Adoption Service - Orkney Islands Council...Adoption Service Adoption Service School Place Kirkwall...

Adoption ServiceAdoption ServiceSchool PlaceKirkwallKW15 1NYTelephone: 01856 873535

Inspected by: Anne Borland

Type of inspection: Announced

Inspection completed on: 13 March 2014

ContentsPage No

Summary 31 About the service we inspected 42 How we inspected this service 53 The inspection 84 Other information 165 Summary of grades 176 Inspection and grading history 17

Service provided by:Orkney Islands Council

Service provider number:SP2003001951

Care service number:CS2004082081

Contact details for the inspector who inspected this service:Anne BorlandTelephone 0141 843 6840Email [email protected]

Inspection report continued

Adoption Service, page 2 of 18

SummaryThis report and grades represent our assessment of the quality of the areas ofperformance which were examined during this inspection.

Grades for this care service may change after this inspection following otherregulatory activity. For example, if we have to take enforcement action to make theservice improve, or if we investigate and agree with a complaint someone makesabout the service.

We gave the service these grades

Quality of Care and Support 5 Very Good

Quality of Staffing 5 Very Good

Quality of Management and Leadership 5 Very Good

What the service does wellThe service provides very good support to adopters and those being assessed tobecome adopters. There is very good on-going training and support provided toadopters. The staff are knowledgable and skilled in adoption work.

What the service could do betterThe service should introduce formal adoption support plans. The service should givepriority to updating the policies and procedures.

What the service has done since the last inspectionThe service has continued to embed the model of Social Pedagogy into the practiceand procedures of the service.

ConclusionOrkney Island Council continues to provide a very good service to adopters andchildren who have been adopted.

Who did this inspectionAnne Borland



1 About the service we inspectedOrkney Islands Council Adoption Service was deemed registered with Social Care andSocial Work Improvement Scotland on 1 April 2011.

The team comprises of a team manager, two family placement social workers andone para-professional (family support worker) whose role is to offer support to thesocial workers and the users of the service. The family placement social workersoperate with one taking responsibility for the recruitment, assessment and supportof adopters and the other taking responsibility for the fostering service. The servicehas also employed a qualified Social Pedagogue to take forward the work of theFostering Networks 'Head, Heart and Hands programme to which Orkney IslandCouncil has committed.

The aims and objectives of the service are stated within the context of Orkney IslandsCouncil's duties towards children and families.

The fostering and adoption services were inspected at the same time and a report onthe fostering service has also been written.

Based on the findings of this inspection this service has been awarded the followinggrades:

Quality of Care and Support - Grade 5 - Very GoodQuality of Staffing - Grade 5 - Very GoodQuality of Management and Leadership - Grade 5 - Very Good

This report and grades represent our assessment of the quality of the areas ofperformance which were examined during this inspection.

Grades for this care service may change following other regulatory activity. You canfind the most up-to-date grades for this service by visiting our websitewww.careinspectorate.com or by calling us on 0845 600 9527 or visiting one of ouroffices.



2 How we inspected this service

The level of inspection we carried outIn this service we carried out a low intensity inspection. We carry out theseinspections when we are satisfied that services are working hard to provideconsistently high standards of care.

What we did during the inspectionThis announced inspection was carried out between the 10th and 13th March 2014.During the inspection the Inspector spoke with the following:

A focus group of adopters and foster carers.An adoptive parentThe manager and social worker of the adoption service.The Principle social worker for children's services.

The Inspector reviewed the case files of two adopters and two children placed foradoption. The inspector also observed a review for a child living in a pre-adoptiveplacement. A range of questionnaires responses were also reviewed from adopters.

Additional records and reports, as identified in the self-assessment, were alsoexamined and will be referred to throughout the body of the report.

Verbal feedback of the findings of the inspection was presented to the managementteam on the 13th March 2014.

Grading the service against quality themes and statementsWe inspect and grade elements of care that we call 'quality themes'. For example,one of the quality themes we might look at is 'Quality of care and support'. Undereach quality theme are 'quality statements' which describe what a service should bedoing well for that theme. We grade how the service performs against the qualitythemes and statements.

Details of what we found are in Section 3: The inspection

Inspection Focus Areas (IFAs)In any year we may decide on specific aspects of care to focus on during ourinspections. These are extra checks we make on top of all the normal ones we makeduring inspection. We do this to gather information about the quality of these aspects



of care on a national basis. Where we have examined an inspection focus area we willclearly identify it under the relevant quality statement.

Fire safety issuesWe do not regulate fire safety. Local fire and rescue services are responsible forchecking services. However, where significant fire safety issues become apparent, wewill alert the relevant fire and rescue services so they may consider what action totake. You can find out more about care services' responsibilities for fire safety atwww.firelawscotland.org



What the service has done to meet any recommendations we madeat our last inspectionThere were no recommendations made following the last inspection.

The annual returnEvery year all care services must complete an 'annual return' form to make sure theinformation we hold is up to date. We also use annual returns to decide how we willinspect the service.Annual Return Received: Yes - Electronic

Comments on Self AssessmentEvery year all care services must complete a 'self assessment' form telling us howtheir service is performing. We check to make sure this assessment is accurate.The manager provided a self assessment which detailed the service strengths andareas for development.

Taking the views of people using the care service into accountThe Inspector met with a focus group of adopters and foster carers. The inspectoralso met individually with an adoptive parent. All were very positive about the qualityof support provided and the knowledge of the workers. The service questionnairesand the individual interview with the adoptive parent confirmed that the assessmentprocess had been sensitively conducted and was described as a useful, learningexperience. Preparation training and opportunities for further training were very good.All felt they had been well prepared and well informed. All felt they could contact theservice at any time and expressed confidence that help would be forthcomingpromptly.

Taking carers' views into accountN/a



3 The inspectionWe looked at how the service performs against the following quality themes andstatements. Here are the details of what we found.

Quality Theme 1: Quality of Care and SupportGrade awarded for this theme: 5 - Very Good

Statement 1We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving thequality of the care and support provided by the service.

Service strengthsOrkney Islands Council adoption service routinely sought the views of those using theservice and included this in determining the development of the service. There was aparticipation strategy which was based on the views of adopters and was updatedannually.

Support groups took place giving adopters the opportunity to share experiences, offerpeer support, suggest training and make suggestions of service improvements.

Applicant's views were sought from initial stages of contact with the service includingthe quality of information provided, applicant experience of the assessment processand training provided following preparation groups. This information was gathered viaquestionnaires, during the second opinion visit and when attending the adoptionpanel.

Experienced adopters provided an input into the preparation groups sharing theirexperiences, good and bad, to help give applicant's an insight into adoption.

An adoptive parent held a place on the adoption panel. This helped bring an adoptiveparents perspective to decision making.

When appropriate children's' views are taken account of and their views recorded inthe profile of the child and the report provided to the court. Older children were askedtheir views about adoption and this was taken into account when family finding.

Introductions were planned at the child's pace and arrangements changed if and



when necessary.

Post placement and post adoption meetings took place and adopters wereencouraged to participate in planning future support and the identification ofpotential helpful resources.The service promoted the inclusion of birth parents, when appropriate birth parentsmet adopters prior to the adoption. It was hoped this would be emotionally beneficialto the child when older if their adoptive parents could describe their birth parents.

Birth parents were encouraged to contribute to the collation of the child's healthhistory. This included providing details of possible inherited health problems.

Consideration was given to post adoption contact with parents, siblings andsignificant others. Arrangements were in place to support the adopters and adoptedchildren in the facilitation of the on-going contact when this was part of the adoptionplan.

Areas for improvementThe service is continuing to review the type of opportunities available for adopters tomeet as a group determined by the wishes expressed by adopters.

Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good

Number of requirements: 0

Number of recommendations: 0

Statement 3We ensure that service users' health and wellbeing needs are met.

Service strengthsThe home study conducted of applicants wishing to adopt was rigorous in ensuringthey were in good mental and physical health and suited to meeting the needs ofchildren being placed for adoption.

The Inspector found that the BAAF (British Adoption and Fostering) Form E completedfor children contained a detailed profile of the child and that the service ensuredadopters meet the needs of the child before proceeding with matching Adopters

Adopters were impressed with the efforts made by the service to match them withchildren.

Linking meetings were well organised to help make the most appropriate transitionalplan for the child. Adopters spoke positively about the support of foster carers andfamily placement workers during the introductory phase. Foster carers provideadopters with a profile of the child which contain necessary information about the



child's daily routine, likes and dislike which adopters found extremely helpful in theearly days of living with their child. On-going contact took place between someadopters and foster carers in recognition of the significance of the attachment thechild had made with the foster family.

Post Adoption and Post Placement meetings were routine practice. Adopters who metwith the Inspector valued the support from the service and felt able to seek help andadvice at any time and confirmed this was readily available.

There was very good training opportunities for adopters to enhance theirunderstanding of the needs of children who had suffered early childhood trauma andneglect. This had included individual sessions with workers during the preparationstage on topics, such as, attachment, child development and the importance of lifestory work. Adopters were included in on-going training opportunities such as traumaand brain development. Training was proved by both Orkney Island Council and byspecialist consultants commissioned by the Council.

Full consideration and planning was made to meet health, education, and anyemotional support which may be required for the child. The service ensured adopterswere provided with detailed health information about the child, advised of anydevelopmental uncertainty and, where this information was available, genetic healthissues within the birth family. Adopters stated feeling very well-informed about theneeds of the child and of their health history. This enabled adopters to give fullconsideration as to their ability to meet the child's needs, at the point of adoptionand in the future.

The multiagency support provided to children and adopters were coordinated byfamily placement workers and included, for example on-going developmental checks,speech therapy and play therapy.

Where appropriate post adoption allowance were made to adopters in recognition ofthe on-going needs of the child.

There was evidence that children were benefiting from being in adoptive placementsand were happy in their adoptive home. Benefits to children had included improvedhealth, developing social skills, improved sleep patterns, educational improvementsand developing trusting relationships within a secure home base.

Areas for improvementAdopters confirmed receiving post adoption support; however the service had not yetintroduced formal post adoption support plans. The manager advised this wasimminent. (Refer to recommendation).

The staff at the service were reviewing the way in which post adoption contact andletter box arrangements were monitored.






Recommendations

1. Post adoption support plans should be formalised for those receiving this support.This is to meet with Standard 2.3 Providing a good quality service. National carestandards for adoption agencies.



Quality Theme 3: Quality of StaffingGrade awarded for this theme: 5 - Very Good

Statement 1We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving thequality of staffing in the service.

Service strengthsRefer to Theme 1. Statement 1.

Areas for improvementRefer to Theme 1. Statement 1.




Statement 3We have a professional, trained and motivated workforce which operates to NationalCare Standards, legislation and best practice.

Service strengthsThe staff team worked well together, sharing good practice and support. Staffmembers stated that team morale was good and they felt motivated and valued. Staffconfirmed receiving regular professional supervision and advised that this wasconstructive, informative and supportive.

The adoption worker was clear about the importance of ensuring that the childrenand adopters were well matched and that honest dialogue took place about theabilities of the adopters. The adoption worker provided very good support during theintroductory phase, pre and post placement. Adopter's spoke highly of the support,advice and guidance provided.

The adoption social worker held a professional qualification in Social Work and wasregistered with the Scottish Social Service Council (SSSC).

Staff members describe training opportunities as excellent and training recordsexamined confirmed this. The adoption social worker held the post qualifying training



'Securing Better Futures'. Relevant training had been provided by specialist in thefield of adoption some of which had included; Attachment and Trauma, PermanenceDecision Making and Brain Development. Staff members also expressed confidencethat any training requests would be met. Staff were being provided training in excessof that set down as part of continued registration with the SSSC.

Orkney Island Council has committed to the Fostering Networks 'Head, Heart andHands programme which is based on Social Pedagogy. This was evident in staffpractice and decision making. The organisation had employed a qualified SocialPedagogue to drive forward the approach and policies and procedures were beingupdated to embrace this model of practice.

The adoption worker took part in BAAF practice development forum where bestpractice was shared and latest research disseminated.

There were regular team meetings and staff development days. Staff valued theseopportunities to discuss the service, share good practice and provide mutual support.

Areas for improvementThe service identified a need to continue to promote annual training events andattendance at national practice and development forums.






Quality Theme 4: Quality of Management and LeadershipGrade awarded for this theme: 5 - Very Good

Statement 1We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving thequality of the management and leadership of the service.

Service strengthsRefer to Theme 1. Statement 1.

Areas for improvementRefer to Theme 1. Statement 1.




Statement 4We use quality assurance systems and processes which involve service users, carers,staff and stakeholders to assess the quality of service we provide

Service strengthsThe staff used a variety of ways to monitor and improve the service provided.

A robust assessment was undertaken of applicants and their suitability to adopt. Asecond opinion visit was conducted by a member of management prior to theapplicants assessment report being presented to the adoption panel.

The adoption panel carried out a quality assurance role of the suitability of applicantsand of the quality of written report presented the panel. Training opportunities wereprovided to panel members to promote well-informed decision-making. This hadincluded specific training from BAAF.

The findings from questionnaires issued to stakeholders were collated and used toinform the annual development plan of the service.

There was a system to manage case file audits.



A tracking system was in place to ensure that applicants wishing to adopt wereassessed and brought to panel for approval within 6 months of their application beingsubmitted. The service was keeping within this timescale, other than in exceptionalcases and the reasons for the delay were clearly recorded.

The service produces an annual report for adoption service which providedinformation on the progress of the service, future goals and targeted areas forimprovement.

There was a complaint procedure in place which was known to adopter and children.There had been no recent complaints made to the service.

Areas for improvementThe manager and staff advised that there had been a delay in updating the policiesof the service due to the workload demand of the manager as a result of a vacancy inanother part of the organisation. It was anticipated this would be resolved in theshort term.






4 Other information

ComplaintsNo complaints have been upheld, or partially upheld, since the last inspection.

EnforcementsWe have taken no enforcement action against this care service since the lastinspection.

Additional Information

Action PlanFailure to submit an appropriate action plan within the required timescale, includingany agreed extension, where requirements and recommendations have been made,will result in the Care Inspectorate re-grading a Quality Statement within the Qualityof Management and Leadership Theme (or for childminders, Quality of StaffingTheme) as unsatisfactory (1). This will result in the Quality Theme being re-graded asunsatisfactory (1).



5 Summary of grades

Quality of Care and Support - 5 - Very Good

Statement 1 5 - Very Good


Quality of Staffing - 5 - Very Good



Quality of Management and Leadership - 5 - Very Good



6 Inspection and grading history

Date Type Gradings

8 Mar 2012 Announced Care and support 5 - Very GoodStaffing 5 - Very GoodManagement and Leadership 5 - Very Good

18 Aug 2010 Announced Care and support 4 - GoodStaffing 4 - GoodManagement and Leadership 4 - Good

7 Oct 2009 Announced Care and support 4 - GoodStaffing 3 - AdequateManagement and Leadership 3 - Adequate

12 Nov 2008 Announced Care and support 3 - AdequateStaffing 4 - GoodManagement and Leadership 3 - Adequate

All inspections and grades before 1 April 2011 are those reported by the formerregulator of care services, the Care Commission.



To find out more about our inspections and inspection reportsRead our leaflet 'How we inspect'. You can download it from our website or ask us tosend you a copy by telephoning us on 0845 600 9527.

This inspection report is published by the Care Inspectorate. You can get more copiesof this report and others by downloading it from our website:www.careinspectorate.com or by telephoning 0845 600 9527.

Translations and alternative formatsThis inspection report is available in other languages and formats on request.

Telephone: 0845 600 9527Email: [email protected]: www.careinspectorate.com



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