Blossom Lodge

Inspection report for residential family centre: Blossom Lodge 1 Blossom Lodge Blossom Lodge Limited 1 Manning Grove, Langdon, Basildon, Essex SS16 6LQ Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

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 five families. Parenting assessments take a minimum of 12 weeks.

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

There were two families living at the centre at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

The manager registered with Ofsted when the centre opened in July 2024.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and parents, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and parents are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The centre is not yet delivering good assessments of parenting capacity and/or is not delivering good care and help. The weaknesses identified need to be addressed to fully support children’s and parents’ progress through the assessment process and to mitigate risk in the medium and long term. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that mean children’s welfare is not safeguarded and promoted.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Date of previous inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for residential family centre: Blossom Lodge 2

p.1

improvement to be good

The centre opened and registered in July 2024. There are several shortfalls in the safeguarding arrangements and managerial monitoring systems. Responses by leaders and managers to safeguarding concerns have not always been appropriate. Staff do not have a good enough awareness of how to raise specific concerns. Recruitment checks are not always sufficiently thorough. There are several hazards at the centre that have not been identified by leaders and managers. Quality assurance and management oversight is not always sufficient. As a result, the overall experiences and progress of children and parents is not consistently good enough.

p.2

improvement to be good

The systems for reviewing and monitoring parents’ concerns are not effective. Leaders and managers have responded to one formal complaint appropriately. However, when parents raise general concerns, the record of actions taken is unclear and fails to demonstrate how concerns have been responded to and resolved.

p.2

improvement to be good

Families’ moves into the centre are well supported. One parent said that they were given information and photos before they arrived. Another family visited the centre first and had a handbook containing important information about the centre.

p.2

improvement to be good

One parent gave positive feedback. They said that they felt well supported by staff. Staff are sensitive to parents’ post-partum health needs. Parents said that staff help them to develop their parenting skills in relation to bottle feeding and playing with the baby. Independent counselling sessions are offered to parents to support them to reflect on their emotions. These counselling sessions support the parenting assessment process well.

p.2

improvement to be good

Parents receive regular parenting sessions. These sessions focus on each parent’s individual needs. The sessions are underpinned by national guidance where necessary, such as advice from the NHS in relation to feeding, weaning and baby hygiene.

p.2

improvement to be good

Parents are encouraged to be involved in the local community and local children’s centres. These include baby massage classes, walks in the community and access to the local library baby classes.

p.2

improvement to be good

The centre has recently opened. The assessing social worker has not yet completed a full parenting assessment. However, two midway parenting assessments have been completed in appropriate timescales. These assessments clearly follow instructions from the placing authority. The assessments take into consideration direct parenting assessment sessions, observations from the assessing social worker of the parents’ care of the baby and information from staff records. Inspection report for residential family centre: Blossom Lodge 3 There is a well-formed approach to parenting assessments. Parents are kept up to date with their progress throughout their assessment. Leaders and managers hold weekly meetings that are attended by families, professionals and extended support networks. The records for the weekly meetings are clear and thorough.

p.2

improvement to be good

The garden is not safe or welcoming. The perimeter fencing around the multi-level garden is not secure enough to prevent a child or person from falling. This was identified at the July 2024 registration visit and continues to be a safety concern. The garden decking area is slippery, and the gate to the decking steps is ill-fitting and does not easily close.

p.3

improvement to be good

Leaders and managers have failed to refer serious concerns about members of staff to the local authority designated officer within an appropriate timeframe. The manager’s investigation of staff concerns took place without any external oversight. The management of these concerns does not reflect the centre’s safeguarding policy and deviates from the agreed procedure. Although appropriate action was taken to address poor staff practice, the lack of external oversight reduces the necessary safeguards for children and families.

p.3

improvement to be good

Some staff are not aware of the safeguarding procedures in relation to responding to concerns about the manager. The staff are not all aware of the conflict of interest policy. This is highly pertinent because the centre is managed by close family members. This does not support an open and transparent culture and could lead to the risk of safeguarding concerns not being appropriately responded to.

p.3

improvement to be good

Recruitment checks for permanent members of staff generally meet requirements. However, there is no written explanation for two gaps in employment for one staff member. Confirmation of agency staff recruitment checks is not fully in place. This does not ensure that all of the staff working at the centre have appropriate checks undertaken.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff focus on children’s welfare and safety throughout the assessment process. When necessary, staff intervene promptly to safeguard children. Staff support parents’ safety. This includes staff following clear guidance in relation to responding to acts of self-harm.

p.3

improvement to be good

Risk assessments are compiled that consider the suitability of families living together. These risk assessments include the risks that have been identified through the referral information for families. Suitable guidance is in place for staff in relation to reducing risks around parents’ substance abuse, domestic violence and mental health difficulties.

p.3

good

Inspection report for residential family centre: Blossom Lodge 4 The centre has been open since July 2024. The external quality assurance visits by the responsible individual require improvement. Two reports were not submitted to Ofsted within appropriate timescales. This has reduced Ofsted’s oversight of the operation of the centre. The extent of parent and staff consultation during the visit is unclear. Additionally, the visits have been undertaken by the home’s responsible individual, who conducts the parenting assessments. This is compounded further by the responsible individual and the registered manager having a conflict of interest. This fails to provide an independent or objective monthly report, therefore reducing the effectiveness of this external oversight.

p.4

good

The manager has failed to notify two serious safeguarding concerns about a member of staff to Ofsted without delay. This has reduced Ofsted’s ability to monitor the safeguarding arrangements.

p.4

good

Records are not consistently reviewed by leaders and managers. Two incidents that have involved the registered manager have not been independently reviewed. The records of these incidents lack clarity about the actions taken by leaders and managers. Parenting sessions are not always reviewed. Therefore, when parents have raised concerns, it is unclear if these concerns have been responded to and resolved.

p.4

good

Staff receive supervision sessions in line with the centre’s policy. However, the arrangements for the manager’s supervision are not delivered in accordance with the conflict of interest policy. Assurances given at the registration visit regarding who provides the manager’s supervision to avoid potential conflicts, have not been upheld.

p.4

good

Staff attend training to equip them with the skills they need to support the assessment process. All staff have attended safeguarding training. Staff have additional training in responding to self-harm and motivational interviewing techniques. However, some staff have not had mental health awareness or fire safety training in accordance with the training plan.

p.4

good

The centre is managed by a suitably qualified and experienced registered manager. The manager is supported by a responsible individual who is a qualified social worker with significant transferrable skills.

p.4

good

Two external professionals were positive about the quality of support provided to families. Both professionals highlighted good communication in regard to families’ progress. One professional said that written updates were prompt and detailed. Both professionals were positive about the centre and said that they would recommend the service. Inspection report for residential family centre: Blossom Lodge 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 prepare and implement a written child protection policy which—

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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)) 31 December

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person shall ensure that—

p.5

Requirement Due date

the premises to be used as the residential family centre are of sound construction and kept in a good state of repair externally and internally;

p.5

Requirement Due date

external grounds which are suitable for, and safe for use by, residents are provided and appropriately maintained. (Regulation 21 (2)(b)(j)) 10 January 2025

p.5

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 December

p.5

Requirement Due date

Visits under paragraph (1) or (2) shall [F1, as far as reasonably practicable,] take place at least once a month and may be unannounced.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The person carrying out the visit shall—

p.5

Requirement Due date

interview, with their consent and in private, such of the residents and persons working at the residential family centre as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the residential family centre; 10 January 2025 Inspection report for residential family centre: Blossom Lodge 6 The registered provider shall supply a copy of the report required to be made under paragraph (4)(c) to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

the [F5Chief Inspector]. (Regulation 25 (3) (4)(a) (5)(a))

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all matters under schedule 2 are completed for permanent staff. They should ensure that they have written confirmation from agencies that these checks have been completed prior to the deployment of an agency staff member. (Residential Family Centres: NMS 14.2)  The registered person should ensure that staff are equipped with the skills and experience required to meet the needs of the parents and their children and the purpose of the centre. (Residential Family Centres: NMS 16.1)  The registered person should ensure that suitable arrangements exist for the professional supervision of the registered manager. (Residential Family Centres: NMS 17.3)  The registered person should ensure that they regularly monitor, in line with the Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002, as amended, all records kept by the centre to ensure compliance with the centre’s policies, to identify any concerns

p.6

Recommendations

about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends. Immediate action should be taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring. (Residential Family Centres: NMS 19.2)  The registered person should take action to address any issue of concern that they identify or which is raised with them. (Residential Family Centres: NMS 19.7)

p.6

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: Blossom Lodge 7

p.6

Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Blossom Lodge Limited

p.7

Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: Office 4553, 321-323 High Road Chadwell Heath, Romford, England RM6 6AX

p.7

Residential family centre details

Email address: info@blossomlodgelimited.co.uk

p.7

Inspectors

Andrea Bounden, Social Care Inspector Mark Anderton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre: Blossom Lodge 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.

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 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 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8