The Breslaff Centre

Unique reference number SC477725 Inspection date 19/11/2015 Inspector Sandra Jacobs-Walls Type of inspection Full

p.1

Setting address 263 Northborough Road LONDON SW16 4TR

p.1

Telephone number 0207 978 1683 Email office@breslaffcentre.org.uk Registered person The Breslaff Centre Registered manager Sara Humpreys/Margarita Sullivan Responsible individual Michael Bazzard Date of last inspection N/A The Breslaff Centre Inspection report for residential family centre 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

Brief description of the service

This residential family centre is owned by a private charity organisation. The centre provides assessment of parenting, on a residential basis and in the community. In the case of residential placements, assessments are generally completed within a 13 week timescale.

p.3

Brief description of the service

This is the residential family centre’s first inspection following the centre’s move to its current premises in August 2014. The provider previously owned and managed a larger residential family centre of the same name, for 23 years prior to it’s de- registration to facilitate the premises move.

p.3

Brief description of the service

The residential family centre is located in a residential area within the London Borough of Merton. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two families. Local shops, amenities and transport links are easily accessible.

p.3

The overall experiences of children and parents

The overall experiences of children and parents are good

p.3

The overall experiences of children and parents

Families feel safe at the centre and are protected from abuse, neglect, violence and self-harm. Parents receive good support to help them understand the impact their behaviour has on their children and how to address the need for change. Families receive consistently high quality care that meets individual needs.

p.3

The overall experiences of children and parents

Families are very much engaged in the planning process, they have a good understanding of the assessment and what is happening. The relationship between the staff team and families is very good, families are welcomed into and leave the centre in a planned and sensitive manner.

p.3

The overall experiences of children and parents

Staff work hard to ascertain the wishes and views of children and parents and this has influence on the shaping of the service. Families are aware of how complaints are made, staff manage any received appropriately.

p.3

The overall experiences of children and parents

Staff work effectively with key professionals to ensure all those involved are aware of placement issues and developments and to ensure placement objectives are met and that children are kept safe.

p.3

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.

p.4

(2002)

Ensure that staff receive appropriate training. In particular, that the registered managers achieve the leadership and management qualification at level 4. (Regulation (17)(5)(a))

p.4

Quality of assessment

Staff complete assessments that take full account of the placing authorities and court requirements; parents are assessed in accordance with their family plan. These assessments are strongly focused on the needs of children, are highly analytical and are evidence based. They demonstrate a clear understanding of case history, risk and parental capability to change. A local authority social worker comments, ‘The report was clear, concise and I was able to present in court proceedings.’ Assessments routinely include a chronology and clearly demonstrate how assessments are completed. Staff produce high quality reports that parents are able to read for themselves and comprehend what has been written.

p.5

Quality of assessment

Assessments reflect families changing support needs and how the assessment programme had been modified to reflect this. For example, one family resumed having staff members escort them in the community as a result of new information obtained by the placing authority that was of concern. Assessments are realistic about parental capacity for change, and all recommendations about children’s futures are based on their best interest. Parents are clear about the nature and scope of assessments and of the emerging views of assessors.

p.5

Quality of assessment

Parents are every much engaged at every stage of the assessment. They feel involved and listened to. The centre has good systems in place to support families share their views. These include distributed feedback forms to parents and children and the ‘suggestions’ box for anonymous comments and views. Staff encourage families to share their opinions and this helps shape services. For example, as a result of feedback from parents, the centre’s ‘welcome pack’ now includes colouring materials and a blank play session schedule. A parent comments, ‘Everyday they ask we how am I feeling and what are my thoughts.’

p.5

Quality of assessment

Families are made aware from the point of placement negotiations, of the centre’s use of surveillance. Essentially, this is staff’s use of audio and visual baby monitors. Parents comment that the home’s monitoring systems contribute to them feeling secure and their children being safe while at the centre.

p.5

Quality of assessment

Staff responsible for the completion of written assessments are very experienced, qualified social workers with individual areas of expertise such as family therapy, bereavement counselling and training in Incredible Early Years. Staff have an excellent knowledge of key issues such as child protection, child development and attachment theory to inform practice and support their assessments.

p.5

Quality of assessment

Feedback from key partners about the quality of final assessment reports is very positive. A district judge comments, ’ I have dealt with (the centre) on numerous occasions and have always found their work to be of the highest standards and the reports clear. They are focused and do as asked to the best of their ability. If I order their instruction, I do so, a) on the facts of the case, but also, b) with confidence of past dealings.’ Professionals working with the family make regular and invaluable contributions prior to and throughout the assessment process. Typically, key partners include consultant psychiatrists, health visitors and representatives of the local authority. This is to ensure that assessments are reflective of the centre’s multi-disciplinary approach to working with families.

p.5

How well children and parents are protected and helped

The service is good at how well children and parents are protected and helped.

p.6

How well children and parents are protected and helped

Children’s protection and welfare is central to the centre’s work. The staff team have a very strong commitment to working diligently with parents to keep their children safe. Children and parents benefit from the centre’s comprehensive child and adult protection policies and staff training to enhance safeguarding practices. There have been no allegations made against staff or others since the centre’s opening. There have been no referrals of a child protection nature or any episodes of missing persons. Staff managed any indication of dissatisfaction with the service promptly and sensitively. No formal complaints have been made against the service.

p.6

How well children and parents are protected and helped

The centre’s care plans are explicit in identifying historical and current risks. Staff complete detailed assessments to address risk and identify how the service is to minimise or eliminate risks. Staff ensure that risk assessments are regularly reviewed in response to any changing needs. A local authority social worker comments via a feedback form. ‘The (centre) is able to work with service users with complex needs and help to create a change to their circumstances.’

p.6

How well children and parents are protected and helped

Staff are experienced in meeting the diverse needs of individual family members and its services are based on an anti-discriminatory ethos. In particular staff are experienced in working effectively with: fathers, parents who have had a number of children removed from their care, parents living with learning disability and families for a wide range of ethnic backgrounds and faith.

p.6

How well children and parents are protected and helped

Staff are sensitive to the impact of the residential experience, especially those unaccustomed to the UK social care experience. So, for example, staff ensure that parents have access to interpreting services, even if their command of English is considered ‘adequate’. This is to enable parents to share information and their views in a manner they control. Staff continue to reflect on the consequence of the team being all female and ensure that the responsible individual, who is male, has an increased presence at the centre. Staff also encourage children to participate in sharing their views. The centre distributes a child-friendly feedback form for the exclusive use of children and young people.

p.6

How well children and parents are protected and helped

The centre does not generally accept emergency referrals and so most placements are planned. Staff encourage and support families to visit the centre prior to admission so they better understand the expectations and can ask questions. Parents confirm that this opportunity is essential in combatting pre-conceived fears about the residential assessment experience. A resident father told the inspector, ‘They let me visit twice. It was good, for me and the baby.’ Families are clear from the introductory process of the centres expectations and boundaries. In answer to the feedback form question ‘Was it clear what was expected of you’, one parent responded, ‘Too clear! LOL!’ The centre’s contract and placement agreements with families also clearly establishes boundaries and expectations.

p.6

How well children and parents are protected and helped

Staff like to acknowledge and celebrate parents who are assessed as able to care for their children safely and return home as a family unit. Families are appreciative of this acknowledgement. One parent told the inspector, ‘There should be more centres like this as opposed to just parenting classes. I think everyone should come to places like these, even if there are no worries or concerns.’

p.7

How well children and parents are protected and helped

The centre has an increased focus on direct work with parents to address issues of bonding and attachments. Staff encourage parents’ participation with a community based children’s centre to support their efforts at the centre. Parents have access to a range of creative learning experiences such as baby massage, play and stimulation and singing. One parent worked with staff with the use of video and e-learning to improve her understanding of child protection matters. Staff’s use of Incredible Early Years resources explore practical skills learning and promotes healthy attachment between the parent and child.

p.7

How well children and parents are protected and helped

Staff have a clear focus on promoting healthy lifestyles for children and parents. This is supported by strong links with local GP services and health visitors. Staff advise and support parents to understand the importance of good health care. Case records evidence relevant health care appointments made, milestone checks and records of child immunizations. Staff also promote healthy eating. The centre has produced a healthy recipe booklet for families to try nutritious meals; a copy of the booklet is available for families to take home with them to continue to provide healthy meals.

p.7

How well children and parents are protected and helped

The centre accommodates a maximum of two families and so it is important that the relationship between the families are not conflictual. Staff vigilance and clear boundary setting has resulted in no critical instances or discord between families. Ofsted have received no safeguarding notifications and the police have not been called to the home to respond to any emergency situations.

p.7

How well children and parents are protected and helped

The home’s environment is safe and secure. Staff conduct routine health and safety checks and fire precautionary measures are good. The premises is comfortable, well maintained and equipped to meet the aims of the centre. Families enjoy living in a self -contained space with minimal need/use of communal areas. A parent comments, ‘My flat has more than enough room for me and my child, and if I need anything, all I have to do is ask.’

p.7

Working with partners to improve outcomes

The service is good at working with partners to improve outcomes.

p.8

Working with partners to improve outcomes

Staff collaborate positively with other agencies and involved professionals to promote the best possible outcomes for children. Effective partnership working with representatives from the local authority in particular, results in the mutual sharing of pertinent information between the parties that ensures children are kept safe and placement objectives are met. A local authority social worker comments, ‘The staff provide clear and open information about the service users’ needs and the recommendation at the end of the parenting assessment was in line with the local authority’s expectations.’

p.8

Working with partners to improve outcomes

Staff share close working relationships with other key professionals such as health visitors, staff of the local children’s centres, guardians and family courts. This is in the best interest of families to ensure they receive the support and protection they require. A health visitor at the centre at the time of the inspection told the inspector, “Staff always contact myself and my colleague when a new family arrives. They phone if they need any clarification and the team has good insight into the needs of families. They help parents feel confident with their babies and they provide parents with good strategies to help them cope. I have no concerns about the centre, I rely on staff to let me know what’s going on with the families.”

p.8

Working with partners to improve outcomes

A solicitor responded to an Ofsted questionnaire about what the service does well as follows; “It’s a really warm, welcoming environment. Staff are willing to take on professional disagreements while not overstepping boundaries. It’s a small setting where families get lots of individual attention. Staff are supportive and un- intimidated around the court process.”

p.8

Working with partners to improve outcomes

Staff have good links with the host Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), and have had limited contact with the local authority Designated Officer as there have been no allegations made or incidents requiring a child protection referral. A staff member comments, ‘We have enjoyed starting work in a new area and have made positive and beneficial links with community resources.’

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The effectiveness of leaders and managers is outstanding .

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

This residential family centre is managed by two permanent Registered Managers. Both are qualified social workers with extensive experience of working effectively with families undergoing residential parental assessments. The Registered Managers were responsible for and previously managed for several years the organisation’s former residential family centre, which closed to re-open at the centre’s current address. The service also employs a ‘residential manager’. The post holder is a qualified social worker in a unique, designated post responsible for management of non-practice issues such as property management and the supervision of auxiliary staff. The residential manager also has a role in supporting families during the assessment process. Leaders and managers have high aspirations for the service and have plans in place to enhance the service’s improvement agenda. Managers have a strong commitment

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

to reflective practice and have a very ‘hands on approach’ to working with families. They lead the staff team by example. The staff group are equally committed to the continued development of the service; expectations and ambition for the centre are exceedingly high. Leaders and managers ensure that they and the staff are aware of current legislative requirements, research and practice development to further improve the experiences of families and the quality of care provided. Managers work collaboratively with key external agencies to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and their parents.

p.9

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Managers have excellent systems in place to monitor and review every aspect of the centre’s operation and functioning. For example, on the final day of the inspection the entire staff team were participating in the centre’s six monthly service review. This is an opportunity for the organisation, managers and the staff team to systematically review the centre’s function and operation in an effort to gain insight into service strengths and any shortfalls requiring action. The organisation is keen to involve all staff members so that every aspect of the centre’s operation is explored with a view to improving the centre’s effectiveness and efficiency.

p.9

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Managers’ monitoring systems are highly effective. Independent personnel conducts monthly announced visits, with some unannounced visits. These consistently include discussion with families to ascertain their views about the centre, their experiences and how services may be enhanced. Subsequent reports are detailed and provide valuable information that feeds into the six-monthly review and management committee reviews. The responsible individual also visits on a monthly basis to quality assure the service, and meet with staff individually and collectively. Managers regularly convene staff meetings, which are another opportunity for the staff team to reflect on practice and explore service improvements.

p.9

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A primary feature of the centre’s monitoring systems is ensuring that children are kept safe. Their protection and well-being is staff’s highest priority. Staff handover meetings, group and peer supervision together with individual staff supervision sessions have a strong focus on the experiences of children. This ensures that the protection and welfare of children remain the focus of work undertaken at the centre.

p.9

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The service’s statement of purpose is a comprehensive document which outlines well the aims and objectives of the service. The residents’ guide is an informative easy- read booklet for families, which explains the purpose of the centre, services provided and what families can expect.

p.9

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The centre’s admissions process is robust and staff ensure they receive comprehensive information from the local authority to inform referral decision- making. Managers are mindful of the needs of families already resident when considering new referrals. This is to ensure the protection and well-being of all families staying at the centre.

p.9

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The service is appropriately staffed and the organisation has access to additional staff to meet the needs of families. There are clear financial systems in place, the service is financially viable and appropriately resourced. The entire staff team have transferred from the organisation’s previous residential family centre and families benefit from the stability of the workforce. Staff members have worked for the organisation’s residential family centres for several years. As a result, the staff group works effectively and cohesively to meet the needs of children and parents. There have been no new members of staff to the organisation for a significant length of time. The centre has effective staff recruitment policies and procedures in place to ensure that staff are suitable to work with vulnerable children and adults.

p.9

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff support and supervision is effective. Staff receive regular formal supervision with their line managers, which they find meaningful. Additionally, staff receive frequent informal and peer supervision. Staff meetings are also used to reflect on practice issues. Staff appraisals are completed annually. This ensures that any staff performance issues and developmental needs are formally identified and addressed.

p.10

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff training opportunities are very good. For example, staff have access to training facilitated by the LSCB. Some staff have recently accessed training focused on sexualised behaviour in children and young people; the impact of parental learning difficulties on parenting and engaging difficult, evasive or manipulative families. Staff have access to regular training facilitated by the organisation and external trainers. Managers encourage and support staff to pursue independent development opportunities that hold interest. For example, a member of the staff team is currently undertaking a family therapy course; both the Registered Managers have completed Incredible Early Years training, and one Registered Manager is a trained bereavement counsellor. Children and parents benefit from staff’s continuing training and self-development as this acts to further enhance existing theoretical knowledge and practice skills.

p.10

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The leadership and management of this residential family centre is excellent. The efforts of leaders and managers is highly influential in the shaping the service and ambitions to continually improve the quality of care, the experiences and safeguard of children and parents.

p.10

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.

p.11

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.

p.11