Families are Best - an excellent Inspection

The report of the Agency's latest 3 yearly Inspection has recently been received from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). It provides a very positive picture of the work of the Agency highlighting the quality of information provided for enquirers, the thoroughness of the preparation and assessment programme for applicants and indicating that assessments are analytical and address safe caring throughout. The staff group are described as "very committed, skilful, knowledgeable and caring" and the Agency is commended for its management, its monitoring processes and its range of specialist advisers.

A summary of the report is detailed below and the full report can also be downloaded in PDF format.

Summery

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

This inspection was undertaken by 2 inspectors over a 3-day period. Prior to the inspection fieldwork taking place, a number of supporting documents were submitted to and read by the lead inspector. This included a comprehensive self assessment and policy and procedural information. The adoption panel was observed.

Questionnaires were received from 8 adopters and prospective adopters, 8 placing social workers, 4 placing councils and the legal, medical and education advisers.

During the fieldwork, interviews were conducted with 4 adoptive families, the chair of the adoption panel, the Director, the Deputy Director, the education advisor, the administrative team, the finance and administrative manager, the social work team, the Chair of the Trustees, the recruitment co-ordinator and the adoption support manager. Case files, personnel files and other documents were read.

The inspectors would like to thank the managers and staff for their cooperation and openness during the inspection and the hard work which they put in when organising both the pre-inspection material and the inspection programme.

What the service does well:

The agency impresses as very child focussed at every level, from the Trustees downwards. This has resulted into some very good practices being developed.

From the very start of the process, enquirers are given good information and have an in depth initial interview. The preparation groups are very detailed and thorough and run alongside the home study which is extremely beneficial for the applicants and useful for staff to pick up any issues whilst they are still fresh. Adopters commented that: "the preparation groups were very beneficial" and "really helpful" and "excellent". Placing social workers commented on "very good assessments", "detailed form F" and a placing council said: "adopters from the CCS always seem well prepared". Assessments are analytical and address safe caring throughout.

The assessment review conducted by the manager is very good practice, and serves a variety of purposes. It can help the manager address any issues raised during the assessment and can also enable the applicants raise any issues with the manager.

The post adoption order visit is also very useful and very good practice as a means of clarifying what else needs to be done and picking up any issues.

The adoption panel is very thorough, well organised, the minutes are excellent and applicants are well prepared to attend. The agency decision maker makes the decision very quickly, taking account of all the information, and this is communicated quickly to the applicants.

The agency places a high priority on obtaining information about the birth family and the child and has prepared a useful booklet for local authorities outlining their expectations and the sort of information required. They will pursue this vigorously if the information is not forth coming and may undertake the work themselves to ensure a good outcome for the child. The process of life appreciation days for children is also well established and an excellent way of obtaining first hand information for adopters about the child to be placed with them.

The accessibility of specialist advisers is good and the employment of an experienced, skilled and knowledgeable education adviser has particular benefits in supporting placements. Support from individual social workers is also good and the disruption rate for placements is low.

The case records and personnel files are very well constructed and well maintained. They are in good order, information is easy to find and there is clear evidence of regular monitoring.

The agency excels in its monitoring processes at all levels. The Board of Trustees has developed good systems to ensure the agency is run well. The Director and Manager have also developed good evaluation systems to ensure users of the service are asked their opinions at every stage. They are also keen to act on what they hear and one adopter said: "we do feel that the Catholic Children's Society are open and prepared to listen".

The staff group as a whole are very committed, skilful, knowledgeable and caring and a number of comments were received from adopters and placing social workers which confirms this. One adopter said they had an "experienced and sensitive social worker", another said "we cannot fault them in the slightest". A social worker from a local authority said " they were positive, child centred and a pleasure to work with". A placing council said "we always feel confident that adopters are well prepared, matched and supported when children are in placement".

The management of the agency is good - there is evidence that workers are well supported, have thorough inductions tailored to individual needs, regular supervision and access to relevant training. The administrative support is also excellent and the whole staff group operate as a team to ensure the agency runs well.

What has improved since the last inspection?

This is the first inspection by the CSCI.

What they could do better:

There was very little that this inspection has highlighted that was in need of improvement. The assessments, although analytical, would benefit from addressing competencies. The inspectors had concerns about the practice of exploring links prior to adopters being approved and the Director has said this will now cease. In relation to the child protection allegation, although it is the responsibility of the local authority to investigate, the inspectors felt that this agency should have been more challenging of the local authority in their decision making process.

CHILDREN’S MINISTER VISITS NOTTINGHAM ADOPTION AGENCY

Margaret Hodge MBE, Minister for Children, visited ‘Families Are Best’ Adoption Agency at West Bridgford recently. Ms Hodge, who was in Nottingham to deliver a keynote speech to a National Conference, was interested in visiting an Adoption Agency which has earned a national reputation for providing adoption services.

Margaret Hodge said “We are overhauling the outdated Adoption Act 1976 to put the needs of the child at the centre of the adoption process. ‘Families Are Best’ are helping us ensure that children who cannot live with their birth family have the opportunity, through adoption, to live in and be part of a permanent, loving family.”

Margaret Dight MBE, Director, said, “The Minister’s visit provided a welcome opportunity to share this Agency’s considerable experience of placing children for adoption from Local Authority care and establishing adoption services of excellence.”

During the visit Ms Hodge met members of the Agency’s staff, which includes an adoptive parent who was able to explain how the agency had prepared and supported her family for the adoption of a group of three children.

‘Families Are Best’ is the adoption service of Catholic Childrens Society, Nottingham, which has over fifty years experience in providing adoption services to children and families. Enquiries from people interested in adoption are always welcome on 0115 955 8811 or via email to enquiries@ccsnotts.co.uk