Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage

Inspection report for residential family centre: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 1 Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage

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Primrose Cottage, High Wych Road, Sawbridgeworth CM21 0HH 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. Parenting assessments take a minimum of 12 weeks.

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Information about this residential family centre

The manager has been registered since January 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and parents, taking into account good

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Overall experiences and progress of

How well children and parents are helped and protected good

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Overall experiences and progress of

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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Overall experiences and progress of

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

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Overall experiences and progress of

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Overall experiences and progress of

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for residential family centre: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

This inspection was brought forward to address specific concerns received by Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

At the time of the inspection, there were nine families at the centre undergoing parenting assessments. Assessments are carried out by the staff team and are overseen by four qualified assessment leads.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Parents’ capacity is assessed within a clear time frame. Any alterations to the length of the assessment are justified and agreed by local authorities. The reports are written by qualified social workers and incorporate thorough evidence-based methods that demonstrate how the final recommendations are made. Observations and findings, including concerns, are shared with parents throughout the assessment process. The court reports are clear, well written and evidence a reliable, fair and transparent process.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staff use referral information to create good-quality family placement plans. These include court instructions or objectives from the local authority which staff follow to help them to consider children’s and parents’ individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staff provide a varied range of support sessions that are tailored to parents’ learning needs. Parents are encouraged to develop independent living skills. Sessions include support for parents’ mental health and well-being. Appropriate links to community mental health services and regular counselling services are provided. Parents gave positive feedback about these services.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Parents are encouraged to share their views in meetings and planned discussions. The manager uses their ideas to influence the purchase of new resources, including a new shared vehicle at the centre. When parents raise complaints, these are responded to promptly and fairly. As a result, parents feel listened to, and their rights are respected.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staffing retention continues to be good and provides safe supervision and continuity throughout parenting assessments. However, some parents say that decisions to designate a staff administration day at the weekend has a negative impact on the availability of activities and support for this period.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

The large detached house and accompanying self-contained chalets provide a choice of comfortable communal spaces and suitably sized family bedrooms. There is a sufficient range of play resources for children. However, there are issues in the grounds that increase the likelihood of flooding during wet weather. The maintenance team is currently repairing damage from a flood which has restricted use of the gym and computer room. There are other areas that require attention, Inspection report for residential family centre: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 3 including some loose bricks around a flower bed and the remnants of the unused smoking area. These areas detract from an otherwise well-maintained centre.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Comprehensive planning safeguards children and reduces risks to individuals. The manager assesses each new family’s vulnerabilities and associated risks by obtaining a full range of information prior to the family’s arrival. Managers use this information to assess any known risks and ensure that families are compatible and safe to live communally.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff increase parents’ awareness of online safety, health and safety, domestic violence and the importance of heathy relationships. Parents have access to a specialist domestic violence programme. Staff focus on children’s safety and welfare throughout the assessment process. This includes raising any concerns with parents, as necessary.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff understand the dynamics between the families. When conflicts occur, they are quickly identified by staff. Effective support is provided to enable families to resolve their differences.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Managers do not ensure that safer recruitment processes for permanent staff are consistently followed. Gaps in applicants’ employment histories are not always fully explored. This could lead to unsuitable adults working at the centre.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

There are suitable safeguarding procedures. Allegations against staff are usually managed appropriately. However, in one case, when the manager was on leave, the safeguarding procedures were not followed fully when an allegation was made against a staff member. A referral to the local authority designated officer was delayed. This reduces the required external oversight and the necessary safeguards for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is highly experienced and well qualified for the role. She provides strong and confident leadership for the staff, who value her support and guidance. The manager oversees assessments alongside three other qualified social workers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the centre. There is a realistic understanding of the areas that need to improve. There are improvements in support for families to make better use of community resources. Staff recruitment and retention have been successful with less reliance on agency staff. Managerial monitoring systems have been more effective in identifying and actioning shortfalls. This has ensured that parenting assessments have been conducted effectively and smoothly. Inspection report for residential family centre: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 4 Staff receive good-quality supervision sessions from the manager. These sessions encourage staff to reflect on their practice and the safeguarding culture at the centre and are used to help to address any concerns. This provides opportunities for staff to develop their practice and work towards their learning objectives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from external professionals is positive. Social workers identify good communication and well-written court reports. Health visitors and perinatal nurses said that the staff provide consistent advice for parents. Professionals who work with the centre recommend it.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a wide range of training. This includes training specific to the assessment model used. However, further training in understanding autism spectrum disorder has not been attended by staff. This could be of value for staff to understand and respond to all the individual needs of parents and children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although mid-way and final assessment reports are completed within agreed timescales, there is an issue with sharing weekly summaries with parents and placing authorities in a timely way. This can inhibit the planning for children and does not always provide reassurance for families that they are kept regularly informed of their progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has failed to notify serious concerns about a member of staff to Ofsted without delay. This means that Ofsted’s ability to monitor safeguarding arrangements has been reduced. Inspection report for residential family centre: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 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

The registered person shall prepare and implement a written child protection policy which—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the residential family centre from abuse or neglect; and

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Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect. (Regulation 12 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that allegations are promptly referred to the local authority designated officer. 9 June 2023

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (1), a person is not fit to work at a residential family centre unless—

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to him in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 2. (Regulation 16 (3)(d)) 9 June 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall maintain in respect of each family accommodated in the residential family centre a record which—

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Requirement Due date

is kept up to date. (Regulation 19 (1)(b)

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that weekly reports are shared with parents and social workers within agreed timescales. 23 June 2023

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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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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that Ofsted is notified without delay of any allegations made against the staff. 16 June 2023 Inspection report for residential family centre: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that parents’ views in relation to their health and well-being are considered when selecting staff administration days. (‘Residential family centres: national minimum standards’, 6.2)  The registered person should ensure that that the centre provides a comfortable and homely environment that is consistently well maintained and decorated. Avoidable hazards should be removed. (‘Residential family centres: national minimum standards’, 11.2)  The registered person should ensure that all staff receive training in understanding autism spectrum disorder. (‘Residential family centres: national minimum standards’, 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: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 7

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Residential family centre details

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

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Inspectors

Mark Anderton, Social Care Inspector Mary Costello, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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