Family assessment centre 'still requires improvement to be good' - inspectors

A residential family assessment centre which works with the courts and local authorities has been told by inspectors it ‘still requires improvement to be good’. Privately-run Kaleidoscope Assessment Services Ltd in Stretford was visited on April 4 after it was deemed ‘inadequate’ in December 2022 followed by a monitoring inspection in January.

Then, inspectors found that ‘suitable action’ had been taken to meet three statutory compliance notices, but fell short on two more. It did not meet the requirement that the facility was managed with ‘sufficient care, competence and skill’.

“In particular, the registered person should ensure that monitoring arrangements for the centre meet requirements, clearly identify shortfalls and provide evidence for the action that has been taken to make improvements,” the report said.

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The centre also did not ‘establish and maintain a system for reviewing at appropriate intervals and improve the quality of care provided’. However, Kaleidoscope passed muster on ensuring the centre made ‘proper provision’ for the health and welfare of residents, and ‘making provision for the care, treatments, education and supervision of residents as is appropriate to their age and needs’.

It also complied with a requirement to consult with the fire authority and provide adequate means of escape. The report said that there is currently no registered manager for the centre. The acting manager has applied to register with Ofsted but is still waiting for an interview.

“The centre is not yet delivering good assessments of parenting capacity and/or is not delivering good care and help,” Ofsted said. “The weaknesses identified need to be addressed