Aontacht Family Services

Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Aontacht Family Services 1 Aontacht Family Services

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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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 three families at any one time.

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Information about this residential family centre

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

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Information about this residential family centre

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

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Inspection date: 6 May 2025

Date of previous inspection: 16 December 2024

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out in response to information suggesting a possible breach of regulations. During the visit, the inspector focused on the action that leaders and managers have taken to safeguard one parent residing at the centre.

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This monitoring visit

A significant event occurred when leaders and managers admitted a parent who is a looked-after child to the centre, which was outside the conditions of the centre’s registration with Ofsted. Leaders and managers reviewed and updated the centre’s statement of purpose to reflect their intention to accept families outside the original registration conditions. This action was taken without discussion with the regulator.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers admitted the looked-after child to the centre four weeks prior to her parenting assessment commencing. ,. By the nature of the child being 14 years old, she would require care and accommodation for this period of time which is outside their statement of purpose. The provider’s statement of purpose identifies that they are ‘not able to provide a care provision to a looked-after child who is also a young parent (aged under 16 years old), as we would also be acting as loco parentis to that parent, who we are not registered to facilitate.’ Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Aontacht Family Services 2 Further concerns were identified regarding leaders and managers failing to notify the regulator following receipt of an allegation against the registered manager and staff. Although appropriate action has been taken by leaders to respond to this concern,

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This monitoring visit

this means that Ofsted is unable to scrutinise information in a timely way to ensure that children and families are being safeguarded.

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This monitoring visit

Prior to families moving into the centre, the registered manager completes a risk assessment. This identifies known risks for the family moving into the centre and considers the impact on other residents already staying there. This is a comprehensive document that considers staff skills, the needs and vulnerabilities of all families and identifies strategies to mitigate identified risks.

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This monitoring visit

Following the looked-after child moving into the centre, leaders and managers admitted another family to the centre despite the identified risks associated with this family that could have posed a risk to the looked-after child. Leaders and managers identified the potential risks yet still admitted the family to the centre, instead choosing to try to implement strategies to mitigate the risks.

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This monitoring visit

Safeguarding incidents in the centre are rare. When incidents do occur, staff respond effectively and appropriately, ensuring that relevant professionals are informed in a timely manner. Staff work closely with parents to help them understand potential risks and support them in developing strategies to reduce these risks throughout their stay. Parents have access to appropriate courses, direct work sessions and the consistent support of staff to develop their parenting skills.

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This monitoring visit

A previous recommendation implemented at the centre’s full inspection has not been considered during this visit. This remains in place and will be reviewed at the next inspection. Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Aontacht Family Services 3

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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 within the given timescales.

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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 August 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all new care staff have, or are working towards, a relevant qualification for their role within six months of confirmation of employment. (Residential family centres: NMS 16.5)

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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: Aontacht Family Services 4 Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Aontacht Family Services 5

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 107 Ack Lane West, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle SK8 7EU

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Residential family centre details

Responsible individual: Stephanie Kilheeney

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Inspector

Leanne Carr, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre – monitoring visit: Aontacht Family Services 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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