Azalea House

Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Azalea House 1 Azalea House 71 Spring Road, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK42 8LT

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Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential family centre

The centre is owned by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care, accommodation and residential parenting assessments for up to four families. The centre can provide parent assessment manual assessments. Parenting assessments take 12 weeks.

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Information about this residential family centre

The manager is a qualified social worker. She registered with Ofsted in January 2020.

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Inspection date: 13 January 2022

Date of previous inspection: 9 June 2021

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to investigate concerns raised to Ofsted. The concerns were in relation to the environment and included insufficient heating, lack of cleanliness and a lack of equipment. The concerns also detailed poor infection control measures, staffing shortages and concerns, and unsafe monitoring and surveillance.

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This monitoring visit

Several of these concerns have been confirmed as shortfalls during this visit. Despite this, there are no concerns about the number of staff on duty or the safe monitoring of families. However, the staffing has been affected by staff who have had to self- isolate due to COVID-19. There was a minor concern raised about a member of staff, which is being investigated. The safeguarding systems work well. Families and staff know how to raise concerns, and the manager takes these forward.

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This monitoring visit

The management and prevention of infection control are not good enough. The staff failed to screen a new admission for COVID-19. The following day, the manager was made aware that this person had tested positive for COVID-19. This meant that other families had to self-isolate in accordance with the government guidelines and all families were at risk of infection. One family could not visit their extended family over the Christmas period as a result. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Azalea House 2 The heating has been adjusted after some bedrooms were too cold. Following adjustments to the radiators, these are extremely hot to touch. Hot, uncovered radiators are a hazard to babies and small children.

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This monitoring visit

The environment is not cleaned to a good standard throughout the centre. Although kitchens and bathrooms are clean, hallways, play areas and toy storage facilities are dirty. Food wrappers were found in a drawer full of children’s toys. The play area is unorganised and unkempt. This is unhygienic for small children and babies. The skirting and trim in the lounge and hallway are very worn. There continues to be paint spillages on the floor where the lounge was repainted some time ago.

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This monitoring visit

The laundry facilities are not adequate for the number of families. This has meant that one room is used for drying clothes, which reduces the communal living space. There are two high chairs, which means that families sometimes have to wait to feed babies because both high chairs are in use. Some play equipment is not of good quality and some items are not clean. This does not show parents how to maintain and keep resources clean and suitable for babies and children.

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This monitoring visit

The manager received a detailed complaint that the responsible individual investigated. Parts of this complaint were upheld and there is a clear record and outcome. However, another complaint raised by a social worker in a conversation with the deputy manager is not logged as a complaint. The number and the nature of complaints are not shared transparently with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

A family raised concerns with the manager about staff practice. The manager referred these concerns to the designated officer, and the responsible individual is investigating these. Ofsted was not made aware of these concerns. There was also another incident that was notifiable that the manager failed to share with Ofsted. This means that Ofsted does not have a clear picture of events at the centre and therefore cannot monitor these properly.

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This monitoring visit

The families spoken with during the visit did not raise any concerns and there are several positive testimonies from families who have left the centre.

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This monitoring visit

There are aspects of the house which have been refurbished, including new carpets on the first floor and new mattresses. This demonstrates some commitment to improve. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Azalea House 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

The registered person shall ensure that the residential family centre is conducted so as to—

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Requirement Due date

promote and make proper provision for the health and welfare of residents. (Regulation 10 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that measures are taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 28 January 2022

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

provide adequate laundry facilities parents to wash, dry and iron clothes and linen for their families;

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Requirement Due date

provide adequate facilities for recreation and leisure. (Regulation 14 (2)(c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, provide a second washing machine and dryer and enough children’s seating for them to eat at the table, and ensure that there is an adequate range of play equipment. 25 February 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a written record is made of any complaint or representation, the action taken in response and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 20 (6)) 28 January 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall ensure that— 28 January 2022 Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Azalea House 4 all parts of the residential family centre are kept clean and reasonably decorated;

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Requirement Due date

adequate ventilation, heating and lighting is provided to all parts of the residential family centre which are used by residents. (Regulation 21 (2)(c)(k))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, deep clean the communal living areas and play areas; redecorate the ground floor hallways and reception room; ensure that the radiators are covered and monitored to maintain a safe temperature.

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Requirement Due date

If, in relation to a residential family centre, any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay notify the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table. (Regulation 26 (1))

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to investigate concerns received by Ofsted.

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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: Azalea House 5

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Athena Family Services Limited

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 71 Spring Road, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK42 8LT

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Inspector

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Azalea House 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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