Highbury House

Inspection report for residential family centre: Highbury House 1 Highbury House Twenty-Four-Seven High Support Accommodation for Young People Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

This residential family centre is privately owned and operated. The centre provides accommodation for up to eight families who are subject to parenting assessments. Parenting assessments take a minimum of 12 weeks.

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

At the time of the inspection, there were five families living at the centre and undergoing parenting assessments.

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

The manager has been registered since November 2023.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and parents, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and parents are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of previous inspection: 29 March 2023

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for residential family centre: Highbury House 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Children and parents receive a warm welcome from the registered manager and staff when they arrive at the centre. The introduction of a video call before the parent arrives at the centre and a welcome book help to ease any anxieties they may have. One parent said the call helped to answer their questions. As a result, parents settle quickly into the centre.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Families form positive and trusting relationships with the staff team. The staff know the families well and have a good understanding of their individual needs. Interactions between the families and staff are nurturing, and parents said that staff are approachable and supportive.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Placement plans are of a high quality and set out the expectations for parents and the team at the start of the assessment. The plans are reviewed regularly to reflect the progression within assessments. Parents contribute towards their own plans, which ensures that they are personalised to their needs.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Individual direct-work sessions provide parents with the opportunity to learn new skills and make progress. Staff are creative in their approach and use several resources to fully explore the parents’ understanding of their own lived experiences. For example, sessions have included topics such as domestic abuse, healthy relationships and support networks. Furthermore, parents are provided with the opportunity to attend community groups and centre activities, for example baby massage, play-and-stay groups and swimming.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Qualified social workers undertake parenting assessments. Parents are encouraged to meaningfully participate in their assessments, and staff take the time to ensure that the parents are clear about the process. Careful consideration ensures that final reports are independent, balanced and evidence based. As a result, safe decisions and recommendations are made for children.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Families know how to make complaints. Their complaints are taken seriously and are thoroughly investigated by the registered manager. Following a complaint, the registered manager ensures that actions are completed in a timely manner and, where possible, parents are provided with the outcome.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Overall, staff have a good understanding of the health needs of the families living at the centre. Parents are supported to work alongside the relevant health professionals, such as midwives and health visitors. However, stronger links are required with the local doctors’ surgery to ensure that there is a greater understanding of the health needs of the families living at the centre.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

The centre is spacious and welcoming and meets the needs of the families. Since the last inspection, a new kitchen has been fitted, which has created an additional Inspection report for residential family centre: Highbury House 3 space for parents to cook their meals. However, there are aspects of the centre that require redecoration for the centre to maintain a homely environment.

p.2

How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

There is a strong focus on safeguarding at the centre. Staff ensure that children’s safety is at the forefront of their safeguarding practice. Levels of supervision and support are reviewed regularly in communication with relevant professionals to ensure that risks of harm are managed effectively.

p.3

How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

The registered manager and staff respond swiftly to safeguard children. As a result of their immediate action and response, an unwell child received assistance from staff that ultimately saved their life. Despite this being a distressing experience, staff remained focused on the child. Following the incident, the centre has received positive praise from other professionals.

p.3

How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Assessing social workers complete comprehensive risk assessments that address the risks posed to children and their parents. The risk assessments include strategies that help to reduce risk. Risk assessments are regularly updated to reflect families’ changing circumstances. Staff maintain excellent records that help to ensure that children’s experiences and the impact of the work on paternal behaviours are clearly understood.

p.3

How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Body maps are used alongside daily records to detail and record any unexplained marks on children. The registered manager reviews these to ensure that swift action is taken if there are concerns.

p.3

How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

The staff team’s communication with other professionals is frequent and effective. Feedback from professionals about the conduct and professionalism of staff is positive. One social worker said that staff have a good balance of empathy and recognising concerns while remaining child-focused.

p.3

How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

In the main, the assessments relating to the suitability of families are thorough and ensure that staff can meet the needs of families currently at the centre and those being considered to move into the centre for assessment. However, on one occasion, senior managers failed to fully explore the risks and behaviour associated with one family. This resulted in the family having to leave the centre before their assessment commenced. This created a high level of disruption for a child who had to leave a settled foster placement.

p.3

How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff recruitment practice is an area for improvement for individuals who are not employed by the centre. The absence of risk assessments has meant that, at times, adults have been in the centre without clear supervision. Inspection report for residential family centre: Highbury House 4

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably experienced and qualified. She has good knowledge of the families and their needs, risks and progress. The registered manager is motivated and wants the team to provide the best care to the children and families that come to the centre.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A strong responsible individual supports the registered manager, and they share the same vision and high standards. There is managerial oversight in place, with a clear vision and high expectations of staff practice.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported by managers. They have regular supervision alongside daily access to management support. Supervisions enable staff to review their practice and for their managers to enquire about their personal well-being.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager regularly monitors and reviews the quality of care being provided. Parents are given many opportunities to share their views and experiences, and feedback from families who have moved out of the centre is sought to support service improvement.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has developed strong links with a range of external professionals. The managers and staff work effectively and in close partnership with professionals to ensure the right outcome for children and their families. One family’s social worker said that the staff provide very good assessments and individualised support to families.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, staff turnover has been high. This means that families have not always benefited from a consistent and stable staff team. The registered manager is working hard to create a strong and stable team, and they have made sensible decisions not to increase the number of families living at the centre. As a result, families’ assessments have not been compromised.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Overall, staff are provided with training opportunities that are relevant to their roles. However, there are some gaps in staff training. This means that staff do not always have the required skills, knowledge and tools they need to work with the families. The registered manager is aware of the shortfalls and has facilitated workshops to broaden staff knowledge. Inspection report for residential family centre: Highbury House 5

p.4

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 within the given timescales.

p.5

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—

p.5

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. (Regulation 13 (1)(c))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This relates to the registered person ensuring that a full assessment of the families’ risks and behaviours is explored before the move into the centre. 6 January 2025

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any person working at the residential family centre who is not employed by him and to whom paragraph (2) does not apply is appropriately supervised while carrying out his duties. (Regulation 16 (6))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This relates to the registered person ensuring that there are appropriate arrangements and risk assessments in place to ensure persons who are not employed by the centre are supervised when working at the centre. 6 January 2025

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the centre has arrangements with local primary healthcare services and works in cooperation with health agencies, so that parents and their children have the services they need. (Residential family centres: NMS 6.3) Inspection report for residential family centre: Highbury House 6  The registered person should ensure that the centre provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated. (Residential family centres: NMS 11.2)  The registered person should ensure that there are good-quality learning and development opportunities which staff and volunteers are supported to undertake. These may include induction, post qualifying and in-service training to enhance individual skills and to keep staff up to date with professional and legal developments. (Residential family centres: NMS 16.2)

p.5

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: Highbury House 7

p.6

Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Twenty-Four-Seven High Support Accommodation for Young People Limited

p.7

Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 28 High Road, London N2 9PJ

p.7

Inspectors

Lydia Isaac, Social Care Inspector Sarah Berry, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre: Highbury House 8 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 4234 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8