Resicare Alliance

Inspection report for residential family centre: Resicare Alliance 1 Resicare Alliance Resicare Alliance Limited Templecroft, Templars Way, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1PY Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential family centre

This residential family centre is privately owned. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for five families. The centre provides parenting assessments that take a minimum of 12 weeks.

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Information about this residential family centre

The centre registered with Ofsted in June 2022. The manager registered at the same time.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and parents, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and parents are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The centre is not yet delivering good assessments of parenting capacity and/or is not delivering good care and help. The weaknesses identified need to be addressed to fully support children’s and parents’ progress through the assessment process and to mitigate risk in the medium and long term. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that mean children’s welfare is not safeguarded and promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for residential family centre: Resicare Alliance 2

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improvement to be good

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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improvement to be good

Insufficient staffing has affected the assessment process and families’ experiences. Feedback from parents is very variable. Some describe the centre as ‘amazing’. They praise staff and say that they were made to feel welcome and would recommend the centre. Some parents felt they were given inconsistent parenting advice and spoken to in a disrespectful manner.

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improvement to be good

The assessment process is not always timely or structured. There is an issue with sending weekly summaries to placing authorities. This inhibits the planning for children, and does not meet the expectations of the court. Final reports concisely outline the requirements detailed in the letter of instruction. A social worker said that some reports are late. This has an impact on the decision-making for children.

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improvement to be good

The assessment process is not clearly structured, which means that staff do not have a clear understanding of what they need to work on. Family placement plans do not include all the required information to meaningfully guide the staff, and do not include parents’ views. Staff meet during the day to review relevant information regarding each family, which helps them to plan each shift.

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improvement to be good

Parents do not receive regular written feedback. This means that they are unable to reflect at their own pace, and they are unclear of their strengths, any concerns and what they need to change. Parents do, however, benefit from meeting with their key worker, which gives them the opportunity to discuss their individual needs.

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improvement to be good

Staff work with young parents and parents who have learning disabilities, mental- health needs and/or a history of substance misuse. Staff are trained in a specific assessment method which helps in working with parents who have a learning difficulty.

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improvement to be good

Staff have a good understanding of families. Warm, respectful and nurturing relationships were observed between staff members and families. Parents become more confident and receptive to advice. Staff also help parents with their career goals. One parent is being assisted to take a forklift driver exam. Parents are encouraged to attend external groups with their babies and toddlers. They also have opportunities to participate in art and craft sessions.

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improvement to be good

Staff help parents with developing their independent-living skills, including budgeting. Parents learn the importance of good nutrition and take pride in their ability to create meal plans and cook nutritious meals. Parents have a say in the Inspection report for residential family centre: Resicare Alliance 3 service, including advising on the decor, and making recommendations for staff awards.

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improvement to be good

There are good health arrangements, strengthened by families being able to register at the local doctor’s surgery. Families benefit from services from a dedicated health visitor team and appointments with services including mental-health professionals, the dentist and optician. There are improvements in the health and well-being of children and parents.

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improvement to be good

Parents find group living hard. They complain about arguments between families and one parent described the environment as being ‘toxic’. Some staff find the high needs of some parents emotionally challenging and time-consuming, which has an impact on time spent with other families. It is encouraging that families do enjoy mutually enjoyable times. There are examples of fathers playing darts together and staff and families having meals together.

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improvement to be good

Risk management plans are inconsistent. Known risks are not recorded and risk assessments are not updated after incidents or complaints. Staff do not benefit from up-to-date guidance on each family’s potential risks and how to appropriately manage these. This is particularly important as agency staff sometimes cover staff shifts.

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improvement to be good

In general, staff recruitment processes minimise the possibility of unsuitable people working with families. New employees have two references, but these references are not verbally verified. The registered manager has devised a new recruitment format to capture this information in the future.

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improvement to be good

Safeguarding is at the heart of the centre’s work. The assessment process identifies if children’s needs are not being met in a safe or consistent manner. There is recognition that some parents do not have the capacity to change in the required timeframe, and an appropriate recommendation is made.

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improvement to be good

Leaders and managers manage safeguarding allegations appropriately. A local authority designated officer said they were satisfied with the centre’s referrals and investigations, saying that investigations ‘were completed in a timely manner’. Staff receive different types of safeguarding training, which include child and adult protection training. Complementary training includes enhancing staff’s knowledge of child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation.

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improvement to be good

Staff are proud of their ability to empower parents. Parents are able to discuss their experiences of trauma, and staff help them to understand the impact on their lives. Parents appreciate that staff listen to them. One parent felt able to disclose historical abuse. Inspection report for residential family centre: Resicare Alliance 4 Staff raise parents’ awareness of online safety, health and safety, safeguarding, domestic violence and the importance of heathy relationships. Parents attend a specialist domestic violence programme. They are also helped with their emotional well-being and resilience. For example, they enrol on anger-management courses and learn relaxation techniques.

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good

The service is led by an experienced social worker who is working tirelessly to provide a good service to families. The registered manager is supported by a keen staff team who have a wide range of work experiences. However, the effectiveness and efficiency of the service is reduced by staffing shortages. Staff recruitment is ongoing to address this shortfall.

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good

Insufficient staffing levels mean that staff do not always have the time to undertake administration tasks. The registered manager does not have a deputy manager or another social worker to write the assessment reports. This has an impact on the registered manager’s ability to manage the service effectively. The parents’ register does not include all the legally required information.

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good

Feedback from professionals is varied. A health visitor praised the good communication and described the centre as ‘a positive facility’. Social workers highlight the need for better written communication. One social worker said, ‘My biggest issue with the placement is in terms of communication and receiving reports.’

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good

Families live in a spacious detached property with substantial grounds. Parents appreciate the seclusion from external factors and the range of communal spaces. The decor and furnishings are of a high standard, but there are areas which require attention. The maintenance team is currently repairing damage from a leak. There are a few cracks in walls, a large hole in the staff office ceiling and a small hole in a bedroom floor.

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good

There is a basic quality assurance system. Families benefit from monthly visits from a senior manager who provides constructive advice to improve the service. They also listen to parents’ concerns. Parents positively influence the service development through regular meetings with staff.

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good

Until very recently, staff have not received regular one-to-one supervision. A new system has been introduced to ensure that staff have the opportunity to reflect on their work and receive the necessary individualised support. There is a clear induction process that supports the staff’s understanding of the service and their role. The organisation provides a variety of training for staff, including the required vocational training.

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good

Leaders and managers are clear on the centre’s strengths and the areas requiring further improvement. Staff recruitment is ongoing, and an electronic recording Inspection report for residential family centre: Resicare Alliance 5 system is being introduced. Leaders and managers are striving to raise standards and support staff. There are also wide-ranging plans for the future to enhance parents’ and children’s lives. The registered manager takes pride in being present and available for families. Inspection report for residential family centre: Resicare Alliance 6

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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, before providing a family with accommodation in the residential family centre, or if that is not reasonably practicable, as soon as possible thereafter, draw up in consultation with the placing authority a written plan (in these Regulations referred to as “the placement plan”) setting out, in particular—

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Requirement Due date

the facilities and services to be provided during the course of the placement;

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Requirement Due date

the objectives and intended outcome of the placement.

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Requirement Due date

an assessment of the risks, if any, which a resident at the residential family centre may present to their own health, safety and welfare or that of other residents or staff at the centre.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall keep under review and revise the placement plan as necessary.

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Requirement Due date

In preparing or reviewing the placement plan the registered person shall, so far as practicable—

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Requirement Due date

seek and take account of the views of the members of the family;

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Requirement Due date

take account of any relevant assessment or other report relating to any member of the family which may be provided by the placing authority.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall supply a copy of the placement plan and any revision of it to the placing authority and to the parent within the family to which it relates. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2) (3)(a)(b)(c) (4)) 1 April 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall ensure that there is, having regard to— 1 June 2023 Inspection report for residential family centre: Resicare Alliance 7 the statement of purpose of the residential family centre, its size and the numbers and needs of its residents; and

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Requirement Due date

the need to safeguard and promote the health and welfare of residents, a sufficient number of suitably qualified, competent and experienced persons working for the residential family centre. (Regulation 15 (a)(b))

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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 supervision. (Regulation 17 (5)(b)) 1 April 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall also maintain the records specified in Schedule 4 in respect of the residential family centre. (Regulation 19 (3))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure all the required information in the family register is consistently maintained. 1 April 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

the premises to be used as the residential family centre are of sound construction and kept in a good state of repair internally. (Regulation 21 (2)(b)) 1 May 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that parents are engaged in the process and provided with regular feedback. This engagement should be reflected in the written assessment. In particular, parents should receive regular written feedback in a format suited to their understanding. (Residential family centres: NMS 1.8)  The registered person should ensure that parents are enabled to build and sustain constructive relationships with staff so that, where possible, they are able to resolve conflicts themselves in a positive manner. (Residential family centres: NMS 4.3)  The registered person should ensure that parents and staff are given an opportunity to discuss the centre’s approach to behaviour, particularly if they have witnessed or felt threatened by a disturbing incident. (Residential family centres: NMS 4.6) Inspection report for residential family centre: Resicare Alliance 8  The registered person should ensure that staff work effectively in partnership with

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Recommendations

other agencies concerned with child and adult protection, including the responsible authority. In particular, ensure weekly summaries and assessment reports are promptly sent to placing authorities. (Residential family centres: NMS 5.9)  The registered person should ensure that telephone enquiries are made as well as obtaining written references. In particular, for new staff (Residential family centres: NMS 14.1)  The registered person should ensure that they work with the responsible authority to share information held in the centre’s records about the parent or child and information held in the responsible authorities’ records. The registered person should provide copies of the records and documents in relation to parents and children to the responsible authority immediately on receipt of a written or electronic request. (Residential family centres: NMS 20.6)

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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: Resicare Alliance 9

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Resicare Alliance Limited

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 147 Stamford Hill, London N16 5LG

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Residential family centre details

Email address: hello@resicarealliance.co.uk

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Inspector

Sharon Payne, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre: Resicare Alliance 1 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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