St Michaels Fellowship

St Michaels Fellowship Inspection report for residential family centre

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SC047194 Unique reference number 14 August 2007 Inspection date Cheryl Carter Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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46 Herne Hill Address LONDON SE24 9QP 020 7738 4242 Telephone number forty.six@zetnet.co.uk Email St Michaels Fellowship Registered person Alison Edwards Registered manager Susan Patricia Pettigrew Responsible individual 20 July 2006 Date of last inspection .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 8 Inspection Report: St Michaels Fellowship, 14 August 2007

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Brief description of the service

‘46’, Herne Hill is a Residential Family Centre run by St Michaels Fellowship. The centre provides accommodation, assessment and support for parents and their children. The parent’s capacity to respond to their children’s needs and to safeguard their welfare is assessed and parents are given such advice and guidance as is considered necessary to enable them to do so. Parents are therefore ‘looking after’ their own children whilst their ‘parenting skills’ are assessed by the staff team. The stated aims include ‘ providing fair, objective and comprehensive assessments of families to assist local authorities and the courts in making decisions for the welfare of the child’. The staff team undertake formal 12 week assessments. Final reports aim to identify both risk and protective factors and make recommendations for after-care.

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Summary

On the day of the inspection there were no families residing at the Centre. The last family was discharged the previous day. The inspection was carried out with the assistance of the Registered manager. The inspector met with two members of staff and also had the opportunity to have a discussion with the Registered Provider. The inspector examined a selection of Health and Safety documents, Files of two recent families who had stayed at the centre and four recruitment files of staff members. A tour of the premises was also conducted. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There is now a process of consultation with families . This is undertaken by an independent consultant that gives families an opportunity to express their views. This is done outside the assessment process. The organisation has contracted a psychological consultant to the team who gives advise and support to the staff to support families with any queries in order to better help families. The home has compiled a series of questionnaires that is given to families before, during and after their stay at the centre. This allows parents the opportunity to comment on all aspects of the care they receive.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The health care needs of families in the placement are being met. Access to appropriate health care services is being provided to ensure that the babies and children in the placement receive the service they need. Staff have not received any training in the safe storage and handling of medication. The Registered Manager explained that this is because staff do not administer medication. All staff have full First Aid training that ensures that there is always a member of staff qualified in First Aid present in the Centre.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The families' welfare is protected by staff. There are good policies and procedures on child protection. The centre has a complaints policy that sets out to parents how complaints are dealt with. Families are made aware of the complaints policy and the procedures followed when 4 of 8 Inspection Report: St Michaels Fellowship, 14 August 2007 a complaint is made. Complaints are recorded with outcomes. Families have a copy of the handbook and the rules are set out in the handbook and a copy of the handbook is also pinned on the notice board. Each family has their own room and staff knock on the door and wait to be invited in before entering. There is guidance for staff on confidentiality and this sets out the circumstances under which confidentiality cannot be maintained. The only time a staff member will enter a room without being invited in is if there are child protection concerns and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the family was not responding to the staff knocking on the door. Family records are not kept in a locked cabinet but the room is locked. There is robust monitoring of all visitors to the building. Historically the service has made appropriate and timely notifications to relevant external agencies in accordance with regulatory requirements. Four personnel files were inspected. These files were brought to the Centre by the Registered Provider as they are not kept on the premises. Staff recruitment files are kept at Head Office. The files were brought to the centre by the Registered Provider. The files were mostly well ordered and contained all the necessary recruitment checks such as proof of identification, application forms, job description, references and Criminal record bureau checks. However, there were no up-to-date training profiles, staff development or appraisals on file.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is not judged. There are no standards for this section.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The aims and objectives of each placement is very clear. On admission the rules and expectations are communicated effectively to the families. Where possible an introductory visit is made and an initial assessment carried out to ensure that families move in and out of the home in a planned and sensitive manner. Placement plans seen were clear and reflected the individual needs of the families. The plans addressed the cultural, religious and emotional needs of the families. Staff explain the contents of the placement plans with the family and regular consultation forums are held. The staff that met with the inspector demonstrated a clear understanding of the assessment process and the needs of the families. The process of consultation with families is carried out with an independent consultant that gives families opportunities to express their views. This is done outside the assessment process.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The building is in a good state of repair and refurbishment. Each family have their own bedroom, which is furnished with beds, cot, wardrobes, a chest of drawers and beddings. Families share the kitchen but each family have separate cupboards and separate fridges. Families also share the sitting room and a playroom, which are situated on the ground floor. The hot water taps have now been fitted with thermostats to prevent accidental scalding of children. There is appropriate safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, an alarm system and safety gates in place. The garden is secure and children can enjoy using the play equipment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. 5 of 8 Inspection Report: St Michaels Fellowship, 14 August 2007 Parents and children receive the information they need to know before moving into the service. Staff deliver this in ways which best suit the individual needs of the family. The Statement of Purpose needs to be updated to include all relevant information and to include the information relating to Ofsted. The numbers, calibre and competence of the staff team as a whole ensures comprehensive, well informed service delivery. Staff receive appropriate training and guidance. This includes mandatory courses, such as child protection and first aid. The leadership style of the management team is open and inclusive. Staff of all disciplines are clear of their own roles and functions and those of their colleagues. They benefit from regular staff meetings and individual supervision, however there were no up to date training profiles or appraisals on file.

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Organisation

New staff receive a clear induction period. Parents and children receive a service that meets their needs.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Residential Family Centres Regulations 2002 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Due date Action Standard

5 October 2007 make sure that staff receive appropriate, training, supervision and appraisal (Regulation 17)

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that staff have the knowledge and understanding on how to administer prescribed and non prescribed medication in exceptional circumstances when parents are unable to do so or in emergency situations. • ensure that records relatiing to familes are securely stored. 6 of 8 Inspection Report: St Michaels Fellowship, 14 August 2007

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• families have access to health care, education, employment and leisure activities which promote their good health and well being, including their mental health, in a safe environment (NMS 4) Ofsted considers 4 the key standard to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• parents and children enjoy a level of comfort and security within the centre based on mutual respect and an understanding of what may have an adverse effect on other residents (NMS 8) • the privacy of parents and children is respected and information about them is handled with appropriate confidentiality (NMS 9) • parents and children are able to complain if they are unhappy with any aspect of the centre; they are confident that any complaint will be taken seriously, investigated and addressed without delay and they will be kept informed of the progress (NMS 10) • the welfare of children is promoted, children are protected from abuse, and an appropriate response is made to any allegation or suspicion of abuse (NMS 11) • families are protected from abuse, neglect and self-harm (NMS 12) • all significant events relating to the protection of children or vulnerable adults within the centre are notified by the registered person to the appropriate authorities (NMS 13)

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• there is careful selection and vetting of all staff and anyone else resident on the premises (NMS 15) • parents and children stay in accommodation that provides physical safety and security (NMS 22) Ofsted considers 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 and 22 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

Ofsted considers none of the above to be key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• parents and children are admitted to and leave the centre in a planned and sensitive manner (NMS 2) • children and their parents have their needs assessed and written plans outline how the assessment will be undertaken (NMS 3) • parents and children using the centre feel well-informed and party to decisions made (NMS 6) • parents and children enjoy sound relationships with staff based on honesty and mutual respect (NMS 7) 7 of 8 Inspection Report: St Michaels Fellowship, 14 August 2007

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Annex A

Ofsted considers 3 and 6 the key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• parents and children live in pleasant, well designed and maintained surroundings providing sufficient space and adequate facilities to meet their needs (NMS 19) • parents and children enjoy homely accommodation, which is decorated, furnished and maintained to a high standard, and provides adequate facilities for their use (NMS 20) • shared spaces complement and supplement residents’ private rooms (NMS 21) Ofsted considers none of the above to be key standards to be inspected.

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

• parents and children who use the centre know what they can expect, how they will be treated, how the centre operates, and have received this information in written form prior to admission (NMS 1) • parents’ progress is recorded to reflect their ability to care for the children in a safe manner, and promote their welfare (NMS 5) • parents and children receive the care and services they need from competent staff (NMS 14) • staff are: sufficient in number and experience; qualified to understand the needs of parents and children; able to respond appropriately when required (NMS 16) • parents and children receive a service from staff who are themselves supported and guided in safeguarding and promoting the children’s welfare (NMS 17) • staff are trained and enabled to carry out the role to which they are appointed (NMS 18) • parents and children enjoy the stability of an efficiently run service and purchasers have

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The intended outcomes for these standards are:

confidence that they are getting value for money (NMS 23) • the service’s work with parents and children is continually adapted in the light of information about how it is operating (NMS 24) • there are adequate records of the staff and families using the service (NMS 25) Ofsted considers 1, 14 and 24 the key standards to be inspected. 8 of 8 Inspection Report: St Michaels Fellowship, 14 August 2007

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