Oak House New Spring Residential Centre

Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Oak House New Spring Residential Centre 1 Oak House New Spring Residential Centre

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

This residential family centre is registered to accommodate up to five families at any one time.

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

The centre was registered with Ofsted in April 2020.

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

There is no registered manager currently in post. The acting manager is in the process of applying to Ofsted for registration.

p.1

Inspection date: 10 March 2021

Date of previous inspection: Not applicable. The centre was registered in April 2020 and has not yet had its post-registration inspection.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The management arrangements for the centre have changed since its registration. A new manager has been appointed who is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted. The manager is well informed about the service. She has systems in place to ensure that the centre runs smoothly and efficiently. Staff spoke positively about the management support they receive and the help they get to fulfil their roles and develop their careers.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff are enthusiastic and confident. They said that the staff team is motivated and committed. Staff spoken to were experienced and had relevant qualifications. They spoke positively about the impact that the centre had on families. They understood their responsibilities regarding keeping children safe. They were clear about the families’ support needs and risks. Managers undertake periodic quality audits of direct work, which helps staff to develop professional skills and reflect on their practice. Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Oak House New Spring Residential Centre 2 A resident gave positive feedback about her relationships with staff. She spoke of their professionalism and how much they had helped and supported her to learn how to care for her baby.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The centre delivers direct work to parents through a teaching programme. They can access courses such as the Freedom Programme, and engage in activities such as baby massage. This helps them to develop and improve their parenting skills and increases their chances of having a positive parenting assessment.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Documents sampled (including court reports and family assessments) were all of a good quality. Chronologies are concise and give a clear account of the day-to-day events in the families’ lives. Activity trackers and teaching plans evidence the help and support that is on offer to parents. This results in fair assessments that are evidence based.

p.2

This monitoring visit

A social worker provided positive feedback. She commented on how patient the staff have been with a parent who is difficult to work with. She praised the speed, accuracy and quality of a court report which was requested at short notice. The social worker also commented on what a nice environment the centre was. She stated that it had a homely feel and replicated a family home as much as possible.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Risks are assessed prior to placements being offered to families. Risks identified by placing authorities feed into the centre’s own risk assessment and placement plan. Risk assessments include actions to manage and reduce risks. This ensures that staff are aware of, and know how to minimize, each family’s risks.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The staff’s responses to safeguarding incidents have been robust. Incidents are well documented, and outcomes clearly recorded. Appropriate action has been taken when needed and children have been protected from harm. There has been one serious incident where staff did not follow the safeguarding procedure. This was appropriately identified and dealt with. The designated officer should have been informed, but was not. This has resulted in one requirement being made under regulation 12. Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Oak House New Spring Residential Centre 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person shall prepare and implement a written child protection policy which—

p.3

Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the residential family centre from abuse or neglect; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the residential family centre in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The procedure under paragraph 1(b) must in particular provide for—

p.3

Requirement Due date

prompt referral to the local authority in whose area the residential family centre is situated, of any allegation of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the residential family centre. (Regulation 12 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b))

p.3

Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that the designated officer is informed of any incidents of staff misconduct or failure to follow procedures. 7 April 2021

p.3

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the residential family centre.

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Oak House New Spring Residential Centre 4

p.3

Residential family centre details

Registered provider: New Spring Family Care (Preston) Ltd

p.4

Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 316 Blackpool Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire PR2 3AE

p.4

Inspector

Charlie Bamber: Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Oak House New Spring Residential Centre 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.

p.4

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

T: 0300 123 4234 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.5