Oikos Family Assessment Centres

Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Oikos Family Assessment Centres 1 Oikos Family Assessment Centres Walk Hill Farm, Apperley Lane, Bradford, Yorkshire BD10 0PD Monitoring visit

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

This residential family centre is privately owned and run. The primary purpose of the centre is to support local authorities, courts, parents and children in the provision of robust, fair and evidence-based parenting assessments.

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

The centre is registered to accommodate up to four families and is currently operating at full occupancy. The families have their own bedrooms and share the communal rooms. The communal space includes two kitchen/dining rooms, two lounges and bathrooms with some of the bedrooms being en suite. The property is situated in a semi-rural setting with a large garden to the rear.

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

The residential family centre was registered on 22 September 2020, and has yet to have a full inspection. The registered manager is currently undertaking her level 5 diploma in leadership and management.

p.1

Inspection date: 11 March 2021

Date of previous inspection: Not applicable.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Due to the restrictions in place relating to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, a blended approach was adopted with both on-site and off-site activity. The monitoring visit included a review of documents, a tour of the building and discussions with parents, staff and relevant professionals. The visit was undertaken to investigate key lines of enquiry after information was shared with Ofsted.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Parents and their children who are living at this residential family centre have established positive relationships with the staff. This is because parents and children are treated with dignity and respect, and staff are sensitive to their vulnerabilities and apprehensions. Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Oikos Family Assessment Centres 2 Parenting assessments are tailored to the individual family, and take account of past and present concerns and behaviours. Much emphasis is placed on parental participation and consultation throughout the assessment process. This shared approach promotes better engagement and parents say they feel listened to.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Any disagreements between families is addressed immediately by staff and the manager. Residents’ meetings, restorative discussions and a suggestion box all contribute to a more harmonious atmosphere. One parent said, ‘I feel at home here. We do activities together and most of time we all get on well.’

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager and staff are very proactive in informing placing authorities of any safeguarding or child protection concerns. Incident reports are suitably detailed and evaluative. This means that staff practice keeps children safe and protected from harm.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff make good use of a range of teaching methods, which include experiential learning, key-work sessions, weekly review reports and observations. The focus is around helping parents to improve their parenting skills. This gives parents the confidence to acquire new skills and learn how to support and safeguard, nurture and maintain their child’s welfare.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff say that they are well supported by the registered manager and have opportunities to undertake further training. The skills, experience and qualifications of the staff are diverse. This means that parents receive additional support and counselling to help strengthen their mental health and meet their learning needs.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Requests by staff for independent clinical supervision have not been agreed to by the responsible individual. If these requests could be reconsidered, this would mean that individual clinical supervision could provide the staff with additional support, and could help in retaining good-quality staff.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The home is well maintained and decorated to a good standard. However, there is building work going on to renovate other parts of the property. While this will ultimately provide more facilities for families when completed, currently it could pose some health and safety risks, such as from building debris, rubbish and dust that could be a hazard. Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Oikos Family Assessment Centres 3

p.2

Recommendations

 Staff must have access to support and advice (including from external specialists) to enable them to provide a comprehensive service for parents and their children, and must be provided with regular supervision by appropriately qualified and experienced staff. (‘Residential family centres national minimum standards’, page 26, paragraph 17.4)  The centre must provide a comfortable and homely environment, and must be well maintained and decorated. Avoidable hazards must be removed as is consistent with a domestic setting. (‘Residential family centres national minimum standards’, page 19, paragraph 11.2)

p.3

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 registration.

p.3

Information about this inspection

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

p.3

Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Oikos Family Centres Limited

p.3

Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: Suite 9, Merchants House, 19 Peckover Street, Bradford, Yorkshire BD1 5BD

p.3

Inspectors

Debbie Foster: Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Oikos Family Assessment Centres 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.

p.3

Inspectors

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.4

Inspectors

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

p.4

Inspectors

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

p.4