The Orchards

Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: The Orchards 1 The Orchards 6 Hillyard Road, London W7 1BH Monitoring visit

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential family centre

The Orchards Residential Family Centre Ltd is a privately owned company. This residential family centre is registered to provide care and accommodation for three families. Families benefit from their own rooms within a large residential property. The centre is able to provide residential, day and community-based assessments.

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Inspection date: 13 December 2017

Date of previous inspection: 4 October 2016

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to investigate an anonymous complaint. Ofsted received this complaint on 1 December 2017.

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This monitoring visit

The complaint related to staffing arrangements, lack of staff training and induction, poor leadership and management, the confidentiality of surveillance methods, key- work sessions, the premises and nepotism. The complainant also highlighted employment law issues; however, Ofsted does not have the legal power to investigate such matters.

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This monitoring visit

During this monitoring visit, interviews were held with parents, the registered manager and the deputy manager. Documentation was examined and the kitchen and other areas were also inspected.

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This monitoring visit

The complainant highlighted inappropriate staffing levels. Staffing was insufficient during this monitoring visit. Due to staff ill-health, only one member of staff was on duty. This could have had a detrimental impact if there had been an emergency. A parent also confirmed that at times, staffing was insufficient. The registered manager confirmed that staff recruitment was in progress. The registered manager stated that they also provide additional support on shifts. They noted that in addition, the operational manager is usually available in the staff office. Staffing rotas do not detail the management support available when staff are working on Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: The Orchards 2 their own and do not reflect the staff handover period.

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This monitoring visit

The staff induction handbook does not fully reflect all the elements of the staff induction. It only highlights reading of policies and some shadowing of shifts on the rota. It does not reflect all of the skills, tasks and learning and development opportunities during the induction period. Induction records were not available for all new staff.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager could not evidence that all new staff had received a comprehensive induction and ongoing training.

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This monitoring visit

The complainant raised a concern regarding the whistle-blowing hotline. This is the registered manager’s mobile number. Ofsted’s number is also given. The registered manager is also the owner of the residential family centre. This individual also undertakes the Regulation 25 monitoring visits, therefore monitoring their own work. This means that the centre lacks an independent monitoring approach that would provide an additional voice for residents and staff to share their concerns.

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This monitoring visit

The complainant raised a concern regarding the lack of confidentiality concerning the use of close circuit television. The close circuit television monitoring system is in the staff office. Although parents are not routinely allowed into the office, they stated that key-work meetings are held there. This would give parents access to view other families’ rooms and their activity. The registered manager explained that cameras could be isolated.

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This monitoring visit

The statement of purpose has not been updated. It does not reflect the staff changes and the parameters regarding the counselling support available for parents.

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This monitoring visit

The complainant raised issues in regards to poor leadership and management. These related to issues regarding the registered manager’s attitude and unprofessionalism. The parents gave very positive feedback regarding the registered manager. They described her as ‘lovely’ and ‘caring’. Parents stated that they were ‘treated fairly’, ‘supported’ and ‘shown respect’. This was also reiterated by the deputy manager.

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This monitoring visit

The complainant raised issues regarding the health and safety of the premises. This related to mould in the cupboards. The cupboards were inspected and there was no sign of mould.

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This monitoring visit

The complainant described the key-work resources as being ‘in a chaotic state’. Staff have autonomy regarding their key-work sessions. A key-work folder is available and staff also have access to online resources. Each family has a placement plan which clearly explains what support will be given to help parents. Files include details of the sessions that need to be covered. However, the key-work folder did not have a list of contents. The registered manager and the deputy manager confirmed that it is currently being reorganised. Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: The Orchards 3 The complainant raised concerns regarding the housework that parents have to undertake. Parents have set days to clean communal areas. Their household skills form part of the assessment process. They also demonstrate their ability to live independently. The expectations are consistent with the assessment process. Staff

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This monitoring visit

are expected to wash their own crockery.

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This monitoring visit

A complaint was raised regarding nepotism. The registered manager’s daughter works part time at the residential family centre. This staff member is supervised by the deputy manager. The parents, registered manager and deputy manager said that there was no favouritism. This staff member is reprimanded, as any member of staff, when needed and given appropriate instruction to fulfil her role. Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: The Orchards 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002 and the national minimum standards. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall maintain the records specified in Schedule 4. (Regulation 19 (3)) This relates to a record of the actual rosters worked. 01/02/2018

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Requirement Due date

Where the registered provider is an organisation or partnership, the residential family centre should be visited in accordance with this by one of the partners or an employee of the organisation or partnership who is not directly concerned with the conduct of the residential family centre. (Regulation 25 (2)) 01/02/2018

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Recommendations

 Ensure the registered person reviews the statement of purpose at least annually. (NMS 8.3)

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Recommendations

 Ensure there is a clear and effective surveillance policy which states how legitimate privacy will be protected. (NMS 10.1)

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Recommendations

 Ensure the overall number, competence and deployment of staff on individual shifts can fulfil the centre’s statement of purpose and meet the individual needs of all the parents and children at the centre. (NMS 15.1)

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Recommendations

 Ensure there are good quality learning and development opportunities;. (NMS 16.2) this relates to recording the full details of the staff induction and ongoing training. Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: The Orchards 5

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the residential family centre since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Smith & Massen Limited

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 255–261 Horn Lane, London W3 9EH

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Inspector

Sharon Payne: social care inspector Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: The Orchards 6 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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