Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Sheiling Special Education Trust in Dorset

Unique reference number SC472485 Inspector Emeline Evans Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Registered manager Corine Van Barneveld Date of last inspection N/A 2 of 11 Inspection date 03/06/2014

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Previous inspection N/A Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness adequate

Outcomes for children and young people good Quality of care adequate Keeping children and young people safe adequate Leadership and management adequate

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Overall effectiveness

Although the overall judgement is adequate there are a number of strengths that provide young people with a sound service. Young people are supported by a stable and experienced staff team. The Registered Manager and staff are committed to improving outcomes for young people. Staff are child-centred in their approach and consistently concerned with the welfare of the young people. Young people are clearly settled and comfortable in their environment and it is apparent they benefit from caring members of staff who know them well.

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Overall effectiveness

Staff support young people in making significant progress across many aspects of their lives. Achievements have been seen in young people’s behaviours, their social interactions and the development of their independence skills. Staff use different ways to gain the views of the young people and enable them to make a choice and therefore influence the running of the home.

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Overall effectiveness

Placement plans are comprehensive. However, shortfalls were identified within one health protocol. This does not detail clear instructions for staff to follow in the event of the young person requiring medical assistance. The school nurse has recently resigned and the home is currently recruiting to this position. Shortfalls were identified in the management of young people's medications. In addition, training in relation to health matters is not comprehensive and in some cases staff were unclear 3 of 11 of their responsibilities in this area.

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Overall effectiveness

Other areas of shortfall were identified within this inspection and are reflected in the overall judgement. The management team are aware of the home’s weaknesses and are committed to further improve outcomes for the young people and provide a high quality service.

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Overall effectiveness

Recommendations have also been raised to improve outcomes for young people. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

The service is a residential special school registered as a children's home. It provides residential care and education for up to 45 children of either gender who have complex learning difficulties and/or may have physical disabilities. Residential accommodation is provided in four separate houses, all of which have their own dedicated staff teams. The principles underpinning the care and education provided at the school are inspired by Rudolf Steiner.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

4 (2001) update the Statement of Purpose to ensure that it includes all the criteria required by regulation (Regulation 4(1) (Schedule 1)) 14/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) promote and protect the physical health of children accommodated in the home. In particular, ensure clear guidelines are available for staff on how to support young people during health emergencies and any changes are agreed by health professionals (Regulation (20)(1)) 14/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that there is secure evidence of the safe arrangements for the recording, handling and safekeeping of medications (Regulation 21(1)) 14/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure all parts of the home to which children have access are so far as reasonably practicable free from hazards to their health and safety (Regulation 23(a)) 14/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the registered person shall not employ a person to work at the children’s home unless that 14/07/2014 5 of 11 person is fit to work at a children’s home and all relevant checks and information is obtained when using agency staff as detailed in Schedule 2 (Regulation 26)(3)(d))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed by the registered person receive appropriate training. In particular this relates to training in first aid, emergency medication and administration of oxygen. (Regulation 27 (4) (a)) 28/07/2014

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure the home provides a comfortable and homely environment. This specifically relates to reviewing the locks on the bedroom doors to ensure the can be locked and opened from the inside and removing wooden bars from tw windows (NMS 10.3)  ensure the registered person has a system in place to notify within 24 hours t persons and appropriate authorities of the occurrence of significant events in accordance with Regulation 30. The system includes what to do where the notifiable event arises at weekends (NMS 24.1)  ensure a written record is kept which includes details of the action taken, and outcome of any action or investigation, following a significant event. (NMS 24 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Outcomes for young people are good. Young people benefit from highly-individualised support which helps them develop their life and social skills and they make significant progress. Staff understand and interpret the very individual and complex needs of the young people; this enables young people to make progress in many areas of their lives.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Staff recognise this progress and give various examples of how young people have developed and moved on, both with their achievements and in their confidence. Young people have made significant progress in relation to their ability to communicate and other young people in their independent skills. For example, one young people is now able to verbalise some words and others are now able to facilitate their own personal care routines.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The staff encourage and support young people to make healthy lifestyle choices through physical exercise and a nutritious diet. Young people are involved in contributing to the menu and are supported in food preparation; this assists in developing independent skills. Meal times are seen as social occasions and provide an opportunity to develop new social skills, and young people are encouraged and supported to make decisions in order to maximise their independence.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make progress with their education. They live in an environment where their progress is valued and promoted and their educational outcomes significantly improve. Attendance at the school on site is excellent and young people benefit from living in an environment where school attendance and the value of education are embedded in the culture.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Staff ensure young people are supported to engage in community-based activities. Young people talk enthusiastically about the activities they undertake; these opportunities mean that young people’s experiences of social interaction are further enhanced. These activities include holidays, trips to the oceanarium, horse riding and shopping trips. Comments from young people include, ‘we go out a lot; it’s fun.’

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are supported to learn and consolidate invaluable life and social care skills within the home. Young people are encouraged to contribute to the running of the home with some chores, for example, washing up, laying the table and doing the laundry. These are individualised and supported by staff. As a result, young people make good progress in their social and independence skills.

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Quality of care adequate

7 of 11 The young people benefit from good supportive relationships from committed members of staff. Comments from parent’s include, ‘lovely people who work there, they do their best,’ ‘the staff and environment provides a perfect setting to thrive,’ and ‘all staff are extremely professional and caring.’ Observations were indicative of the trusting and fulfilling relationships established between the young people and staff.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people use a range of communication methods including pictures and schedules. Staff adapt and personalise these methods according to the young people’s level of understanding. Young people are supported to make choices in many aspects of their care including the choice of staff they work with, the activities they take part in and the meals they eat. Young people are encouraged to express their views and feelings in the running of the home. Staff use ‘voice and choice’ forms, this results in young people feeling their views are actively sought and acted upon.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people’s individual care needs are identified and detailed within comprehensive placement plans. These plans take into account the diverse and complex needs of the young people including their medical, health and cultural needs. However, in one instance the health protocol from a consultant in relation to a young person’s medical condition was not clear. This does not detail clear instructions for staff to follow in the event of the young person requiring assistance. In addition, staff were not confident in the procedure to follow. Some recent changes have been agreed with regard to procedures, these have not been signed as agreed by a health care professional. Staff work closely with the therapy team on site to support the young people’s health and emotional needs. One parent commented, ‘they have adapted very well to my child’s needs.’

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Quality of care adequate

Following the resignation of the school nurse, a manager is overseeing the school’s surgery in the interim. The organisation is in the process of recruiting to this position. There are some shortfalls regarding the management of young people's medications. Records relating to the administration and audits of controlled medication are not fully completed. In addition, up-to-date evidence of stock control was not in place across the homes. Improvements are required to strengthen current systems in place and for compliance with policies and procedures.

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Quality of care adequate

The home is placed in a spacious setting, which offer various opportunities for young people to explore. There are presently four separate houses providing accommodation across the site. Each house is comfortable and personalised according to their needs and preferences. Young people are able to choose the décor and furnishings in their rooms and to personalise these with pictures and posters. This approach enables young people to feel an investment in their environment. However, two bedrooms have wooden bars across the windows which haven’t been removed since restrictors have been fitted. This leads to an institutional feel within these rooms. In addition, some bedrooms and playrooms are fitted with locks that do not have the facility to be opened from the inside. It was reported that these are not 8 of 11 used. At present, young people are unable to freely lock their door if they require privacy.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Staff interpret young people’s behaviours very well and are therefore able to act upon instances when young people are worried or upset. This positive relationship enables young people to feel safe and confident in being able to communicate any issues as they arise.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people are kept safe through on-going supervision of their whereabouts and the retention of high staffing ratios. Young people’s vulnerability is central to all aspects of care planning and risk management. Staff receive regular training in safeguarding and recognise particular vulnerabilities relating to young people with disabilities. As a result, staff demonstrate a good understanding of the action to take should they have concerns about a young person’s well-being. There is a wide range of safeguarding policies and procedures in place. The supervision provided by the high staffing levels minimises the risk of young people going missing. Procedures to follow are available for staff if such an incident should arise.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

There have been some recent admissions to one of the houses, which have resulted in new challenges for the staff team. This has resulted in staff describing it as a difficult time as these young people are just beginning to settle into their new environment and engage with staff. On discussion some staff are not feeling supported by the management team during recent challenging times. However, other staff felt the support and advice provided by the behaviour support team was good. Staff are vigilant in responding to young people's behaviours. Early intervention is encouraged to understand how young people are feeling but physical restraint is used in exceptional circumstances. The young people have comprehensive behaviour support plans in place. The staff team work closely with the behaviour support professionals on site to ensure a proactive approach is taken. There is detailed analysis of all incidents and physical interventions with the young people. This allows

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

patterns and trends to be identified and strategies to be implemented.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Recruitment processes have been enhanced and evidence satisfactory exploration of information has taken place prior to permanent staff commencing work. However, where agency staff have been used, the management has not ensured profiles are kept up to date to establish that they have been subject to the necessary annual Disclosure and Barring Service checks. A number of agency staff are used who are commissioned by the health department for one young person. The organisation does not currently request evidence that they hold the appropriate qualifications to undertake the role. The registered person therefore could not demonstrate that they consistently follow good recruitment practice with regard to agency staff. 9 of 11 Generally, there are sound health and safety systems in place to minimise unnecessary risks to the young people, staff and visitors. There are a range of environmental risk assessments in place. This allows possible risks to be fully

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

identified for the young people, staff and visitors. Regular fire alarm tests and drills take place and are recorded. Young people are regularly involved in this process. This ensures young people are clear about the action to take in the event of a fire or emergency. Young people have individual risk assessments in place to identify known risks and preventative measures. On one risk assessment, the risk of scalding is identified. Control measures highlight temperature control to be implemented at each sink outlet. Within one house some of the bathroom taps do not currently have this in operation.

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Leadership and management adequate

This is the first inspection since the organisation changed its legal entity and went through another registration process. Therefore, there were no previous requirements or recommendations. The Registered Manager was in post under the previous registration and has undertaken the Registered Manager’s position within the children’s home for approximately four years. The manager holds a NVQ level 4 management qualification. She has the necessary experience to provide strong and effective leadership. The manager has recently recruited an acting manager who will be taking over her role within the forthcoming months. She will remain within the management structure of the children’s home and the school. The managers and staff team are committed to and focused on improving the quality of care provided. The management team understand the strengths of the service and know areas for development. There is a development plan in operation to clarify the future of the

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Leadership and management adequate

home with a focus on improving outcomes for young people.

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Leadership and management adequate

A Statement of Purpose is in place but in some areas, this lacks clarity and/or information. These gaps include the experience of staff, details in relation to the homes’ policies on safeguarding and preventing bullying, and arrangements for dealing with complaints. This requires updating to reflect regulations.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff are enthusiastic and committed to the young people in their care. They have formed good relationships with young people and speak positively about them. The young people benefit from high staffing ratios, therefore, ensuring there are sufficient staff to supervise young people and their participation in activities. Volunteers are used within the staff team. The volunteers are supported and guided to fulfil their roles. The home has implemented an on-going staff development and training programme. Staff were complimentary about the range of training offered. Recent training has included safeguarding and sensory integration. However, the training received with regard to health needs including the administration of oxygen and emergency medication has not been comprehensive or tailored to individual young people. Staff have not been provided with detailed training to ensure they are 10 of 11 confident in supporting young people in emergency situations. In addition, staff were

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Leadership and management adequate

not clear on their responsibilities in relation to first aid and a number of staff reported they were not trained to administer first aid. All staff are working towards, or have completed, a formal social care qualification at level three. Staff are well supported by regular supervision, team meetings and annual appraisals.

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Leadership and management adequate

There are regular visits to monitor the conduct of the home under Regulation 33 of the Children’s Homes Regulations, and the management team undertakes quality assurance monitoring checks in line with Regulation 34 on a regular basis. These visits include consultation with and observation of children and young people. The managers examine trends and patterns during these processes and information is shared with the staff team.

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Leadership and management adequate

A recent significant event resulted in notification to Ofsted. There was significant delay in this being received into Ofsted and it is unclear when other authorities were notified in this circumstance. This suggests in this instance there is a lack of transparency and working together with other agencies to ensure best safeguarding practices. There was no clear evidence of internal investigations undertaken by the management following this incident. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management adequate

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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