Children's Home run by G B A Care Limited in Calderdale

Unique reference number SC462591 Inspector Stella Henderson Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Registered person G B A Care Ltd Registered person address 2nd Floor Brian Royd Mills Saddleworth Road Greetland Halifax West Yorkshire HX4 8NF Responsible individual Jeremy Mark Siddall Registered manager Byron Drew Smith Date of last inspection 24/10/2013 2 of 9 Inspection date 20/08/2014

p.1

Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

p.2

Overall effectiveness inadequate

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

p.2

Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness of the home is judged to be inadequate. This is because behaviour management practice is unsafe. Staff are not sufficiently trained to undertake the advanced methods of physical restraint that are used. As a result young people are at risk from serious injury during these physical interventions. Recording of such restraints do not accurately reflect the actions taken by staff to protect young people.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

The manager has also failed to ensure that risks are adequately assessed for lone working activities. This places both young people and staff in a vulnerable situation.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Some practice in this home has positive aspects. Young people arrive at the home with many personal challenges. They make good progress in overcoming their problems and show improvement in their education, behaviour and emotional development. They have opportunities to travel and engage in new activities that they may not have had before.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Requirements are set to address the safeguarding shortfalls as well as weaknesses in relation to internal and external monitoring reports. The reports are not entirely compliant with the new regulations. A recommendation is also raised to address some minor recording errors. 3 of 9 The provider took immediate action to rectify these concerns. 4 of 9

p.2

Information about this children’s home

This children's home is run by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and young people with learning disabilities.

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

4 (2001) ensure that the children's home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose (Regulation 4)(6) 19/09/2014

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose which shall include points (a) to (i) of this regulation. This is with specific reference to naming the designated person responsible for safeguarding the child's head during the restraint (Regulation 17B)(a - i) 19/09/2014

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that any activities in which children participate are so far as reasonably practicable free from avoidable risks. This is with specific reference to lone working risk assessed (Regulation 23)(b) 19/09/2014

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

27 ensure that all persons employed by him receive 19/09/2014 5 of 9 (2001) appropriate training, supervision and appraisal. This is with specific reference to the use of physical restraint (Regulation 27)(a)

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the independent person, when carrying out a visit, forms an opinion as to whether children at the home are effectively safeguarded and the conduct of the children's home promotes the wellbeing of children accommodated there (Regulation 33)(8a)((i)(ii) 19/09/2014

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the independent visitor inspects the premises of the children's home, and such of the children's home's records as the independent visitor requires (save for a child's case records, unless the child and the child's placing authority consent to the inspection of those records by the independent person)(Regulation 33)(b) 19/09/2014

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the system referred to in paragraph (1) shall provide for consultation with children accommodated in the home, their parents and placing authorities (Regulation 34)(3) 19/09/2014

p.5

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that information about the child is recorded clearly and in a way which will be helpful to the child when they access their files now or in the future. (N 22.5) 6 of 9

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from the long term stability and security at the home. This helps them to achieve good outcomes across all aspects of their development. They are able to reflect on how they see themselves, relate to others and successfully manage the challenges of growing up. Young people feel safe to explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviour as they develop trusting relationships with staff. This helps them manage their frustration better and develop empathy for others.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people good

This self-development provides the basis from which young people can enjoy success in other areas of their lives. For example they try out new skills and experiences such as mountaineering and show a marked reduction in their offending behaviour.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people good

All young people have good school attendance and are achieving the attainment levels anticipated for them. Some have exceeded initial expectations and are now able to go on to further education. A headteacher noted that a young person’s progress is good and educational scores have improved.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are in good health. They often take advantage of the activities on offer, such as walking, mountaineering and going to the gym. Their good health is bolstered by a healthy diet, up to date immunisations, eye sight tests and regular dental care.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people learn practical skills based on their individual needs and abilities, which prepare them for independent living. Their success in areas such as cooking, household tasks and budgeting is then further developed. This gives young people every opportunity to make a good start to their adult lives.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people maintain significant relationships with family and friends, who are welcome at the home. This also helps to promote good communication with parents and continued involvement in the lives of their children.

p.6

Quality of care good

The journey to achieving good outcomes is not always straight forward for young people. There are occasions when their behaviours become more challenging. Young people sometimes get involved with the wrong crowd and are on the edge of offending. They do not always make sensible choices where looking after their health is concerned.

p.6

Quality of care good

One of the strengths of the home is that staff are able to support young people to overcome these obstacles to success. This is demonstrated in the educational 7 of 9 progress that young people make, the long term stability of placements and improvements in their emotional well-being.

p.6

Quality of care good

Young people say they feel confident in speaking to staff about everyday events and any issues that may be of concern to them. Relationships between staff and young people are robust enough to survive testing times. This encourages young people to experience positive adult role models and develop trust.

p.7

Quality of care good

Effective partnership working contributes to helping young people improve their lives. There are particularly close working relationships with the local police. This helps to prevent young people being drawn in to offending behaviour.

p.7

Quality of care good

The overall approach to care planning is based on the unique individuality of young people. Written plans are set out and provide staff and young people with clear, practical strategies and support. Young people are included in this process. There is particularly good work in ensuring that young people understand the decisions made at their reviews. This helps them to feel included in decision-making processes and the part they have in achieving what they want.

p.7

Quality of care good

Young people are able to express their views, wishes and feelings, not just about their own individual care, but also about the day-to-day running of the home. They do this through house meetings, key worker sessions and periodic questionnaire surveys. They feel that their views are listened to and have led to changes in coming in times, pocket money and activities.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Young people generally comply with expectations of behaviour set by the home. Behaviour management strategies are focused on praise and negotiation, rather than repeated sanctions. The need for physical intervention is seldom necessary with only six in the last year and as a last resort to manage young people’s challenging behaviour.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

The majority of these physical interventions have taken place over the last two to three months and employ a manoeuvre called 'front ground recovery'. This is where staff restrain young person face-down on the ground. There are strict minimum standards imposed by the nationally-recognised training provider, regarding this type of technique. For example, only staff who have had specialised training, and who have kept this training up-to-date, are allowed to use this advanced type of intervention. A member of staff involved in the restraint has to be responsible for safeguarding the child's head.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Records show that none of the staff involved in front ground recovery restraints have kept their training up to date. It was not clear from the recording of these restraints which member of staff was safeguarding the child's head. This puts young people at 8 of 9 risk of serious injury.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Young people are supported to reduce their risk taking activities and how to make more positive lifestyle choices. This has led to reductions in missing from care incidents and offending behaviour. Staff follow clear protocols and have a regular dialogue with the local police who visit the home. This ensures that there is a prompt response if a young person's whereabouts is not known.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Risk assessments are in place to address a range of known and likely behaviours, environmental hazards and activities. However, a risk assessment was not undertaken to cover a lone working situation where a young person was in the sole care of a member of staff on a holiday abroad. This placed both the young person and the member of staff in a vulnerable and potentially unsafe situation.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

There are good levels of supervision in the home and rigorous vetting of staff. Routine checks are carried out on the building, appliances and installations to ensure that the environment is safe.

p.8

Leadership and management inadequate

Staff are not working within the home’s Statement of Purpose where behaviour management is concerned. The Registered Manager has not ensured staff have sufficient training in advanced restraint techniques. This means that young people have been placed at risk.

p.8

Leadership and management inadequate

Staff are otherwise well supported in their role. Practice issues are constructively challenged and addressed through regular team meetings and supervision. Staff welcome this as a critical aspect of their personal development. The operation of the home and young people's progress is closely monitored. There is a clear commitment to enhance the quality of care for young people.

p.8

Leadership and management inadequate

The Registered Manager monitors the activity of the home, identifying areas where the quality of care for young people can be improved. A recommendation made at the last inspection to set up such as system has now been met. However monitoring activity has not been sufficiently robust. It has failed to identify the concerns raised in this report with regard to staff training and restraint. These shortfalls and the resulting impact on young people’s safety are the reasons why leadership and management is inadequate.

p.8

Leadership and management inadequate

The manager’s assessment also fails to capture the views of young people, their parents and placing social worker. This limits the ability of the manager to drive forward further improvement based on their feedback Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.8

Leadership and management inadequate

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.9

Judgement Description

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

p.9

Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

p.9

Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

p.9

Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

p.9

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.

p.9

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.

p.9