January 2015 "Their knowledge is supported through dedicated use of an online system that centrally records information from carers, staff and managers in one place. This helps to track progress and outcomes for children and young people. Rigorous and effective monitoring of the service is aided by comprehensive use of a recognised online information system. This is used by carers and staff alike to record all aspects of the agency’s work and to track the individual progress of children and young people. By providing all with relevant access, information is shared more effectively and efficiently. For example, supervising social workers are able to review daily records completed by foster carers in advance of supervision visits. This helps them to maintain awareness of significant developments and to support carers appropriately. Records of supervision visits can be accessed by foster carers as soon as they are completed. This enables foster carers to be clear about advice or direction given to them by supervising social workers during visits. Leaders and managers have close links with the software manufacturer and are able to influence positive changes in the system. All users have access to technical support to assist when problems occur."
November 2013 "The progress of each child and young person is measured and charted against their goals and is reflected in detailed monthly reports." "Outcomes for children and young people are monitored and recorded. Where foster carers and supervising social workers identify that outcomes are not progressing or achieved, additional support is provided. The management has ensured that staff and foster carers recruited by the agency have access to all of the managers. There is a comprehensive induction and training programme for staff and foster carers that ensures that they become familiar with the agency’s policies, procedures and working practices. This, as well as an effective quality assurance and monitoring system, has enabled the agency to operate without compromise which ensures the quality of the service provided by the agency is excellent." "Effective systems built into the data base, provide the basis for excellent monitoring and ensure that any difficulties arising within a placement are identified early and additional support provided." "Specific monitoring systems ensure that managers are regularly provided with information on the well-being of individual children and young people."
April 2013 “A significant recent development has been the introduction of a computerised information system. This fundamentally changes the way in which all records are made and stored. Individual information regarding children, young people, carers and staff is stored securely in one place. Rigorous systems are in place, which ensure that personal data is kept safe and secure. Documents relating to children and young people are linked in a logical and clear way that helps to provide a distinct account of their individual placements.”
September 2014 “The introduction and usage of the electronic database, ‘CHARMS’, provides staff with networked access to records which are maintained centrally. This improves communication within the service and enhances the level of support that staff may be able to offer to foster carers using the out of hour’s service. This recently established database also supports improvement in monitoring and quality assurance processes within the service. It enables specific data reports to be produced for evaluation of the quality of practice and children and young people’s progress, and the identification of trends and patterns to bring about further improvement. However, the organisation is yet to utilise the full capacity of the CHARMS database to regularly monitor, review and track all outcomes for children and young people and further development is programmed. The manager and some staff members are not yet fully conversant in using and understanding particular features of this database. This shortfall has the potential to reduce the effectiveness of management monitoring processes to assure the quality and adequacy of records and practice. “
December 2014 "The service is continuing to embed its database into the total operation of the service, with the aim of utilising all aspects of the database to contribute to improvement in reporting on outcomes for children and young people."
CHARMS is the most easy to use electronic case management system.

01/02/2015

Well done to our friends at Moments Fostering.
Their Ofsted inspection report of 1/1/2015 said they are overall Good with Outstanding elements.
I hope that the excellent use they make of CHARMS helped in some small way.
The inspector said :
"Their knowledge is supported through dedicated use of an online system that centrally records information from carers, staff and managers in one place. This helps to track progress and outcomes for children and young people.
Rigorous and effective monitoring of the service is aided by comprehensive use of a recognised online information system. This is used by carers and staff alike to record all aspects of the agency’s work and to track the individual progress of children and young people. By providing all with relevant access, information is shared more effectively and efficiently. For example, supervising social workers are able to review daily records completed by foster carers in advance of supervision visits. This helps them to maintain awareness of significant developments and to support carers appropriately. Records of supervision visits can be accessed by foster carers as soon as they are completed. This enables foster carers to be clear about advice or direction given to them by supervising social workers during visits. Leaders and managers have close links with the software manufacturer and are able to influence positive changes in the system. All users have access to technical support to assist when problems occur."
Well done again - and thanks for mentioning our great relationship Dan.
Jim Moores, MD, SCN

01/01/2015

We are pleased to say that Social Care Network is Living Wage Employer.
Along with just over 1,000 companies in the UK SCN can display the Living Wage Foundation logo because all staff over 21 are paid the Living Wage (£7.85 per hour) or higher.

01/01/2015

More great news, Sankofa Care, a leading foster care and residential care provider, have decided to go with CHARMS. "The philosophy of Sankofa Care is to develop and provide care services which are required by authorities in line with their development and strategic plans. We aim to deliver the best outcomes possible for all service users and young people and to realise individuals aspirations and choices wherever possible." Thank you Olivia and the team for putting your faith in CHARMS. Jim Moores, MD, SCN

01/12/2014

Family Care Associates have now signed up with CHARMS. Following detailed analysis of all available Family Care Associates decided that CHARMS was the system for them. Jim Moores, MD at SCN, said : "I am really pleased that this important provider of support to young people has decided that CHARMS is the best system available. I am looking forward to many years of mutually beneficial activity."

14/11/2014

After a brilliant meeting with Sue and the gang at Serendipity it was quickly agreed that CHARMS is the only way to go to manage their children's residential service. Thanks Sue, for making me and Chris welcome. We will see you in January to get everything moving. Woohoo! Jim Moores, MD, SCN

10/10/2014

The leading provider of intercountry placements of children for adoption with UK families has decided to go with CHARMS. More than two thirds of all voluntary adoption agencies now use CHARMS and ICAC will be an important member of the CHARMS Community. We are all keen to get stuck in and make the transition from paper files as easy as possible. Jim Moores, MD, SCN

29/09/2014

The year gets better with Fosterplus announcing CHARMS as their preferred system. Providing foster placements in Scotland and England, Fosterplus are a leading provider and we are really pleased that they have chosen CHARMS. The project is underway and CHARMS is being populated with data from their existing system. Jim Moores, MD, SCN

29/08/2014

After careful consideration Adoption Focus have made the decision to switch to CHARMS from their existing systems.
More than 20 voluntary adoption agencies now have CHARMS making it far and away the market leader.
We, at SCN, are very pleased with the decision to go with CHARMS and we looked forward to many years working with Adoption Focus.

27/08/2014

More great news as Serenity Homes, a leading residential care and fostering provider for children, sign up with CHARMS.
We are very pleased that the team at Serenity Homes saw that CHARMS, from SCN, can provide the complete solution for their case management needs.
Thank you and we look forward to working together over the coming years.

01/08/2014