Autumn House

Inspection report for residential family centre: 1256770 1 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 that promote the welfare of children.

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Information about this residential family centre

At the time of this inspection, two families were in residence and parents were spoken to by inspectors.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and parents, taking into account good

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Overall experiences and progress of

How well children and parents are helped and protected good

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Overall experiences and progress of

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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Overall experiences and progress of

The residential family centre provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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Overall experiences and progress of

Date of previous inspection: 15 November 2022

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Overall experiences and progress of

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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Overall experiences and progress of

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for residential family centre: 1256770 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staff welcome families to the centre sensitively. Wherever possible, they arrange for parents to visit beforehand and provide information prior to the move. When this is not possible, staff share the essential information at the earliest opportunity and introduce themselves through video calls or in-person visits.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staff and the assessing social worker ensure families clearly understand the assessment process and what is expected of them throughout their stay. Families know what they are doing well and what they need to improve next. Staff give families regular opportunities to read and challenge anything written about them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Assessments are evidence-based and include a clear rationale for each recommendation. Most families stay for the full duration of their assessment. When they do not, staff record clear reasons for the early ending and ensure that children's safety is prioritised.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staff build positive relationships with families. Staff and managers gather feedback about families' experiences in the centre. Families consistently report that staff are supportive, non-judgemental and helpful, and that staff play a key role in helping them learn new skills and make meaningful life changes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staff hold regular meetings with parents to gather their views. Parents feel confident raising issues both within and outside these meetings. Staff respond promptly to concerns, such as addressing night-time noise. This helps families feel listened to and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

The environment meets the needs of parents and children. It includes age-appropriate toys and equipment for young children, and private spaces where parents can meet professionals. The centre is safe and free from hazards.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staff support families to meet children's health needs, including attending routine and specialist health appointments. They also help parents learn to manage their own health needs and address concerns such as substance misuse.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff support parents to understand risks and work with them to reduce these throughout their time in the centre. Parents have access to appropriate courses that develop their parenting skills and knowledge, alongside consistent staff support.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff encourage families to attend and engage in a range of activities, including local community groups. This support is effective, and risks reduce for most families living at the centre.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff consistently follow clear risk-management plans that set out each family's vulnerabilities and the actions needed to manage risks. When issues arise between Inspection report for residential family centre: 1256770 3 parents, staff take effective action to address concerns, including using mediation to resolve conflict. Managers respond promptly and proactively to complaints, providing clear rationale for all decisions.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Medication is stored safely, and staff complete regular audits to check stock levels. Although there have been two medication-administration errors, staff addressed them appropriately and implemented new systems to prevent recurrence.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff clearly explain emergency procedures to parents on arrival, ensuring that all parents know what to do in an emergency.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff manage incidents effectively, and records show clear actions taken. However, several notifiable incidents have not been reported to Ofsted. This limits external scrutiny and reduces assurance that children are fully safeguarded.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff have a strong understanding of each family's risks and needs. Risks are identified before families arrive, however, the manager does not assess how each new family will fit with those already living in the centre.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff monitor CCTV closely to maintain children's safety. However, the approach is not individualised, and there is limited review of whether monitoring is purposeful or proportionate to each family's needs. As a result, some families' privacy may be compromised unnecessarily.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, leadership at the home has changed. The previous registered manager left in July 2025. An interim manager is now in post and has submitted an application to register with Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders, managers and staff are knowledgeable about the families in the centre and work proactively to achieve positive assessments. Families and professionals speak highly of the staff team, reflecting the team's dedication and consistent support. Parents say they feel supported, understand their assessment plans and goals, and are involved in day-to-day planning. Staff help parents understand the concerns being assessed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff access a wide range of training, including training specific to meet the individual needs of children and families. They also participate in external training to support their professional development. There is also a robust induction in place that helps staff understand their responsibilities and meet families' needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers provide regular, good-quality supervision that enables reflective practice. Leaders and managers consistently monitor the quality of recording, assessment and support. They address any shortfalls in staff practice promptly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers ensure all staff are suitably vetted, so only safe and appropriate adults work with parents and children. Staff work effectively together to provide stability and consistency for families in the centre. Inspection report for residential family centre: 1256770 4 Multi-agency working is strong. Leaders and managers build effective relationships with external professionals to secure the best outcomes for children, including sourcing specialist support when needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although independent visits to the centre occur monthly, the quality of reports from these visits do not support improvement and limits external scrutiny by the regulator to ensure that children are kept safe. Inspection report for residential family centre: 1256770 5

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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, 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

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)) 12 March 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any methods of supervision, including the use of surveillance systems are regularly reviewed to ensure that its use is proportionate dependent on progress. ('Residential Family Centres National Minimum Standards,' page 7, paragraph 1.11)  The registered person should ensure that the centre only admits families where they are satisfied that they can meet the assessed needs and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing families staying at the centre. ('Residential Family Centres National Minimum Standards,' page 14, paragraph 7.2)  The registered person should ensure that the written report of visits carried out under Regulation 25 are purposeful and include an assessment of the support provided to families at the centre. ('Residential Family Centres National Minimum Standards,' page 29, paragraph 19.5)

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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: 1256770 6

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Inspectors

Leanne Carr, Social Care Inspector Julie Elder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre: 1256770 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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