Children's Home run by Crossways Care Ltd in Somerset

Unique reference number SC452009 Inspector Sarah Canto Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Crossways Care Ltd Registered person address Unit 2, Chinon Court Lower Moor Way TIVERTON Devon EX16 6SS Responsible individual Shahnaz Susan Cole Registered manager James Richard Corrado / POST VACANT Date of last inspection 26/02/2014 2 of 9 Inspection date 22/10/2014

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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 adequate Keeping children and young people safe adequate Leadership and management adequate

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care and accommodation to one child who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/02/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 13/09/2013 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) ensure where a measure of restraint is used on a child the record required under paragraph (3) must include; details of any methods used to avoid the need to use that measure and signatures of staff (Regulation 17B(4)(b)) 27/11/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) promote and protect the physical, emotional and mental health of children accommodated in the home. In particular, ensure that children are provided with appropriate support to develop their emotional wellbeing as identified for their individual needs (Regulation 20 (1)) 27/11/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a record in permanent form is maintained in respect of each child who is accommodated in a children's home, which includes 27/11/2014 4 of 9 the information, documents and records specified in Schedule 3 relating to that child and is kept up to date; in particular (Regulation 28 1(18))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) keep under review and revise the placement plan as necessary; in particular encourage young people to contribute and sign placement plans (Regulation 12 (2)) 27/11/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that facilities to send and receive post and, if necessary facilities are provided for the use of children accommodated in the home, electronic mail, in private; in particular access to a computer (Regulation 15 (4) (b)) 27/11/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the children's home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated there; in particular ensure risk assessments are comprehensive and the police are contacted without delay when young people abscond (Regulation 11 (1)(a)) 20/11/2014

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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 children receive prompt feedback on any concerns and complaints raised and are kept informed of progress; in particular that children sign the record of complaints to evidence they are satisfied with the outcome of their complaint (NMS 1.6)  ensure the learning and development programme is evaluated for effectiveness at least annually and if necessary is updated; in particular ensure an up to date training record is kept for all staff (NMS 18.2)  ensure where any sanctions, disciplinary measures or restraint are used, children are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home (NMS 3.18)  ensure there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring and controlling the activities of the home; in particular a development plan which specifies targets, who will complete these and timescales. (NMS 21.1) 5 of 9

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are making good progress. Where they have struggled to settle in other placements, they have responded to the calming and nurturing environment provided by the staff and manager. Young people demonstrate this through their development of trusting relationships with staff, a reduction in absconding behaviour, maintaining contact with family, and excellent attendance in education. A social worker commented on a young person’s progress and said ‘they have built positive relationships with staff and risk taking behaviour has significantly reduced.’

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Some young people came to the home with high levels of absconding. While these incidents have not stopped, there is a reduction in frequency and duration. Self- harming behaviours have decreased both in frequency. Young people are starting to show signs of understanding their own behaviours and actions. They have engaged with staff by participating in meaningful key worker sessions. Sessions have involved mind mapping, and young people are starting to explore their feelings and behaviours in relation to sensitive subjects. As a result their self-awareness and positive sense of self has increased. Young people are actively taking responsibility for emotional and physical health. Attendance at a recent meeting with a variety of professionals is a significant step for young people who have previously found this intimidating. Young people also take care of their appearance and this in turn demonstrates that they are

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Education is an area of significant progress for young people. Where young people have previously not attended school, they are now engaging in full time education. Young people complete homework in the evenings and talk positively about aspirations for their future, saying ‘I want to do well at school and attend university.’ Young people are completing GSCE courses and are proud of their achievements. For example a young person has been assessed to have increased their spelling ability by two years in the five month period of living in this home.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people understand how to make a complaint and have done so. The head of care has written to young people to advise them of outcomes of complaints, however, comprehensive information is not evident in files. Young people have indicated that they are not clear about the outcomes and have not had the opportunity to sign to evidence whether they are happy with the outcome.

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Quality of care adequate

Some young people have not been able to increase their independence skills and experience activities they particularly enjoy due to individual health needs. Staff have 6 of 9 employed a cautious approach to ensure young people's safety during leisure activities in line with advice given by professionals. However, young people's situations have recently improved, but staff have not responded accordingly by reviewing current plans. As a result, there are times when some young people are feeling frustrated and bored due to the lack of opportunity to develop their independence. The manager has now arranged meetings with professionals, family and young people to plan how to promote activities, social networks and independence safely.

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Quality of care adequate

On two occasions over the past five months, young people have been cared for by staff they do not know well. This has caused some anxiety to young people who are accustomed to a consistent and small staff team of six, including the manager. The staff and manager work hard to support young people and this approach has resulted in young people having trusting and fun relationships.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people do not have access to a computer in the home to use social media and other sites suitable for their age and development, as the computer is being repaired. However, staff facilitate supervised computer access at the library.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people’s uniqueness and sense of identity is promoted. A memory book with photographs containing thoughtful and frequent entries by staff and young people is maintained. In addition young people are supported to collect memorabilia. Staff ensure that young people's individual needs are clearly highlighted in all aspects of care. Staff support young people to see their families by transporting them and maintaining contact with family members, reinforcing their sense of identity. Family members highlighted the positive aspects of progress for young people with one saying, ‘they have got on better here than any other home. I like the home and the people running it.’ Family members are actively involved with young people.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people display photographs of significant staff members and themselves in their bedrooms. They have also decorated their rooms to welcome a particular staff member from holiday. This shows the meaningful relationships young people are building with a caring staff team. While young people find the rural location and lack of contact with other young people challenging, young people have said ‘I like the home and I like the staff.’ The home is a welcoming environment with recent improvements in décor. Staff and young people have contributed to making changes in the home. Young people have been helped to decorate their own bedrooms in chosen colours. Young people contribute to the running of the home and are involved with planning for meals and activities.

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Quality of care adequate

Staff actively support young people with their education. Young people were observed to leave for school in a happy and relaxed manner. Staff transport young people to and from school. They also remain with young people during their school hours so they can be on hand to support them if needed. This has enabled young people who previously did not attend school to achieve 100% attendance and gives young people a further sense of security. 7 of 9

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The amount of sanctions recorded is disproportionate to rewards. Not all of these positive or negative consequences for behaviour have been creative or effective. For example, sanctions of stopping paid activities are used when some young people need to experience activities for their development. Staff do not currently provide young people with the opportunity to comment on or sign to say they agree to rewards and sanctions. The manager has recognised the shortfalls and is reviewing the type of sanctions and rewards that staff give to young people. The manager has also created new documentation to reflect contributions from young people for future activity.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Recordings of incidents do not contain enough detail on the methods used to de- escalate situations and avoid restraint. Without full information, the manager's ability to review the effectiveness of methods staff employ to care for young people is limited. In addition, the manager and staff have not consistently signed records. There is infrequent use of physical intervention with current young people in the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people have experienced delay in receiving specialist support from Children and Mental Health professionals in relation to self-harming behaviours. The manager has not robustly challenged this delay. Without the recommended treatment being provided, young people's ability to progress in this area is hampered.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The manager responded to a safeguarding allegation in accordance with procedures to ensure that young people are protected.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

During two episodes of absconding, staff did not contact the police quickly enough or act in accordance with young people’s individual risk assessments. In addition, these assessments do not specifically detail the actions staff need to take when young people do go missing. The home operates a ‘tag system’ which failed on one occasion when a young person went missing. The manager has taken action to inform staff of their required responsibilities for future practice. Incidents of absconding have decreased over time, as young people have settled into the home. Young people’s social workers are impressed as to how staff respond to episodes of absconding. One social worker said ‘they go the extra mile and are out searching in all the places the young person might be’.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

There is a careful recruitment process in place and staff are vetted appropriately. Gaps in employment history are accounted for and extra references are taken up where required. 8 of 9

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Leadership and management adequate

There have been two occasions when young people have been cared for by staff that they do not know well. The impact on young people of being cared for by unfamiliar staff, albeit infrequently, is unsettling. Rotas show that covering staff from other homes within this organisation are used at a last resort to cover unforeseen circumstances.

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Leadership and management adequate

Placement plans for young people are not succinct and do not contain relevant signatures. There has not been sustained determination to chase up shortfalls in actions by other professionals and the placing authority to ensure there is no delay to young people accessing necessary services. This includes specialist support, up to date placing authority pathway plans and independence plans.

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Leadership and management adequate

The recently appointed manager for this home is suitably experienced and qualified. He has submitted an application to register with Ofsted and this is in progress. The manager is a good role model for staff and young people. He demonstrates positive and caring interactions with young people and has good relationships with staff who benefit from strong leadership. Staff benefit from the supervision and support given to them by the manager. In addition, a psychologist provides specialist consultation to assist the team in meeting young people's individual needs. Staff receive mandatory and additional training to support them in their work with young people. However, the manager is unable to ascertain whether training needs are met and up to date due to incomplete records.

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Leadership and management adequate

The manager has an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses in the home. The development plan addresses these shortfalls but is not specific about what needs to be done, by when and who. The home is visited regularly by an independent person who provides a quality assurance role to the management of the home and produces monthly reports. The manager has implemented actions highlighted in these reports. The comprehensive Statement of Purpose has been updated recently and accurately reflects practice within in the home. 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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