Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Senad Group Limited in Derbyshire

Unique reference number SC404596 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Registered person The Senad Group Limited Registered person address 1 St. Georges House Vernon Gate DERBY DE1 1UQ Responsible individual Mark Flynn Registered manager Karen Patricia Parkinson Date of last inspection 26/11/2013 2 of 11 Inspection date 03/07/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness inadequate

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

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness of the home is inadequate due to ineffective management arrangements. This has resulted in shortfalls in a number of areas. In broad terms, improvements are needed in terms of monitoring of young people’s records and placement plans; provision of all mandatory staff training; consistency in staff supervision; internal quality assurance processes; fire evacuations; medication administration; arrangements for young people missing from care and ensuring care provision supports welfare and safety needs of all young people.

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Overall effectiveness

In addition, there are a number of failures to meet national minimum standards. These include maintaining records of staff rotas and confidentiality of records regarding allegations against staff. In relation to young people this relates to ensuring consistency in the approaches to issues such as bullying, sanctions and obtaining the views of young people.

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Overall effectiveness

However, young people make good progress because of the care provided by this home. Young people say they feel safe, supported and well cared for and that they enjoy good relationships with staff. 3 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned service forms part of a residential school. It accommodates up to 56 young people who have communication difficulties or are diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/11/2013 Interim good progress 02/07/2013 Full good 24/01/2013 Interim inadequate progress 03/07/2012 Full good

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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

(2001) ensure that the children's home is conducted so as to make proper provision for the care, education and supervision of children accommodated there, with specific regard to the provision of care appropriate to the needs of young people who self- harm (Regulation 11(1) (b)) 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

12A (2001) ensure the registered provider cooperates with the child’s placing authority in agreeing and signing the plan for the looked after child’s placement prepared in accordance with the provisions in regulation 9 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 (Regulation 12A (1)) 31/07/2014 4 of 11 12B (2001) ensure the registered person notifies, in writing, the local authority for the area in which the children’s home is located without delay of the admission of a child into; and the discharge of a child from, the children’s home (Regulation 12B (1)) 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the registered person implements a missing child policy (Regulation 16 (4) (b)) 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure in regard to the missing child policy, the registered person shall (i) consult, and take into account the views of, such local persons or bodies as the registered person considers appropriate; and (ii) have regard to any relevant local authority or police protocols on missing children (Regulation 16 (5) (i) (ii)) 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure there are suitable arrangements for the recording, handing, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of any medicines received into the children's home (Regulation 21 (1)) 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal (Regulation 27 (4) (a)) 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the home maintains in respect of each child who is accommodated in a children's home a permanent, up to date, signed and dated record which includes the information in Schedule 3 (Regulation 28) 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that the persons working at the home and, so far as practicable, children accommodated there, are aware of the procedure to be followed in the case of fire (Regulation 32 (1)(e)) 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the registered person shall establish and maintain a system for monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 at appropriate intervals; and improving the quality of care provided in the children's home. This system shall provide for consultation with children accommodated in the home, their parents and placing authorities. (Regulation 34 (1) (a) (b) (3)) 31/07/2014

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): 5 of 11  ensure all children communicate their views on all aspects of their care and support (NMS 1.3)  ensure children receive personalised care that promotes all aspects of their individual identity and are teach treated as an individual rather than a membe a group, with specific reference to ensuring the sexual identity and associated needs are clearly recorded in children’s records (NMS 2.1)  ensure sanctions and rewards for behaviour are clear, reasonable and fair and are understood by all staff and children (NMS 3.8)  ensure staff in the home are trained to recognise and deal with any indication incidents of bullying, to act proactively and intervene positively, engaging with those who bully as well as those who are bullied (NMS 3.12)  ensure records of staff working in the home demonstrate the staffing level (N

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Recommendations

17.2)  ensure a clear and comprehensive summary of any allegations made against a particular member of staff, including details of how the allegation was followe up and resolved, a record of any action taken and the decisions reached, is ke on the person’s confidential file and a copy is provided to the person as soon the investigation is concluded. (NMS 20.7) 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make good progress in developing secure attachments with the adults who care for them. Some young people, who have previously struggled to sustain relationships, can now engage with the multi-disciplinary team to address their holistic needs. Outcomes for young people improve because they have stability of care, delivered by a skilled staff team.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are making good progress in their educational attainment and attendance. They attend a variety of educational and training provisions, which enables them to attain a range of qualifications. One young person is a talented artist who has achieved regional awards for his artwork and is exceling in his academic studies. Young people make significant progress in their education and learning as a result of living at this home.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people experience routine and specialist health care, healthy diets and active lifestyles. Some young people potentially compromise their health through activities such as smoking and self-harm. In such circumstances, they are supported to learn about the associated risks. Consequently, they are able to develop an understanding of issues that will help them to a healthier life in the future.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people enjoy family contact that is well planned and appropriately supported. The home communicates well with families and ensures they are welcome to visit. This promotes positive relationships and means young people maintain their family identity.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are supported to learn and develop age appropriate life skills and knowledge through planned and informal independence work. This supports and encourages greater independence and responsibility. Young people learn skills such as cooking, shopping, laundry and maintaining their own living space. These improved skills enable young people to build on their ability to care for themselves when they leave the home and move to alternative placements or independence.

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Quality of care adequate

The home has a child-centred and enthusiastic staff team who are dedicated to improving the lives of young people. One young person said 'I have been here for years, due to move, done so much and learnt so much, it has been excellent here’. Young people make positive relationships with staff, which enables the development of appropriate and affirming attachments. 7 of 11 The home provides care which is based upon their individual placement and care plans. Social workers commend the home for providing care that meets the specific needs of young people. One social worker said ‘They worked really well on the transition with a planned move to the home. They are realistic with us about meeting her needs.’ However, there are omissions in written agreements on placement plans. This could potentially lead to confusion about agreements for arrangements of care.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people benefit from an environment that promotes equality and embraces diversity. Wall displays, posters and some topics of staff training reflect a commitment to raise awareness of discriminatory issues. However, care planning fails to reflect the range of issues that affect personal identity, such as sexual identity. This means it is unclear if young people’s care is fully personalised to meet their individual needs.

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Quality of care adequate

There is regular formal consultation with young people, including weekly meetings where staff consult with young people around their wishes and feelings. This provides young people with the opportunity to express their views on the day-to-day running of the home. Young people recently participated in the recruitment of new staff. This means they are able to influence the running of the home and the delivery of care.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people express that they know how to make a complaint to staff. The complaints procedure is freely available throughout the home and in an appropriate format. Young people have access to their own telephone to make private calls which means they can express any concerns they may have independently of the staff team.

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Quality of care adequate

Staff ensure young people participate in a range of purposeful and enjoyable activities. Activities are risk assessed and allow young people to take measured and appropriate risks. Staff encourage young people to pursue new hobbies and interests, through which they develop social skills and confidence. This enables the young people to enjoy and achieve.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people benefit from health care provision, which meets their holistic health needs. The home benefits from its own health care team, including a health promotions manager who ensures young people access a range of health professionals. Staff work with external health care providers to meet the specific needs of young people, including specialist mental health professionals locally. This means the physical, emotional and psychological health of young people is promoted.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people benefit from support and encouragement in their education. One parent said 'Before coming here she hardly attended school. This has completely changed. She now loves school and her attendance is great'. Children of school age attend the providers own on-site school. Young people who are beyond compulsory school age receive guidance and support to attend college and undertake part-time employment. Consequently, young people live in an environment where education is 8 of 11 valued and they gain the knowledge and skills necessary for adulthood.

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Quality of care adequate

The administration and recording of medication is not sufficiently robust. Young people are counter signing for medication, which is against the homes policy. Although medicines are stored securely, with weekly audits, this does not highlight any discrepancies in a timely manner. Some staff do not have up to date medication training and therefore do not have up to date knowledge. There have been two discrepancies in the administration of medication. While these issues have not had a significant impact, they have the potential to compromise the safety of young people.

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Quality of care adequate

The home is spacious, homely, well decorated, and very well maintained. The home is situated in a rural area, with easy access to public transport. It has extensive grounds, indoor swimming pool, squash courts and a range of recreational activities. The home environment offers space for both privacy and communal activity.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Young people confirm they feel safe living at the home: they are comfortable with staff and would know who to contact should they have a worry or concern.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Incidents of missing from care are low; however young people have gone missing from the home since the last inspection. The home has its own procedures in place should a young person go missing, however the home’s policy is not compatible with current statutory guidance and does not include preventative work with young people. Additionally, the home does not have a current protocol with police in relation to missing from care. This means the staff do not always have an understanding of national and local police arrangements and cannot ensure effective action if a young person were to go missing.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Staff do not consistently recognise the specific vulnerabilities of some young people. Behaviours such as self-harm are not adequately managed. Risk assessments in relation to self-harming behaviours fail to be reviewed in a robust or comprehensible way. This means staff do not have the necessary clarity to effectively support young people. In addition, not all staff have received self-harm training, which would ensure that they are able to meet specific needs of some young people. Due to these shortfalls the welfare and safety of some young people is potentially compromised.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Fire safety arrangements are ineffective and potentially dangerous. There have been insufficient fire drills to ensure all young people know how to evacuate the home. In addition, a number of staff have not completed fire training. This means that young people do not live in a safe environment and their welfare is potentially compromised.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Young people’s behaviour is generally positive, with sanctions occasionally used for negative behaviours. Some sanction records are recorded well; however, some 9 of 11 records fail to make clear the effectiveness of the sanction. This means it is not possible to identify if the sanction was effective.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

The use of physical restraint in the home is minimal. Staff who undertake any restraints are suitably trained and equipped with the skills to de-escalate situations to avoid the need for physical intervention. This means that young people learn to modify their behaviours without staff having to use physical intervention.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Allegations made since the last inspection have not all been effectively resolved. Investigations are recorded in detail. However, they are stored within the generic complaints file and not in the staff member’s confidential file. Additionally, not all actions, as a result of allegations and subsequent disciplinary hearings, have been undertaken.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Young people do not identify bullying as an issue. However, where concerns about potential bullying have been raised, managers have not complied with the homes own bullying policy. Incidents of suspected bullying have not been risk assessed and managers have not responded to reported complaints of potential bullying. This means bullying has not taken seriously and there is inadequate response when issues have been raised.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

All required health and safety checks are carried out in a timely manner. As a result, the building is safe, appropriately secure and young people are protected from harm.

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Leadership and management inadequate

The manager became registered in this post in November 2013. She has a National Vocational Qualification at Level 4 in Residential Child Care Management and is currently undertaking the Level 5 Diploma. These are suitable qualifications. She has substantial relevant childcare and managerial experience of residential childcare within this service.

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Leadership and management inadequate

Recent changes to management arrangements have had an impact on the capacity for the manager to fulfil management tasks. This has impeded her ability to have sufficient managerial oversight. The home generally has sufficient staffing. Staff are working additional shifts and agency staff are being employed to cover gaps in the rota. However, staff rotas do not accurately reflect staffing arrangements. Consequently, this affects the effective monitoring of care provision.

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Leadership and management inadequate

Staff receive training which covers mandatory areas such as first aid, food hygiene, restraint training and fire safety. Not all staff have completed these courses or received up to date refresher training. This means young people’s safety is compromised.

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Leadership and management inadequate

The Registered Manager and staff do not receive regular supervision in line with the 10 of 11 home's own policy. This does not support the manager or staff appropriately and fails to ensure that staff performance is monitored and young people safeguarded.

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Leadership and management inadequate

The provider ensures that required external quality assurance checks are conducted on a monthly basis to monitor the quality of care. These reports are highly effective and identify shortfalls in care provision. However, the independent visitor who undertakes the external monitoring does not currently have permission from placing authorities to access children's case records. This means the scope of their quality assurance checks is limited. A report about these visits is sent regularly to Ofsted, enabling the regulator to review the home’s performance.

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Leadership and management inadequate

The Registered Manager's own monitoring of the home is ineffective. This monitoring has failed to identify shortfalls and poor practice in the home. In addition, the internal monitoring system fails to consult with young people or stakeholders as part of its process.

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Leadership and management inadequate

The Registered Manager is clear about the admission criteria for young people. However, the manager has failed to notify the local authority of the admission and discharge of young people into the home. This means the local authority cannot be clear on the needs of the young people placed within the area and the potential services they will require.

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Leadership and management inadequate

Young people’s records are stored securely. However, case files do not contain full information as required under regulation. In addition, some records fail to include essential information. This means records fail to provide a coherent picture of care provided. Additionally, young people do not consistently sign their records and therefore it is not clear if they have read and contributed their views on their care.

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Leadership and management inadequate

The Registered Manager has systems in place to notify relevant agencies, including Ofsted, of significant events to ensure the protection of young people by multi- agency decision making. Notifications are carried out as required and appropriate action is taken to follow procedures and protect young people. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management inadequate

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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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