Tessa Baring House

St Michaels Fellowship Inspection report for residential family centre

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Unique reference number SC047194 Inspection date 20/03/2014 Inspector Sharon Lewis Type of inspection Full

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Setting address 46 Herne Hill, LONDON, SE24 9QP

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Telephone number 020 7738 4242 Email Cass@stmichaelsfellowship.org.uk Registered person St .Michael's Fellowship Registered manager Cassandra Elizabeth Tait Responsible individual Susan Patricia Pettigrew Date of last inspection 25/08/2010 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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Brief description of the service

46 Herne Hill is run by a charitable organisation, St Michael's Fellowship. The charity has other residential family centres, a community assessment centre and a resettlement service. 46 Herne Hill is able to cater for up to four families. The centre provides residential assessments, which assist local authorities and courts in making decisions which promote the welfare of children.

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Brief description of the service

The centre have developed a range of teaching tools and approaches which support parents where there are particular difficulties in time and task sequencing, learning and difficulty in generating effective solutions to both familiar and unfamiliar problems and retaining information. Their work is individualised and adapted to each parent’s learning style and level of functioning.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

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

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

Families receive a good service, which has outstanding features. Families benefit from a comprehensive evidence based assessment process and exceptional support. Staff are highly aspirational and tenaciously endeavour to empower parents enabling them to maximise their potential. Staff are well qualified, highly skilled, experienced and passionately committed to their role. A key strength is the excellent partnership arrangement with the local children's centre. Strong links with other agencies and professionals ensure children and parents are kept safe. Safeguarding is at the heart of the centre’s work, ensuring all decision making promotes the best interests of children.

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Overall effectiveness

Each parent and child is valued as an individual and has his or her wishes and feelings listened to. Families greatly appreciate the help and support, which takes into account their culture and individual needs. comprehensive care planning, active engagement and consultation. They have extensive opportunities to build on their parenting, self-development and life skills. They are also able to enjoy a wide range of activities, focused on enhancing their children’s lives. Leadership and management arrangements are strong. The service continues to evolve and is effectively tackling areas of development. The centre demonstrates a very good capacity to further improve. Shortfalls are minor, these relate to maintenance of the building and management training.

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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 person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2002) ensure all parts of the centre are reasonably decorated, this particularly refers to the laundry room. (Regulation (21) (2)(c)) 01/07/2014

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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):

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Recommendations

 ensure the manager obtains a qualification in management at least at level 4. (NMS 12.2)

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Quality of assessment

Families benefit from a child-focused, evidence-based assessment process which is uniquely tailored to their respective needs. Placing authorities highlight that reports are 'comprehensive' and 'balanced'. The centre uses an extensive range of resources to assess parent's intelligence, learning methods and capacity to change. The setting keeps updated on research, theories and developments within the field to ensure their assessment practices address the holistic needs of each family. Examples are incorporating adult attachment interviews within the assessment process. This enables the centre to competently produce comprehensive assessments which explicitly highlight current and future needs.

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Quality of assessment

Children are at the heart of each assessment. Staff dynamically work with families within an increasingly short period of time, dictated by the courts. Currently most assessments are six weeks in length. Staff work exceptionally well to produce robust reports, which efficiently cover risks, concerns, strengths, resilience and protective factors. They include a wide range of evidence which clearly supports their recommendations. This includes quotes, records and photographs. Recommendations holistically focus on the needs of each family and the practical, psychological and emotional wellbeing of children. An example of the latter is recommending dyadic development psychotherapy for children to address earlier separation and to encourage a secure attachment.

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Quality of assessment

Staff proactively examine, identify and reflect on issues. Weekly case meetings contribute to the continual review of the assessment process, enabling it to be purposefully adapted to each family’s needs. Effective monitoring through observation, teaching sessions, interactions and discussions extensively informs each assessment. Regular review meetings enable social workers to have a clear indication of each family's progress. They highlight that being aware of the outcome and recommendations enabled them to concentrate on 'future and parallel planning'; which ultimately benefits children.

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Quality of assessment

Care planning is organic, dedicated to valuing children and promoting their welfare and safety. The assessment plan illustrates how parenting skills will be assessed and their capacity for change. Plans are subject to regular reviews and staff creatively adapt plans to meet presenting needs. Staff use an extensive range of teaching methods. Staff pride themselves on their creativity adapting to each parent’s learning style and level of functioning. Approaches and tools include the use of visual aids, prompts, role playing, modelling, cues and using relatable examples.

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Quality of assessment

Families respond well to the transparent assessment process. Daily written feedback ensures families have a clear knowledge of their progress. The centre specialises in working with parents with learning needs. Staff successfully work with parents from a diverse range of cultures and there is a good understanding of cultural differences, norms and views of parenting. Parents routinely receive daily feedback which is empowering as they have a clear idea of their progress. This practice enables parents to influence and challenge the assessment process. The centre respects the privacy of families and surveillance methods do not involve close circuit television. Parents state that 'staff make you feel relaxed although you are aware you are being assessed'. Staff monitor through interactions and having a presence around the family. They subsequently make recommendations against unsafe practice.

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Quality of care, support and guidance

The quality of the care, support and guidance is outstanding .

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Quality of care, support and guidance

Families have the opportunity to flourish within a centre that provides exceptional individualised support. Staff are highly aspirational and they creatively work with families enabling them to maximise their potential. There is considerable understanding of families and their past trauma. Parents express astonishment at the positive change, commenting that the centre has 'made us better people'. Parents highlight that 'your goal is to be a good mum or dad to your baby'. They acknowledge that staff have 'helped with parenting and cemented what I know already'. They feel that they 'learn something new every day'. Parents state that they 'have become more confident, calm and relaxed'. Parents appreciate the chance to prove themselves and wish to thank staff 'for believing in us'. Partner agencies describe the support as 'incredible' and feel staff do 'an amazing job to encourage and empower' parents.

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Quality of care, support and guidance

Families benefit from a purposeful planned admission procedure. Prior to moving in parents receive a comprehensive pack; this includes essential information, frequently asked questions, a diary, pens and a simplified guide for children. This ensures families have a clear idea of the process, rules and expectations. Families also receive information on the local area, the complaints procedure and a handbook which incorporates values and the importance of equality and diversity. Parents highlight that they were 'made to feel welcome' and they state that 'moving in was very nice'. The centre has an excellent discharge procedure which is flexible and adapted to each family's needs. The centre offers a free resettlement service and will apply to charities for household items, for example a washing machine.

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Quality of care, support and guidance

Families receive a service which is able to substantially enrich their lives. There is an outstanding partnership arrangement with the local children's centre. Families benefit from sole use of their sensory room on a daily basis. Parents are able to receive food bank vouchers, employment and welfare benefits advice and there are volunteer opportunities. They are also able to attend various courses, studying first aid and health and beauty. Families can attend an extensive range of groups relating to child development, weaning, breast feeding, child literacy, sing-a-longs and other fun activates. Fathers also benefit from their own support group. Parents state that the 'children's centre is a really good place, very accommodating'. Parents highlight that they visit it on a daily basis and their children 'love it'. This is an on-going service they can utilise when they leave, providing they are in the catchment area.

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Quality of care, support and guidance

The centre has a cohesive commitment to meeting the holistic needs of each family. Families receive support with a substantial range of parenting skills. They also receive support with their finances, housing, immigration, relationship, employment and health issues. The centre has valued links with advocacy services, charities, health visitors, mental health services, drug and alcohol services and a wide range of professionals and organisations. This enables the centre to deliver the best possible outcomes for children and parents. They invite external professionals in to work with parents. An example of this is the local children's centre staff visiting once a week. They undertake specific sessions with families, which includes cooking and child centred arts and crafts.

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Quality of care, support and guidance

Work with parents focuses on meeting the emotional, social, educational and health needs of their children. There is a strong emphasis on supporting and educating parents. Parents are able to develop their skills, emotional resilience and self-esteem enabling them to care for and be responsive to their children's needs. Families learn to utilise local services, libraries, groups and parks. The centre does outstanding work in relation to promoting the emotional wellbeing of children. They use story stem tools to ascertain the wishes and feelings of children. They proactively help parents to understand the experiences of children and the importance of language, praise and emotional warmth. Parents learn the importance of preparing healthy and balanced meals. Families and staff have a highly professional yet amiable, mutually respectful relationship. Parents comment that there is 'always someone to talk to'. They

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Quality of care, support and guidance

highlight they are 'able to talk freely to staff about any concerns'. Staff undertake joint training with parents and they also appreciate that they learn from parents, an example being cultural norms. Parents state that they appreciate 'daily sheets as they show the improvements we have made'. They highlight that daily and weekly reviews focus on their 'strengths and weaknesses, what they have improved on and what needs further work'. Parents finds this empowering, stating they 'know exactly', what they 'need to be working on'.

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Quality of care, support and guidance

Children benefit from excellent care planning dedicated to improving their life chances. Parents work in partnership with staff to arrange their weekly planners. This is a programme of events which includes teaching sessions, attendance at external groups, shopping trips and days out. Teaching sessions cover parenting skills and personal development. Care plans appropriately take into account gender, disability, race, culture, religion, sexuality, communication and behavioural needs. Families positively influence the service through house meetings, daily meetings with staff, questionnaires and discussions with the Regulation 25 visitor. Parents were instrumental in the revision of the daily feedback sheet. This is now simplified and clearly highlights their progress and areas for further development. Parents contribute to activity planning, communal responsibilities and also interview panels.

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Quality of care, support and guidance

Families live in a spacious three storey house and have their own room and bathroom. Within the kitchen they have separate kitchenettes. There is a choice of communal areas; this includes two lounges, a dining area, a key work room with a computer and a vibrant playroom. Children can enjoy a large rear garden, which has a lawn, play equipment and garden furniture. The flower beds add to the ambience of the garden and herbs are available for cooking. There is a separate laundry room where families can share the washing machine and tumble drier. Families have access to their own pay telephone. Rooms are pleasantly decorated, furnishings and fittings are modern. There is a bus stop immediately outside, which enables families to access the wider community.

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Safeguarding children and parents

The service is good at keeping children and parents safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and parents

Children benefit from the centre's strong safeguarding arrangements. Policies, procedures, practice and teaching sessions include government guidance, theories, serious case reviews and relevant research. Parents highlight that they learn to 'always think about your child and always put them first no matter what'. Parents receive an extensive education in keeping their children safe and promoting their well-being. This includes child related health risks, internal and external hazards, cot death, domestic violence, substance misuse and rough handling. Parents learn the importance of safeguarding, including the diverse forms of abuse and neglect. This includes cultural expectations of British society. An example of the latter is the cultural differences session in relation to discipline and boundaries. Parents are aware of the rules and expectations regarding their behaviour. Staff effectively promote positive behaviour. They do not have to restrain parents or children.

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Safeguarding children and parents

The centre has a strong relationship with the neighbourhood Police, Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and the Local Authority Designated Officer. Staff benefit from an extensive range of child and adult protection training. They also have a wide range of other complementary training. Examples are training in first aid, working with difficult to engage families, gangs and domestic violence. The centre efficiently manages safeguarding concerns and refer matters to relevant personnel. Staff have a good understanding of the safeguarding procedure; they are familiar with the range of external organisations they can refer allegations to. The centre has a comprehensive risk management system, which includes assessing respective placement risks, environmental and fire risks. There is also meticulous monitoring of bruises.

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Safeguarding children and parents

Families reside in premises which are physically safe and secure. They also learn the importance of household health and safety. Staff undertake regular health and safety checks. Families participate in fire drills and fire safety is part of their initial induction. The centre has certificates which verify the safety of the gas, electrical and fire safety equipment. The electrical installation check is due and has been booked. Families receive protection from the organisation's recruitment system. The centre does not employ new staff, unless all the necessary checks have been received. This helps prevent unsuitable persons from working in the home.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the residential family centre are good .

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Leadership and management

Parents and children benefit from a personalised, well managed service which values them as individuals. Parents view their time at the centre as being 'really helpful', stating 'it has been a nice unforgettable experience'. Social workers confirm the 'service that St Michaels staff offer is of a very high standard'. They describe communication as 'excellent'. Placing authorities undertake their own quality assurance and they describe the assessment process as 'outstanding'. Leadership and management arrangements are strong. There is a positive emphasis on learning and keeping up to date with new legislation, research and practice developments. The centre is also part of a regional care pilot. The Registered Manager is an enthusiastic qualified social worker who has substantial experience in this area of work. This individual intends to obtain an appropriate management qualification, as highlighted in the national minimum standards.

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Leadership and management

The centre has made significant improvements since the last inspection. The three requirements and six recommendations have been addressed. The organisation ensures that it notifies Ofsted of significant events and any changes in management. Families benefit from staff who have relevant training in first aid, food hygiene and the safe handling of medication. They receive protection from the improved fire safety records and risk assessments. Families also benefit from having the contact information for relevant agencies including Ofsted. The premises are also clean, comfortable and better maintained. The only area which is in need of redecoration is the laundry room, which has peeling paint. This does not have a detrimental impact on families; however, all areas within the building must be reasonably decorated.

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Leadership and management

The Statement of Purpose comprehensively details the centre's philosophy, principles and working practices. Families benefit from their own residents' and children's guide. There is a culture of consultation and the organisation welcomes feedback from parents, staff, stakeholders and inspections. Staff complete exit interviews and parents formally share their views throughout the assessment process. The end of placement form is a particularly useful document as it highlights their advice to other parents. They remind their peers to 'be strong, carry on for own good' and 'have patience'. Parents know how to make a complaint. The centre respectfully manages any concerns in a prompt and efficient manner. Parents also compliment the centre.

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Leadership and management

Families receive valued support from a competent and efficient staff team. Staff state that they 'like working here' and that they 'love working with families'. Staff pride themselves on their creativity and ability to flexibly adapt to meet presenting needs. The team has an extensive range of qualifications and prior experience. Placing authorities state that 'the passion of the staff to do their best to help parents safely care for their children was impressive'. The high staffing ratio enables one-to-one supervision on activities and appointments. The organisation provides a wide range of training and support which effectively helps staff to fulfil their role. Staff reflect on their practice and they benefit from regular individual supervision, appraisals and team meetings. The centre shares a consultant psychiatrist with the other centre. This enables them to regularly discuss concerns within a clinical framework. This is

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Leadership and management

an additional support to staff, enabling them to work more therapeutically with parents. Staff appropriately maintain confidentiality and securely store personal information. Records clearly detail each parent's progress.

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Leadership and management

Management monitor the service, this includes monthly visits in accordance with Regulation 25 which provides an insightful review of the service. The organisation completes quality care reviews which provide a good overview and highlights the centre's strengths. The residential family centre demonstrates a capacity for continuing improvement. This is based on its track record and performance since its previous inspection. The service is being continually adapted to address the current economic and judicial climate. The service evaluation report highlights plans to develop the service in response to identified needs. It tackles key areas requiring further development and building on areas of strength

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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the inspection framework and the evaluation schedule for the inspection of residential family centres.

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