Inspections are an important process, to consider compliance and provide assurance that independent fostering agencies (IFA) are caring for children as safely as possible throughout all nations across the United Kingdom. But this is not just being able to get up to date, and provide evidence for one week, every couple of years to satisfy Ofsted or the Care Inspectorate in Scotland and Wales. IFAs should also be striving for excellence and “outstanding” at all times, because it is the right thing to do for children, foster carers and staff within the organisation.
This is challenging for many reasons, but it is possible. In this seminar, we will explore together some of the challenges, but also consider good practice in relation to:
- Regulation, statutory guidance and standards to maintain registration
- The role of Inspectors and the framework they work within including practicalities to help you prepare
- The challenges in relation to compliance
- Being prepared for an inspection at all times
- Being “in” the inspection
- How we can learn from inspections, see the positives of this process - evidencing being a learning organisation
About the trainer
With her teams, NAFP associate Catherine Lockett, achieved “outstanding” in all of the inspections she was a part of. Catherine has 38 years experience within different child care settings, in local authorities and the independent sector, many of which were subject to regulation and inspection, requiring strong leadership, effective communication and a strong sense of “we”.
'I have been “fortunate” or “unfortunate” enough (I don’t know which) to have been inspected by Ofsted in my roles over the years, and the feelings that this evokes never changes - sheer panic initially when the call comes in. Traditionally inspection calls in England have been on a Thursday around 9am and when you know you are due an inspection, every Thursday around this time becomes a ‘take a breath moment’, right? The inspection experience should not be a negative one; yes it seems a lot of work and it seems to get the whole organisation into a frenzy, but if we are ready this should help, shouldn’t it? More importantly it is your chance to shine, to show all the excellent opportunities you in your agency offer to children and their carers. Being inspection ready is about ensuring you are the best you can be for children, the foster carers and those that choose to work within your organisation.
(this event will be hosted on Zoom - accessibility; delegates will be emailed details of how to join a few days beforehand)
