Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage

Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 1 Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage Primrose Cottage, High Wych Road, Sawbridgeworth CM21 0HH

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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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 10 families. The centre uses the parent assessment manual and the ParentAssess framework to carry out parenting assessments. Parenting assessments take a minimum of 12 weeks.

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Information about this residential family centre

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2023.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out to address specific safeguarding concerns received by Ofsted. The inspector reviewed documents and spoke with staff and a parent.

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This monitoring visit

Along with the registered manager, a centre manager is in the process of registering with Ofsted. This provides continuity in the management arrangements.

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This monitoring visit

At this visit, no serious concerns were identified. Several aspects were raised in a complaint to Ofsted. However, there is no evidence to substantiate any of these concerns.

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This monitoring visit

Many aspects of the concerns raised have previously been investigated. These are now historical, as the parent left the centre over six months ago. This parent’s assessment ended because there was a lack of engagement with the parenting sessions and support offered. This started to disrupt other families’ assessments and well-being. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 2 The manager introduces the complaints procedure at the start of the assessment and makes sure that parents know how to raise concerns. Each family is allocated a key worker, who shows them how to escalate concerns. Complaints are promptly responded to. The acknowledgement letters demonstrate that complaints are thoroughly investigated and resolved within agreed time frames. Parents have regular opportunities to express their views about the centre and their assessments,

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This monitoring visit

which are used to make changes when possible. Several complaints detail the nature of the complaint, an initial response, and, when required, an investigation and outcome. This helps parents feel heard.

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This monitoring visit

The staff respond appropriately to parents’ health conditions. They work closely with other health professionals to understand and support parents. Staff have training in mental health awareness and autism awareness.

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This monitoring visit

Families receive clinical support from a psychologist. Records indicate that the psychologist has booked meetings with each family every week. These sessions positively contribute to the assessment process.

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This monitoring visit

The centre features a large surrounding garden and chalet-style accommodation on the grounds. A parent expressed concerns about rodents being present. The manager took swift action to remedy this issue. Clear records indicate that pest control contractors have been on site every month since the initial complaint 11 months ago. Rodent activity has since reduced, and the issue is now resolved. The gardens are well kept and provide a pleasant outdoor space for children to play. The inspector identified no maintenance concerns or hazards other than wear and tear to paintwork, for which a decorating programme is planned.

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This monitoring visit

Parents receive weekly summaries of their progress and provide their comments, if necessary. This ensures that parents are kept up to date throughout the assessment process. This was confirmed by a parent.

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This monitoring visit

The remaining requirements and recommendation were outside the scope of this visit and have not been reviewed. These are restated and will be reviewed at the next inspection. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 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 prepare and implement a written child protection policy which—

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Requirement Due date

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

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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))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure the prompt referral of allegations to the local authority designated officer. 9 June 2023

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (1), a person is not fit to work at a residential family centre unless—

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to him in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 2. (Regulation 16 (3)(d)) 9 June 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person shall maintain in respect of each family accommodated in the residential family centre a record which—

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Requirement Due date

is kept up to date. (Regulation 19 (1)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that weekly reports are shared with parents and social workers within agreed timescales. 23 June 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should consider parents’ views in relation to their health and well-being when designating and selecting staff administration days. (Residential family centres: NMS 6.2) Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 4

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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: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 5

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Savannah Lodge Limited

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 5A The Dells, South Street, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3AB

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Inspector

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Savannah Lodge - Primrose Cottage 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 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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