Ohana Parental Assessment Centre

Inspection report for residential family centre: Ohana Parental Assessment Centre 1 Ohana Parental Assessment Centre Ohana Parental Assessment Centre Limited 53 Palmers Drive, Grays RM17 5RA 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 offers care, accommodation and residential parenting assessments for up to two 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.

p.1

Information about this residential family centre

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2021, at the same time the centre opened.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and parents, taking into account inadequate

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

How well children and parents are helped and protected inadequate

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

There are serious failures that mean children and parents are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and/or the care and experiences of children and parents are poor.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

Date of previous inspection: 8 October 2024

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for residential family centre: Ohana Parental Assessment Centre 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: inadequate

This inspection was brought forward to address specific concerns received by Ofsted.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: inadequate

Since the last inspection, two families have moved in, and two families have left the centre. One of these families moved on before their assessment was finished due to safeguarding concerns relating to their parenting capacity.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: inadequate

At the time of this inspection, there was one family at the centre. The overall judgement of inadequate reflects significant failures in the staff’s safeguarding responses regarding children’s safety and welfare. There are serious and repeated shortfalls in the manager’s monitoring and oversight. These failures have increased the risk of harm to children.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: inadequate

One parent has recently finished their assessment. The parent’s capacity was assessed within a designated time frame. The assessment was carried out in accordance with local authority instructions. An independent qualified social worker wrote the final report, which incorporates evidence-based methods that demonstrate how the final recommendations are made.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: inadequate

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.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: inadequate

Parents regularly attend local group sessions. These include rhyme time and baby massage groups. Some parents have attended programmes to develop their understanding of domestic violence and substance misuse.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: inadequate

One parent said their experience at the centre was positive. They said that they had a planned welcome and a clear induction. The parent believes that parenting sessions delivered by the staff have been helpful in developing their parenting skills.

p.2

How well children and parents are helped and protected: inadequate

Children have been left at risk of harm. On one occasion, staff did not intervene for several hours after observing a concerning incident between a parent and a child. The child was harmed, and staff did not follow safeguarding procedures or the guidance in the family’s risk assessment to promptly intervene and provide assurances for the child’s welfare and safety. Staff did not seek appropriate medical attention to protect the child’s welfare for more than 24 hours. This increased the risk of harm to the child during this time.

p.2

How well children and parents are helped and protected: inadequate

The manager did not gather further information in relation to this incident within an appropriate time frame. This failure means that staff practice shortfalls were not Inspection report for residential family centre: Ohana Parental Assessment Centre 3 initially recognised, and necessary safeguards were not implemented in line with the centre’s safeguarding policy. A referral to the local authority designated officer was delayed by eight days. As a result, essential external oversight was not in place when it should have been.

p.2

How well children and parents are helped and protected: inadequate

On another occasion, staff did not intervene when there were indicators of a risk of harm to a child. The lack of action by staff demonstrates that children’s safety is not prioritised.

p.3

How well children and parents are helped and protected: inadequate

The manager does not ensure that all safe recruitment processes for permanent staff are followed. One permanent staff member started work before the manager received one of the two references that are required. Agency staff work infrequently at the centre. However, on one occasion when agency staff were used, the manager did not seek full written confirmation from the agency that all the required checks had been carried out. This could lead to unsuitable people working at the centre.

p.3

How well children and parents are helped and protected: inadequate

Risk assessments are compiled by leaders and managers that consider the suitability of families living together. These risk assessments include the risks that have been identified through the families’ referral information.

p.3

How well children and parents are helped and protected: inadequate

Leaders and managers have reviewed surveillance methods. The policy now includes scope to review the use of surveillance in line with parents’ progress and risks.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The centre’s management lacks the necessary competence to comply with regulations and provide adequate safeguards to support good assessments. The manager and staff have failed to demonstrate sufficient understanding of indicators of physical and emotional abuse and how to act on them to protect children.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There are several failures identified in the leadership and management of the centre. The staff write weekly summaries that do not always align with their daily monitoring records. An incident record shared with a placing authority contains inaccurate information regarding the staff’s actions when responding to a significant safeguarding concern. A further incident record involving concerns raised by a parent relating to the manager has not been independently reviewed. This reduces confidence that the issue was objectively responded to. The language used in observation records compiled by staff is inconsistent and does not provide clarity in the severity of any concerns identified and actions that have been subsequently taken. The absence of effective managerial monitoring and oversight raises serious concerns about the reliability of the information shared by leaders and managers at this centre.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers failed to notify the placing authority promptly and provide accurate information relating to a serious incident. This reduced the placing authority’s ability to agree on prompt action to safeguard the child. One notification to Ofsted omitted crucial information about staff practice shortfalls. This affected Inspection report for residential family centre: Ohana Parental Assessment Centre 4 Ofsted’s ability to ensure that appropriate safeguarding arrangements are in place to protect children.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager’s overview of the centre, as reflected in the quality of care review, is overly optimistic. The manager concludes that staff’s recent responses to safeguarding concerns were prompt and effective. This indicates that the manager does not have realistic oversight of the support provided at the centre.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The safeguarding policy provides incorrect guidance for staff on how to report any concerns about the manager. This was highlighted at previous inspections. This raises concerns about the manager’s ability to thoroughly review procedures.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Several external professionals have expressed concerns about the manager’s practice and approach. This includes challenges in the manager’s self-regulation when responding to parents who are experiencing high emotion. Professionals have highlighted that the manager is resistant to feedback and does not always collaborate with them in the best interests of families.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Despite serious failures identified at this inspection, staff say they feel supported by leaders and managers. Staff receive regular formal supervision and attend planned training. Staff report that this has helped develop their skills and given them space to reflect on their practice.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Given the seriousness of shortfalls identified at this inspection, the provider is likely to face enforcement action. Inspection report for residential family centre: Ohana Parental Assessment Centre 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 make arrangements for residents to have access to such medical advice or treatment as may be necessary.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person shall make arrangements, by training persons working at the residential family centre or by other measures, to prevent residents being harmed or suffering abuse or being placed at risk of harm or abuse. (Regulation 11 (1) (5)) 9 May 2025

p.5

Requirement Due date

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

liaison and co-operation with any local authority which is making child protection enquiries in relation to any child accommodated in the residential family centre;

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

written records to be kept of any allegation of abuse or neglect, and of the action taken in response;

p.5

Requirement Due date

arrangements to be made for residents and persons working at the residential family centre, to have access at all times 9 May 2025 Inspection report for residential family centre: Ohana Parental Assessment Centre 6 and in an appropriate form, to information which would enable them to contact the local authority in whose area the residential family centre is situated, or the, concerning the welfare or safety of children accommodated in the residential family centre. (Regulation 12 (a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(d)(g))

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered provider and the registered manager shall, having regard to the size of the residential family centre, the statement of purpose, and the number and needs of the residents, carry on or manage the centre (as the case may be) with sufficient care, competence and skill. (Regulation 8 (1)) 9 May 2025

p.6

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)) 9 May 2025

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

includes the information, documents and other records specified in Schedule 3 relating to the members of the family;

p.6

Requirement Due date

is kept up to date. (Regulation 19 (1)(a)(b)) 9 May 2025

p.6

Requirement Due date

employ a person to work at the residential family centre unless that person is fit to work at a family centre; or

p.6

Requirement Due date

allow a person to work to whom paragraph (2) applies, to work at the residential family centre unless that person is fit to work at the residential family centre.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This paragraph applies to any person who is employed by a person other than the registered person in a position in which he may in the course of his duties have regular contact with residents.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to him in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 2. 9 May 2025 Inspection report for residential family centre: Ohana Parental Assessment Centre 7 (Regulation 16 (1)(a)(b) (2) (3)(d))

p.6

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the manager regularly monitors, 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 and to identify any concerns about specific incidents. Immediate action should be taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring. (Residential family centres: NMS 19.2)

p.7

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: Ohana Parental Assessment Centre 8

p.7

Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Ohana Parental Assessment Centre Limited

p.8

Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 53 Palmers Drive, Grays RM17 5RA

p.8

Residential family centre details

Email address: ohanacarecentre@outlook.com

p.8

Inspectors

Mark Anderton, Social Care Inspector Andrea Bounden, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre: Ohana Parental Assessment Centre 9 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.8

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.9

Inspectors

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

p.9

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9