Family Assessment Centre

Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: SC481062 1 SC481062

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Kaleidoscope Assessment Services Limited

Monitoring visit 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. The manager of the home was registered with Ofsted in April 2018.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was triggered by an anonymous complaint made against the setting. The complainant raised several issues. Specifically, these related to unsafe recruitment practice; the conduct and professionalism of managers; the sufficiency of staff training and supervision; health and safety risks within the building; medication errors; and the quality of direct work undertaken with families.

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This monitoring visit

Inspectors visited the centre, which provided an opportunity to speak to residents and staff, and to view the premises. Some documents were reviewed off site. Residents spoken to are happy with the conduct of staff. They said they are treated with dignity and respect, and that staff and managers are helpful and approachable. They said that the direct work given to them is relevant to their needs and helpful.

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This monitoring visit

Some remedial action was noted to be needed in relation to the building design, décor and furnishing. The premises are looking tired and worn. There is nowhere for staff to prepare food and drink, or to change their clothes. One flat has a ripped sofa. There was also an access point in the bathroom wall which had a cover taped over it. The resident explained and demonstrated how this cover fell off repeatedly. The room for parents to meet with external professionals is cramped. There are no communal spaces in the building. Parents have to walk through the passageway on the ground floor flat to access their own spaces or to go outside.

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This monitoring visit

Two residents were found to be sleeping on sofas in the lounge area of their flats. This was so that they could be close to their babies and attend to them during the Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: SC481062 2 night. The babies’ cots have to be situated in the lounge area for closed-circuit television purposes. The director has assured Ofsted that steps will be taken to address this.

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This monitoring visit

Managers and staff are adhering to government guidance around COVID-19 (coronavirus). Staff are provided with appropriate personal protective equipment. Visitors have not been allowed into the centre. Staff are having reduced contact with residents to prevent the spread of infection. There is a COVID-19 risk assessment and action plan in place, which helps to keep the residents and staff safe.

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This monitoring visit

Before staff start to work in the centre, Disclosure and Barring Service checks are carried out. Reference checks are also completed, and references are verified. Managers follow safe recruitment processes.

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This monitoring visit

Medication storage, administration and records were scrutinised. Several deficits were noted in the storage of medication and the recording of medication administered. Staff have given controlled drugs without having had the training to do so. Managers’ monitoring had not identified these shortfalls.

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This monitoring visit

Records relating to residents were sampled, including risk assessments and placement/care plans. No concerns were noted about the content and relevance of these documents. However, the lockable cabinet in the office was not being used to store the records securely. There is a lock on the office door but it would be good practice to securely store records.

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This monitoring visit

Staff spoken to are generally positive about working in the centre. They said they have access to sufficient training and receive regular supervision. They feel they could raise concerns with managers should the need arise. Not all staff are trained in some key areas. For example, only six out of 12 staff are trained to administer first aid. Staff have not had training in autism awareness, despite having had a resident with autism spectrum disorder.

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This monitoring visit

Service monitoring was found to be weak. Visits under regulation 25 have not taken place every month. Reports for visits that have taken place do not identify any of the shortfalls highlighted by this visit. The manager’s internal monitoring systems have not identified areas where improvement is needed.

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This monitoring visit

No concerns were identified relating to arrangements for managing complaints. Complaints are recorded. The complainant is responded to and complaint outcomes are clear. The complainant is advised how to escalate their complaint if they are not satisfied with the response.

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This monitoring visit

This visit has resulted in several requirements being made. Progress against these requirements will be checked at the centre’s next full inspection. Requirements made at the last inspection (with the exception of those relating to complaints) were not looked at as part of this visit. Therefore, these will be carried forward to the next full inspection. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: SC481062 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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Requirement Due date

Where a person has previously worked in a position whose duties involved work with children or vulnerable adults, so far as reasonably practicable verification of the reason why the employment or position ended. (Regulation 16 Schedule 2 (4)) 26 October 2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

the physical design and layout of the premises to be used as the residential family centre meet the needs of the families;

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Requirement Due date

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;

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Requirement Due date

adequate private and communal accommodation is provided for families.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall provide for persons working at the residential family centre—

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Requirement Due date

suitable facilities and accommodation, other than sleeping accommodation. (Regulation 21 (2)(a)(b)(d) (3)(a)) 26 October 2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall maintain records in respect of each family accommodated in the residential family centre a record which is kept securely. (Regulation 19 (2)) 31 March 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall make arrangements for the recording, handling, safe keeping, safe administration and safe disposal of medicines received into the family centre. (Regulation 11 (2)) 31 March 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider and the registered manager shall, having regard to the size of the residential family centre, the 31 March 2021 Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: SC481062 4 statement of purpose, and the number and needs of the residents, carry on or manage the centre with sufficient care, competence and skill. (Regulation 8 (1))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, monitoring arrangements for the centre shall meet requirements and clearly identify shortfalls.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall having regard to the size of the residential family centre and the number of residents—

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Requirement Due date

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 March 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff complete a written family placement plan. The plan should specify the objectives and intended outcomes of the 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, paragraph 9.2)  The registered person should ensure that the manager regularly monitors, in line with the residential family centre regulations 2002, as amended, all the records kept by the centre to ensure compliance with the centre's policies, to identify any concerns about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends. Immediate action should be taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring. This is with specific reference to the environment, staff files and the effectiveness of training and staff supervision. (‘Residential family centres: national minimum

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Recommendations

standards’, page 29, paragraph 19.2)  The registered person should ensure that parents’ and children's physical, emotional and social development needs are identified in their family placement plan and promoted throughout their placement. (‘Residential family centres: national minimum standards’, page 13, paragraph 6.1)  The registered person should ensure that placement plans specify the objectives and intended outcomes of the 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)  The registered person should ensure that the centre provides a comfortable and homely environment that is well decorated. (‘Residential family centres: national minimum standards’, page 19, 11.2) Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: SC481062 5

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the residential family centre following a complaint made to the regulator.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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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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Inspectors

Charlie Bamber, Social Care Inspector Denise Jolly, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: SC481062 6 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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