Children's Home run by Esland South Limited in Hertfordshire

Unique reference number SC425418 Inspector Gwen Buckley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Esland South Limited Registered person address Unit 4, Ednaston Home Farm Brailsford ASHBOURNE Derbyshire DE6 3AY Responsible individual John Stamp Registered manager POST VACANT Date of last inspection 08/05/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 29/07/2014

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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This inspection

This inspection focused on the progress made by the home since the last full inspection in May 2014, when four requirements and one recommendation were made. This inspection has also focused on the progress that young people have made. Since the last inspection the Registered Manager has resigned her post and the deputy manager is on sick leave. As there was no effective management structure in place, the Responsible Individual (RI) gave notice to the placing authorities to move the young people. After working with placing authorities specific strategies have been agreed to meet the needs of individual children. A commitment has also been given by the Responsible Individual not to admit more young people into the home until a permanent competent manager is appointed. Management support is provided by a manager from another home and from senior staff from the organisation.

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This inspection

One of the four requirements and the good practice recommendation made, have not been met. An updated Statement of Purpose is available and is published on the provider’s web site. Admission procedures have been updated, however, these have not been implemented, which means young people have been admitted without the expected impact assessments in place. As a result, young people who are vulnerable are not protected and the management team are unable to demonstrate that staff have the necessary skills to meet individual young people’s needs.

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This inspection

Staff are clear that medication for one child can’t be given to another. Staff felt medication training provided was interesting, but the management team had not adequately supported them or the young person as it was not been provided in a timely manner. Additionally, the training did not cover the home’s own expected medication policy and procedures. The home’s medication recording and monitoring procedures are not robust. For example, a record for a non-prescribed medication did not indicate the number of tablets received. Additionally, the quality of 3 of 6 medication audits are poor with standard text being carried forward and audits are not carried out monthly as expected, which does not safeguard young people.

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This inspection

Staff and senior managers are working with social workers, placement teams and police to share information and keep them up to date with events relating to the young people who go missing from the home.

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This inspection

Young people report they are reasonably happy in the home and have good relationships with staff. Regular opportunities are provided for them to air their views. They contribute to and agree to individual reward incentives, which they consider are fair and achievable. Young people like being involved in menu planning and organising their own meals at times. Care provided takes account of cultural, religious and individual preferences.

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This inspection

Restraint records clearly show that restraint occurs to keep young people or others safe or to prevent serious damage to property. Eleven restraints have occurred since the last inspection. Although young people sign these records, the views of young people involved in or witnessing a restraint are not recorded.

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This inspection

The cutlery in the home is locked away and young people have to request cutlery such as tea spoons when making a cup of tea. This practice has become the norm, as is has been ongoing for over 6 months and does not reflect a homely family environment.

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This inspection

The Regulation 34 monitoring report reflects the practice in the home and that placing authorities are happy with the care provided. Although the report reflects on how young people are consulted, it does not reflect the views of young people or their parents. In addition, the report does not show how practice and the service could develop and improve.

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This inspection

Internal and external monitoring is not robust. The systems in place do not ensure managers and staff follow the company’s own expected policies and procedures. Examples include: pre-admission impact assessments; implementing new company processes; medication audits not taking place as expected and not following the drug and substance misuse policy such as undertaking room searches when drugs are thought to be on the premises which does not keep young people safe. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to four children. A private organisation owns and operates this setting.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/05/2014 Full adequate 05/12/2013 Interim inadequate progress 18/06/2013 Full adequate 05/02/2013 Interim satisfactory progress

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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

9 (2001) ensure the registered provider and the registered manager shall, having regard to the size of the children’s home, its statement of purpose, and the number and needs of the children accommodated there, carry on or manage the home (as the case may be) with sufficient care, competence and skill. This specifically relates to admission procedures and pre-admission impact assessments (Regulation 9 (1)) 22/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) make suitable arrangements for the recording, handling, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of any medicines received into the children’s home (Regulation 21 (1)) 22/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure when carrying out a visit, children accommodated at the children’s home are effectively safeguarded (Regulation 33 (8) (a) (i)) 22/09/2014 5 of 6 (2001) ensure when carrying out a visit, the conduct of the children’s home promotes the wellbeing of the children accommodated there (Regulation 33 (8) (a) (ii)) 22/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) establish and maintain a system for improving the quality of care provided in the children’s home. (Regulation 34 (1)(b)) 30/09/2014

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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 where any sanctions, disciplinary measures or restraint are used, child are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home (NMS 3.18)  ensure the home implements a proportionate approach to any risk assessmen This specifically relates to the practice of locking cutlery away (NMS 4 (5))  ensure records are up-to date and contribute to an understanding of the child life (NMS 22)  develop how the management of the home ensures all staff’s work is consiste with these regulations, nms and home’s policies. (NMS 21 (3)) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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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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