Kaleidoscope Assessment Services

Inspection report for residential family centre: Kaleidoscope Assessment Services 1 Kaleidoscope Assessment Services Kaleidoscope Assessment Services Limited Finsley House, Finsley Street, Briercliffe, BURNLEY, Lancashire BB10 2HN Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential family centre

This residential family centre is registered to accommodate up to three families at any one time. The residential family centre is privately owned. Families access the centre at the direction of the court and/or the local authority for the purposes of assessment .

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and parents, taking into account

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good

How well children and parents are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The residential family centre provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of previous inspection: 29 July 2015

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for residential family centre: Kaleidoscope Assessment Services 2

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Key findings from this inspection

This residential family centre is good because:

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Key findings from this inspection

 Families report that they are happy at the centre and feel that this has been a good experience. They value staff support and advice.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The quality of relationships between staff and the families is positive. The atmosphere is relaxed and the relationships are mutually respectful. This enables parents to feel safe and secure throughout their assessment.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Staff are committed to helping families to make meaningful progress to overcome past difficulties. Staff provide families with individual support and guidance during their assessments.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The final assessment report is child focused. The report is evaluative and empathetic. This makes the report meaningful to parents.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The centre is led effectively by dedicated managers. The management team is confident, fair and transparent.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The centre offers a good service for children and their parents. Shortfalls do not detract from the overall quality of the service.

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Key findings from this inspection

The residential family centre’s areas for development:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The home’s statement of purpose is not current and does not reflect the correct contact details for Ofsted, or that the centre employs two registered managers.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Recruitment of staff needs to be robust. The company failed to take up its own police checks prior to some staff working in the centre. This potentially undermines the safety of children and adults.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Placement plans are not individualised or specific to each family’s needs. The recording of residents’ meetings and staff meetings do not contain action plans and outcomes.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Risk assessments lack strategies to prevent and manage risk. They are not regularly updated. Managers have not recorded the impact that families may have on each other, making it difficult to evaluate the matching process.

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Key findings from this inspection

 There are some maintenance issues in relation to a radiator cover and a medicine cupboard that needs fixing to the wall in one of the residential flats. The staff bathroom is being used as a storeroom and the shower is in need of repair. Inspection report for residential family centre: Kaleidoscope Assessment Services 3

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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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Statutory requirements

Requirement Due date The registered person shall provide a copy of the statement of purpose to the Commission (7) and shall make a copy of it available, upon request, for inspection. (Regulation 4 (2))

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Statutory requirements

In particular, the registered person should make the necessary changes in relation to staff and ensure that the statement of purpose contains the correct contact details for Ofsted. 04/09/2018

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Statutory requirements

For the purpose of paragraph (1), a person is not fit to work at a residential family centre unless – (d) full and satisfactory information is available in relation to him in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 2. (Regulation 16 (2)(d))

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Statutory requirements

In particular, the company should request its own police checks prior to staff working in the centre. 04/09/2018

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Statutory requirements

The registered person shall ensure that— (b) the premises to be used as the residential family centre are of sound construction and kept in a good state of repair externally and internally. (Regulation 21 (2)(b)) 04/09/2018

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Recommendations

 Prior to a placement, a risk assessment is carried out to ensure both that the centre is well placed to meet the family’s needs and that the family is able to fit in with the centre’s other residents. It informs the level of supervision necessary for the parents and is kept under review throughout the placement. (Residential Family Centres National Minimum Standards, page 17, 9.1)

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Recommendations

 The placement plan should specify the objectives and intended outcomes of the Inspection report for residential family centre: Kaleidoscope Assessment Services 4 placement, details of training, assistance, assessment, supervision and protection to be provided at the centre, and how the child’s welfare will be promoted. (Residential Family Centres National Minimum Standards, page 17, 9.2) Inspection report for residential family centre: Kaleidoscope Assessment Services 5

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

The quality of relationships between the staff and families is positive. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. Families report that they are happy at the centre and value the advice and support of staff. One parent said, ‘It’s nice here, way better than I was expecting. It’s clean and I have everything I need. They’re not on your case all the time. They will let you know if you’re doing anything wrong. It’s been a good experience.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Ofsted completed a monitoring visit on 20 February 2018. Concerns had been raised in relation to the state of repair in one of the residential flats and fire safety in the centre. The maintenance issues in the flat have been completed. After consultation with the fire authority, suitable precautions have been taken against the risk of fire. There are clear arrangements for evacuation in the event of a fire. Parents confirm, and were able to tell the inspector what to do in the event of a fire.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

There are some maintenance issues that are in need of attention. One of the flats has a loose radiator cover in the bedroom that needs to be secured, and the medicine cabinet needs fixing to the wall. The staff bathroom is currently being used as a storeroom. The wood under the base of the shower is broken and needs repairing. This will ensure that the centre is safe for children and families and a more positive environment for staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Residents’ meetings provide families with an opportunity to give their views on the service they receive. Records show evidence of the topics discussed. There are no records to show what staff have done about the residents’ requests. This means that residents do not get feedback from the previous meeting, and staff are not clear about any issues that are outstanding.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Weekly family appraisals are very detailed and evidence based. This shows that parents receive balanced feedback on their progress. Staff challenge families when necessary and put safety first. A child’s social worker said, ‘Staff have not been afraid to challenge parents when concerns have come to light.’ Staff support parents to engage in direct work. They discuss topics such as fire safety and children’s health needs. At the end of each session parents complete a quiz. This tells staff what parents understand and what requires further work.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

The final assessment reports are completed by competent and qualified managers. The reports are of a good standard. They provide a detailed narrative of the parents’ journey and their capacity to change. Clear recommendations are made in the reports. This enables the court and placing authority to make decisions in the best interests of the child. Professionals are complimentary about the quality of the final reports. One social worker said, ‘The assessments provided by the staff have been positive. Staff have been child focused in their approach and this is also understood Inspection report for residential family centre: Kaleidoscope Assessment Services 6 by the parent.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

The centre’s surveillance systems are located in the home and external areas. Parents confirm that they know that surveillance is used. Agreements on individual files evidence that parents understand the reasons for their use. A parent said, ‘CCTV was explained to me by staff and I knew from being told at Court before I arrived here.’

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Children’s welfare and safety is at the centre of all staff’s practice. The team’s comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the families’ needs, strengths and vulnerabilities is keeping children safe.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and know what action to take when a child’s safety is compromised. Professionals confirm that safeguarding practice is strong. A child’s social worker said, ‘Staff are alert and cannot be fooled, which impressed me. Their reports provide good evidence and concerns are always shared appropriately.’

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Successful partnership working with relevant professionals is enhancing children’s welfare and safety. Staff work collaboratively with health professionals, placing social workers, guardians and community-based children’s centres. Health visitors and social workers confirm that communication with parents and partner agencies is strong.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff enable parents to attend community-based children’s groups where they can access a range of creative parenting classes, such as baby massage and singing. These classes support parents to understand the importance of establishing strong attachments with their babies. Staff’s training on attachment provides them with the skills to recognise when a child’s emotional needs are being neglected. On such occasions, staff swiftly intervene and provide appropriate support and guidance to parents, helping them to understand and respond to their child’s emotional needs.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Families accessing the service understand from the very start that unsafe behaviours are not tolerated. Parents and social workers understand the centre’s rules and the consequences for breaching them, including the possibility of terminating the placement. As a result, critical incidents are rare and families are supported to resolve any conflict safely. There have not been any incidents of parents or children going missing from the centre.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

The health and safety of families is taken seriously. Routine checks and tests of equipment and living environments mean that the centre is a safe place to live.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Safeguarding practice can be strengthened with improvements in the centre’s written risk assessments. These documents are not consistently updated and they lack significant information, such as strategies to prevent and manage risk. Additionally, Inspection report for residential family centre: Kaleidoscope Assessment Services 7 how the managers have considered the potential impact that families may have on each other is not recorded. This makes it difficult to evaluate the matching process. These shortfalls are clearly recording issues and do not reflect poor safeguarding practice.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

The recruitment of staff is not yet robust. For example, the company did not take up its own police checks prior to some staff taking up post and working in the centre. This potentially undermined children’s and vulnerable adults’ safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Families live in a well-managed residential family centre. The managers are dedicated and child focused. They have the relevant qualifications to undertake the role. Leaders and managers have a shared vision and foster a clear determination, energy and motivation to improve the centre. This is an ethos the team embraces.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The centre’s statement of purpose provides a clear picture of the service, and its aims and objectives. It covers most of the matters required. However, it does not reflect the current staff or contain the details of both registered managers. The complaints section needs correcting to accurately reflect Ofsted’s current contact details.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff spoken with during the inspection say that they feel well supported by the managers. One staff member said, ‘I’m supported by the staff team and management. I have regular supervision. My induction was good and I was well supported by a team member throughout.’ Staff training and development is good, and the managers intend to gain further qualifications to enhance their skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers are dedicated, hands-on and supportive of staff. They are motivated to enhance their training and practice. They have a good understanding of the progress they are making in relation to their plans. The areas highlighted in this report for improvement or development were accepted by the managers at the time of the inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recording needs to be improved. Shortfalls were found in placement plans, health plans, risk assessments, team meetings and residents’ meetings. These documents are lacking in detail, and the risk assessments lack strategies to minimise risks. For example, there are no strategies recorded to say how staff will address risks in relation to self-harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership working is a strength at this residential family centre. Staff work with health professionals, placing social workers and guardians. These professionals confirm that communication with managers and staff is effective. The staff team has fostered good relationships with them. This ensures that families receive the necessary support during the assessment process. Inspection report for residential family centre: Kaleidoscope Assessment Services 8 The staff team is consistent and supportive. It brings a variety of skills and knowledge to the centre. Staff spoken with during the inspection said that they enjoy their work and are proud of what they do. Staff morale is good. The team members work together and have positive relationships with each other. This adds to the settled and relaxed feel of the centre. The consistency staff offer in their approach benefits the families, and there are positive relationships across the board .

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and parents. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and parents. They watched how professional staff work with children and parents and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and parents. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the residential family centre knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and parents whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002 and the national minimum standards. Inspection report for residential family centre: Kaleidoscope Assessment Services 9

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Kaleidoscope Assessment Services Limited

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: Finsley House, Finsley Street, Briercliffe, BURNLEY, Lancashire BB10 2HN

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Residential family centre details

Registered manager: Lauren Brogan, Rebecca Stevenson

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Inspector(s)

Ms Hornby, social care inspector Marina Tully, social care inspector Inspection report for residential family centre: Kaleidoscope Assessment Services 1 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

T: 0300 123 4234 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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