Children's Home run by Norfolk County Council in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC463902 Inspector Deirdra Keating Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Registered person Norfolk County Council Children's Services Registered person address Norfolk County Council, Chief Executives County Hall, Martineau Lane NORWICH NR1 2DH Responsible individual Peter James Ronan Registered manager Mary Theresa Costello Date of last inspection 09/12/2013 2 of 10 Inspection date 31/07/2014

p.1

Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

p.2

Overall effectiveness adequate

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

p.2

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and run by the local authority. The home offers short-term care and assessment for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/12/2013 Full adequate 20/09/2013 Full inadequate

p.3

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.3

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that if any of the 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)) 29/08/2014

p.3

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the independent visits report on the children's home in accordance with the regulation, ensuring that the conduct of the children's home promotes the wellbeing of the children accommodated. This is in relation to accurate reporting on complaints made by children. (Regulation 33 (1) (8) (b)) 26/09/2014

p.3

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the children's home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the 29/08/2014 4 of 10 safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated this is in regard to group impact risk assessment on admission (Regulation 11 (1) (a))

p.3

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) implement the policy which is intended to safeguard children accommodated to ensure the prompt referral to the local authority of any allegation of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the children's home. (Regulation 16 (1) (2)(b)) 29/08/2014

p.4

Recommendations

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

p.4

Recommendations

 ensure there is a system in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of reco keeping and ensure all the required information is available (NMS 22.1)  ensure that the written records kept by the home when a child goes missing detail action taken by staff in particular the details of return interviews (NMS 5.10)  ensure that the overall number, competence and deployment of staff, both as staff group and on individual shifts, can fulfil the homes Statement of Purpose and meet the individual needs of all children resident in the home. (NMS 17.1 5 of 10

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are beginning to build positive self-views and self-confidence as a result of the care they receive. They benefit from positive relationships with key staff that help them feel emotionally supported. The routines of the home help young people learn about self-discipline and this has improved young people's attendance in education.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people engage well with staff and other professionals to address their emotional and psychological issues. Support and guidance from the youth offending team and local police helps young people reflect on the consequences of anti-social behaviours and learn from their actions.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people access appropriate services to meet their health needs. Staff ensure they see health professionals where necessary and support them to attend routine appointments. Young people are strongly encouraged to eat a healthy diet and enjoy physical activity such as; cycling, skating and gardening. This helps young people feel fit and active.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are learning about being responsible members of the community. Visits from the parish council are positive and relationships with neighbours are improving. Young people have reflected following anti-social behaviour in the neighbourhood considering the impact of their actions on others. This has helped them develop empathy and understanding of members of the local community.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people see their families regularly and this enables them to spend time in their own homes and local community. This helps young people build up relationships with families with a view to reunification and enables others to maintain regular contact with those important to them.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are encouraged to share their views with staff and spend time doing activities that are meaningful to them. Young people enjoy spending time in the local community, local park and local town. They enjoy gardening projects and camping holidays. This has enabled young people to develop individual interests and build social networks.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people acquire new skills that will support their independence such as managing to organise and clean their bedrooms and cooking. This supports their independence and gives them confidence in the development of self-care skills. Good preparation work on transition from the home has helped young people make adjustments to leaving care. 6 of 10

p.5

Quality of care good

Staff have built positive relationships with young people. Each young person has a key member of staff who they spend time with and this enables them to build a rapport. Staff have a good understanding of the individual needs of young people and enjoy their roles. One member of staff said: ‘I am very proud to work at Loki house and feel we are making a real difference in young people’s lives’.

p.6

Quality of care good

Staff listen to young people and encourage them to share their views. Young people say that they can approach staff about any issues they have in the knowledge that staff will listen. Staff take account of young people's views when; buying food, planning menus, choosing holidays and planning activities. A social worker said: ‘each child is heard and their individual needs are met accordingly'.

p.6

Quality of care good

The home benefits from a full time cook who prepares homemade meals with care and pride. Food is purchased daily to ensure freshness. The clean homely kitchen makes a central point for the house.

p.6

Quality of care good

Care planning encompasses information about individual’s cultural, religious, identity and family contact. Staff are proactive in encouraging contact with families and friends. They have good relationships with young people's parents and welcome them to the home. This helps young people know that their families are valued.

p.6

Quality of care good

The staff and manager assess young people's needs and support them to make changes. Staff have good links with outside professionals and specialised services. This means young people access the physical, emotional and psychological support as required.

p.6

Quality of care good

Staff have actively sought educational placements for young people. Staff work with professionals to address barriers to education and support young people in finding placements that suit their learning style. Good communication systems ensure that staff are aware of any difficulties and can support young people to overcome these.

p.6

Quality of care good

The physical environment accommodates young people's needs well. Décor is tasteful and the house affords ample space for communal living. This gives young people pride in their surroundings, space and privacy within the home.

p.6

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people appear confident and relaxed within the home. They say that they feel safe and minor disagreements within the group are easily resolved. Despite some tensions, there are no incidents of bullying or intimidation that prevent young people from feeling safe.

p.6

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Staff say they are aware of how to safeguard young people and manage allegations. 7 of 10 Staff access training and a policy sets out the home’s safeguarding procedures. However, in one instance staff have failed to follow this procedure. A young person made a complaint about a member of staff during a serious incident at the home. The records of this incident are not in line with the home’s policy. The senior staff member on duty did not follow up the allegation with the young person or make a referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer for four days. The young person was not placed at further risk and the complaint was unsubstantiated. However, failure to follow the safeguarding policy could potentially leave young people at risk of harm.

p.6

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

There are an increasing number of occasions where young people have left the home and been reported as missing. Staff respond by implementing the missing from home protocols in order to aid a safe return. In one instance records demonstrate that staff requested a return interview, which was not carried out by the social worker despite the young person being missing for several hours. This means that opportunities to discuss events with young people are missed. In addition, there has been one serious incident during which staff failed to check young people’s whereabouts during the late evening. Young people were absent from the home for four hours late at night and this was unknown to staff throughout. The manager has had ground floor window locks fitted and bedroom door alarms checked in order to prevent further incidents. Staff have also evaluated behavioural triggers to this event. However, there is no record of an investigation into how staff failed to notice that all the young

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

people were missing. Therefore, opportunities to learn from mistakes and reflect on practice have been missed and this could compromise young people’s safety.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Staff work with young people to address negative behaviours and help them learn from the consequences of their actions. A behavioural reward scheme has encouraged young people to make positive changes to their behaviour through incentives.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

There were six physical interventions in three months pertaining to one young person. This is a significant reduction indicating progress for that young person in self-regulation. Records demonstrate that staff restrain only as a last resort to prevent injury or significant damage that could harm a child. Debriefs by managers following restraint include young people’s views. This encourages staff and young people to reflect on such incidents.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Risk assessments mitigate against risks known to young people. However, on admission the manager has not realistically assessed significant risks to a young person. This is despite past behaviours that are known to place young people at risk. This has resulted in dynamics that compromise young people’s emotional and physical health and has resulted in a further placement move for one young person.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The manager is part way through a new recruitment drive. Clear procedures and checks are recorded and demonstrate that vetting is thorough, ensuring that new staff are suitable and safe to work with children. 8 of 10 The manager and staff team ensure sound oversight of health and safety in the home. There has been investment in the home in terms of sustaining a well- decorated and maintained house. This reduces the risk of hazards and accidents while encouraging young people to value their surroundings.

p.7

Leadership and management adequate

The permanent manager was registered by Ofsted in January 2014. The management of the home and staff centres on the individual needs of young people and improving the quality of care in the home.

p.8

Leadership and management adequate

Staff are positive about the management team and feel supported in their roles. Staff are flexible in their support of one another and overall team morale is good. Staff are happy and enthusiastic about their roles resulting in a positive atmosphere that benefits young people.

p.8

Leadership and management adequate

The aims set out in the Statement of Purpose are clear and accurately reflect the facilities and staff at the home. This gives prospective placing authorities an accurate overview of the home.

p.8

Leadership and management adequate

There have been three complaints since the last inspection. Records include the resolution and an outcome of the complaint. However, a senior member of staff did not respond to a complaint from a young person within an appropriate timescale and this has been identified as a shortfall under safeguarding. This reduces young people’s trust in the complaints process.

p.8

Leadership and management adequate

There is a general commitment to improving the quality of care. The home is well staffed and well resourced. The catering arrangements, maintenance of the environment and young people’s attendance in school have significantly improved. The manager has addressed most shortfalls identified at the last inspection. However, the records pertaining to allegations and notifications are incomplete and this was raised at the previous inspection. This does not demonstrate sustained improvement.

p.8

Leadership and management adequate

Records of significant incidents and a missing from home report are also incomplete. Ineffective monitoring and oversight of the home means the manager has failed to identify the shortfalls. This has the potential to impact on young people’s safety.

p.8

Leadership and management adequate

The manager has undertaken a review of the care, setting out how the home will improve. Feedback from stakeholders is included within the review. The manager uses feedback well to identify changes and make improvements to the home.

p.8

Leadership and management adequate

External monitoring is not entirely effective and does not consistently cover all matters required. During one month, despite a young person having made a 9 of 10 complaint and this being logged, the external monitoring report states there are no complaints. This does not accurately reflect on the conduct of the home and fails to provide the additional safeguards intended through independent monitoring.

p.8

Leadership and management adequate

The staff work well with young people in crisis. They assess the needs of individuals to support them to overcome barriers and move on. Staff work well with young people who have reunification plans to go home. Parents and social workers are positive about the care provided and say young people make good progress while at the home.

p.9

Leadership and management adequate

Records are stored securely and confidentially. Young people’s individual files are organised well. These are concise and clear, ensuring an accurate record of young people’s daily lives.

p.9

Leadership and management adequate

The manager has failed, on two occasions, to notify Ofsted of significant events in the home. This prevents Ofsted from having a realistic oversight of events in the home and does not promote young people’s safety. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.9

Leadership and management adequate

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.10

Judgement Description

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

p.10

Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

p.10

Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

p.10

Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

p.10

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.10

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.10