Children's Home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd in Derbyshire

Unique reference number SC436469 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Blue Mountain Homes Ltd Registered person address 17 Leeland Mansions Leeland Road London W13 9HB Responsible individual Pradeep Kumar Manaktala Registered manager Carolyn Lesley Harrison Date of last inspection 05/02/2014 2 of 12 Inspection date 02/10/2014

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Previous inspection satisfactory progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness adequate

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

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Overall effectiveness

This home provides an adequate quality of care delivered by a committed management and staff team. Social care professionals comment on how staff demonstrate resilience in providing a consistent quality of care for young people with challenging behaviours.

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Overall effectiveness

Good safeguarding practices are a key strength of this home. Staff understand how to keep young people safe and implement well-practised and robust safeguarding processes.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are valued and develop within this home. They have positive views about their care, staff and the home. They are able to access complaints procedures in the event they are unhappy with any aspect of their care.

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Overall effectiveness

There have been five requirements made because of this inspection. These relate to internal monitoring reports, supervision arrangements, care and placement plans and activities for young people. A further seven actions have been identified to improve the quality of care. In broad terms, these include improved independence planning, educational arrangements, inclusion of young people in care planning, recruitment records and development plans. 3 of 12 These factors do not have an adverse impact on the care of young people. 4 of 12

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Information about this children’s home

This privately-owned home can accommodate up to three young people who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/02/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 18/09/2013 Full adequate 11/10/2012 Interim good progress 09/05/2012 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

12A (2001) ensure each looked after child has a signed local authority placement plan in accordance with the provisions in regulation 9 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 (Regulation 12A (1)) 06/11/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that children accommodated in the home are encouraged to develop and pursue appropriate leisure interests and provided with appropriate leisure facilities and activities(Regulation 18 (2)(a) (b)) 06/11/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal. This is with particular reference to ensuring adequate 06/11/2014 5 of 12 supervision arrangements for all of the staff team, including new staff members, the Registered Manager and the deputy manager (Regulation 27 (4) (a))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the registered person shall maintain in respect of each child who is accommodated in a children's home, a record in permanent form which includes the information, documents and records specified in Schedule 3 relating to that child. This is in particular relation to point 18 in Schedule 3, the child's care plan and placement plan (Regulation 28,1,a, Schedule 3 point 18) 06/11/2014

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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. (Regulation 34 (1) (a) & (2)) 06/11/2014

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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 all children communicate their views on all aspects of their care and support (NMS 1.3)  ensure children develop their emotional, intellectual, social creative and physical skills through the accessible and stimulating environment created by the home (NMS 7.1)  ensure all children are supported to attend school, college or alternative provision regularly, specifically in relation to structured education provision prior to securing a school place (NMS 8.3)  ensure that young people are supported to prepare for moving to their own accommodation, develop practical skills, financial capability, knowledge and skills and know about entitlements to financial and other support after leaving care (NMS 12.1)  consult with staff and young people on the home’s development plan and include measurable targets, specifically evidencing forward planning (NMS 15.2)  ensure the registered person can demonstrate, including from written and

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Recommendations

electronic record, that it consistently follows good recruitment practice, and all applicable current statutory requirements and guidance in staff recruitment and selection. With specific regard to full employment history and dates (NMS 16.2) 6 of 12 7 of 12

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people learn to develop a positive self-image while living in this home. They develop in confidence and learn how to express their wishes and feelings. From their starting points, young people develop a clearer understanding and awareness of their backgrounds. Over time, they develop in emotional resilience.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Not all young people of statutory school age are engaged in formal education at the commencement of their placement. The staff team work hard to secure suitable educational provision. However, these placements are not always secured in a timely manner. Arrangements for interim educational plans are variable, with the home not providing a consistent learning environment. This means some young people make limited progress in their education. However, young people who have lived in the home for a settled period make good progress from their starting points. They are able to attend vocational training to ensure they are well equipped for the future and can achieve their potential.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people generally enjoy good health. The staff team work positively and proactively with a range of agencies to ensure the holistic health needs of young people are considered. Some young people potentially compromise their health through smoking or alcohol use. They are provided with specialist advice and guidance and are supported to learn strategies to break these behavioural patterns. This means they are educated in relation to health risks and learn to have a healthier life.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people enjoy regular and meaningful contact with family members and significant others in their lives. The staff team support young people to maintain contact with family members in line with agreed contact plans. A social worker for one young person stated that 'The home has worked well with the family and the young person to maintain positive contact in line with the young person’s needs.’ This has enabled positive attachments to be maintained.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Some young people develop skills in independent living. The home provides independence training to support young people to gain self-care skills, such as cooking their own meals, budgeting for shopping and completing domestic chores. However, some young people are reluctant to engage in this process despite efforts from the staff team. Therefore, not all young people are fully equipped with the skills they require.

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Quality of care adequate

8 of 12 The home has a child-centred and enthusiastic staff team who are committed to improve the lives of young people. They are diverse in age, gender and ethnicity and act as positive role models. Positive relationships between the staff and young people enable the development of appropriate and affirming attachments.

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Quality of care adequate

Staff demonstrate a sound understanding of each young person’s individual’s needs and effectively implement personalised care. The provider ensures that all young people have placement plans which outline how the home should meet their complex needs. These plans are agreed within statutory reviews. However, the home does not have local authority care plans and placement plans for all young people. Some plans are out-of-date and not counter-signed by the provider, local authority or parent. As a result, confirmation and agreement of care provision is not evident. In addition, young people are not always consulted about their individual care and placement plans. This means young people are disempowered with regard to having input into their care.

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Quality of care adequate

Staff promote the health care needs of young people through close partnerships with a range of health care providers. Young people benefit from routine health checks as well as care when ill or injured. One young person who had an accident stated ‘They gave me lots of tender loving care. I felt like telling them to leave me alone, but I liked being cared for.’ Broader health care is encouraged through healthy eating, active lifestyles and the provision of routine healthcare. Consequently, young people benefit from a healthy home environment.

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Quality of care adequate

Staff are resilient and consistent in their approach to promote positive behaviour with young people. Some young people exhibit highly challenging and anti-social behaviours. A social worker said ‘I am really impressed with the way the home has stuck by this young person - they have shown real commitment.’ Staff implement appropriate boundaries, behaviour management techniques and sanctions. As a result, over time, young people become more able to self-regulate negative behaviours and engage in positive pursuits.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people receive a children’s guide that contains information on their care, advocacy, contacts and the details for Ofsted. Young people know how to make a complaint to staff. The complaints procedure is available to young people, along with access to a phone to make calls and details of relevant support agencies. Levels of complaints are low; however, the manager ensures all complaints are dealt with in line with the provider’s complaints procedure. This means young people have confidence that their complaints are taken seriously and acted upon.

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Quality of care adequate

Arrangements for ensuring young people engage in a range of social and recreational activities are not wholly effective. The home ensures that during school holidays young people benefit from a wide and varied range of activities and social events. However, term time arrangements fail to consistently meet the needs of young people, especially those young people who are not engaged in education programmes. This leads to young people becoming bored and engaging in negative 9 of 12 behaviours. Consequently, young people do not benefit from exploring their full potential in engaging with social and recreational activities.

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Quality of care adequate

The maintenance and the décor of the home is an acceptable standard. The home is comfortable and provides a homely environment. Young people's bedrooms are individualised and young people have choices in their decoration preferences.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people confirm that they feel safe living in this home and professionals are confident that the service consistently safeguards and ensures the safety of young people. One social worker said of the care of a young person ‘They are persistent in working with the young person to try to engage with him; he does push the boundaries, however they do keep him safe.’

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Incidents of young people missing from care are decreasing. When young people are missing, the home has clear procedures in place to notify the relevant bodies. A joint protocol for children missing from care is in place and used in the event of a young person being missing from care. Staff understand the relevant policies and procedures and effectively implement them if necessary.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff promote positive behaviour for young people at all times. Incentive plans, sanctions and behaviour management plans shape behaviours and encourage positive behaviours. Young people confirm that the rules of the home are fair and records demonstrate that good behaviour is acknowledged and rewarded.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Incidents of physical intervention are low and used only as a last resort when a young person is placing themselves or others at risk. Staff are suitably trained to undertake any physical intervention and recording of such incidents is in line with the legislative framework. Managers monitor the use of physical interventions and any concerns relating to the use of physical interventions are appropriately passed to safeguarding agencies. This additional layer of scrutiny ensures young people are protected from potentially unnecessary or unsafe interventions.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Recruitment procedures for established staff are robust and ensure that young people are protected from unsuitable adults working in the home. While the staff concerned have had references verified and have obtained enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks, new recruitment files have minor omissions in details, such as exact dates of previous employment. A recommendation to strengthen the recruitment records has been set within this report.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The environment is safe, secure and maintained to a good standard. Regular health and safety monitoring checks keep young people and staff safe. 10 of 12

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Leadership and management adequate

A suitably experienced and qualified Registered Manager manages this home. She has been in post since the registration of the home in 2011. She has a National Vocational Qualification at Level 4 in health and care with children and young people and Level 4 in leadership and management. These are suitable qualifications for the post of Registered Manager.

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Leadership and management adequate

At the time of this inspection, the Registered Manager was unavailable to participate in the inspection. The deputy manager and a manager from one of the provider’s other homes assisted with the inspection. They each understood the strengths and weaknesses of the home. Additionally, they demonstrated that in the absence of the permanent manager, they have the knowledge, skills and experience to competently manage the home. The Registered Manager has development plans in place to improve the service. However, these plans are not challenging, are out of date and fail to include the contributions of staff and young people.

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Leadership and management adequate

The management and staff team are committed to improving the lives of young people. Young people receive care and support from a team who are motivated and feel they have a team that works well together. Daily handovers and regular staff and management meetings take place. This ensures good communication between staff and the provision of consistent care.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff feel well supported and valued by the management team. Most staff receive regular supervision. However, new staff members who are completing their probationary period are not supervised at the frequencies stipulated in the home’s statement of purpose. Additionally, the Registered Manager and the deputy manager do not receive supervision that is regular or consistent. This means the development needs of managers and staff are not routinely addressed and the monitoring of care practice is not sufficiently supervised.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff participate in a training programme which is relevant to the young people’s needs. They undertake a range of training including safeguarding, first aid, food hygiene, fire safety, behaviour management and medication training. The commitment to staff training and development is evident in the improved arrangements resulting from the work of the provider’s central training coordinator. Consequently all staff have the required mandatory training.

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Leadership and management adequate

The home’s statement of purpose gives clear details of services provided and informs parents, carers and placing authorities about what to expect. The children’s guide is in a format that is accessible to children and young people.

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Leadership and management adequate

Quality assurance is undertaken through both internal and external monitoring processes. A visitor undertakes monthly monitoring visits and raises actions to address shortfalls. The manager ensures that required internal quality assurance checks are conducted on a monthly basis to monitor the quality of care. However, 11 of 12 these reports are not sent to Ofsted, as required under regulation. This inhibits the regulator’s capacity to review the home’s performance.

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Leadership and management adequate

Young people’s records are generally good. They are clear, up to date and stored securely. This ensures that records contribute to an understanding of young people's lives.

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Leadership and management adequate

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 adequate

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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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