Children's Home run by Barnardo’s in Oxfordshire

Unique reference number SC013143 Inspector Emeline Evans Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Barnardo's Registered person address Barnardos, Head Office Tanners Lane, Barkingside ILFORD Essex IG6 1QG Responsible individual Julie Carole Gibbard Registered manager Carolyn Jane Farmer Date of last inspection 20/03/2014 2 of 12 Inspection date 21/10/2014

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

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Overall effectiveness

Although the overall judgement is adequate there are a number of strengths that provide young people with a sound service. Young people are supported by a stable and experienced staff team. The Registered Manager and staff are committed to improving outcomes for young people. Staff are child-centred in their approach and consistently concerned with the welfare of the young people. Young people were observed to feel comfortable and safe in the presence of staff and have developed some very positive relationships with members of the staff team.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are making good progress since their admission. Good quality personalised care planning ensure staff respond with consistency enabling young people to feel secure in this placement. Young people benefit from activities within the home and the wider community as staff promote their inclusion. Young people benefit from the collaborative working between their parents, the staff team and other professionals. Staff use different ways to gain the views of the young people and enable them to make a choice and therefore influence the running of the home.

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Overall effectiveness

Through the relationships formed with staff young people are relaxed and feel safe and professionals reiterate this. Young people are supported by a staff team who are familiar with their needs and vulnerability. As a result, safety is a central to all aspects of care planning, shift planning and staffing arrangements. 3 of 12 A number of shortfalls were identified within this inspection and are reflected in the overall judgement. As a result five requirements and five recommendations have been made. Shortfalls were identified in some recruitment records, policies relating to behaviour management, recording and evaluating sanctions imposed, the use of surveillance and the need to review the use of window restrictors to ensure they are safe and effective.

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Overall effectiveness

The management team is committed to revising the current development plan for the home to highlight weaknesses found during inspection. They have a clear vision to further improve outcomes for the young people and provide a child centred service. 4 of 12

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home is registered to accommodate six children and young people who have a learning and/or physical disability. The service is delivered and managed by a national charitable organisation.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 15/08/2013 Full good 10/12/2012 Interim satisfactory progress 02/05/2012 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

17B (2001) review the behaviour management policy to ensure it sets out measures of control, restraint and discipline which may be used in the children's home and the means whereby appropriate behaviour is to be promoted (Regulation 17B (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)) 30/11/2014

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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 in made in a volume kept for that purpose which includes all information as required by regulations (Regulation 17B (3)(a-i)) 30/11/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

22 ensure that any electrical or mechanical monitoring 30/11/2014 5 of 12 (2001) devices for the surveillance of children are only used when conditions are met as detailed in regulation 22 (Regulation 22(1)(a)(b)(d))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure all parts of the home to which children have access are so far as reasonably practicable free from hazards to their health and safety. This specifically refers to window restrictors (Regulation 23(a)) 30/11/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the registered person shall not employ a person to work at the children’s home unless that person is fit to work at a children’s home and all relevant checks and information is obtained as detailed in Schedule 2 (Regulation 26)(3)(d)) 30/11/2014

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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 staff are able to meet children's individual needs as set out in placement plans by ensuring decisions made in statutory reviews are encompassed into care planning documentation (NMS 2.3)  update the organisation's safeguarding policy and procedure to include information about child sexual exploitation, and also forward a copy of the updated policy to the local authority designated officer (LADO) for approval (Statutory guidance, vol 5, para 2.67)  ensure staff are trained in supervising and facilitating contact, so as to improve planning and outcomes for all involved (NMS 9.2)  ensure the learning and development programme is evaluated for effectiveness at least annually, this specifically refers to; ensuring enrolment for training in safeguarding refreshers and level 3 Children and Young Peoples Workforce Diploma is sped up (NMS 18.2)  ensure the manager monitors all records to identify any patterns or trends

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Recommendations

in order to improve the quality of care provided. (NMS 21.2) 6 of 12

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Outcomes for young people at the home are good and they have all made considerable progress from their starting point upon arrival at the home. Staff understand and interpret the very individual and complex needs of the young people; this enables young people to make progress in many areas of their lives. Staff are proud to report on such achievements and how young people continue to develop skills and grow in confidence. Some examples of progress include the reduction of incidents of challenging behaviours and an increase in confidence and independence skills. One professional commented, ’he has blossomed; he has begun to communicate a lot more.’

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The staff team support young people in adopting healthy lifestyles through exercise and a nutritious diet. Young have their daily routines and specific health needs addressed very well. In some instances, young people are now able to eat a wide range of healthy food, which was previously self-restricted. They have made decisions and are overcoming personal barriers to achieve more confidence in this area. Meal times are seen as social occasions and provide an opportunity to develop new social skills; young people are encouraged and supported to make decisions in order to maximise their independence.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people participate in a wide range of activities both within the home and in the community. Staff ensure young people are supported to engage in age appropriate community-based activities. Young people talk enthusiastically about the activities they undertake; these opportunities mean that young people’s experiences of social interaction are further enhanced. These activities include camping holidays, trips to theme parks, farm visits and shopping trips. Comments from young people include, ‘we go out a lot; it’s fun.’ Young people are able to choose activities they would like to try and this enables them to feel they are listened to and have an influence in the running of the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people’s educational needs are fully supported. Staff communicate well with the schools and attend educational reviews as appropriate. Staff work closely with teachers and individual targets are shared between the school and the home. Staff take the time to observe young people in the school environment to ensure a consistent approach. This ensures that young people are provided with the support and guidance to reach their individual goals.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Individual contact arrangements are suitably supported and facilitated by staff. Young people benefit from the emotional support of staff at these times. Placing authorities report on the flexibility of the home in providing and supporting these arrangements for contact. However, although staff seem aware of any restrictions on contact and facilitate supervised contact arrangements, they have not received any training in this 7 of 12 area. Staff spoken to felt training would give them clear information on their responsibilities to undertake this role.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are making good progress in their development and acquiring skills as a consequence of the quality of the personalised care provided. They can access a full range of stimulating and appropriate opportunities as well as enjoying relationships with their peers. New skills learnt such as sitting at the table, washing and cooking are preparing young people for the transition to adult life. One young person has been supported to work in the organisations charity shop. This has enhanced confidence and independence skills.

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Quality of care good

The staff team have a very good understanding of the individual needs of young people. Consequently, this has enabled some good relationships to form where young people receive consistency and security. Professionals comment, ‘care is great’ and ‘staff respond very well to the young person’s needs.’ Observations were indicative of the trusting relationships between the young people and staff. Staff observe non-verbal communication and are proactive in reassuring young people during difficult times.

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Quality of care good

Young people use a range of communication methods including pictures and objects of reference. Staff are consistent in the use of these aids and adapt and personalise these methods according to the young people’s level of understanding. Young people are supported to make choices in many aspects of their care including the activities they take part in and the meals they eat. Staff will advocate and make complaints on behalf of the young people. This demonstrates that staff listen to and respond to any concerns young people may have and action is taken to address these.

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Quality of care good

Young people’s needs are central in all aspects of their care planning. Detailed and comprehensive placement plans are developed. Placement plans or 'about me' plans take into account the complex needs of the young people including their health, cultural and behavioural needs. These plans are individualised and enable staff to support young people and understand the possible reasons for negative behaviours. Staff are familiar with young people’s placement plans and these are used fluidly across the shifts. This practice ensures consistency in the quality of care is achieved. When possible young people’s views are sought, by link workers, about their placement plans. This is achieved by observing ways in which young people express their likes or dislikes or by young people indicating preferred routines.

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Quality of care good

Staff work in partnership with parents and professionals to ensure that a consistent approach is achieved. Effective communication ensures that key messages about young people’s care and well-being are properly addressed. One parent explained, ‘communication is good and I can contact them at any time.' The home uses the information gained through this consultation to ensure consistency of care is 8 of 12 achieved. Staff are proactive in developing relationships with all professionals and work with them ensures that young people’s needs are appropriately met.

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Quality of care good

The arrangements for the management and administration of medication are safe and effective. Staff have received training in the safe administration of medication and this includes competency checks of their practice. Services are accessed for young people to promote their health and well-being. For example, local community nurses are available for advice to staff and to provide specialist training.

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Quality of care good

The home is generally well presented and maintained; it provides a comfortable environment. It does require some attention as some areas detract from a homely environment. Refurbishment and painting of some of the rooms is due to start in the forthcoming months. The senior management team have clear plans in place for a number of areas to be improved and are in the process of prioritising these. Young people are able to personalise the home with pictures and posters. This approach enables young people to invest in their environment.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Staff interpret young people’s behaviours very well and are therefore able to act upon instances when young people are worried or upset. These positive relationship enables young people to feel safe and confident in being able to communicate any issues as they arise.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people are kept safe through on-going supervision of their whereabouts and the retention of high staffing ratios. Young people’s vulnerability is central to all aspects of care planning and risk management. Staff receive training in safeguarding and recognise particular vulnerabilities relating to young people with disabilities. As a result, staff demonstrate a good understanding of the action to take should they have concerns about a young person’s well-being. There is a wide range of safeguarding policies and procedures in place. However, the current safeguarding policy does not include information in relation to child sexual exploitation.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The supervision provided by the high staffing levels minimises the risk of young people going missing. Procedures to follow are available for staff if such an incident should arise. During the course of the inspection, a young person managed to leave the building through his ground floor window. He was still within the grounds of the children’s home and was unharmed. However, in the process the window restraints had been easily broken. On inspection, the restrictors in place on all the windows were not adequate. This was temporarily resolved at the time of inspection to ensure the young people were safe. However, the windows and the restrictors are of poor quality; the manager recognises that these need to be replaced.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Recruitment processes have been enhanced and now evidence that satisfactory exploration of information has taken place prior agency staff commencing work. 9 of 12 However, information available at the time of inspection showed there are gaps in employment identified in one staff member’s files and photos of staff were not kept on the recruitment files. It is therefore not clear if gaps were explored at the time of recruitment. Where a member of staff has lived outside of the United Kingdom, enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks are undertaken prior to staff starting work. However, further checks have not been undertaken to establish their suitability to work with children. In addition, Disclosure and Barring Service checks do not indicate the outcome. Therefore, the manager was not sure if any risk assessments were in place. The registered person therefore could not demonstrate that they consistently follow good recruitment practice.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The home uses listening monitors and door alarms in the bedrooms due to the complex needs of the young people. The use of the listening monitors is for the purpose of safeguarding certain young people. However, the home has not in every case sought consent from the placing authorities on the use of these measures. This use of surveillance is also not clearly detailed in young people’s placement plans.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Staff are vigilant in responding to young people's gestures, expressions and behaviours. Early intervention is encouraged to understand how young people are feeling but physical restraint is used in exceptional circumstances. There have been a small number of incidents of physical intervention recorded since the last inspection. These are in line with young people’s individual protocols. Care planning documentation clearly identifies risks and preventative measures and young people have individual behaviour plans in place. The home uses ‘time out’ within a specific area within the home as a sanction. The young people are supervised during this time. However, it is not recorded as a sanction and therefore it has not been evaluated to establish if this practice is effective. In addition, the required information is not documented. The home has a behaviour management policy in operation; however, this does not contain current information and has not been

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

revised to include current legislation. This requires reviewing to include all measures of control, restraint and discipline currently used in the home and how positive behaviour is promoted. Senior management confirmed that this is currently under review. However, this was not available at the time of inspection.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The premises provide an environment where young people feel safe and where they are being safely cared for. Young people are protected by sound health and safety routines and the home is appropriately secure, taking into account the needs of the young people. Routine testing of the equipment and detailed risk assessments are regularly undertaken to ensure a safe environment is maintained.

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Leadership and management adequate

10 of 12 There is a strong management team effectively led by the Registered Manager. The Registered Manager has been in post in the children’s home since April 2014 and holds a NVQ level 4 management qualification and a degree in social work. She has the necessary experience to provide strong and effective leadership. The manager is new into post and is aware of some of the weaknesses of the home. However, the shortfalls identified within the safeguarding judgement did not have management oversight. At the time of inspection, the manager was unable to provide evidence that appropriate action had taken place. The management team understand the strengths of the service; there is a development plan in operation to clarify the future of the home with a focus on improving outcomes for young people. It was confirmed that this would be revised as an outcome following this inspection.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff are very clear on the aims and objectives of the service and this is clearly outlined in the Statement of Purpose. This document gives parents and placing authorities’ comprehensive information about what to expect from the service. The children’s guide has been produced to a high standard and is written from the perspective of a child; it is very child-friendly.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff are enthusiastic and committed to the young people in their care. They have formed good relationships with young people and speak positively about them. All staff are receiving regular supervision that provides the opportunity to reflect on their practice. The young people benefit from high staffing ratios, therefore, ensuring there are sufficient staff to supervise young people and their participation in activities. The home has implemented an on-going staff development and training programme. Staff were complimentary about the range of training offered. However, there has been a delay in staff completing refresher training in safeguarding and also new staff being enrolled on the appropriate level 3 qualifications. Options are presently being pursued by the senior management team.

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Leadership and management adequate

There are regular visits to monitor the conduct of the home under Regulation 33 of the Children’s Homes Regulations and the management team undertakes quality assurance monitoring checks in line with Regulation 34. Although it is clear monitoring takes place by the homes management team, the information gathered is not well used to improve the quality of care provided. In addition, trends and patterns are not being fully evaluated. This does not enable immediate action to be taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring.

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Leadership and management adequate

Records are clear, up to date and provide a good picture of a young person's time living in the home. This ensures that an accurate history of events is recorded for them, should they wish to look at these records in the future. However, some information relating to decisions made in statutory reviews for looked after children were not easy to assess and have not been incorporated into care planning. This does not enable staff to refer to up-to-date information. There was one recommendation arising from the previous inspection. This related to recruitment information retained for agency staff. This has been met however, there were further gaps in recruitment records found. Social workers report very good working 11 of 12 relationships with the staff and management of this home where communication is regular and reliable. 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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