Statement of Purpose of the Centre

Jamma Umoja

Statement of Purpose of the Centre

The residential family centre conducts assessments of parenting skill and capacity which are robust, fair and evidence-based according to the family’s individual needs.

1.Jamma Umoja means families in union in Swahili. Jamma Umoja was established in 1996 as a private limited company to provide social work services to families. They have two residential family assessment centres in South London. This centre is based at 94, Plaistow Lane, Bromley, Kent BR3 3JE. Tel: 020 8464 3882, Fax: 020 8464 3886. The registered manager is Hugh Hill email

2.Mrs Hill is the Registered Manager at the Croydon site and she also oversees the Referral and Assessment Business Admin team. She can be contacted by email at at our Head Office tel 02086394500.

3.The Registered Provider is Ms Linda Daley and she is based at the above address, email:

Ofsted

4.Jamma Umoja is a registered resource in line with the requirements of the Care Standards Act 2000 [CSA 2000], and was first registered by CSCI on 09.01.04.

5.Jamma Umoja is registered to take 9 families and is required to meet the National Minimum Care Standards for Family Centres (March 2013) as cited in the Regulations for Famiy Centres 2002. Jamma Umoja is inspected by Ofsted; our registration number is: SC052588. Our latest inspection report is 07.11.15 and can be found at

6.The overall findings were Good.

Complaints

7.If any parent, visitor or professional, has a complaint about Jamma Umoja they can address this directly to a manager where this will be addressed within the procedures,

8.They can also contact Ofsted:

9.In writing: Ofsted National Business Unit, Piccadily Gate, Store St, Manchester, M1 2WD

• By phone: 0300 123 1231
• By email:

10.They can also contact the Children’s Commissioner:

• In writing: Children’s Commissioner, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith St, London, SW1P 3BT
• By phone 0207 783 8330
• Or visit their website to contact them electronically at

Statement of the aims and objectives of the service

11.The residential family centre offers assessment and treatment services. Our aim is to provide an independent range of services in respect of children and their families, formulated to meet the needs of commissioners, service users, the courts and other professionals.

12.The assessment protocol within the residential units is based on the concept of “good enough parenting”. Each family is assessed on their ability to offer their child(ren) adequate care and to prioritise the needs of their child(ren). Assessments are structured around the ‘triangle’ within the ‘Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families’ (DOH 2000). Jamma Umoja offers a multi-dimensional programme which integrates a wide variety of specialisms and skills and incorporates up to date research, using the triangle’ as a framework to explore the three domains of parenting capacity, child’s needs and the environmental factors.

13.The work explores each individual child’s needs and each parent’(s) capacity to specifically meet that child’s needs now and in the future.

14.Over the years referrals have encompassed increasingly complex needs[1]. Jamma Umoja takes a holistic approach to needs / risk assessment, not only considering the day to day aspects of meeting a child’s basic needs but focusing on issues of risk in relation to the parent and the external environment. We aim to both empower and challenge. Outcomes are focused on prognosis of a parent’(s) capacity/potential capacity to meet their child’s global needs now and in the future, in the context of the child’s welfare and safety being the paramount consideration.

15.Effective management of timescales is a strong principle throughout the work, in terms of service delivery, the child’s developmental needs and the court timetable.

16.Many children are looked after and the subject of court proceedings. The work must be informed by a letter of instruction, even if there are no proceedings.

17.Jamma Umoja promotes diversity and anti-oppressive practice,working alongside parents, offering guidance and modelling behaviour. Theysupport the parent to explore their background history of experience of being parented, to identify and understand patterns within their own childhood, which have or could potentially replay themselves in their current family.

18.From the outset Jamma Umoja aims to have a transparent and coherent structure to the process, via the admission process including written referral and a Planning Meeting. Service users are given regular sessions for reflection and feedback. The programme is formally reviewed on a planned basis.[2]

The criteria for admission

19.Jamma Umoja will consider working with any adult(s) who are the parent / carer of a child(ren). There is no maximum or minimum age. A risk assessment is always carried out to determine whether the risks are manageable.

20.Where the parent / partner has a history of offending or being considered a serious risk, even if there were no convictions,there might need to be a MARAC and specialist assessment by an expert prior to admission.

21.Some parents undertake a period of viability and have supervised contact as a pre-assessment and / or whilst undergoing a risk assessment with Mr Finer.

22.The unit can take service users with mild to moderate disability issues.

23.Jamma Umoja has a long history of working with adults with complex needs. Parents who have substance misuse difficulties can be admitted on a Methadone programme.

RISK MANAGEMENT

24.Jamma Umoja has a duty of care to safeguard children and vulnerable adults and has an excellent reputation in this area. We have robust safeguarding procedures and are able to make expert assessments of risk, both as part of the ongoing day to day safeguarding process, as well as in formulating prognoses around current and future risks to child(ren).

25.Alan Finer, a very experienced psychologist, is part of the team. He is able to offer initial risk assessments prior to admission or during the placement. He is also able to offer comprehensive psychological assessments as an independent piece of work.

CCTV

26.In order to safeguard residents and their children we use CCTV monitoring in their rooms. Agreement is sought for this from the service user on admission.

Bag / Room searches

27.We also ask service users to sign a form agreeing to their room being searched or their bag if there is any reason to suspect that the service user is hiding something which could put the child at risk / is illegal / is prohibited by Working Agreement and JU policy eg drugs, alcohol, undeclared medication, weapon, covert media devices.

Media surveillance

28.Many of our parents have a history of domestic abuse, as a victim or perpetrator. The success of their assessment may be predicated by a Working Together Agreement based on the understanding that contact with their past abuser / victim may lead to a termination of placement. This can lead to service users obtaining undeclared devices phones etc and using them covertly. Jamma Umoja will ask to see the call and message history on such devices. They may also explore their social media accounts where accessible. We understand that this presents a serious level of intrusion on one’s private life but is triggered where senior staff believe that a child may be at serious future risk if these investigative steps are not taken.

Substance Misuse Testing

29.Where substance misuse is an issue we will undertake regular urine screening tests on a random basis. A testing regime will be agreed at the planning stage and reviewed on a formal basis.

30.Staff are trained in these techniques. All results will be shown to the service user at the time. Positive tests will be sent to LGC for lab testing to provide chain of custody evidence.

31.Breathalyser tests will be used on a random basis where there issues of alcohol abuse.

32.Service users will be tested if there is any concern that they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

33.The court may agree to hair strand testing as part of the proceedings. This needs to be commissioned outside of this assessment.

Waking Night Staff

34.Jamma Umoja has waking night staff overnight. They are available to all families and they monitor the safety of children and vulnerable adults throughout the night.

Dedicated Waking Nights

20.This may be part of 1:1 monitoring or stand alone. This ensures that staff are present with parents at all times when baby is awake overnight. A 30 minute detailed chronology is maintained of all interventions and all care tasks are supervised. If the risks are very high this may involve keeping the child overnight.

21.A baby monitor with audio /visual display will be placed on the cotin the family room and monitored by staff.

22.Staff will offer parents advice, guidance and encouragement to support them in the care of their child(ren).

Reporting Safeguarding Incidents

23.All potential safeguarding incidents are reported initially via phone call and /or email at the earliest possible time.

24.They are followed up by a written incident sheet.

25.Jamma Umoja has a round the clock system of management cover, onsite and on-call.

26.Safeguarding issues will be notified to EDT when incidents occur out of hours.

Emergency services

27.The police will be contacted where staff believe a crime may have potentially taken place; where a child / parent goes missing; where a looked after child has absconded.

28.The police will be summoned for assistance in any incident where assistance is needed to protect children / parents / staff.

29.Suitable medical advice and assistance will be sought for any child or adult requiring it, in partnership with adult family members, or independently depending on the circumstances.

Bromley’s Staff Team

30.Families are assessed by staff from a range of social care and social work backgrounds. We also employ a full time psychologist who is able to offer a range of services.

31.Our staff reflect the diverse service user population they are working with. This enables us to offer culturally sensitive assessments and to reassure parents that their religious and cultural needs will be understood and respected. Staff are able to undertake direct work in other languages but where English is a second language the local authority is asked to provide some interpreting hours.

Hugh Hill – Registered Manager

32.Hughis registered with hcpc. He has been co-managing Jamma Umoja’s services with Karen Hill since 2003. You would meet him right from the planning stage of the assessment and he is involved with the management of all assessments, undertaking direct work with parents with regard to the most challenging areas of the case. Hugh and the team are in continual dialogue to ensure that risk is managed and children and vulnerable parents are safe and supported. He pioneered the Men’s Group and has been inspired by the transforming journey that many of our male residents make in their time in Jamma.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Social Work (1996)
• Practice Teacher Award 1998
• Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies with an NVQ5 in Operational Management (2006).
• He is also trained in Family Therapy.
• Qualified Family Group Conference Facilitator.
• Hugh has undertaken over 50 short courses in social work and management related issues.
• Undertaken training in Domestic Violence by DVIP.
• Undertaken training via the NHS in working with couples with depression.

33.Experience

34.Hugh was previously a manager in the local authority. He has many years of experience working with children and families, as well as substance misuse and mental health.

35.He has been managing services at Jamma Umoja for the last 13 years.

36.He has exceptional experience in giving evidence in court proceedings.

Linda Daley – Registered Provider

37.Linda has many years previously as a manager in children’s services. As a former operations manager at JU, Linda provides cover for her manager colleagues.

38.She oversees training and development for all grades of staff around a wide area of subjects.

39.She runs a student unit and Practice Educates social work students at both centres.

40.Linda is also involved in writing and quality assuring families’ assessment reports.

41.She is an experienced manager with specialist skills in mental health and complex case work.

42.She has exceptional experience in giving evidence in care proceedings.

43.She facilitates the weekly Wellbeing and Substance Misuse Group on both sites, which offers service users work around a wide variety of issues including relapse prevention, as well as mental health and general wellbeing.

Qualifications

• BA Hons Sociology and Social Studies & Diploma in Applied Social Studies and CQSW (1976)
• Approved Social Worker (1985),
• Diploma in Management Studies (1991)
• Practice Teacher Award (2005)
• MSc Advanced Social Work (2012).

44.Psychologist
Alan R Finer, Consultant Psychologist, is a qualified teacher and professional psychologist, with Master Degrees in Developmental Psychology, Educational and Child psychology and Education. He is employed as a Consultant Psychologist, offering advice and consultation to staff and or direct work with service users. He also carries out independent psychological assessments. He is able to provide a psychological assessment of relationships between parents and children and has specialist expertise in offering advice around working with children with very complex behavioural needs.

Senior Consultant Tara Wade

45.Tara is a qualified social worker, who is part of the senior management team, providing support to the Registered Managers, offering training, supervision and management support. She has many years of experienceincluding previous management experience in residential children’s settings. She also has exceptional experience giving evidence in proceedings.

Case Managers

46.D Bis a qualified social worker with 6 years post qualifying experience and a background in social care. She is currently on maternity leave. She has experience both at JU and as a practitioner in a local authority child protection team. She has completed Part I of her Practice Educator course. She has a Diploma in Domestic Violence; and has undertaken many short courses including in Attachment Training; and Child Sexual Exploitation. She is a case manager working to Hugh Hill managing the overall assessments of families allocated to her and managing day to day operations at the unit. She has extensive experience in managing operations, cases, report writing and giving evidence.

47.J His a qualified social worker with 3 years post-qualifying experience. She has worked for Jamma Umoja since 2013.

48.RAqualified in 2014 and has worked for Jamma Umoja since then. She has undertaken training in-house training in Safeguarding, Fire Awareness, Report Writing, and Triple P.

49.M S joined Jamma Umoja in

Operations Manager

50.W R joined JU in 2006. He has a background in social care prior to joining the organisation. He has a BSc in Clinical and Community Psychology. NVQ3 Drugs and Alcohol; NVQ3 Caring for Children; NVQ3 promoting independence; GNVQ advanced diploma in health and social care; NVQ3 catering and hospitality – food preparation and cooking. He has undertaken a range of other courses including training in non-violent crisis intervention, safeguarding, handling medication, drug testing, health and safety, First Aid, Child Sexual Abuse, HIV and AIDS; her is PAMs trained;

51.WR manages the day to day staff /service user operations, ensuring there are sufficient staff to cover all appointments, and he unit’s monitoring and supervising needs. He also facilitates key groups: Breakfast group which brings all the residents together on Monday morning for a communal meal where WR ‘kicks off’ the week to remind service users of why they are there and offer motivational input; as well as Think Space on Wednesday morning, a shared reflective learning space using CBT skills.

Family Assessment Practitioners

52.The general duties of FAPs are to protect and promote the welfare of children and their carers and contribute to their assessment working on a shift pattern to provide constant cover.

53.They undertake direct work with adult service users and children to contribute to the overall assessment teaching parenting skills, escorting families out to appointments, shopping and to children’s resources. Many of our long standing staff undertake direct work in key work sessions as they have a significant level of experience. They support families to budget, obtain benefits, and develop an understanding of why they are in assessment and how they can make progress.

54.They provide day to day emotional support to families who may be experiencing distress, working through painful issues. The also look after the children during groups or when parents have to go out of the centre to appointments eg court, external assessments etc.

55.They maintain the unit’s daily logs.

56.Our current Day staff are as follows:

57.M Ljoined in April 2015; he is educated to Degree level. He worked from 2013-15 at a Pupil Referral Unit as a Teaching Assistant and Mentor. He is about to complete his Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Children and Young People’s Social Care. M L has attended training in Triple P; Safeguarding; Communication, Observation and Recording.

58.N K has a history of working in social care since 2008, as a Nursery Assistant and a Teaching Assistant in primary school working particularly with children with special needs. She worked with young people as a key worker doing support work. She has a degree in Sociology (2009); GNVQ intermediate certificate in Health and Social Care. She has nearly completed her Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Children and Young People’s Social Care. She has undertaken Triple P training 2015; Paediatric First Aid 2015; Communication, Observation and Recording 2015.

59.S A-J-P obtained a law degree (2014). She is a French national and has worked tutoring in French and English. Whilst in France over a period of 4 years she looked after the children of various families. She has been at Jamma Umoja for over a year. She is part way through her Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Children and Young People’s Social Care. She undertooktraining in Triple P; Communication, Recording and Observation and Safeguarding.