Orchard House Family Assessment Centre

Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Orchard House Family Assessment Centre 1 Orchard House Family Assessment Centre Orchard House, Fons George, Taunton, Somerset TA1 3JS

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential family centre

This is a residential family centre for up to seven families who are referred for assessment to the centre via the courts or local authority children’s services. Families have their own bedrooms, and they share communal areas, such as the kitchen and lounge. The organisation has invested in a separate building with offices and a well- equipped playroom so that families can attend assessment and specialist sessions away from their living environment.

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Information about this residential family centre

The centre enables children to live safely with their family while care from their parents or carers is assessed. The centre provides evidence-based assessments which will enable informed decisions to be made about whether it would be in the child’s best interests to remain in the permanent care of their parents or carers. The centre’s multi-disciplinary team liaises and works with local agencies and services to provide support to meet the identified needs of families.

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Information about this residential family centre

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2022.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out in response to two complaints which were received by Ofsted on 3 of January 2024. Concerns were raised about the staffing levels at the centre, the level of support provided to parents, the maintenance of the accommodation and bullying behaviours between the parents who are currently residing at the centre. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Orchard House Family Assessment Centre 2 During the visit and the review of the relevant information provided by senior leaders, no concerns were identified in several areas raised in the complaints. These include staffing levels, staff training, the support provided to parents, parents’ capacity to make complaints, the response to maintenance issues and in respect of an accident whereby a parent hurt themselves trying to adjust a sash window.

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This monitoring visit

However, there is a concerning dynamic between the parents who currently live at the centre. Bullying behaviours are prevalent between some of the parents. This is creating a tense atmosphere, which is not positive for parents or their babies. The registered manager and his team are very aware of this matter and are actively seeking to prevent any further behaviour of this kind. For example, two parents have consented to a written agreement which prevents them spending time together without the support of staff. Senior leaders are closely monitoring the situation and have been clear with parents that this behaviour is not acceptable at the centre. As a result, no further action is required from Ofsted at this time. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Orchard House Family Assessment Centre 3

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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, The Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002 and the national minimum standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall, before providing a family with accommodation in the residential family assessment centre, or if that is not reasonably practicable, as soon as possible thereafter; draw up in consultation with the placing authority a written plan setting out, in particular—

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Requirement Due date

a risk management plan to address all assessed risks, if any, which a resident at the residential family centre may present to their own health, safety and welfare or that of the other residents or staff at the centre. (Regulation 13 (1)(c)) 17 January 2023

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the residential family centre since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Orchard House Family Assessment Centre 4

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Orchard House Family Assessment Centre Limited

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: The Lodge, 60 Staplegrove Road, Taunton, Somerset TA1 1DJ

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Inspector

Polly Soper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Orchard House Family Assessment Centre 5 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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