Archived decisions

INSPECTIONS OF THE HAMPSHIRE ADOPTION AGENCY AND THE HAMPSHIRE FOSTERING SERVICE BY THE COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL CARE INSPECTION

1. The Executive Lead Member has received reports about the inspections of the Hampshire Adoption Agency and the Hampshire Fostering Service by the Commission for Social Care Inspection in November and December 2005 respectively. The reports outline, in each case, actions to be taken as a result of recommendations arising from the inspections and these have also been endorsed.

2. The Care Standards Act 2000 provides for a three yearly inspection of all Adoption Agencies and an annual inspection of all Fostering Services. The Services are inspected against a set of standards which accompany the Adoption Agency Regulations 2005 and the Fostering Services Regulations 2002. The Inspectors found that there were six areas where the adoption service performed well with improvements to be made in respect of eight statutory requirements. The Inspectors also made a number of "good practice" recommendations. The inspection of the Hampshire Fostering Service in December 2005 was the first to take into account the five outcomes of the Children Act 2004. The Inspectors commended three areas of the fostering service, made one recommendation for improvement and gave one good practice recommendation. As a result of the two inspections, appropriate action plans, in relation to both services, have been developed and approved . Copies of the Executive Lead Member reports and accompanying action plans on these items are available in the Members `Rooms.

3. The Children's Services Policy Review Committee have also considered and endorsed the reports and action plans. Also, the Executive Lead Member and the Committee have paid tribute to those staff who work for the Hampshire's Adoption Agency and Fostering Services and thanked them for their most valuable efforts. A further report is to be submitted to the Children's Services Policy Review Committee and to the Executive Lead Member in July 2006. This report will give an update on the implementation of both action plans.

4. The above decision supports Aims 1, 4 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy by ensuring children are looked after in the best possible way, helping them to develop strong links with their communities and by seeking to further improve and develop the adoption agency and fostering services.

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