Children's Home run by Bay View Child Care Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC463926 Inspector Jackie Line Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Bay View Child Care Limited Registered person address 3-5 Dalton Square Lancaster Lancashire LA1 1PP

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Responsible individual Martin Richard Horner Registered manager Paul Andrew Johnson Date of last inspection 06/05/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 13/08/2014

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Previous inspection sustained effectiveness 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

A large number of failings have been identified during this inspection. Safeguarding shortfalls and weaknesses in leadership and management have resulted in the home receiving an overall effectiveness judgment of inadequate.

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Overall effectiveness

This does not negate that young people say they are happy living in the home and that they enjoy positive relationships with staff. Areas of good practice have been identified. Staff are good advocates, and young people are supported to overcome difficulties and challenges. Young people enjoy improved relationships with those important to them. Young people are in good health, and are positively engaged in education. Young people are afforded a range of excellent opportunities that help to build confidence and self-esteem. All have identified new talents and achieved some successes. As a result, and in relation to their starting points, outcomes for young people are judged to be good.

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Overall effectiveness

However, poor practice has also been identified in key areas of the home’s operation. Safeguarding procedures have not been followed. Unsafe restraint practice has been identified alongside significant deficiencies in record keeping. In addition, poor quality assurance monitoring means that shortfalls have not been recognised or addressed in a timely manner. 3 of 11 This inspection has resulted in a large number of statutory requirements and recommendations being made, to ensure the home meets regulation, the effectiveness of the running of the home improves, and young people are appropriately safeguarded. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of two owned and managed by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/05/2014 Interim sustained effectiveness 30/01/2014 Full outstanding

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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

12A (2001) ensure the registered person co-operates with the child’s placing authority in agreeing and signing the plan for the child’s placement prepared in accordance with the provisions in regulation 9 off the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 (Regulation 12A (1)) 30/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure prompt liaison with any local authority which is, or may be, making child protection enquiries in relation to any child accommodated in the children's home and, ensure the notification of the instigation and outcome of any child protection enquiries involving any child accommodated in the home to the HMCI (Regulation 16 2 (a) (c)) 30/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17A ensure where a measure if restraint is used on a 30/09/2014 5 of 11 (2001) child accommodated in the home the measure of restraint must be proportionate (Regulation 17A (2) (a)) 17B (2001) ensure a written policy is implemented which sets out the measures of control and restraint which may be used in the children's home (Regulation 17B (1) (a)) 30/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure the behaviour management policy is reviewed and revised, and the HMCI is notified of any revision within 28 days (Regulation 17B (2) (a) (b)) 30/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control and restraint in a children's home is made in a volume kept for the purpose of which shall include, the description of the measure used (Regulation 17B (3) (c)) 30/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed by the registered person receive appropriate training. Specifically in relation to safeguarding (Regulation 27 (4) (a)) 30/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that in respect of each child who is accommodated in the children's home a record which includes the information, documents and records specified in Schedule 3 relating to that child; records are kept up to date and is signed and dated by the author of each entry (Regulation 28 (1) (a) (b) (c)) 30/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that if any events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay, notify the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table (Regulation 30 (1)) 30/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children's home are kept clean and reasonably maintained (Regulation 31 (2) (e)) 30/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that visits undertaken in accordance with this regulation are carried out by an independent person and are sufficiently robust to identify any shortfalls in the home (Regulation 33 (1) (2) (g)). 30/08/2014

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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 when a child is missing, written records kept by the home detail all actions taken by staff during the period when the child is not in the home (NM 6 of 11 5.10)  ensure there is a good quality learning and development programme in place in the home, specifically that this programme identifies how and when individually identified training needs for staff are going to be met (NMS 18.1)  ensure suitable arrangements for professional supervision of the registered manager (NMS 19.3)  ensure managers and staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities. The level of delegation and responsibility of the manager and staff, and the lines of accountability are clearly defined (NMS 21.4)  ensure there is a system in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of record keeping and take what action is needed (NMS 22.1) 7 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are making good progress in relation to their starting points. Prior to living at the home, young people had poor school attendance. All young people are now actively engaged in education or alternative training provision. One social worker said: ‘At school he has made phenomenal progress; it is rare that he doesn’t go and has really good attendance’. Moreover, young people are achieving and developing career ambitions. For example, one young person is completing specific training, to secure an apprenticeship.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people participate in a range of activities and this is something they say they particularly enjoy. Activities include go-karting, trips to sporting events, music concerts, meals out, trampolining, swimming, cinema and activity holidays. Young people also enjoy relaxing at home playing card games, x-box and watching films. These opportunities help young people to develop new skills, build their confidence and improve self-esteem.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are in good health and benefit from effective and consistent health care. They are all registered with relevant medical services, and attend routine appointments. Young people access specialist support to address drug misuse and as a result, have made significant progress in this area. One young person said: ‘I used to take drugs and now I don’t, I have got my head together and staff have helped me a lot’.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people have made progress in relation to their emotional and behavioural development. A social worker said: ‘His behaviour was out of parental control, he really has shown that he can start to make better choices and manage his behaviours himself’. One parent commented that her son has ‘completely turned himself around’. Young people are developing a better understanding of themselves. This enables them to access opportunities more readily, as well as make and sustain positive relationships with adults and peers.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people develop friendships and arrange to see friends in the community. One young person said he likes being able to invite his friend back for tea, and to play on the computer with him. Some young people live a considerable distance from their area of origin. However, they are provided with support enabling them to maintain contact with their family. Moreover, young people and parents comment on improved relationships with each other. For example, one parent said: ‘Our relationship has improved – before we couldn’t hold a conversation, and now we get on better’.

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Quality of care adequate

8 of 11 Staff encourage participation in a range of social activities and opportunities. This helps young people overcome barriers and poor self-esteem. Individual talents are recognised and nurtured. As a result, one young person is achieving in sport and another is excelling in art and design. One social worker said: ‘No-one knew how good he was at art until now’. Photographs of young people engaging in different activities, together with examples of young people’s work, are on display in the home. This means young people have a sense of pride and ownership in their home environment.

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Quality of care adequate

The home is well furnished and comfortable. It has ample space enabling young people to either socialise with others in communal areas, or be afforded privacy away from the group. Cleanliness in the home is identified as an area for improvement, particularly in relation to the two bathrooms. These areas are poorly maintained, and this means that appropriate standards of care are not always kept in the home.

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Quality of care adequate

Staff demonstrate commitment to the young people. An inclusion worker said: ‘They show belief in young people and young people respond well to this’. Staff are good advocates for young people. Consequently, they feel listened to and supported when giving their views. As a result, one young person is challenging proposed plans about his future. One young person said: ‘They have helped me with loads of things, like education and seeing my mum’.

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Quality of care adequate

The home has developed sound relationships with professionals and families. Both report good communication with staff at the home. One parent said: ‘I get an update every week’ and described staff as ‘very supportive and helpful’. Working with birth families is a particular strength and as a result, young people benefit from improved relationships with those important to them.

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Quality of care adequate

Staff seek the views of young people through house meetings and informal consultation. Young people say they choose what food they eat and what activities they do. As a result, young people have some influence over the running of the home. All young people say they know how to complain.

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Quality of care adequate

Placement plans are in place outlining the individual needs of young people but there is a lack of evidence that placement plans are written and implemented in conjunction with placing authorities. Placement plans are not signed and dated by all parties. Furthermore, records of statutory review meetings are not kept or requested. As a result, it is not clear what responsibilities are delegated to staff. It is difficult to measure progress against clearly identified needs. The home cannot sufficiently evidence that actions in respect of care planning are wholly addressed. These shortfalls contribute to the adequate judgement in this area.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

9 of 11 Young people report that they feel safe in the home. However, safeguarding practice is not robust and does not ensure that young people are kept safe at all times. For example, when concerns have arisen regarding the actions of staff in the home, procedures have not been followed. This includes discussions with the Local Authority Designated Officer; notification to Ofsted, and the completion and implementation of risk assessments. As a result, young people and staff have not been safeguarded while investigations are ongoing.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Some staff have undertaken safeguarding training since coming to work in the home. However, where staff report they have undertaken safeguarding training prior to commencing their employment, this is taken at face value. As a result, any training these staff may have completed has not been verified, and the quality of the training is unknown. This does not promote safe working practice within the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Staff work with young people to raise their awareness of the dangers and vulnerabilities they face. Key working sessions enable young people to work through challenges. Young people access external services to help with some aspects of their behaviour where necessary. As a result, risky behaviours have reduced and young people recognise their lives have improved. One young person said: ‘Before I lived here I used to get arrested all the time; I still get into trouble sometimes, but not as often’.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Young people contribute to individually tailored behaviour management plans. This means they understand what aspects of their behaviour they need to improve, and what the consequences are. For example, one young person told the inspector: ‘I receive extra money if I don’t swear; I used to swear all the time, but not now’. Young people are clearly praised and rewarded for appropriate behaviour. This practice ensures that negative behaviour does not become the only focus of attention. Moreover, young people are learning to modify their own behaviour.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

The inspection identified that restraint practice is not always carried out in accordance with the home’s own procedures or legislative frameworks. Records do not adequately describe what measures are used. Therefore, they do not clearly and accurately reflect what happens. In addition, although young people are given the opportunity to reflect on incidents, this is sometimes done with staff involved in the restraint. As a result, restraint practice in the home is deemed to be unacceptable and unsafe.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Young people living in the home sometimes go missing. This can be for extended periods of time. . At the point young people first go missing, staff liaise with the police, birth family and placing authorities. While this is well documented, there is no evidence of actions taken by staff during the period of absence, to try and locate young people or to liaise with those people interested in their welfare. This is an area identified for improvement to ensure that staff at the home do all they can to ensure the safe return of young people when they go missing from home. 10 of 11

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Leadership and management inadequate

The Registered Manager has been in post since the home opened in May 2013. He holds the relevant qualifications. A care manager is also appointed to work in the home. The roles and responsibilities of the care manager and Registered Manager are not clearly defined. As a result, not all staff are clear who the Registered Manager is. This means the current management arrangements are not sufficiently clear to provide effective and efficient leadership.

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Leadership and management inadequate

Staff report they receive regular, formal supervision which is of good quality. One staff member said: ‘There is always support, they tell me what I need to do to progress. You get praised for good work and they explain what you can do better’. Staff report managers are approachable, and consequently they feel supported.

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Leadership and management inadequate

Appraisals take place annually and include the views of young people. This means that young people influence staff development in the home. While all staff have an individual development plan outlining their training needs there is an absence of a training programme which means it is not clear how and when these needs will be met.

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Leadership and management inadequate

Significant events that occur in the home are not always reported to relevant bodies, in line with regulation or good safeguarding practice. As a result, those with an interest in young people’s welfare are not kept informed of such events. Furthermore, the home cannot evidence that appropriate actions are always taken in response to such incidents. This places children at risk.

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Leadership and management inadequate

Record keeping in the home is poor. Documentation is missing; some records contain inaccurate information, and records are not routinely signed and dated. As a result, records kept in the home do not adequately reflect events that take place. This means the welfare and safety of young people living in the home is not protected and promoted.

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Leadership and management inadequate

There are also deficits in the internal and external monitoring of the home. These processes have failed to identify the issues of concern highlighted during this inspection. For example, monitoring reports do not identify shortfalls in restraint practice, poor record keeping, and the non-notification of significant events to relevant bodies. This compromises the home’s ability to identify and address key areas for development and improvement, in order to meet the needs of young people residing there. 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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