Foundations Stalybridge

Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Foundations Stalybridge 1 Foundations Stalybridge

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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 is registered to accommodate up to seven 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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Information about this residential family centre

The manager was registered by Ofsted 29 October 2020. The manager has a relevant level 5 qualification.

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Inspection date: 22 December 2020

Date of previous inspection: 4 February 2020

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place due to concerns arising from a complaint made to Ofsted about the setting. The complainant expressed concern about several areas. These included the safety of the living environment, inaccuracy of recorded information, staff not adhering to government guidelines relating to COVID-19 (coronavirus), parents not being able to shop for food or ensure that their children had enough fresh air, and parents’ views being ignored.

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This monitoring visit

No concerns were identified in respect of the home environment. The centre is a large, nicely decorated and well-furnished home. There were some small areas of mould around some bedroom windows. An independent contractor had been out to the centre to assess this and identified that new sealant was required. This work had been commissioned. Parents had also been advised to wipe condensation from their windows to reduce damp and to ensure their bedrooms were ventilated by opening the windows. Parents did not raise any concerns about the safety of cots and beds. The mattresses on the cots conform to British safety standards.

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This monitoring visit

Most parents said that information that was recorded about them was accurate. They were content with the reports submitted to their children’s social workers. They Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Foundations Stalybridge 2 said that when they disagree with information recorded in their daily logs, this gets recorded and often changed to ensure its factual accuracy. The social work assessment sampled as part of this inspection appeared to be well balanced and based on facts.

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This monitoring visit

There are several mechanisms by which parents can express their views, wishes and feelings. Staff facilitate regular residents’ meetings which provide an opportunity for parents to have their say. On occasion, these meetings become contentious when parents disagree. Managers are alert to this and try to promote harmonious communal living. Parents can also comment on their daily logs and weekly appraisals. These are shared with parents, and they sign to say they have read them and that they are accurate. There is an opportunity for parents to add written comments. Parents can also complete ‘parent consultation’ forms and self-evaluation forms which give them additional channels to convey their views about their placement.

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This monitoring visit

There have been some limitations in families accessing fresh air due to the impact of COVID-19. Most families reported that they had a limited amount of time (one or two hours each day) where they could take their children out. Staff facilitate a weekly communal walk that all families are invited to take part in. Families also complete a weekly activity planner where they can plan for time outdoors.

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This monitoring visit

Families are expected to do their food shopping during their allocated free time. This informs part of their assessments relating to appropriate food provision, independence and budgeting. Some parents found it difficult to complete their full shop in the allotted time they had. Managers reported that staff would assist with food shopping should a parent run out of food, and almost all families concurred with this. One parent said she had two days without food, but it was not possible to verify this.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are inventive and creative in planning activities that families can participate in. These include story time, sensory play, messy play, arts and crafts, rhyme time and communal meals. Managers report that occasionally activities get cancelled or cut short due to parents becoming involved in conflict. On the day of this inspection, a staff member had dressed up as Santa Clause to give children gifts. Parents participated with enthusiasm and relationships were harmonious.

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This monitoring visit

There is a COVID-19 risk assessment in place, which all staff have read and signed. This does not stipulate that staff should always wear personal protective equipment. However, staff were observed to wear face masks while carrying out their duties. There is a system in place to check that staff and visitors are safe to enter the centre, which includes taking their temperatures before every shift.

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This monitoring visit

To conclude, the centre offers a safe, warm and welcoming environment. There are multiple mechanisms in place for families to express their views. There are systems in place to enable residents to get out in the fresh air and to engage in indoor Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Foundations Stalybridge 3 activities. Staff are alert to the risk of COVID-19 and take steps to minimize the risks. No requirements or recommendations are made resulting from this inspection.

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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: Foundations Stalybridge 4

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Progressive Care Limited

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 51 Attercliffe Common, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S9 2AE

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Inspector

Charlie Bamber: Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Foundations Stalybridge 5 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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