Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Wolverhampton

Unique reference number SC390576 Inspector Matthew Hedges Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Registered person Care Today (Children's Services) Ltd Registered person address Care Today Children's Services, Lansdowne House 85 Buxton Road STOCKPORT Cheshire SK2 6LR Responsible individual Vivien Anne Snape Registered manager Samantha Alison Cookson Date of last inspection 11/03/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 12/11/2014

p.1

Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

p.2

Overall effectiveness inadequate

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

p.2

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for four young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private organisation.

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/03/2014 Interim good progress 03/10/2013 Full good 19/02/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 01/05/2012 Full good

p.3

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.

p.3

Reg. Requirement Due date

4 (2001) ensure that the children’s home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose (Regulation 4 (6)) 28/12/2014

p.3

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 (Regulation 11 (1) (a)) 14/12/2014

p.3

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the children’s home is conducted so as to make proper provision for the care, education, supervision, support and, where appropriate, treatment, of children accommodated there (Regulation 11 (1) (b)) 14/12/2014

p.3

Reg. Requirement Due date

17B prepare and implement a written policy (in this 14/12/2014 4 of 10 (2001) regulation referred to as the “behaviour management policy”) which sets out the 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 in the home (Regulation 17B (1)) 17B (2001) ensure that where a measure of restraint is used on a child the record must include the duration of the measure of restraint (Regulation 17B (4) (a)) 14/12/2014

p.3

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)) 14/12/2014

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the home to which children have access are so far as reasonably practicable free from hazards to their health or safety (Regulation 23 (a)) 14/12/2014

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal. (Regulation 27 (4) (a)) 14/12/2014

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.4

Recommendations

 ensure that where there has been physical restraint, children’s homes must be able to call on medical assistance as required and children are always given the opportunity to be examined by a registered nurse or medical practitioner (NMS 3.16)  ensure that physical restrictions on normal movement within or from the home are not used unless this is necessary to safeguard children and promote their welfare and development. Such measures are only used where agreed with the responsible authority and, if appropriate, the parents. Such restrictions for one child do not impose similar restrictions on other children (NMS 10.4)  ensure that the learning and development programme is evaluated for effectiveness at least annually and if necessary is updated (NMS 18.2)  ensure that information about the child is recorded clearly and in a way which will be helpful to the child when they access their files now or in the

p.4

Recommendations

future. Children are actively encouraged to read their files, other than confidential or third party information and to correct errors and add personal statements. (NMS 22.5) 5 of 10 6 of 10

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people inadequate

Behaviour can be particularly high risk; this includes ligature tying and climbing out of windows. In these instances young people are not safe. A number of professionals including a young person’s social worker and mental health worker raised concern over the safety of young people. The impact of behaviour results in some young people failing to make progress in key areas of their life. This behaviour also has a negative influence on other young people’s sense of safety and security.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people inadequate

Some young people spend a significant amount of time away from the home, with friends or partners. As a result staff influence is limited. Some young people see this as positive step towards independence; it is also a barrier to progress. For example, one young person has stopped attending college because of this. This impacts significantly on their ability to achieve and progress educationally and does not equip them with the skills required for independence. Other young people are engaged in education and their attendance is generally good. One headteacher commented that some young people have achieved 100% attendance so far this year. This helps support improved attainment.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people inadequate

Some young people display offending behaviours particularly during time spent in the community. This places them at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people inadequate

Risk taking behaviours also impact negatively on young people’s emotional health, well-being and sense of safety. Young people have access to therapeutic support but do not always choose to engage with this. One mental health professional raised concerns that a young person had not attended their session for ‘at least the last few weeks’.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people inadequate

Most young people smoke and show no desire to engage in the support offered to stop. This impacts on their health.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people inadequate

Young people see their family and friends regularly. This ensures that young people stay in touch with people that are important to them. It also helps young people to develop a greater understanding of their background.

p.6

Quality of care inadequate

7 of 10 Some young people do not receive the care and support they require. For example, not all young people’s bedrooms are thoroughly cleaned. This means that the environment is unpleasant and unwelcoming. This affects young people’s emotional well-being and sense of self-esteem. It also increases their chances of being bullied by their peers.

p.7

Quality of care inadequate

Relationships between staff and young people are sometimes strained and fragmented. For some young people this is affected by the amount of time they spend away from the home. Other young people interpret staff supervision as being overly intrusive. Several young people commented that staff watch them all the time. Staff feel that this level of supervision is necessary due to the behaviour that young people display. Positive activities are offered to young people but are not always accepted. This limits the opportunities to spend positive time building relationships further. Young people have mixed views about the home, the staff, and the care they receive.

p.7

Quality of care inadequate

Arrangements for safely managing and recording medication in the home are poor. For example, a young person’s medication records do not accurately reflect the amount of medication held at the home. This leaves young people at risk of receiving incorrect medication.

p.7

Quality of care inadequate

Young people have individual care plans and risk assessments. These are insufficient. They lack detail in some key areas including strategies to follow when young people display some unsafe behaviours. This does not allow staff to work confidently when faced with these behaviours. In addition, there is no evidence that young people are actively encouraged to read their files or to add personal statements. This does not promote a sense of ownership for young people or a sense that their views are valued.

p.7

Quality of care inadequate

Staff work with education providers to promote young people’s education. One provider spoke positively about the support the home offers stating, they are ‘very consistent, they call every morning and give clear consistent messages.’

p.7

Quality of care inadequate

Families also talk positively about the support that the home offers, one parent described the home as, ‘excellent’. Another said that the home has ‘tried really hard’ and worked well with the young person and the whole family. This helps ensure that young people are actively supported to maintain close links with their families.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Some young people display significant risk taking behaviour and are not kept safe.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Areas of the home present risks to young people. For example, young people can climb out of windows. This puts them at risk of harm. In addition, young people have been able to lock themselves in the kitchen and prevent staff from entering. This 8 of 10 means that young people are not adequately supervised in an environment where there are hazards.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

The home’s behaviour management policy does not set out some measures used by staff. As a result, staff are using measures that are not risk assessed. For example, staff turn off the electric supply to young people’s bedroom sockets. In addition, the back door is regularly locked to prevent young people leaving the home. This impacts on freedom of movement and being able to access the outside of the home. This has resulted in young people being unable to go in the garden at times. Young people raised concerns about this. Young people’s behaviour management plans are poor. They do not identify effective strategies to assist young people to manage their behaviour or outline how positive behaviour is to be promoted.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Staff are trained in the use of physical restraint techniques. There have been 12 incidents where physical restraint has been used since the last inspection. This has been to prevent injury to staff or young people. Records do not always show that young people have been offered the opportunity to be examined by a medical professional following a physical intervention. In addition, restraint records do not always show the duration of the restraint. These shortfalls leave young people at risk of not getting the support they require. It also hinders effective oversight and evaluation of these incidents.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Staff are knowledgeable about the potential risks when young people are missing. They are aware of the factors that may trigger this and take action. For some young people this reduces the number of missing incidents. A police officer commented positively about the home’s response when young people go missing. They described the Registered Manager as ‘very proactive’ and felt that ‘staff are willing to go the extra mile’ when young people are missing.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Outside of missing incidents, the police have little contact with the home. In part, this is due to a lack of emergency incidents that require police support, which is positive. The home has not sought to secure proactive relationships with the police outside of this; this does not support effective joint working or information sharing. This impacts upon the safety of young people and the quality of the service the home provides.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Effective staff recruitment ensures that young people are protected from unsafe adults working in the home. Staff are aware of the whistleblowing procedure and show good awareness of the process to follow. This further helps to protect young people.

p.8

Leadership and management inadequate

9 of 10 The home is managed by an experienced and suitably qualified Registered Manager who has been in post since January 2009.

p.9

Leadership and management inadequate

Staff do not receive sufficient training to enable them to provide safe care for young people. For example, staff have not received any training in relation to ligature tying behaviours, despite this being a significant issue for the home. This places young people at risk as staff are unsure how to safely manage this type of behaviour. In addition, the effectiveness of the training programme is not evaluated annually by the Registered Manager. This does not allow for development of this programme or help staff to meet their training needs.

p.9

Leadership and management inadequate

The services available to young people are not consistent with those outlined in the home’s Statement of Purpose. Specifically, the Statement of Purpose outlines the therapeutic support that could be offered by the provider. The Registered Manager explained that young people are unable to access this support due to the distance from the home. This could cause confusion for placing authorities, young people and families.

p.9

Leadership and management inadequate

The Registered Manager monitors the home’s records. They are aware of the home’s strengths and identify some areas for improvement. This has not addressed the safeguarding concerns for some young people or improved the quality of care offered by the home. The failure to take swift action has left young people at risk of harm.

p.9

Leadership and management inadequate

The home is generally maintained and has been redecorated in several areas. One parent commented positively about the improvements made to the lounge. They felt it was, ‘lovely’ and, ‘looked more homely’. Specific issues raised at the last inspection in relation to the garden wall, the cooker hood and the handles on young people’s bedroom furniture have been addressed. Other areas, including the cleanliness of some young people’s bedrooms, are insufficient and impacts on young people’s well- being.

p.9

Leadership and management inadequate

Staff receive regular supervisions and talk positively about the support they receive from the Registered Manager. This allows staff to discuss areas of concern. New staff also confirm that they have regular supervision and access to support frequently. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.9

Leadership and management inadequate

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.10

Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

p.10

Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

p.10

Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

p.10

Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10