Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage

Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 1 Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage Primrose Cottage, High Wych Road, Sawbridgeworth CM21 0HH

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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 provides care, accommodation and residential parenting assessments for up to 10 families. The centre can provide Parent Assessment Manual (PAMS) assessments. Parenting assessments take a minimum of 12 weeks.

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Information about this residential family centre

The registered manager left in January 2022.

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Inspection date: 24 October 2022

Date of previous inspection: 11 May 2022

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken to address specific safeguarding concerns received by Ofsted. The visit consisted of one inspector reviewing documents and speaking with staff and parents.

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This monitoring visit

At this visit, no serious concerns were identified.

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This monitoring visit

The centre has not had a registered manager since January 2022. In June 2022, a new manager was appointed. However, they left without registering with Ofsted. A new permanent manager has been appointed and is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

The management team has recently held a successful staff recruitment campaign. There are enough staff at weekends and there is less reliance on agency staff to cover staffing shortages. This provides increased continuity throughout parenting Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 2 assessments and safer monitoring and enables families to access a wider choice of activities.

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This monitoring visit

The manager provides opportunities for families to raise concerns. When complaints have been made, these have been responded to promptly and resolved. Consequently, parents’ rights are respected and they are empowered to influence changes and household routines.

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This monitoring visit

Safeguarding systems are working more effectively. A recent allegation made by a family against a staff member was acted on by the manager, with a referral to the local authority designated officer. Other concerns between families have been appropriately investigated.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has ensured notifications are made to Ofsted when required. This provides Ofsted with increased oversight of the centre’s safeguarding arrangements.

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This monitoring visit

The monitoring of the house and grounds has improved. Potential hazards are identified and removed. This provides a safe environment for families.

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This monitoring visit

Aspects of the house have been redecorated, including a well-developed sensory area for children. Additional toys and play equipment have been purchased and these provide stimulating and appealing resources for children.

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This monitoring visit

The staff deliver targeted sessions that support the parenting assessments. This includes support for parents’ mental health and well-being. Appropriate links to community mental health services are available if necessary. Suitable guidance is in place for families to access general or emergency health services. This ensures that families can access the services they need.

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This monitoring visit

The families spoken with during this visit were positive about the quality of parenting sessions and the new management appointments. However, three of the families reported a delay in receiving weekly reports on their assessment progress and felt ill-equipped when mid-way assessment reviews were being held. This does not provide reassurance that families are kept regularly informed during a critical and potentially life-changing process.

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This monitoring visit

At this visit, one recommendation has been raised. The manager has met three requirements and three recommendations raised at the last inspection. The remaining requirements and recommendation were outside the scope of this visit and have not been reviewed. These are restated and will be reviewed at the next inspection. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 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

keep under review and where appropriate revise the statement of purpose; and

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Requirement Due date

notify Ofsted within 28 days of any such revision. (Regulation 4 (4)(a)(b)) 30 December 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall ensure that all persons employed by him—

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Requirement Due date

receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal. (Regulation 17 (5)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff have regular supervision meetings. 16 December 2022

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Requirement Due date

When the registered provider is an individual, but is not in day to day charge of the residential family centre, he shall visit the residential family centre in accordance with this regulation.

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Requirement Due date

Visits under paragraph (1) or (2) shall take place at least once a month and may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The person carrying out the visit shall—

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Requirement Due date

interview with consent and in private, such of the residents and person working at the residential family centre as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the residential family centre;

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Requirement Due date

prepare a written report on the conduct of the residential family centre. (Regulation 25 (1) (3) (4)(a)(c)) 16 December 2022 Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that parents and children understand the nature of records maintained and, where possible, read their files, correct errors and add personal statements. In particular, they should ensure that weekly reports are shared with parents within a suitable timeframe. (Residential family centres: NMS 20.3)  The registered person should ensure that copies of the records and documents in relation to parents and children are provided to the responsible authority immediately on receipt of a written or electronic request. In particular, they should ensure that weekly reports are shared with social workers. (Residential family centres: NMS 20.6)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to explore concerns raised with Ofsted and to monitor the action taken and the progress made since the 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: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 5

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Savannah Lodge Limited

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 65 Fir Park, Harlow CM19 4JU

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Inspector

Mark Anderton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 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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