St Michael's Fellowship

Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael's Fellowship 1 St Michael’s Fellowship St Michael’s Fellowship Crawford House, 2 Terrapin Road, London SW17 8QN Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential family centre

St Michael’s Fellowship is an established independent charity dedicated to improving families’ lives. Part of its service includes three residential family centres in the South London area. Crawford House offers residential assessments for up to four families.

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Information about this residential family centre

The centre was registered in July 2004. The registered manager was promoted to a new role within the organisation in December 2022. The new manager facilitated this inspection and is applying to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this residential family centre

At the time of this inspection, three families were living at the centre. All the parents were spoken to during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and parents, taking into account

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good

How well children and parents are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The residential family centre provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael's Fellowship 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Families benefit from a transparent and empowering assessment process, which is focused on the best interests of children. A parent said, ‘I would recommend here for other families who are struggling.’ Another parent thanked staff for ‘helping me through the biggest journey of my life’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Assessment reports are well written, insightful, forward-thinking and very child focused. Care planning is dedicated to valuing children and promoting their welfare and safety. Staff work cohesively and creatively to address the concerns highlighted by the court and the local authority.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staff express pride in their ability to form positive and respectful relationships with parents. Staff regularly examine, identify and reflect on issues. Weekly meetings contribute to the continual review of the assessment process, enabling it to be sensitively adapted to each family’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staff work effectively with parents with a wide range of needs, including learning disabilities and mental health needs. Alongside assistance with parenting skills, staff also help parents with their own personal development. A parent stated, ‘Staff are very supportive.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

The centre has strong links with local resources, such as the health centre, the health visiting team and the children’s centre and nursery. This enables families to quickly access the services and support that they need.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staff demonstrate a strong commitment to equality and diversity, promoting dignity and respecting parents’ rights. There are examples of staff working well with a non- binary parent and helping families celebrate religious festivals, such as Diwali and Christmas. Families positively influence service development, one example being the calming colour chosen to decorate the lounge.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staff work with parents dynamically to help them to meet the emotional, social, educational and health needs of their children. This includes using the research- informed ‘five-a-day’ programme. Families also enjoy fun activities, which include going out for meals and visiting museums. Parents highlight the need for more fun activities to help with their own mental and emotional well-being.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Parents receive an extensive education in keeping themselves and their children safe. This includes learning about the dangers of cigarette smoke, sleeping with their baby, environmental risks, general safety and internet safety. Parents learn the importance of healthy personal relationships and the negative impact of domestic Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael's Fellowship 3 violence. Parents also have access to specialist counselling to help with their own experience of domestic abuse.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

An independent reviewing officer confirmed that staff ‘keep families safe’ and ‘give families a chance’. Staff receive regular safeguarding training. They also have a wide range of other complementary training which helps with the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

The centre does not use surveillance cameras and monitoring devices during assessments. Families receive a high level of monitoring through direct observation, which is centred on safeguarding children. Parents understand this, however, some struggle with the constant observation.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Parents are aware of the rules and expectations regarding their behaviour. Staff promote positive behaviour effectively. Inappropriate behaviour is managed appropriately and staff benefit from training in conflict resolution. Each family has a risk assessment that identifies specific concerns. There is good acknowledgment of each family’s resilience, risks and protective factors.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Families live in a house which is physically safe and secure. Staff undertake regular checks of the living environment and families participate in fire drills. The centre also has certificates which confirm the safety of the gas and electrical supply and the fire safety equipment.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Leaders and managers address parental complaints in a prompt and efficient manner. Parents take the time to compliment staff and keep them updated when they leave the centre.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Families benefit from a child-focused and well-managed service. The responsible individual has been nationally recognised for her service to families. A social worker highlighted the staff team’s ‘willingness to go above and beyond’. Social workers praise the strong partnership working and commend the good communication and flexibility of staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are social work qualified and have substantial experience. The registered manager has recently been promoted within the organisation, however, the effective handover arrangements with the new manager enabled a seamless transition. The leadership of the centre is strengthened by the competent and efficient deputy manager arrangements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The organisation demonstrates a continued commitment to innovative practice and research. The centre is assisting with a university research project tackling the problem of recurring care proceedings. The ‘Securing Change’ project provides comprehensive and tailored support for these parents. There are positive examples of parents being reunited with their children and providing peer support and volunteering with charities. Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael's Fellowship 4 The organisation offers a specific parenting programme for fathers. Work is also being undertaken with separated parents, helping them to think about the impact of their break-up on their children. Parents have the opportunity to learn negotiating skills and the importance of putting their child’s needs first.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff bring an extensive range of experiences to their role. They feel valued and well supported. Staff benefit from regular individual supervision, appraisals and team meetings. The organisation provides staff with a wide range of training. Some newer staff members have not had mental health training or training on post-natal depression. This training would enable staff to be even more effective in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

One of the two recommendations from the last inspection has been addressed effectively. There is still an issue with the register of all placements. Occasionally, the telephone number and address of the placing authority is not recorded. This shortfall does not impact on families as the missing information is available in other documents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers monitor the service, which includes monthly visits in accordance with Regulation 25. An issue has arisen where these reports have not been received by Ofsted as required. Furthermore, Ofsted has not received a copy of the updated statement of purpose and residents’ guide. These shortfalls do not impact on the good quality of care provided to families. Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael's Fellowship 5

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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

Where the registered provider is an organisation or a partnership, the residential family centre shall be visited in accordance with this regulation by—

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Requirement Due date

the responsible individual or one of the partners, as the case may be;

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Requirement Due date

another of the directors or other persons responsible for the management of the organisation or partnership; or

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Requirement Due date

an employee of the organisation or partnership who is not directly concerned with the conduct of the residential family centre.

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Requirement Due date

The person carrying out the visit shall—

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Requirement Due date

prepare a written report on the conduct of the residential family centre.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider shall supply a copy of the report required to be made under paragraph (4)(c) to the [Chief Inspector]. (Regulation 25 (2)(a)(b)(c) (4)(c) (5)(a)) 11 February 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall compile in relation to the residential family centre a written statement (in these Regulations referred to as “the statement of purpose”) which shall consist of a statement as to the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

keep under review and where appropriate revise the statement of purpose and resident’s guide; and

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Requirement Due date

notify the [Chief Inspector] within 28 days of any such revision. (Regulation 4 (1) (4)(a)(b)) 1 March 2023 Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael's Fellowship 6 The registered person shall produce a written guide to the residential family centre (“the resident’s guide”) which shall include: the address and telephone number of the Chief Inspector. (Regulation 4 (3)(c)) 1 March 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure parents’ emotional needs are promoted throughout their placement. (Residential family centres: NMS 6.1)  The registered person should ensure the manager regularly monitors, in line with the Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002 as amended, all records kept by the centre to ensure compliance with the centre’s policies. In particular, ensure all the required information in the family register is consistently maintained. (Residential family centres: NMS 19.2)  The registered person should ensure staff are equipped with the skills and experience required to meet the needs of the parents and the purpose of the centre. In particular, staff should receive mental health training, including on post- natal depression. (Residential family centres: NMS 16.1)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and parents using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002 and the national minimum standards. Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael's Fellowship 7

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider: St Michael’s Fellowship

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 136 Streatham High Road, London SW16 1BW

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Residential family centre details

Email address: crawford.house@stmichaelsfellowship.org.uk

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Inspector

Sharon Payne, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre: St Michael's Fellowship 8 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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