Melanie Waddy

Inspection report for adoption support agency: Melanie Waddy Melanie Waddy

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39 Cranley Gardens, London N10 3AB Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this adoption support agency

This agency provides a service to adults only. It offers short- and long-term therapy to adults affected in any way by adoption. The provider has been registered since 2007.

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Overall experience and progress of

service users, taking into account: good

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Overall experience and progress of

How well children, young people and adults are helped and protected good

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Overall experience and progress of

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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Overall experience and progress of

The adoption support agency provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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Overall experience and progress of

Date of last inspection: 15 November 2016 Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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Overall experience and progress of

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for adoption support agency: Melanie Waddy

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Overall experiences and progress of service users: good

The agency offers high-quality, individualised support to service users. The registered provider’s understanding of adoption issues is used sensitively to help service users understand their past and the ongoing impact of adoption.

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Overall experiences and progress of service users: good

One survey response to a question about what is good about the service was, ‘Her [the registered provider’s] knowledge and experience of adoption matters. Her flexibility and the way in which she is able to shed light on matters without you feeling judged.’

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Overall experiences and progress of service users: good

The agency uses the clinical outcomes in routine evaluation (CORE) system as a tool to measure progress and outcomes. Service users reported that, overall, their experiences of using the service are very good. The CORE indicators for some service users showed greatly improved outcomes and, for others, that they have sustained their emotional health.

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Overall experiences and progress of service users: good

The registered provider forms appropriate relationships with service users, with clear boundaries and expectations. Regular feedback, through review and evaluation, helps the registered provider to improve practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of service users: good

All of the feedback contained in the Ofsted surveys indicated that the registered provider’s professionalism and her understanding and ability to reframe issues help service users to understand their own difficulties.

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good

The agency manages risks well. Risk assessments evaluate any potential risk to service users and to the registered provider, who is the sole practitioner. If risks are felt to be too high to manage safely, then the registered provider signposts service users to more appropriate services that can help.

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good

Regular reviews of service users’ emotional well-being take place. If the registered provider has any concerns, she will discuss these with the service user and, with their permission, contact the service user’s general practitioner or encourage them to seek appropriate support. The registered provider ensures that she has the details of referring agencies and general practitioners.

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good

The agency makes service users aware of the responsible provider’s responsibility towards them and towards protecting children and other vulnerable adults. There is a clear procedure for referring any concerns if necessary. The agency’s safeguarding policy has been shared with the designated officer for the host borough, and the registered provider has been given further suggestions to include links to additional Inspection report for adoption support agency: Melanie Waddy safeguarding information.

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good

The registered provider ensures that she keeps up to date with her own training. She has attended training on the risks of radicalisation and extremism and on safeguarding. She has a current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and is registered with her own professional body as well as with Ofsted.

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good

A comprehensive complaints policy informs service users how to complain if necessary. There is a link on the agency website which takes service users to the complaints policy and process. To date, there have not been any complaints.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered provider is very experienced in adoption practice. She has a background in nursing and sustains her registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The registered provider is also registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy and is a qualified psychoanalytic psychotherapist.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The agency is committed to ensuring the highest quality service for adults attending for therapy. This helps to enable the best possible outcomes for them. The registered provider has a background of working in adoption and continues to sit on an adoption panel. In this role, she receives regular training and updates on adoption law and current issues. She also receives a yearly appraisal as a panel member.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered provider receives regular supervision and keeps her own personal development up to date by attending conferences and training events. She is a member of the consortium of adoption support agencies, which allows her to access a network with other similar registered individuals and keep up to date with practice issues.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The agency has a clear statement of purpose and an easy-to-use and accessible website. The statement of purpose and the complaints policy are available on the website.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The approach of the agency keeps service users at the centre of practice and ensures that their safety and well-being are prioritised. A contingency plan has been drawn up to cover the registered provider’s own incapacity. This will ensure that service users are contacted by a fellow practitioner who can consider their ongoing needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The agency has a suitable health and safety policy and the registered provider sees service users in a safe and comfortable area. There are suitable and secure facilities available. The agency has up-to-date insurance and maintains records appropriately.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The agency considers equality and diversity issues and has an inclusive approach. This includes a policy to support those who cannot attend the premises due to disability or any other need. Such needs are considered at the referral stage and, if Inspection report for adoption support agency: Melanie Waddy required, alternative arrangements are made to facilitate sessions in an alternative safe place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All the recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. This confirms the registered provider’s capacity to improve the agency.

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Information about this inspection

During this inspection, inspectors looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, young people and adults. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children, young people and adults. They watched how professional staff work with children, young people, adults and each other and discussed the effectiveness of the help provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people, adults and their families. In addition, inspectors have tried to understand what the adoption support agency knows about how well it is performing and what difference it is making for the children, young people and adults whom it is trying to help.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, to assess the effectiveness of the adoption support agency, how it meets the core functions as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005 and the national minimum standards. Inspection report for adoption support agency: Melanie Waddy

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Adoption support agency details

Registered provider address: 39 Cranley Gardens, London N10 3AB

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Inspector

Christine Kennet, social care inspector Inspection report for adoption support agency: Melanie Waddy 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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