Chrysalis Assessment and Support Centre

Inspection report for residential family centre: Chrysalis Assessment and Support Centre 1 Chrysalis Assessment and Support Centre Dragonfly Children’s Services Limited 12 Tennyson Avenue, Bridlington, North Humberside YO15 2EP Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential family centre

This is a privately run residential family centre. The primary purpose of the centre is to support local authorities in completing fair and evidence-based assessments of parenting capacity and skills.

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Information about this residential family centre

The centre is registered to accommodate four families. The families have their own en-suite bedrooms and share the communal rooms. The communal space includes a kitchen/dining room, playroom, a living room and bathroom with a shower. There is a storage area for prams and a garden. At the time of the inspection, there were three families in residence.

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Information about this residential family centre

The manager is experienced and has been registered for this residential family centre since August 2020.

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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

Date of previous inspection: 11 June 2019

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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: Chrysalis Assessment and Support Centre 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Managers and staff make sure that parents and their children are given a warm welcome when they arrive at the centre. Parents are provided with all the information they need, and agreements are signed during the first week. This helps parents to settle down and get familiar with the staff prior to formal assessments commencing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Detailed information is obtained prior to admission. Referral information and the letter of instruction informs suitability and decision-making. This emphasis on admission planning helps parents feel comfortable in their surroundings and less apprehensive. All parents spoken to said it was a different and more positive experience than they expected.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Parents are offered a tailored programme of interventions based on their individual needs. Records from these sessions remind and inform parents of the work they have undertaken and are a useful tool to refer back to. Parents with learning needs engage in more specialised assessments. Ongoing feedback from parents ensures that they feel fully engaged in the assessment process.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

The midway and final assessment reports are evaluative, evidence based and of an exceptionally high standard. The assessing social workers are non-judgemental but confident in their final recommendations. The social worker’s reports inform next steps and make recommendations in the best interests of children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Managers and staff focus on building positive relationships with parents and their children. The atmosphere and values embedded in the centre are that of openness and confidence building. Difficult discussions are managed sensitively and parents are given many opportunities to make the necessary changes to enable them to safely look after their children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Parents are encouraged to learn and participate in activities that stimulate their children. It gives the children positive experiences at different stages of their development. This includes activities such as sensory play, baby massage and yoga, cooking and baking sessions, and visits to places of interest.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Parents and their children are supported to have contact with their extended families and individuals that are important to them. Link workers and the managers work closely with social workers and health professionals to ensure that parents are well supported and any decisions made are agreed by all professionals involved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

The environment of the centre is well-equipped and furnished to a high standard. Any repairs are completed quickly and identified hazards are acted on and made safe. The centre replicates a homely feel and parents have freedom of movement in all communal areas of the home. A memory book is completed for parents to take Inspection report for residential family centre: Chrysalis Assessment and Support Centre 3 with them when they leave. Having all the necessities at their disposal, supports children and parents, removing any additional pressures during their stay.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Managers and staff are fully aware of the identified risks prior to families moving into the home. When risks change or reduce, risk assessments are updated to reflect this. Any updates are reviewed and discussed in daily handovers and team meetings. This promotes the protection of children throughout the assessment and assists in keeping children safe.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

The manager and the deputy have a clear understanding of the court and local authority commissioning and referral processes. This informs placement planning and the management of risk. The quality of placement plans makes it easy for staff and parents to follow. Parents are clear on what support is being offered and what levels of supervision are required.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

The centre employs individuals who can offer parents additional programs and counselling on issues that impact on their parenting abilities. This includes mental health support, alcohol and drug dependency, and domestic abuse programs. This assists in providing a well-rounded holistic assessment and has helped many parents to understand the changes they need to make for their children to remain in their care.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

The use of CCTV is proportionate and only fitted in bedrooms that overlook the child’s sleeping area. Baby monitors are also used, which provides that additional layer of monitoring and surveillance. Preserving parents dignity and privacy is balanced against the need to safeguard and protect children. There is a measured step-down approach when there is evidence demonstrating the safe care of children in the home and in the community.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Safer recruitment practices are thorough and meet the requirements of the regulations to ensure that the staff employed are suitable to work with children.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

There have been very few significant or serious incidents since the last inspection. Staff are fully aware of their responsibility in reporting child protection concerns and following safeguarding procedures. However, on two occasions, there was a delay in reporting two significant incidents and in seeking medical attention. The regulator was not notified and were therefore unable to evaluate the effectiveness of the action taken in a timely way.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The residential family centre is managed well. The members of the management team provide visible and confident leadership, and families benefit from living in a well-run centre. Parents spoken to said they feel empowered and able to address any concerns they may have. Staff are effective in promoting an open culture where everyone feels respected. Inspection report for residential family centre: Chrysalis Assessment and Support Centre 4 There are two experienced assessing social workers, who are the key professionals in the completion of evidence-based assessments, both at the midway point and at the final stage of the placement. Both the registered manager and deputy manager are social work trained, and they provide an extra layer of quality assurance and monitoring. This assists the local authority and the courts in making well-informed decisions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is generally good and over the last year the centre has seen a more stable staff team. Staff work very closely together and have positive relationships, which adds to the settled and relaxed feel of the centre. Staff are positive role models for parents, and relationships are built on trust.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals spoken to confirmed that there is good partnership working, with positive communication and information-sharing. Professionals commented on the quality of the assessments and reports and were totally reassured that parents and their children are receiving a thorough and evidence-based assessment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are routine independent reviews of this centre, which provides families with the opportunity to express their views. Internal monitoring and the quality of care review provided by the centre are being completed by the manager at appropriate intervals. This helps to enhance practice, recognise any shortfalls, and develop the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The centre is well staffed and all residential care workers are suitably qualified. This brings a variety of skills and knowledge, from which children and families benefit. Staff spoken with during the inspection said that they enjoy their work, at times it is challenging, but overall, they are proud of what they do. Some of the staff said that staff supervisions and team meetings are ‘hit and miss’ as to when they happen. However, the quality is good when they do. Staff benefit from regular opportunities to reflect and discuss their practice and development needs. Inspection report for residential family centre: Chrysalis Assessment and Support Centre 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered persons must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002 and the national minimum standards. The registered persons must comply within the given timescales.

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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)) 31 Aug 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff have access to support and advice through regular team meetings and regular supervision. (Residential Family Centre National Minimum Standards 17.4)

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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: Chrysalis Assessment and Support Centre 6

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Dragonfly Children’s Services Limited

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 72 Lairgate, Beverley, East Yorkshire HU17 8EU

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Residential family centre details

Responsible individual: Rachael Thompson

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Residential family centre details

Email address: Rachael@chrysalisassessmentcentre.co.uk

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Inspectors

Cath Sikakana, Social Care Inspector Debra Boldy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre: Chrysalis Assessment and Support Centre 7 regulates and inspects 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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