St Michael's Fellowship

Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael’s Fellowship 1 St Michael’s Fellowship St Michael’s Fellowship 84 Herne Hill Road, London SE24 0AN Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential family centre

St Michael’s Fellowship is an independent charity dedicated to improving families’ lives. It provides four residential family centres located in South London. This residential family centre specialises in offering a service to families where there is parental mental ill health. The centre offers a residential parenting assessment for up to five families.

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Information about this residential family centre

Inspection dates: 13 to 14 February 2019

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and parents, taking into account good

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Overall experiences and progress of

How well children and parents are helped and protected good

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Overall experiences and progress of

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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Overall experiences and progress of

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

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Overall experiences and progress of

Date of previous inspection: 22 September 2015

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Overall experiences and progress of

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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Overall experiences and progress of

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael’s Fellowship 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

 This centre’s practice is exemplary, particularly in relation to working with families affected by a personality and behavioural disorder.  Families benefit from clear, comprehensive and holistic assessment processes.  Therapeutic background sessions help parents to process their feelings. Fathers appreciate discussing their feelings with a male member of staff.  Parents engage in a research-informed ‘five-a-day’ programme, which focuses on improving children’s emotional and brain development.  There is a weekly healthy eating group, which enables parents to prepare nutritious, inexpensive meals.  Staff help parents to become more creative and imaginative. Staff have worked with parents to produce personalised fictional stories for their children.  Parents are offered couple counselling and massages from a trained therapist. Fun social activities are also arranged to break up their routine.  There is a sound risk management system in place and there is a good

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Key findings from this inspection

understanding of the impact of domestic violence on children.  Parents receive a broad range of support dedicated to their emotional and mental well-being.  Families receive support from an organisation which is both innovative and influential within social care.  The ‘securing change’ project, which tackles the problem of recurrent care proceedings, is being further developed to extend to fathers.  Families benefit from the highly effective leadership and management arrangements and a well-qualified staff team.  Partnership arrangements are excellent. Staff have exceptionally strong relationships with universities, health professionals and placing authorities.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Working practices are underpinned by psychodynamic principles and a variety of therapeutic models of intervention.  Leaders and managers are ambitious for the future, and they plan to further incorporate the use of digital tools in their work with parents.

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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

 There are occasions when a qualified first-aider is not working on each shift. Fortunately, there have not been any emergencies requiring first aid.  The above issue poses a potential risk to families. A date, however, has been booked for first aid training. Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael’s Fellowship 3  Staff have not had group clinical supervision for several months. These meetings enabled staff to further discuss the complexities of their work. Staff found these group meetings beneficial to their professional practice. It is recommended that they are reintroduced. Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael’s Fellowship 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 take adequate precautions against risk of accidents, including the training of persons working at the residential family centre in first aid. (Regulation 14 (2) (g)) 31/03/2019

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff have access to support and advice to provide a comprehensive service for parents and their children. (‘Residential Family Centres: National Minimum Standards’, 17.4)

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Recommendations

In particular, ensure that staff have access to clinical supervision. Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael’s Fellowship 5

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Families benefit from a clear, comprehensive and holistic assessment process. Assessments demonstrate a good understanding of attachment issues and each parent’s strengths, areas for further development and their capacity to change. Final reports clearly follow the court instructions and local authority requirements. A judge praised a ‘concise report outlining the immediate risk of harm to the baby’. The centre specialises in working with parents who have mental health difficulties. Each family benefits from a personalised support plan, which creatively addresses their needs. There is a good understanding of equality and diversity issues, including learning needs, which ensures that parents receive all the support that they require. A three-phase approach to assessments enables parents to initially demonstrate their capabilities independent of any interventions. Key-work meetings focus effectively on

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

important issues. This, along with teaching sessions, enables parents to develop positively in their parenting role and as individuals. Staff work flexibly with parents to bring about change. Staff review the impact of their interventions on a weekly basis. The voice of the child is at the heart of all feedback to parents. Parents are given every opportunity to change. A parent reported in the Ofsted survey that the centre ‘gave me the best start in life with my baby girl’. Work with parents aims to give them insight, resilience and problem-solving skills. Therapeutic background sessions help parents begin to work through their feelings. Assessment tools include attachment-style interviews and a nationally recognised specialist assessment for parents with learning disabilities. Children and parents benefit from positive relationships with staff. A children’s guardian highlighted to the inspector the ‘nurturing’ aspect of the support provided

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

to families. Fathers particularly appreciate the positive support received from a therapeutically trained male member of staff. Parents gain the confidence to attend community resources, including a children’s centre with an attached sensory room, various groups and libraries. Children benefit from the social interaction and enriching experiences, which contribute towards their development. Parents learn valuable independent living skills. A weekly healthy-eating group educates parents on the importance of making nutritious meals. Parents proudly learn how to make new recipes, taking into account their limited budgets. Families also benefit from donated food items, benefits and budgeting advice, and access to the local food bank. Parents engage in a research-informed ‘five-a-day’ programme, which focuses on improving children’s emotional and brain development. It positively reinforces children’s learning through reading, talking, play, praise and nutrition. Parents

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael’s Fellowship 6 appreciate the ability to communicate with their children in a more meaningful way. Staff have also worked with parents to produce personalised fictional stories for each family. Staff understand the stressful impact of being at the centre. Parents are offered couple counselling and massages from a trained therapist. Fun social activities are also arranged to break up their routine. Families enjoy trips to various museums, parks, barbecues and movie nights. Staff also encourage parents to make use of the free events available in the local community.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

The safeguarding arrangements in the centre are generally strong. However, actions are required to strengthen first aid arrangements. There have not been any accidents or incidents resulting from this minor shortfall. A more proactive approach would, however, eliminate potential problems. There have been occasions when a qualified first-aider has not been working on each shift. Fortunately, there have not been any emergencies requiring first aid. The provider is aware of this issue, and first aid training is booked for the near future to help safeguard families. The environment is well maintained and has appropriate security. Engineers have confirmed the safety of the fire, electrical, gas and water supplies, and the electrical equipment. There is a sound risk management system and staff regularly update family risk assessments. Staff robustly identify and manage risks and the impact of domestic violence on the emotional and behavioural development of children.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

The organisation has a good recruitment system. Staff do not start work at the centre until all the necessary checks have been completed. Staff benefit from safeguarding training and Ofsted is notified of significant events. Professionals praised the centre’s safeguarding practices. A social worker reported in the Ofsted survey that, ‘I have worked with them on a very high-risk court case and they have gone above and beyond to help us keep the family together and keep [the] baby safe.’ Parents learn how to safely recognise risk, and they benefit from educational sessions regarding health and safety, positive relationships and the impact of abuse. Parents can also access a specific group which addresses domestic violence. Parents receive a broad range of support dedicated to their emotional and mental well-being. Parents learn the importance of emotional regulation and how to include mindfulness in their daily lives. Coping strategies help parents manage periods of

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

stress. Families live in accommodation which is generally well maintained. A refurbishment programme is in progress. Each family has its own sleeping accommodation and they share a comfortable communal lounge and a kitchen. Children can also enjoy spending time in the separate playroom. Families benefit from a garden with a lawn. Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael’s Fellowship 7 The premises are within walking distance of a range of shops and services, and there are good transport links.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Families receive support from an organisation which is both innovative and influential within social care. Feedback regarding this centre from the judiciary and local authorities is very positive. A social worker told the inspector, ‘I have worked with a number of residential mother and baby placements and this, by far, has been the best.’ The centre uniquely specialises in working with parents with a mental health need. Staff expertise in this area is extensive, particularly in relation to working with families affected by personality and behavioural disorders. Staff actively share their knowledge with social workers, to enhance their professional understanding. The centre excels in its strong partnership with universities. The partnership with Middlesex University demonstrates the commitment of managers and staff to innovative practice and research. The centre’s involvement in a research project tackling the problem of recurrent care proceedings has resulted in the ‘securing

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

change’ project. This project provides personalised support for mothers when courts decide that they are not able to provide safe care for their children. There is an exceptional commitment to improving outcomes for fathers. The ‘securing change’ project is being further developed, to extend to fathers involved in recurrent care proceedings. The organisation has reintroduced the research-informed ‘Caring Dads’ course, and there are plans to expand this service to provide research for Kingston University. Leadership and management arrangements are highly effective. The responsible individual has been nationally recognised for her services to families. The centre benefits from a vastly experienced registered manager who has worked at the centre for over 18 years, and an extremely skilled therapeutically trained deputy manager. Families receive support from a well-qualified staff team, which includes social

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

workers and teachers. Leaders, managers and staff generate creative ideas and are able to sustain the highest quality of care. They do this by using a framework of psychodynamic principles along with different models of therapeutic intervention. The statement of purpose comprehensively details the centre’s philosophy and working practices. Families benefit from their own residents’ guide. The organisation also has an informative website. This organisation is committed to continuous learning. Staff benefit from an extensive range of training and support, including motivational coaching. Staff used to have clinical group supervision with a psychiatrist, which improved their insight into each family. However, these sessions have not happened for several months and staff would like them reinstated. N ewly qualified social workers receive significant support through the organisation’s Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael’s Fellowship 8

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

participation in the ‘assessed and supported year in employment’ programme. Regular team meetings and case discussions are described by staff as being ‘invaluable’. Staff appraisals also focus on their professional development. Partnership arrangements are excellent. Staff have exceptionally strong relationships with placing authorities. A social worker told the inspector, ‘The communication has been excellent.’ A team manager stated in the Ofsted survey that the centre is ‘always my preferred provider’. There are also good links with the local drug and alcohol project and the sexual health service. Families can promptly register at the local surgery, and the attached health visitor also visits regularly. The recommendation from the last inspection has been addressed. Staff now seek feedback from professionals following each placement. This contributes to the highly effective quality assurance process.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Monitoring arrangements include regulatory monthly visits and a comprehensive annual quality of care review. Leaders and managers are aware of the centre’s strengths and they are ambitious for the future. Plans include making more use of digital tools to enhance communication and learning with families, and the development of parents’ online support.

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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: St Michael’s Fellowship 9

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider: St Michael’s Fellowship

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 136 Streatham High Road, London SW16 1BW

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Residential family centre details

Email address: eighty.four@stmichaelsfellowship.org.uk

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Inspector

Sharon Payne, social care inspector Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael’s Fellowship 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

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Inspector

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Inspector

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