Dudley Lodge

Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Dudley Lodge 1 Dudley Lodge Dudley Lodge Family Assessment, 143 Warwick Road, Coventry CV3 6AT Monitoring visit

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential family centre

This residential family centre provides family assessments for up to 12 families. The home has 12 flats, three with two beds and nine with one bed. One room is adapted for a disabled service user. The service is operated by an established charitable company, which also provides a further residential family centre service in a city 23 miles away. A qualified registered manager is in post.

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Information about this residential family centre

Date of previous inspection: 8 August 2018

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This monitoring visit

The residential family centre was inspected on 8 and 9 August 2018 and was judged outstanding. This monitoring visit was undertaken to investigate information received which raised concerns about several aspects of the service.

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This monitoring visit

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ofsted did not physically visit the home. The inspector gathered evidence in several different ways, including talking to the manager and staff responsible for families living at the centre. The covering manager also provided electronic documents for the inspector to review. The centre has been without a registered manager since 28 September 2019. The company attempted to recruit internally but was unsuccessful. Managerial oversight has been provided by senior managers, one of whom has been a registered manager in the past. A new manager has been appointed to start in May 2020. Senior managers have reviewed the reasons why they were unable to recruit internally and why the registered manager left the post. They concluded that the workload was too high and changed the management model. This new model is now in place and is having a positive impact on the staff team and the effectiveness of

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This monitoring visit

Prior to this inspection, the independent visitor had raised concerns about low staff morale and about the service not having enough staff. During the inspection, it was evident that the manager was fully aware of the issues and had consulted with case Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Dudley Lodge 2 managers and staff. The issues formed part of the review of the management of the home and improvements have followed. Staff confirm that morale is now significantly improved, that staff feel listened to and supported and that staff receive regular, positive supervision and training. Staffing levels are sufficient and there is a well-qualified, experienced staff team.

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This monitoring visit

Complaints received from a parent about staff practice have been appropriately addressed with her, the staff members involved and the local authority. The manager encouraged the parent to make formal written complaints and ensured that she felt listened to and supported. This included a change of staff working with the parent and her child. Written feedback from the parent at the end of her assessment evidenced that she formed positive relationships with staff and she felt that she had benefited from the assessment. The manager has addressed any concerns and has arranged training for all staff in compassionate working and how to evaluate their work with families. Staff focus is now strongly on building relationships at the start of the assessment.

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This monitoring visit

When a child was found to have a non-accidental injury in November 2019, staff acted quickly to ensure the safety of the child and reported the matter immediately to the police and local authority. The manager worked closely with the local authority and the police to ensure that the matter was thoroughly investigated.

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This monitoring visit

In November, the manager dismissed a staff member for failing to disclose significant information. When the matter came to light, the manager took swift action. There is no evidence that the staff member has placed families at risk. The provider adheres to safer recruitment practice and the manager evidences that she has learned from this experience and has given thought to ways to avoid a recurrence in the future. All national minimum standards in respect of these issues are currently being met by the service.

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Information about this inspection

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that Covid-19 is currently posing to those we inspect and regulate. During this visit, the inspectors took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of Coronavirus by the setting. This has included the effect these have had on staffing arrangements.

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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. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Dudley Lodge 3

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 143 Warwick Road, Coventry CV3 6AT

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Inspector

Louise Whittle, social care inspector Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Dudley Lodge 4 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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