Abbeyfield

Abbeyfield Inspection report for residential family centre

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Unique reference number SC050043 Inspection date 08/07/2011 Inspector Debbie Foster Type of inspection Social Care Inspection

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Setting address 38 Christchurch Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S3 9HN

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Telephone number 0114 252 5230 Email Registered person Progressive Care Limited Registered manager Jane Holmes / Charlotte Worthington Responsible individual Mohammad Shabir Ali Date of last inspection 13/11/2008 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 Crispins, 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.

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About this inspection

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 outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

The service actively works with parents during the assessment period. The purpose is to establish and assess the potential for parents and children to remain together. The main focus of the assessment is about safeguarding children. Staff work with parents to assist them in acquiring insight and the nurturing skills required to care adequately for and protect their children.

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Brief description of the service

The centre is situated in a residential area just outside a city centre and is on a bus route. There are local shops, health centre, a park and schools near by.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

This was an unannounced key inspection focusing upon 17 key national minimum standards (NMS). The actions and recommendations made on the last inspection in November 2008 have also been checked to see if they have been implemented.

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Summary

This is a good service where families’ health needs are being well met. The safeguarding of parents and children is a high priority. The service works closely with other services to meet the wide range of family's needs including those that may arise out of diversity. Family assessments and placement plans are specific and methodically undertaken. These are supported by regular reviewing of progress to assist in supporting parents and children well. Staff are sufficient in number and they are experienced, well trained and competent.

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Summary

Shortfalls are evident in the areas of: recording all complaints in full, providing parents with a written guide to the service, providing refresher adult protection training to staff, meeting the target of staff trained to National Vocational Qualification level 3, documenting the decision and purpose of the use of surveillance, and building on aspects of the monitoring of the service.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The following previous actions and recommendations have been implemented by the service. Full recruitment details are obtained in line with the regulations. These include a full employment history, together with a satisfactory written explanation of any gaps in employment which are obtained for each staff member. Fire system tests and checks are carried out in line with the fire authority’s guidance and these are recorded. All rooms occupied by families are adequately furnished, kept clean and in a good state of repair. All staff receive training in behaviour management and physical intervention. The Statement of Purpose includes all the necessary information as set out in the Regulation and Schedule 1. Monthly written reports are available for inspection, which review aspects of the quality of care and support improvement in the service.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All references ask specifically if the person to be employed at the service is suitable to work with children. The daily recordings for families reflect overall interactions with families, events and individual placement plans.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The following recommendations have not been implemented. The decision and purpose of using surveillance equipment is not accurately recorded, involving the appropriate professionals and the parents. The minimum ratios of 80% of all care staff have not yet completed their NVQ level 3 in caring for children and young people.

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Helping children to be healthy

The service actively supports families in accessing health care services which positively promotes the health and well-being of parents and their children. Staff demonstrate a good awareness of the families individual needs. Their health needs are individually identified and regular appointments are recorded within the individual placement plan and case file. The health care professionals include: a health visitor, dentist, General Practitioner and optician. The service continues to have good links with the health visitor.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are good medication systems in place. Medication is securely stored, safely administered and accurately recorded. This is facilitated by clear polices and procedures and staff are trained in medication practices and first aid. Good record keeping, clearly indicate where staff or the parent have administered medication. This area is risk assessed to ensure the safety of parents and children. Appropriate permission is obtained from parents to enable staff to administer first aid and medication where needed to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Support is provided to assist parents to pursue education and leisure activities where appropriate. The service has an identified worker to assist parents in social and leisure activities for families. Enabling parents to gain knowledge of community facilities, resources and participate in these. This in turn, gives positive social experiences to families.

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Helping children to be healthy

Families use the local Sure Start group, go swimming, visit local attractions, use the local park and library. Parents said they have regular contact with family members. A parent said they enjoy going swimming with their baby and attending the baby massage session. Attending the local parent groups in the community is helping them in making friends.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff and parents have an understanding of acceptable behaviour and conduct while living in the residential family centre. This promotes a level of comfort and security within the centre for families. Parents and staff are clear on the rules for visitors which positively supports the welfare and safety of all those using the centre.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Parents are clear on expectations and boundaries while undergoing their assessment. Staff and parents confirm these are explained at the time of admission to the centre. There are clear policies and procedures on the standard of behaviour expected, respecting difference of individuals and the circumstances when physical intervention will be used. All staff have receive training in de-escalation and physical intervention. Staff said they have not had to restrain a parent or a child. Although, they find they do use de-escalation techniques to manage difficult and more challenging behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Families’ privacy is respected and information confidentially handled. Parents said staff knock and wait before entering their flat. All families have a key to their own flat. Records are securely stored. Staff can verbalise and demonstrate how they maintain family confidentiality. Parents said they have access to a phone where calls can be made in private.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a clear policy and procedure on how to make a complaint. Both staff and parents are fully aware of the procedure for how to complain. A complaint is recorded for 2010 and shows the action taken and the outcome. However, a later complaint made by parents is not fully and accurately recorded to show the action taken and the outcome. Some action has been taken although it is not clear that all areas have been addressed or that the complainants are satisfied with the conclusion. The process of handling this complaint has not been transparent and does not show that concerns and complaints have been robustly addressed in full.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents said that they did visit the centre prior to admission. Varying views have been expressed on this process but they acknowledge this did assist in them being more prepared for their assessment. The relevant information is explained to the parent at the earliest opportunity about the expectations and the purpose of their placement. This includes areas such as methods of supervision, observation, assessment, behaviour towards staff and visitors, smoking, privacy and confidentiality.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Each family has a placement support plan, which sets out clear objectives. The plan details, how on a day-to-day basis the assessment will be undertaken and the support the staff will provide along with other relevant professionals. Families’ needs are assessed in good detail and reviews take place on a frequent basis. Reports detail their progress as well as areas for further development. Parents said they are actively involved in this process. They have read their placements support plans, preview any progress reports and attend all meetings relating to their assessment. Plans are overseen by a qualified social worker.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The social work sessions, parenting assessments and the key work sessions undertaken do reflect the placement plan areas. However, in some instances some areas identified for further development have been only found to be visited once with parents within the records. In most instances parents feel well informed and have good relationships with the staff. Two sets of parents said they found the support from staff invaluable.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The accommodation is decorated and furnished to a good standard to ensure families are provided with suitable facilities, catering for the daily living of a family.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Parents said the accommodation and facilities are good. All families are accommodated with a one bedroom flat or bedsit. These include a kitchenette and their own bathroom. Ground floor flats have a garden area, which benefits young children.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The centre’s shared facilities enhance the private accommodation of the families to give variety and choice to the parents and children in their daily life. This includes: a playroom, kitchen, meeting room and outside play area, which are well equipped. Parents said they enjoy the breakfast club and the weekly organised play worker sessions.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras are fitted within designated areas of some flats. This should only be used when directed by the court and placing local authority. The service has a clear policy and procedure for the use of surveillance. However, on checking documentation where CCTV has been used with a family, it was not clear on the file that the court or the placing local authority had requested its use in writing. Nor did the assessment set out clearly its purpose of the use of CCTV. Although, it was clear it was being used where child protection issues have been identified. One set of parents said it was not explained in detail to them on the pre visit or on the first day of admission the extent and purpose of the CCTV.

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Organisation

There is a clear statement of how the centre operates and the manner in which care and support is to be provided. The Statement of Purpose contains the required information set out in Schedule 1 of the Regulations. However, the manager said both the Statement of Purpose and parents welcome pack information are to be reviewed and updated. Parents said they did not receive a welcome pack with relevant information about the centre. This would enable them to refer to or check information out at a later stage when required.

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Organisation

There is a staffing structure in place with clear lines of accountability. The team leader deputises in the absence of the manager. The staff team have a number of years experience in working with families, children and young people.

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Organisation

The staff said they receive regular supervision and have detailed handovers and staff meetings. This assists them in providing good consistent support to families through their assessments. They said the manager is supportive and approachable.

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Organisation

Staff have sufficient opportunities to undertake mandatory and other training in a number of areas. This includes: safeguarding, behaviour management, key working parents, attachment and loss, and child development. This is to ensure they are competent and trained in the relevant areas to meet the needs of families. However, some staff could not recall adult protection training taking place.

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Organisation

The target of 80% of the work force being trained in the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 in caring for children and young people or equivalent has not been achieved by the staff group. The manager stated this area is being given priority to address the shortfall.

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Organisation

The staff have a good knowledge of the family they are currently working with, ensuring the right support and assessments are being undertaken. Individual assessment packages are in place for each family which is tailored to meet their personal needs.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. This is evidenced through practice, supporting policies, procedures and the individual placement support plans.

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Organisation

Good monitoring systems are in place to assist the provision to adapt and develop the quality of the service provided at the centre. Monthly monitoring of the service takes place by nominated persons. The required areas are covered in detail which has been built upon in recent times. The manager is carrying out monitoring of the service on a monthly basis. Although brief in detail the frequency of this auditing is carried out over and above the level set out in the national minimum standards. However, it is not clear from the records that the manager is monitoring the overall parent assessment.

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Statutory Requirements

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

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Reg Statutory Requirement Due date

20 (2002) ensure the registered person fully investigates any complaint made under the complaints procedures. A written record must be made of any complaint presentation, the action taken in response, and the outcome of the investigation (Regulation 20 (2) (6)) 28/08/2011

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Reg Statutory Requirement Due date

4 (2002) ensure that the Statement of Purpose and resident’s guide are kept under review and where appropriate revised. Once this has occurred notify Ofsted within 28 days of any such revision (Regulation 4 (4)) 28/08/2011

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Reg Statutory Requirement Due date

4 (2002) ensure that each parent accommodated in the residential family centre is provided with a residents guide. (Regulation (4) (3)) 28/08/2011

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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 parents and children are kept informed of the progress of their complaints and that this is recorded (NMS 10)  ensure areas identified as part of parent assessments are covered and addressed in sufficient detail (NMS)  ensure that the purpose and the decision to use surveillance equipment is accurately recorded, involving the appropriate professionals and the parents (Regulation 10)  ensure refresher adult protection training is provided to all the staff (NMS)  ensure that the minimum ratios of 80% of all care staff complete their NVQ level 3 in caring for children and young people (NMS 29)  ensure that the managers monitoring systems include placement assessments. (NMS)

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