Ty Connections III - Friern Barnet Road

Ty Connections III - Friern Barnet Road Inspection report for residential family centre

p.1

Unique reference number SC439783 Inspection date 30/07/2012 Inspector Sharon Lewis Type of inspection Social Care Inspection

p.1

Setting address 5a The Broadway, Friern Barnet Road, LONDON, N11 3DT

p.1

Telephone number 07983030648 Email tycon3@sky.com Registered person Ty Connections Limited Registered manager Rinisha Ketan Tailor Responsible individual Faith Munroe Date of last inspection 08/02/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

Brief description of the service

Ty Connections III is the third residential family centre owned by a privately owned family business. It offers support for up to three families in self-contained studio flats. The centre monitors and evaluates the care provided by parents to their children. Staff undertake comprehensive parenting skills assessments. They are also able to offer a broad selection of other options, including semi-independent support. There are a wide range of services which support families to improve the quality of their own and their children's lives. This includes counselling support and learning sessions. The centre provides 24-hour staffing.

p.3

The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: a service that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good: a service that exceeds minimum requirements Adequate: a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate: a service that does not meet minimum requirements

p.3

Summary

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

p.3

Summary

This unannounced inspection is the first inspection since registration. Families benefit from a good service, which is centred on empowering them to succeed. Staff are passionately committed to their role. Families greatly appreciate the help and support, which is rooted in comprehensive care planning, robust quality assurance and regular consultation. Families benefit from in-house therapy, counselling and individualised support to address addictive behaviours. Parents also receive extensive information regarding healthcare, safeguarding and the inner resources and qualities needed for parenthood. Shortfalls are minor and consist of recommendations to further improve practice. These relate to producing a restraint policy, and maintenance issues regarding the premises. The centre demonstrates a very good capacity to further improve.

p.3

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):  produce a policy for staff regarding their physical restraint of children (NMS 8.6)  ensure the lounge is decorated and furnished to a standard which creates a pleasant domestic environment (NMS 19.6 )  ensure hot and cold water supplies are adequate (NMS 20.5)  ensure the ventilation of all parts of the premises are satisfactory to meet the needs of the parents and children. (NMS 21.3)

p.3

Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

Families benefit from good arrangements dedicated to promoting their health and well-being. Parents have access to an in-house therapist who provides them with valued emotional support through the assessment process. Families have access to good healthcare, and their needs are identified and assessed at the earliest stage. Families register with a local doctor and attend relevant health appointments. The centre has proven experience of successfully working with parents withdrawing from drug dependency. There are secure medication storage facilities and staff maintain good administration records. Families have access to a wide range of booklets which raise their awareness regarding early childcare. Topics covered include immunisations and breast feeding.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The centre provides valued assistance to equip families for everyday life. Parents comment that: 'Staff are very encouraging'; 'very supportive'; and 'give good advice'. The centre works in partnership with parents, positively influencing their parenting and personal development. Parents learn emotional warmth, and how to stimulate and be more responsive to their child. They appreciate that they also learn practical tasks. Examples being how to bath their baby, conflict resolution, budgeting and nutritional cooking. Children receive care from staff who are trained in child development and paediatric first aid. Their parents benefit from staff training in strategies for responding to stress and promoting a positive identity and self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

Families are actively engaging in external groups which are enjoyable and stimulating. Parents are able to build on their skills and nurture the bond with their child and each other. This includes young parents' groups, fathers' groups and general play and specialist activities for babies. Parents learn to confidently stimulate their child through visual, motor and language prompts. Staff provide individual coaching and key working to address highlighted areas of development to parents and maximise their strengths. Routines are flexible to enable parents to access education, training or employment. Parents have realistic aspirations and wish to attend college to pursue their career goals.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The centre demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. They state their priority is the 'immediate and long-term safety and well- being of all our resident children'. There is a wide range of clear, easy-to-read information for parents regarding keeping their children safe. This includes the home and external environment, risks, cot safety, how to hold, and not shaking your baby. Parents are able to learn the full nature of safeguarding, including the diverse forms of abuse and neglect. They are also able to raise their awareness of discrimination, hate crime and bullying, in addition to managing their stress and anger.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Families state that they feel 'respected'. They are aware of the rules and expectations regarding their behaviour. The centre provides a good level of security; this includes an intercom and two locked entrances. Parents have keys to their bedrooms and lockable storage within their rooms. The centre has a clear complaints procedure. Parents and staff are fully aware of how to make a complaint. Parents actively use this mechanism to express their concerns. Management appropriately manage complaints in a prompt and efficient manner. Parents also take the time to compliment the centre. A recent card states: 'Thank you for all the help, guidance and support that you have provided for us. We will never forget you.'

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The use of surveillance cameras and monitoring devices are centred on safeguarding children. Staff endeavour to preserve the privacy and dignity of families. Parents highlight that they trust staff and they find observations unobtrusive. Staff successfully work with parents, creating a positive relationship which combines, warmth, openness and professionalism. Parents confirm the need for any restrictions, monitoring or supervision of children has been fully explained to them. Staff effectively maintain confidentiality and securely store personal information. Facilities are available for families to make private telephone calls.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Families benefit from the centre's extensive arrangements dedicated to their protection. Staff receive fortnightly training which incorporates safeguarding issues. Updated safeguarding procedures includes specific policies related to children and adults. They also encompass local guidance and government good practice. The centre also has links with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Staff understand their duty of care and the need to appropriately protect children. They respond well to incidents. There have not been any notifiable incidents. Staff receive training in relation to conflict resolution and physical intervention. The centre, however, does not have a policy regarding their physical restraint of children. This primarily relates to preventing injury and is required under the current minimum standards. The absence of this policy is not detrimental and staff understand the importance of protecting children.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Families live in an environment which is physically safe and secure. Staff effectively monitor health and safety matters. The home has certificates which verify the safety of the gas, electrical and fire safety equipment. There is a comprehensive risk management system which is continually updated to address new hazards. Risk assessments are available for individuals, working practices and the premises. Families receive protection from the centre's recruitment process. Staff undergo the relevant checks, and the recruitment procedure ensures the careful vetting and monitoring of new staff. Management use the probationary period to carefully screen staff and ensure they can effectively fulfil their role. There are efficient policies for monitoring and supervising visitors.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Families benefit from the comprehensive care planning system. The organisation uses a computerised recording system which enables them to effectively complete assessments. Care planning incorporates individual needs and cultural diversity. Parents are able to contribute to the process through regular meetings, key working and reviews. Parents appreciate the fact that staff are 'straight with them' and provide them with regular feedback. Staff enjoy 'making a difference,' stating they 'find it rewarding' when parents go home with their children. Staff state that they 'enable parents to be open and encourage them to take control'. Families benefit from the organisation's wide range of specialist services. This includes a 12-step alcohol programme, effective parenting courses and domestic violence counselling.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of each family's needs. They work significantly well with placing authorities and demonstrate a positive commitment to working in partnership. Families have good experiences of the centre's admission and discharge policy. Staff warmly welcome them and take time to go through their residents' pack. This provides extensive information in relation to the centre and the assessment process. Management carefully consider all new referrals, to ensure they do not have a detrimental impact on the other families. On leaving the centre, staff are able to help with the practicalities of moving. They can also provide families with a resource package and ongoing support if needed.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

Families positively influence service development through a variety of avenues, which include regular feedback questionnaires and discussions with the Regulation 25 visitor. Records demonstrate that parental views contribute to their daily life and the longer-term arrangements. A structured review process is incorporated into the assessment process. Families confirm that the assessment process supports them to retain a good level of choice and independence. Parents know what is expected of them and are made accountable for their actions. Staff work proactively with families, identifying and addressing highlighted issues, through coaching and key working. Staff are aware of each family's strengths and appropriately praise and encourage them.

p.6

Achieving economic wellbeing

Families reside in satisfactory accommodation, which is adequately decorated and furnished. The premises are accessible from a flight of stairs; living accommodation is located upstairs. The centre is, therefore, unsuitable for families with mobility needs. Each family has their own self-contained studio flat, with a kitchenette and an en-suite shower room and a toilet. Families are able to cook and undertake their own laundry within their flats. Facilities include a cooker, fridge, a washing machine, microwave, toaster and a kettle. Rooms are of sufficient size, space, fittings and furnishings to meet the individual needs of the family. Parents did, however, highlight issues with the lack of ventilation in the warm weather. They also stated there were issues with the hot water.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

Families have access to a communal lounge, with sofas, a television and a range of toys and books for children. On the walls are details of the local children's related resources and guidance regarding childcare. This provides an ample amount of useful information to help families. Parents comment that the lounge is 'sterile'; they would like it to be 'more homely, relaxing and vibrant'. Adjacent to the communal lounge is the staff office. A separate area is available for the storage of pushchairs. The centre is used solely for the use of families and not for any other purposes.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

Family flats are named after stars within the constellation; Aquila, Cyrus and Orion. The provider wishes to promote a positive label for each family being a 'star'. Families like the centrality of their location and the fact that they are living on a main road, which includes a parade of shops and food outlets. They enjoy being near the shopping centre and the good public transport links. Regular bus and rail routes enable families to travel to surrounding areas, to access a wider range of facilities. Although the premises do not have a garden, they are surrounded by three parks. The closest park has a locally acclaimed adventure playground for children.

p.7

Organisation

The centre provides a highly personalised quality service. Parents feel that all staff are 'doing a great job'. They feel there is strong, passionate leadership, who they 'trust', 'can talk to' and who 'understands'. The Statement of Purpose comprehensively details the centre's philosophy, principles and working practices. Families benefit from their own residents' pack. This summarises the service and the main procedures. It also provides a good selection of information about local resources and national agencies which can assist them. A website is also available, which also provides a good overview of the organisation.

p.7

Organisation

Families receive assistance from an experienced, stable, committed staff team. Staff believe in empowering families and are dedicated to their work. Staffing is flexible and is centred around the needs of the families. The number of staff on duty robustly meets the needs of the parents and children. This enables one-to-one supervision on activities, visits and appointments. Families also benefit from night- time support, if needed. The organisation provides a wide range of training and support which effectively help staff to fulfil their role. Staff reflect on their practice and they benefit from regular individual supervision and team meetings. The team has an extensive range of qualifications and prior experience. Staff have the necessary vocational qualification or are currently completing this course.

p.7

Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The organisation has an international staff team, who are able to speak a wide range of languages. Staff demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting dignity and respecting parents' rights. There is a culture of empowering parents, highlighting their strengths and meeting their individual needs. The organisation has policies and other documentation which positively addresses anti-discriminatory practice. This includes recent legislation regarding same sex couples, disability, race relations, gender and age. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the pertinent issues. The organisation has experience of translating key documents for parents and using interpreting services.

p.8

Organisation

Families live within a centre which currently has a 100% success rate. Other professionals describe the provider as 'responsive' and feel the centre is heading in the 'right direction'. The former Registered Manager has left; however, the provider, who successfully manages the other residential family centre, has taken on this role. This is strengthened by competent and effective deputy management arrangements. There are robust quality monitoring and assurance systems. These comply with regulations and incorporate the views of families and staff. There is very good self- evaluation which stringently examines placement data. There is an awareness of the home's strengths and the areas requiring further development. Management have a comprehensive vision to drive forward. Record keeping is up to date and clearly details each parent's progress.

p.8

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 for children. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

p.8

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.

p.8