Children's Home run by Platinum Services for Children (Residential Care) Ltd in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC378187 Inspector Ruth Loughridge Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person

Platinum Services For Children (Residential Care) Limited Registered person address Platinum Services for Children PO Box 3138 LEEK Staffordshire ST13 9AX Responsible individual Leonard James Pattinson Registered manager Shereen Elizabeth Bloor Date of last inspection 24/03/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 06/11/2014

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Registered person

Previous inspection good 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

This inspection identified both strengths and weaknesses in the operation of the home.

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Overall effectiveness

The good progress that young people make, and the good quality of care, were endorsed by one young person when they said, ‘There’s nothing bad – it’s all good here. They convinced me to stop smoking and they convinced me to do my homework. They have actually got me to do activities. I have done a bit of everything. I do my homework – they do it with me.’ The welcoming environment and the quality of care and support that young people receive mean that young people new to the home, settle quickly.

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Overall effectiveness

Individual risk assessments cover a range of activities and vulnerabilities. In order to avoid misinterpretation and inconsistent practice, some risk assessments required greater clarity. Recruitment practice is not sufficiently robust to ensure that only suitable people are employed to work at the home.

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Overall effectiveness

The Registered Manager’s monitoring reports do not address all the elements required by regulation. The regulation 33 visitor has dual roles within the organisation. Therefore, a review has been recommended to ensure there are no conflicts of interest. One incident was not notified to the regulator as required by 3 of 11 regulation.

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Overall effectiveness

As a result of this inspection 3 requirements and 2 recommendations have been made. These relate to monitoring of the home, risk assessments, staff recruitment and making notifications to the regulator as is required. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for two young people of either gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned and is adjacent to the organisation's other home.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/03/2014 Interim good progress 05/12/2013 Full good 20/12/2012 Interim good progress 10/07/2012 Full adequate

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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

(2001) ensure for the purposes of paragraph (1), a person is not fit to work at a children’s home unless— (d) full and satisfactory information is available in relation to him in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 2 (regulation 26 (3) (d)) 31/12/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure if, in relation to a children’s home, 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)) 31/12/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

34 ensure the registered person shall establish and 31/12/2014 5 of 11 (2001) maintain a system for monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 at appropriate intervals least once in every 3 months; and improving the quality of care provided in the children’s home (regulation 34 (1) (a) (b)).

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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 that any activities in which children participate are, so far as reasonably practicable, free from avoidable risks. This is with particular reference to clarity of risk assessments. (Volume 5 (2.60))  ensure suitable arrangements exist for professional supervision of the registered person of the agency. This is with particular reference to the dual role of the regulation 33 visitor (N.MS 19.3). 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people’s participation in education and employment is good. Since the last inspection of this home, some young people have made significant achievements in gaining valuable work experience and training certificates. One young person commented, ‘If you look at my room I have certificates. I have food hygiene and stuff like that. I have fire safety – I learned loads of stuff.’ This represents huge strides in relation to enhanced confidence and self-esteem. As a result of their active engagement, young people are better prepared for the workplace as they learn, and develop better routines.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Some young people respond well to encouragement and arrangements which promote good health. Although other young people resist engagement with health services, they do attend some key appointments. Some young people stop smoking, diets improve, and for some young people there is a significant reduction in the use of illegal substances. Good relationships between young people and the staff team supports young people’s emotional wellbeing, and, where appropriate, young people access external therapeutic services. Therefore young people’s good health is maintained and health outcomes are improved.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

One young person stated, ‘Tonight we are making cheesecake and making pizza for tea. This is another part of my education.’ Another young person commented, ‘I do my own food shopping and they help with budgeting.’ This shows that young people are developing life skills that will support them as they prepare for independence.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people regularly see significant family members. Because contact is maintained, family relationships have opportunity to develop and improve. This supports family identity and belonging, as well as helping young people settle into and prepare to move on from the home.

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Quality of care good

Young people develop good relationships with staff and they speak positively about the care they receive at this home. One young person stated, ‘It’s alright – I like it here. I have been in loads of care homes and it’s a good care home this. It’s a nice house – it’s clean – staff are fair with you and they have got a good team here. My keyworker helps me out and speaks to me – he has done loads of stuff.’ Another young person commented, ‘My experience so far I’d give it 10/10. I can’t pick out any faults.’ 7 of 11 Individual placement plans set out young people’s needs, targets for progress and they are reviewed at least monthly. The plans set out the responsibilities to progress the plans for both the staff, and the young people. They are discussed with young people and signed by them to show their agreement with the plans and their targets. Young people have their say about their day to day care. One young person stated, ‘I

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Quality of care good

have my say about all of it. I pick my menu on a Friday and I choose my activities. I have a new bed quilt for my room and I got some new stuff. I got my telly from my mum’s and I have some photos of my family.’ Another young person stated, ‘We jointly agreed the colours for the house.’ Consultation with parents is utilised to identify young people’s likes, dislikes, interests and talents which helps them to settle into the home and to make progress

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Quality of care good

The importance of supporting and promoting family contact is well understood by staff. Contact is arranged by staff in line with agreements with placing authorities. The staff go to significant lengths to ensure young people have practical and emotional support around seeing family and dealing with family matters. This practice exemplifies the caring approach of the staff team. . Young people have the opportunity to celebrate and observe cultural events such as bonfire night, birthdays and mother’s day.

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Quality of care good

Systems are in place to ensure that young people understand how to make a complaint. One young person stated, ‘If I wanted to complain I would – I know I have a right to complain.’

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Quality of care good

Young people’s education and learning is encouraged and promoted. The staff spend time ensuring young people, who do not have formal education placements, are engaged in meaningful activity. They work with social workers, virtual school head teachers and private providers to secure and co-ordinate the provision of agreed and suitable education. When speaking about the support they receive, one young person said. ‘I do my homework – they do it with me. If they don’t know about it then they phone someone.’

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Quality of care good

The homely environment reflects young people’s choices and is well maintained. One external professional, who knows the home and the young people well, stated, ‘It is run as a home and it offers young people stability.’ The welcoming environment helps young people to feel comfortable and at home.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people state that they feel safe at this home. One young person commented, ‘If I needed to speak to someone I could speak to most of the staff though I am not a very open person so it’s a start.’ Another young person stated, ‘The staff ring me and check I am ok and I am and they ask me if I want a lift back and they report me – they will come and get me – they go out and look for me. There is nothing more they could do.’ 8 of 11 Close liaison with the police, placing authority and youth offending services, means that responses to young people’s unauthorised absence from the home are jointly agreed in a multi-disciplinary forum. The impact has been increase transparency and cooperation from young people. Therefore, overall risks are reduced. A local police officer commented, ‘We have known where he is only because of the bond with the home and because he trusts them.’ The youth offending officer for one young

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

person, who is preparing to move on from the home stated, ‘Although absent they do verify where he is stopping. Previously he was missing for 11 days. In this home they know where he is and he keeps in touch.’ Records show that staff maintain close contact with young people when they are absent without authority. Staff complete training which supports them to identify signs of, and to respond to, concerns about child sexual exploitation (CSE). Where CSE concerns are present, the staff ensure that young people access appropriate support.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people’s individual risk assessments address a range of known and likely behaviour and vulnerabilities. Whilst they are generally good, some risk assessments could include more detail, for example, consideration should be given to including strengths as well as concerns, within the assessment documentation. One particular risk assessment lacks clarity which leaves potential for inconsistencies in interpretation and practice. The Registered Manager has undertaken to address this immediately.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Although disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks are undertaken, and references are taken up for new employees, recruitment practice does not meet regulatory requirements. For example, a detailed employment history is not always gained. Therefore, robust recruitment practices are not evidenced and this means that potentially, unsuitable people could be recruited to work at the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Positive behaviour is promoted through a focus upon incentive and reward, therefore, the use of sanctions is minimal. Strong and cooperative working relationships between the home, the youth offending service and the local police, helps to reduce young people’s levels offending behaviour. This was acknowledged by both the police and the youth offending service. The ‘single point of contact’ police officer for the home stated, ‘He is working in a way that he has not worked with a care home before. He used to be difficult with the police – now he speaks to me!’ A youth offending service stated, ‘There were a number of offences in quick succession when he moved into the home – now – for a significant period of time he has had few offences. He engages better - the staff are consistent. Overall risks are reduced.’ This shows that young people are learning to control and change their behaviour which, over time, becomes more socially acceptable.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The environment is physically safe and secure. Regular health and safety checks are completed. When asked about the things that staff do to keep them safe one young person said, ‘They check the locks and the windows every day and make sure the house is secure and they turn the kettle off at night and stuff.’ This shows that young 9 of 11 are learning the importance maintaining a safe home

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Leadership and management adequate

The home’s Registered Manager has been in post since 2008. She holds the Level 5 Diploma and is suitably experienced and qualified to undertake the responsibilities of the post.

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Leadership and management adequate

The home has worked with placing authorities and has advocated well on behalf of young people to ensure they move on from the home in a timely way. There is a clear commitment to meeting the needs of all young people, therefore, careful consideration is given to the admission of young people new to the home. This is to ensure their needs can be met and they are compatible with other young people who live there. The social worker for one young person stated, ‘They have attended all meetings. They informed local agencies he had been placed. Communication has been good regarding education and getting education sorted – they liaised with the virtual school team. I receive weekly update reports. They understand his needs and put plans in place and follow the LAC plan. They give us a breakdown of his activities health appointments and education participation.’ This shows that the home works well with key professionals and agencies.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff training is ongoing, much which is completed online. One staff member spoke positively about this learning style and demonstrated how the online learning package is an ongoing resource to refresh learning and direct to other sources of information and support. Staff training is monitored to ensure that all staff training is up to date.

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Leadership and management adequate

The Registered Manager undertakes regular monitoring of the home, however, reports submitted do not fulfil all of the requirements of regulation 34. Monitoring reports prepared by the regulation 33 visitor are comprehensive and they are utilised to secure improvements. However, the visitor also provides supervision to the Registered Manager which means they have a dual role within the organisation. A review of this arrangement has been recommended to ensure there are no conflicts of interest. One incident, which was appropriately addressed, was not notified to the regulator as required by regulation.

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Leadership and management adequate

The home’s records are of a good standard. Tracking documents are used, to review and monitor young people’s progress. Confidential files are securely stored. Photographs and memorabilia are kept for young people in order that they have their own record of their time spent at the home. 10 of 11 The registered manager has been proactive in developing good relationships with neighbours and the home responds well to minor concerns which are part of usual neighbourhood matters. 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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