South East panel has been carefully “ruled out” or “rejected” by other agencies or local have the opportunity to read and discuss possible
Panel
considered to include people from a wide variety of Chair authority due to their personal circumstances or the amendments to the report. This report will then
backgrounds, all with important and valid input to make-up of their family environment. They were positive be presented to the fostering panel. Prospective
make. Our Panel Chair has an extensive background that Compass were more accepting and flexible in their foster carers and the social worker completing the
in education, one of our vice chairs is an approved approach; understanding the potential of unique family assessment must be in attendance at the fostering
foster carer, and the other comes with a background in panel.
environments which are positive rather than negative
education and foster carer training. Vice Vice The fostering panel is made up of a variety of
for fostering.
Chair Chair professionals and independent members, who have
If appropriate, we will assign a qualified social worker the appropriate qualifications and experience to serve
The team is made up of a further 12 panel members, to undertake a comprehensive assessment with the
their backgrounds are diverse, with some members as panel members.
prospective foster carer and their family. They will
having duel backgrounds. Backgrounds of panel produce a report which we refer to as an Assessment.
members include police, care leavers, social workers, This covers: 5. Approval
health professionals, education and foster carers. 12 x Panel Members
• Individual profiles of applicants The panel members make recommendations re
• Relationships and partnerships approval, with the final decision being made by the
• Applicants’ support network Agency Decision Maker (ADM).
• Children in the household
• Other adult members of the household Upon approval as a foster carer we will advise you
• Description of family life in writing and allocate a supervising social worker to
• Valuing diversity support the foster you in your in their fostering task.
• Parenting capacity Compass will advise local authorities of the approved
The social worker will visit the home a minimum of foster carer’s availability.
Applicants at Skills to Foster
eight visits to spend time working with the applicants on
unanimously agreed the swift,
their assessment. The assessment is a joint project and During the assessment, our staff will also carry out a
friendly and professional approach will require full participation from applicants and their
they received from a member of the variety of statutory checks (Stage 1) which are completed
family. concurrently with your home visits (Stage 2).
Recruitment Team is a major factor
As part of the assessment process, potential carers will • Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
in their decision making, once they
be required to attend a training course called Skills to check
had made an initial enquiry. Some
Foster.
made comparisons to other agencies • Local Authority checks
and local authorities where response • Current or previous fostering organisation reference
and contact was poor, unfriendly and • School/health visitor reference (on own child, if
lengthy. appropriate)
• Medical reports
• Current employment reference
13 14
REACH Training & Development
REACH is the ethos of Compass Fostering. The REACH approach works to We are committed to maintaining and developing the Training is provided to:
build resilience, provide stability and ensures a child-centred approach to highest standards for all our services and our training • Improve knowledge, develop and refine skills
every each child and young person that we care for. and development programmes are central to this. All • Establish an explicit, positive framework of values,
carers and staff have a Personal Development Plan, which promotes equality and opportunity.
Resilience:
reviewed annually. • Encourage foster carers to reflect and look at
the effects of discrimination in all parts of the
We encourage all carers to take responsibility for their community, recognising that they care for children
learning and developmental activity. This is achieved by: in the context of the wider society, and that for many
Stickability - carers capacity to care and nurture a child even when they
• An individual personal development plan children discrimination is a fact of everyday life.
are hostile and rejecting. • An annual training programme • Ensure that all foster carers are competent and
Education:
• Regular support and supervision visits with their confident in safe caring and in protecting children
supervising social worker from harm.
• Encourage foster carers to take responsibility for
Compass Fostering underpins practice within a their own professional development through the
The process of changing the mind and behaviour of the child begins in the
positive psychology approach, called “REACH”. This is a creation of individual training profiles.
mind of the care giver. Carers to reflect and understand their own drives / expectations and behaviours and
conceptual framework based on resilience, attachment
understand their parenting styles and how this impacts on children. and aspects of social pedagogy which supports our “The experience of working with and supporting
Acceptance:
practice, enabling children to gain a sense of security potential Compass foster carers over the past
and improve their emotional well-being. All training for three years through the Skills to Foster course
all staff and foster carers has the REACH ethos as its
has continued to be most enjoyable and positive
To accept a child as they are. The aim is to build self foundation.
experience for me.”
esteem and provide creative opportunities for children and young people to ‘accept’ and like
themselves even when under stress.
Core Training Programme
Child Centered:
There is no limit to the training that foster carers can
attend, however the minimum expectation of training
To recognise and empathise attendance within one calendar year is:
with the child /young person’s feelings and for the adult to reflect, manage All foster carers - (if a couple then both) to commit to
and respond to the child / young person’s feelings and behaviours. a minimum of 16 hours of training per calendar year.
This can include a number of options including in-
house, online, external, local authority training, relevant
Holistic:
reading materials/research, useful and appropriate
documentaries etc. Each face to face course and each
online course equates to 4 hours of learning with the
Provide the child with a sense exception of First Aid which is a 6 hour course.
of belonging to the carers family, to their own birth family
and wider social and community network. Support Newly approved carers (if a couple then both) to attend
as a minimum, the following during their first year:
individual child / young person to accept who they are
and manage their complex relationships.
• Induction - Roles and Responsibilities of Fostering
Advanced & Specialist
Training
• Induction - Safeguarding
• Induction - Supporting Children & Young People in
Education
We also offer specialist courses, for example:
• Paediatric First Aid training within one year of
• PSB (Problematic Sexual Behaviour)
approval (if a valid certificate not already held).
• Caring for UASC
Certificates must then be renewed every 3 years
• Parent & Child
• Therapeutic Fostering
They must also complete the Training Support and
“The experience of working with and supporting potential Compass foster carers over the past three years • Mental Health & Risk Management (staff)
Development Standards (TSDS) workbook within one
through the Skills to Foster course has continued to be most enjoyable and positive experience for me. The quality • Level 5 Safeguarding (staff)
year of approval.
and consistency of the recruitment and assessment process is evident in the quality of applicants I have the • Radicalisation
pleasure to meet during the course.” • CSE
15 16
Complaints and Compliments The Voice of our Children
Complaints All feedback is important, but none more so than that of the children we care for. We conducted a ‘Have Your Say’
feedback questionnaire in January 2020, and here are a few highlights.
Compass takes any dissatisfaction in our service very seriously and will learn from them so that we may continually
improve the services we offer. We have a comprehensive complaints procedure, recorded in our Foster Carer ‘I am happy and very very lucky to live with them and I love them very much also’
Handbook, which places 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 ‘You have a better life in care’
conduct a full investigation. Complainants can also go directly to Ofsted at any time.
‘I live a happy life and I don’t want anything to change’
Complaints forms are available digitally and can be accessed at any time.
‘I have a home and all of my food that I have every day’
‘I am proud of my lovely foster family because my foster parents are really lovely and kind to me’
Compliments
Our Complaints Process All compliments and commendations are
‘It’s nice to have a family’
recorded, with special awards being made in ‘My foster carer has been the person who has guided me through everything and made me the person I am
today’
Stage 1 - Local Informal exceptional circumstances.
Here is a selection of comments made about our
Resolution staff and the services we offer: ‘We get to have fun days, I get clean beds and nice food, I feed protected and safe’
Complaints will generally be raised and resolved ‘My life has dramatically improved since being in foster care’
“I am really happy with Compass
directly between the parties concerned with
they are very supportive and
managers being kept informed. ‘I live a happy life and I don’t want anything to change’
caring. My SSW is excellent
and a credit to Compass,
she amongst others is one ‘I wouldn’t change anything because in this beautiful house you don’t change
Stage 2 reason I wouldn’t leave the anything’
The agency maintains separate processes agency.”
for the purposes of complaints, allegations,
commendations and suggestions. This information “I have found the Compass South East In Numbers
and processes are monitored and reviewed on a support from Compass
regular basis by each registered service and the Fostering very good. To
23.9%
senior management team. be able to call someone
any time of day is very
Suggestions important to me.” of the children in Compass
- Compass Foster Carers South East are aged 0-10
We welcome suggestions about our services and years old, and 76% are 11+.
how we might improve them. All suggestions will
38%
be considered and responded to. Breakdown of
CYP ages in
South East
Of the children and
Number of complaints young people with us,
38% have been with
• 0-5 years
• 6-10 years
01/04/21 - 22/06/21 their foster family up to 1 • 11-15 years
year. • 16+
0 complaints received in total
62%
Of our children have been
with their foster family from
1 to 18 years.
17 18What People Say About Us
“
“
LA SOCIAL WORKER
“
Our holistic child-focused approach along with the wide range of support in place for our carers means that we
have a strong reputation with foster carers and Local Authorities. We are always looking for feedback on our
services, both positive and constructive, as this helps us constantly improve outcomes for our children.
Below is a snapshot of the feedback we have received about our South East region.
I would like to say that I have found working with
you truly refreshing and the partnership working
with yourself has been exemplary. You have
kept me updated and answered any questions
promptly. I feel that we have worked as a team
to keep these young people together… I hope to
work with you again in the future and thank you
for all your hard work.
Our relationship with the company
has improved this year, new
management are resolving issues
and at last we have a SSW who has
been very supportive, providing
assistance and information around
our transition to staying put.
FOSTER CARER
“
“ Heather is exceptional at her job, and
supports us in any way she can, we feel
incredibly lucky to have her in our corner,
especially when it comes to chasing
the children’s social worker, and the
complexities with contact, and other areas
of concern we have experienced, she is a
brilliant advocate.
FOSTER CARER
Deborah has not been with Compass for
long, but I have already experienced a
dramatic difference in the support that I
receive. Deborah has made great strides in
restoring my faith with regards Compass as
an agency. I know that if I have a problem
I can call and she will help me in whatever
way that she can and I feel that I now have
the support that is needed when dealing
with school and outside agencies.
Our Children’s Achievements
Sometimes it can be easy to overlook the little achievements, but for us and the young people in our care these are
life changing accomplishments. Each challenge children face should be recognised and we are incredibly proud of
every one of our young people and how they have progressed.
We record our children’s achievements on Fostertrack, which is a fantastic way to look back and review the progress
they make. Here are just a few from our South East region.
ND received a letter of
congratulation from school
for being within the top 10
students in his year group,
who received the most
positive points from teachers
in the previous week.
S had very positive
feedback from her teachers
at parents evening, other
than a few areas that she
will get some support with,
she is on track with her
GCSE's and has proved
to be working well in all
Fantastic achievement,
displaying diligence,
determination and
commitment, learning
subjects.
to ride his bike, from
scratch.
H is completing GCSE
assessments throughout
this month and is engaging
in lessons and after school
tuition to support his learning.
H develops his independence
through household tasks and
socialising with friends, he
returns home on time.
“
EK is now tidying his room
FOSTER CARER without being asked which AN has returned to school
I have been working at Compass for less and has been doing well
is very good. EK also asked
than a year and in that time, I have really she has proud points and
how to use the washing
enjoyed being part of an amazing team. completed PE lessons. AN
machine so I showed him
The Management Team are encouraging, has never completed a PE
and he loaded it himself.
supportive, protective and encourage our
“
He also volunteered to lesson in the whole time she
creativity as staff. The management team has been there.
hang out the clothers and
are consistently focused on ensuring the It has been a fantastic experience to be collected them when they
staff are supported and developed so that involved in (Staff Interviews) which has had dried later.
we can work with our carers and children also helped me to revisit some skills from
to achieve the best outcomes for everyone! my past life! I am sure Regina will be a
SUPERVISING SOCIAL WORKER great asset. I have already seen first hand
how she is beginning to build a good
support network using skills from within
our Compass community.
FOSTER CARER
19 20Compass Fostering South East
Whitstable Office
Pean Hill Park,
Pean Hill,
Whitstable,
CT5 3BJ.
T 01227 479 444
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