Quick recap
The meeting focused on discussing upcoming sessions and training opportunities related to Ofsted requirements and compliance management. The group explored challenges around measuring and evidencing children's outcomes, particularly in the context of foster care, with various perspectives shared on tracking methods and documentation approaches. The discussion concluded with conversations about standardising progress tracking tools and ensuring meaningful documentation of children's achievements, while acknowledging the need for flexibility in outcomes and better collaboration between different providers.
Next steps
- Catherine to raise the discussion about outcomes and progress with Ofsted in the upcoming meeting.
- All participants re-read the values and principles section of the national minimum standards.
- Review the Children's Social Care National Framework for outcome measures.
- Catherine to distribute the Children's Social Care National Framework document to the RM group.
- All agencies consider sharing their progress report templates for potential collective review by NAFP.
- All participants prepare thoughts on what they want Catherine to raise with Ofsted for next Friday's session.
Summary
Ofsted and Compliance Training Sessions
Catherine announced upcoming sessions, including a discussion about issues to raise with Ofsted next Friday and a session on managing compliance while fostering the following Friday. She also mentioned that DDP pace training is still open for registration and that the joint panel and practitioners session has been scheduled for September 17th.
Ofsted Outcomes Evidence Discussion
A discussion took place regarding the challenges of meeting Ofsted's requirements for evidencing consistent outcomes for children, as opposed to just progress. A member suggested that outcomes are reviewed on a 6-month basis and are set out in the Care Plan, continued discussion to clarify that Ofsted was looking for concrete examples of children achieving specific results due to the care provided. Members gave their own examples of measurable outcomes, such as increased school attendance or improved eating habits, that could be used to demonstrate the impact of foster carers' efforts.
Child Care Outcomes Measurement Discussion
The group discussed the distinction between milestones and outcomes in child care, explaining that inspectors now view outcomes as larger achievements like graduation rather than daily activities like attending school. A member shared that their team has developed independence checklists for children over 6 and 16+ to measure progress toward long-term outcomes, though noted that many outcomes are difficult to measure due to the long timeframes involved and the current trend of care plans remaining "under review." Members agreed with this perspective, adding that some inspectors can be overly focused on terminology, and their team now uses a progress tracker instead of outcomes tracking.
Measuring Progress in Children's Development
Emphasise on the importance of recognising progress in children's development, particularly in education and safety, rather than focusing solely on rigid outcomes. Members highlighted the need for practitioners to demonstrate significant progress, such as increased school attendance and improved emotional safety, as these are crucial steps toward long-term goals like successful adult life post-18. Members stressed the significance of language and measurement in capturing these nuances, advocating for a broader understanding of what constitutes progress. Catherine then asked the group about their use of the "5 outcomes" framework from "Every Child Matters," specifically regarding how they measure progress within these outcomes.
Ofsted's Outcome Measurement Challenges
The group discussed challenges with Ofsted's approach to measuring outcomes and progress in children's services, particularly regarding how achievements like swimming lessons are recorded. Marie shared research by Toby Lowe highlighting that outcomes are delivered through complex human systems rather than by individual organizations, and suggested moving away from focusing on outcomes in inspection frameworks to instead focus on measurable progress for individual children. A member described their agency's approach of creating placement objectives and graphical progress tracking to monitor children's development throughout their placements.
Progress Tracking System Implementation
Catherine discussed the need for a consistent approach to monitoring progress and outcomes, emphasizing the importance of tailoring systems to different stakeholders' needs. A member shared their experience of implementing a new progress tracking system, which was praised by Ofsted during an inspection despite some initial teething issues. She explained how the system incorporates key dates, progress checks, and collaborative efforts between foster parents, schools, and social workers to track and analyse improvements in children's outcomes. Catherine suggested working backwards from desired outcomes to establish milestones and progress markers.
Clarifying Foster Care Inspection Outcomes
Members expressed concerns about the lack of clear guidance on recording outcomes in inspections, particularly for children in foster care. It was noted that while achievements like choosing photos for presentations are documented, the concept of "outcomes" remains vague. It was suggested developing a set ofstandard outcomes for all children, which can then be tailored to individual needs, and proposed focusing on the work done to support future outcomes rather than just outcomes themselves. Members highlighted the importance of using terms like "progress" and "progressive children" as per the government's social care framework, emphasizing the need for clarity in language during inspections.
Enhancing Progress Reporting Strategies
The group discussed progress reporting methods, with a member explaining they use a progress report that differentiates between current concerns and future worries, allowing for a preventative support model. A member shared his experience with outcome trackers, noting they are somewhat dated but still useful for monitoring, while another mentioned they primarily use them for updates during look reviews and permanency planning meetings. The discussion highlighted a shift away from simple outcome trackers towards more comprehensive progress reports that better capture both quantitative and qualitative aspects of child development and support.
Meaningful Documentation for Child Outcomes
The group discussed the importance of making documentation meaningful rather than just compliance-driven, with Catherine highlighting how current systems often force workers to scramble for evidence rather than focusing on actual outcomes. A member shared an example of how progress trackers led to improved child participation, noting that children's perceptions of achievements can differ significantly from adult perspectives, while another described their agency's successful implementation of child-led achievement Powerpoints that capture meaningful milestones from the child's perspective, including photos and personal achievements, which has also helped foster carers become more mindful of capturing special moments.
Balancing Child Achievements and Outcomes
A member shared a personal story about a child's achievement at Brownie camp, highlighting the importance of acknowledging children's accomplishments. She emphasised the need to balance celebrating small achievements with capturing meaningful outcomes for the service. Catherine discussed the role of service managers in reflecting on overall agency outcomes and how to incorporate individual children's progress into broader agency objectives.
Flexible Child Progress Tracking Approach
The team discussed their approach to tracking children's progress and achievements, including sending achievement cards to recognize small milestones. They emphasized the importance of flexibility in outcomes, acknowledging that every child is different and should not be restricted from pursuing their aspirations. Catherine suggested that all team members review the national minimum standards and values, particularly the principle of treating children as if they were their own. The discussion also touched on the challenge of inconsistent social worker involvement, with a member noting that local authorities often only focus on ticking boxes for weekly recordings rather than engaging meaningfully with the children's progress.
Contract Monitoring and Quality Assurance
Discussion regarding the challenges of monitoring outcomes across different local authority contracts, noting significant variations in approaches and limited capacity for quality assurance. Members highlighted that weekly reports are often required more for compliance than active use, but they serve as a safety net for children in placements. Catherine outlined plans for a placement guidebook contract that includes clear expectations for agencies, such as regular progress meetings and verification of quality-assured reports, particularly for parent and child schemes.
Standardising Progress Tracking Tools
Catherine raised questions about the variety of progress tracking tools being used and suggested discussing a standardised approach in the future. Hannah shared insights from the Children's Social Care National Framework, emphasizing the importance of overarching outcomes and collaboration between different providers.
