Leslie Ironside

Inspection report for adoption support agency: Leslie Ironside 1 Leslie Ironside 35 Clermont Terrace, Brighton BN1 6SJ Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this adoption support agency

This agency provides a service to adopters and their children. The agency was registered with Ofsted in May 2006. The registered manager, Dr Leslie Ironside, is the sole practitioner.

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Information about this adoption support agency

The aim of the service is to provide therapeutic consultation. Support, assessment and treatment are also provided to adopted children and families. The aim is also to provide a consultation service to professionals who work in the field of adoption.

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Information about this adoption support agency

Dr Ironside is a consultant child and adolescent psychotherapist. He is a member of the Association of Child Psychotherapists and the British Psychoanalytic Council.

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outstanding

How well children, young people and adults are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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outstanding

The adoption support agency provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the adoption support agency contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for service users.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for adoption support agency: Leslie Ironside 2

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Overall experiences and progress of service users: outstanding

The quality of the individualised support provided by the agency is exceptional. The therapeutic work delivered by the agency makes a difference to the lives of children, young adults and their families. Parents were overwhelmingly positive about the service they receive from the agency. They reported that their involvement with the agency has made a significant difference to them and their children. They enjoy the way that the agency works, with the therapist described as calm, open and non- judgemental. A parent said about her son, ‘He has changed dramatically and is now able to manage his emotions better. People have noticed the difference in him.’

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Overall experiences and progress of service users: outstanding

Children and their parents make clear progress. Parents feel better able to support and care for their children. Some parents have returned to the agency for further support after working with the agency in the past. Some children proactively request to see the therapist and they have a say in how and when this takes place. Children value having private space to speak with the therapist. The therapist ensures that he does not miss any sessions. He treats children and their parents with dignity and respect. Consequently, people really value the sessions and use them well.

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Overall experiences and progress of service users: outstanding

The agency achieves a good balance between the needs of the children and the needs of their parents. One parent said that the therapist enables them to feel compassionate towards themselves. Another parent said, ‘Things are a lot easier and there has been progress. This is down to his support.’

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Overall experiences and progress of service users: outstanding

The agency has excellent relationships with children, parents and a range of professionals. Social workers and managers are complimentary about the agency, and they appreciate the way that the therapist works with them. The therapist communicates effectively and keeps professionals informed. They value his extensive experience and knowledge. Parents and children value his openness. They feel relaxed and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of service users: outstanding

Children and parents are confident that the therapist understands their views. The therapist takes these into account when planning sessions. Children can arrange their sessions directly with the therapist. He recognises the importance of flexibility. This is so that children and adults can access his services in a way that meets their needs. For example, he sends reminders to one child about their upcoming session. This is at the request of the child, who worries about forgetting. This is a further sign of the value placed on the consultation and support that the therapist provides.

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Overall experiences and progress of service users: outstanding

Children and parents say the therapist is non-judgemental. This makes it easier for them to express their views and emotions over time. There is flexibility in how he progresses the sessions. Parents and children are offered therapy sessions face to face or online. The therapist takes into consideration any health needs or challenges, including any that restrict the individual’s ability to meet face to face. As a result, children and parents feel confident that the therapist values their relationship. A Inspection report for adoption support agency: Leslie Ironside 3 professional said that the families are ‘reflective and discerning’. They added that the fact they have worked with this therapist for so long is testament to the quality of the work that he does.

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good

The agency has a good understanding of risk. The therapist is aware of the impact that risk-taking behaviour can have on a family. He provides strong support and effective consultation to children and families. This helps to keep them safe. Children and adults feel safe with the agency. Trusting relationships develop. This helps children and adults to relax and continue to work positively. The agency provides effective support and consultation. This enables parents to develop an understanding of their child’s behaviour and the strategies to manage risk better.

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good

The therapist works with parents in a way that helps them to understand their child’s behaviour. This supports them to recognise how certain behaviour makes them feel and why they respond to it in the way that they do. The therapist uses analogies to support the messages that he tries to convey to parents. Parents use these analogies to understand their responses. Parents grow to understand the importance of looking after themselves. They learn that this is important before they can care for another individual. The therapist helps parents to understand that they are their child’s best resource.

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good

Appropriate procedures are in place to safeguard children and adults. The therapist is an experienced clinician. He has a good understanding of child protection. He keeps his safeguarding training up to date. He also runs a reflective practice group around safeguarding. Professionals are confident in his ability to safeguard children. One social worker commented on the agency’s knowledge of how and when to make a safeguarding referral.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The agency works proactively and positively with stakeholders. Effective working relationships are in place with social workers and managers. Feedback from stakeholders has been positive about the work undertaken by the agency. They appreciate the effectiveness of communication with the therapist. However, one local authority partner expressed a concern about the clarity of information provided for reviews. As a result, they needed to request further information.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The agency is aspirational for the children and families they provide a service to. The therapist has high expectations of what they can achieve through the support and consultation that he provides. The therapist prioritises the needs of children. He is child-focused and understands the value of working at their pace. Children and parents make progress. One parent explained that they had put into practice what they learned in their support sessions. They were successful in expressing their views and feelings to their adult child. Inspection report for adoption support agency: Leslie Ironside 4 One young adult said he values the sessions that he has with the therapist. The trust that has developed means that he is able to engage and make effective use of the support that he receives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The therapist commits to his own personal and professional development. He receives monthly clinical supervision with a qualified clinician. Supervision sessions provide a space for him to review and reflect on his practice. Since the last inspection, the agency has implemented a six-monthly review process. This includes monitoring the service provided. The clinical supervisor is part of this review process. The therapist keeps his training up to date. The training is relevant to the needs of the people he provides a service to. He is currently co-writing a research paper.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Policies and procedures are in place to support the service. The statement of purpose and children’s guide are clear and are kept under review. The agency is meeting its aims and objectives. Children and adults receive a good, supportive service. Case records show what is happening in sessions. The therapist has worked on the style and clarity of records. This is so that children wishing to read their files in the future can understand them. However, there is room for further improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The agency has a clear commitment to promoting equality and diversity, which is evident throughout its work. The therapist provides support and consultation to a diverse range of children and adults. He understands the challenges they face and their complexities and works to support them. Inspection report for adoption support agency: Leslie Ironside 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the agency has and implements a written policy that clarifies the purpose, format and content of information to be kept on the agency’s files, on the child’s and prospective adopters’ case records. In particular, ensure that the policy details what information will be recorded about each session, to support the child’s understanding of how the work has impacted on them should they wish to read the file in the future. (Adoption: national minimum standards 2014, 27.1)  The registered person should ensure that the information is provided to commissioners of services as part of tendering. This includes charges for each of its services, statements of any amounts paid to adopters and amounts paid for services, for example, health and education. In particular, ensure that information provided to commissioners regarding Adoption Support Fund applications is clear and detailed, meeting the requirements of the requests made. (Adoption: national

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, young people and adults, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the adoption support agency, how it meets the core functions as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005 and the national minimum standards. Inspection report for adoption support agency: Leslie Ironside 6

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Adoption support agency details

Registered provider address: 35 Clermont Terrace, Brighton BN1 6SJ

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Adoption support agency details

Responsible individual: Dr Leslie Ironside

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Inspector

Vevene Muhammad, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for adoption support agency: Leslie Ironside 7 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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