The Oval

Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: The Oval 1 The Oval

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

This residential family centre is owned and managed by a private provider and is registered to accommodate up to five families at any one time.

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

The centre provides residential assessments that assist local authorities and courts in making decisions that promote the welfare of children.

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

At the time of this inspection, there were four families in residence.

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

The provider registered with Ofsted in March 2022. The centre does not have a registered manager. There is an interim manager in post.

p.1

Inspection date: 28 January 2025

Date of previous inspection: 14 March 2023

p.1

This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit took place to look at specific concerns that were notified to Ofsted in a complaint.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The centre is a warm and welcoming environment that is designed to meet the needs of children and parents who stay there. There are age-appropriate toys and equipment for children and private spaces where parents can meet with professionals.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff and the assessing social worker ensure that families are well informed of the assessment process and the expectations of them throughout their time in the centre. Families understand what is working well and what they need to work on next.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, there have been changes to the management arrangements for the centre. There is now an interim manager in post. Staff say that Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: The Oval 2 the culture in the centre has improved following this change in management. Staff say that they receive support and are valued by leaders and managers.

p.1

This monitoring visit

There are clear procedures in place for families and staff to raise any concerns confidentially. When complaints arise, leaders and managers take effective action to address any concerns raised. However, the rationale for actions and outcomes is not always consistently recorded.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff have a good understanding of the risks, vulnerabilities and concerns for each family and how to support them. Safeguarding incidents in the centre are generally well managed by staff. However, on one occasion, staff did not take effective safeguarding action for one child in a timely manner. There was a delay in staff physically intervening to take over the care of the child. Records do not reflect the intervention by staff on this occasion.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Shortfalls have been identified throughout the visit about the quality of case records. Additionally, leaders have not had sufficient oversight of practices in the centre. Monitoring and review systems have not been effective in identifying the shortfalls raised. A recommendation has been made.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The requirement previously issued under regulation 25 is met. Requirements previously issued under regulations 12, 19 and 20 have been restated. A previous recommendation issued was not reviewed during this visit. For this reason, it is restated. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: The Oval 3

p.2

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person must comply with the given timescales.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The procedure under paragraph (1)(a)(b) must in particular provide for—

p.3

Requirement Due date

safeguarding children accommodated in the residential family centre from abuse or neglect; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

the prompt referral to the local authority in whose area the residential family centre is situated, of any allegations of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the residential family centre. (Regulation 12 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b))

p.3

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities in safeguarding children accommodated in the residential family centre and that appropriate safeguarding action is taken in a timely manner for the protection of children. 28 February 2025

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person shall also maintain the records specified in Schedule 4 in respect of the residential family centre.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the provider must maintain a daily log of events occurring in the residential family centre which shall include details of—

p.3

Requirement Due date

any incident which is detrimental to the health or welfare of a resident. (Regulation 19 (3) (Schedule 4) (6)(b)) 28 February 2025

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person shall establish a procedure ("the complaints procedure") for considering complaints made to the registered person by a resident or a person acting on behalf of a resident.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person shall ensure that any complaint made under the complaint’s procedure is fully investigated. 28 February 2025 Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: The Oval 4 The registered person shall, within 28 days after the date on which the complaint is made, or such shorter period as may be reasonable in the circumstances, inform the person who made the complaint of the action (if any) that is to be taken.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a written record is made of any complaint or representation, the action taken in response, and the outcome of the investigation. (Regulation 20 (1) (2) (5) (6))

p.4

Recommendations

 There is a system in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of record-keeping and take action when needed. In particular, the manager should ensure that impact risk assessments fully consider the risks of the family moving into the centre in relation to risks presented by families already residing at the centre. Additionally, risk assessments should contain clear strategies for staff to follow to minimise identified risks. (‘Residential Family Centres National Minimum Standards,’ page 30, paragraph 20.2)

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that effective procedures are in place to identify and address any shortfalls in staff practice. (‘Residential Family Centres National Minimum Standards,’ page 24, paragraph 15.3)

p.4

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.

p.4

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: The Oval 5

p.4

Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: International House, 61 Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3HZ

p.5

Residential family centre details

Responsible individual: Christopher Kennedy

p.5

Inspector

Leanne Carr, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: The Oval 6 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.

p.5

Inspector

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 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.6

Inspector

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

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6