Safespace Living Ltd

Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Safespace Living Ltd 1 Safespace Living Ltd 137 Hither Green Lane, London SE13 6QF

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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 by a private company that specialises in providing parenting assessments. This centre provides care and support for up to three families. The centre offers a broad range of support, including on-site counselling. The centre can also assist with community-based assessments.

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Information about this residential family centre

The centre and the manager registered with Ofsted in November 2023.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out to address specific concerns received by Ofsted. At the time of this visit, three families were being assessed at the centre.

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This monitoring visit

As a result of this monitoring visit, one requirement and four recommendations have been raised. One recommendation raised at the last inspection was not reviewed at this visit and has been restated.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager, responsible individual, several staff members and some parents currently resident at the centre were interviewed during this monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers acknowledge that there have been previous challenges related to staff culture in the centre that created instability within the team. These issues prompted changes in both senior and operational management arrangements. The management changes are not reflected in the centre’s current statement of purpose. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Safespace Living Ltd 2 Leaders and managers have commissioned mentoring and reflective development sessions from an external social care consultant. Additionally, external training on professional boundaries and communication has been arranged for all staff.

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This monitoring visit

Staff describe the management team as ‘welcoming’ and ‘supportive’. One new staff member said, ‘If I had an issue to raise here, I feel able to do so and management will listen.’ Staff said that they receive regular supervision and describe the registered manager and responsible individual as ‘approachable’ and ‘understanding’.

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This monitoring visit

Parents report feeling welcomed into the centre and describe having positive relationships with staff. Complaints are addressed promptly; however, parents do not always receive formal written outcomes of their complaints.

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This monitoring visit

Safeguarding incidents are managed effectively, with timely notifications to Ofsted and external agencies, including the local authority designated officer. Leaders and managers collaborate with external agencies and commission independent investigations when necessary to review the centre’s safeguarding practices. These investigations have identified additional training needs and informed management actions. Despite this positive practice around reviewing the centre’s practice, the monthly regulation 25 reports have not been consistently undertaken and shared with Ofsted as required.

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This monitoring visit

At the last inspection, there were issues around the centre’s recording systems, which remain. Due to leadership changes, not all archived records can be accessed. A new electronic system has been introduced but is not yet fully operational. There have been some issues with managers’ access, and some accident and incident records are not easily accessible or sufficiently detailed.

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This monitoring visit

Staffing levels are adequate, and rotas are planned up to three months in advance. There have been some issues relating to shift planning that have been addressed, with leaders and managers providing clarification to individual staff when required. Staff report positively on management’s flexibility regarding shift arrangements.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have regular access to emotional support and counselling through the centre’s in-house psychologist.

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This monitoring visit

Family bedrooms are spacious, well furnished and decorated appropriately. However, some safety hazards were noted during this monitoring visit, including one ill-fitting stairgate on the ground floor, poorly fitted doors on a cupboard and an unsecured staff fridge placed on top of another appliance.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders have taken effective steps to improve staff culture and safeguarding practices. Identified shortfalls are being actively addressed by the provider. There are no concerns that families are at risk of harm. Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Safespace Living Ltd 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

Where the registered provider is an individual, but is not in day to day charge of the residential family centre, he shall visit the residential family centre in accordance with this regulation.

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Requirement Due date

Where the registered provider is an organisation or a partnership, the residential family centre shall be visited in accordance with this regulation by—

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Requirement Due date

the responsible individual or one of the partners, as the case may be;

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Requirement Due date

another of the directors or other persons responsible for the management of the organisation or partnership; or

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Requirement Due date

an employee of the organisation or partnership who is not directly concerned with the conduct of the residential family centre.

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The person carrying out the visit shall—

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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 to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the residential family centre;

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Requirement Due date

inspect the premises of the residential family centre, its daily log of events and records of any complaints; and 31 December Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Safespace Living Ltd 4 prepare a written report on the conduct of the residential family centre.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider shall supply a copy of the report required to be made under paragraph to—

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Requirement Due date

the Chief Inspector. (Regulation 25 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (3) (4)(a)(b)(c) (5)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that monthly visits take place consistently and that the reports are regularly shared with Ofsted as required.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the residential family centre has a clear statement of purpose that accurately reflects the management and staffing structure. (Residential family centres: NMS 8.1)  The registered person should ensure that avoidable hazards are removed as is consistent with a domestic setting. (Residential family centres: NMS 11.2)  The registered person should ensure that the retention of files and the management and access to information held on electronic recording systems meet the needs of the centre. There should be a system in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of record-keeping and action should be taken when needed. (Residential family centres: NMS 20.2)  The registered person should ensure that parents receive prompt feedback and a written response regarding any concerns or complaints they have raised. (Residential family centres: NMS 2.4)  The registered person should ensure that there is a written development plan that

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Recommendations

is reviewed annually. (Residential family centres: NMS 20.2)

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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: Safespace Living Ltd 5

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider: SafeSpace Living Ltd

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: 22-26 Bank Street, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5EA

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Residential family centre details

Registered manager: Regina Gallagher-Sanders

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Inspector

Amanda Burrows, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre - monitoring visit: Safespace Living Ltd 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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