Children's Home run by Essex County Council in Essex

Unique reference number SC044975 Inspector Matthew Hedges Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Essex County Council Registered person address County Hall CHELMSFORD CM1 1QH

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Responsible individual Geoffrey Darwin Registered manager Sally-Anne Slade-Watts Date of last inspection 11/03/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 27/01/2015

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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

Young people benefit from high quality, individualised care plans. This underpins effective support by a consistent and committed staff team. Consequently, the majority of young people make progress in key areas of their lives.

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Overall effectiveness

A number of shortfalls were found at this inspection. These relate to the implementation of the child protection policy, some areas of physical restraint, supervision, training, recruitment checks and young people’s case files. In addition, there were shortfalls in relation to one area of risk assessment, décor, and emergency evacuation plans.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people, families and other professionals talk positively about the service, the Registered Manager and the staff team. Young people feel safe and staff show a sound awareness of safeguarding practice.

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Overall effectiveness

The Registered Manager understands the strengths and weaknesses of the service and has a detailed development plan in place. This includes plans to address a number of the shortfalls highlighted by this inspection. 3 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home provides respite care and accommodation for up to 12 children with disabilities or learning difficulties and with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The children are cared for in three separate flats. The home is managed by the local authority.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/03/2014 Interim good progress 19/09/2013 Full good 08/11/2012 Interim satisfactory progress 20/07/2012 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) prepare and implement a written a policy which is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect and sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect (Regulation 16 (1) (a) (b)) 27/02/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17A (2001) ensure that any measure of restraint may only be used on a child accommodated in a children’s home for the purpose of preventing injury to any person or preventing serious damage to the property, and then only where no alternative method of 27/02/2015 4 of 10 preventing the event is available (Regulation 17A (1) (a) (b))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that full and satisfactory information is available in relation to all staff employed in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 2 (Regulation 26 (3) (d)) 27/02/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed receive appropriate training (Regulation 27 (4) (a)) 27/02/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed receive appropriate supervision (Regulation 27 (4) (a)) 27/02/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) maintain in respect of each child who is accommodated in the children’s home a record in permanent form which includes the information, documents and records specified in Schedule 3 relating to that child. (Regulation 28 (1) (a)) 27/02/2015

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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 where it is necessary to adjust the environment of the home so that it is safe and secure, then decisions about the use of locks should be based on a careful risk assessment that allows children as much freedom as possible, consistent with the need to keep them safe (Children Act 1989 guidance and regulations volume 5, 2.109)  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 the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated (NMS 10.3)  ensure that there is an emergency escape plan that all staff and children are familiar with and have practiced so they know what to do in an emergency (NMS 10.9)  ensure that all new staff hold the level 3 Children & Young Peoples

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Recommendations

Workforce Diploma which must include mandatory social care units; or be working towards the Diploma within 6 months of confirmation of employment. (NMS 18.5) 5 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Most young people make good progress in all areas of their life. This helps them to develop key skills and a positive self-view. For many young people, this also increases their ability to make and sustain appropriate relationships with adults and their peers. A very small number of young people came to the service in an emergency and had to leave quickly due to their behaviour. This impacted on the progress they could make.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The vast majority of young people receiving short breaks feel confident and secure in their time away from home. Parents talk positively about the improvements young people make in this regard. Parents feel that this helps young people to make progress in other areas of their life as their anxieties reduce. Social workers also confirm this. One social worker explained that: ‘A young person would not leave their house as they were very anxious. Now they can, because their confidence has increased. The young person is very proud.’

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people generally enjoy good physical health. Young people do not smoke or misuse drugs. In addition, they develop a basic understanding of healthy eating and engage in a range of physical activities. This helps them to develop a healthy lifestyle.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Some young people display challenging behaviours. For the majority of young people these behaviours have decreased. This has a positive impact on their lives. For example, young people are able to access a wider range of experiences safely. In addition, this has improved the quality of some relationships with their families. For some young people, it has also allowed specific goals to be reached, including being able to sleep during the night.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people with significant communication difficulties develop the skills and confidence to express their opinions. Young people feel proud of this and are better able to influence the care they receive. One independent reviewing officer highlighted this as a key area for one young person. They went on to say that they were, ‘astounded by the progress the young person has made’.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The majority of young people have excellent attendance at their education placements. This supports improved academic attainment and social skills and helps young people to feel confident.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people develop practical life skills. This supports them to become increasingly independent. For some young people, this includes an increasing ability to undertake their own personal care tasks. Others learn how to cook healthy meals or complete domestic tasks. Young people are proud of their achievements. This improves their 6 of 10 self-esteem and increases the options open to them as they approach adulthood.

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Quality of care good

Young people are consistently cared for by a committed staff team. Young people and families have good relationships with staff and speak positively about the service they receive. One young person commented that they liked the staff, ‘they can take a joke’. Another young person’s family described the, ‘outstanding work and support’ offered by the service. Other professionals echo this view, citing numerous examples of good practice. The service works effectively with professionals from a range of agencies. This includes health services, education and social care. One social worker commented that this joined up working helps to protect young people and ensure they receive consistent care. It also ensures young people receive the support they require.

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Quality of care good

Staff work proactively with families. Strategies regarding behaviour and daily routines are replicated in each setting and are regularly reviewed. Detailed, highly personalised and up to date care plans clearly outline young people’s needs. This ensures that young people receive consistent care and boundaries. Young people’s anxieties reduce because of this and their behaviour improves. Not all young people’s files contain some relevant information. Specifically, this relates to any statement of special educational needs. Close working relationships with education providers limit the impact of this on young people.

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Quality of care good

The home is generally well maintained. Some of the bathrooms and some young people’s bedrooms are partly decorated, which does impact on the homeliness of the environment for some young people.

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Quality of care good

The views and wishes of young people and their families are regularly sought and taken into account. For example, when young people come to stay, which other young people they would like to see, and what activities are offered. Young people’s views are also taken into account in relation to the physical support they receive. For example, when being supported with personal care tasks. This ensures that young people and their families feel confident to express their views, and reassured that their opinions are valued. The home has a clear complaints procedure accessible to young people and their families. Few complaints are received.

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Quality of care good

Staff enthusiastically promote young people’s education. Staff challenge shortfalls in education provision. Staff advocate for young people showing them that they care; access to education improves because of this. Strong work with transitions services also ensures that this support continues as young people approach adulthood. 7 of 10 Young people access a range of activities while using the service. These relate to individual interests and hobbies. Some young people access the home’s independence programme or specific courses, which supports them to develop their cooking skills. This culminates in an evening where young people cook for their families in a restaurant environment. Consequently, they develop their skills and confidence.

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Quality of care good

Effective systems are in place for dealing with young people’s medication. In addition, staff are well trained to support with specific health care tasks. A health professional talked positively about the service. They noted, ‘excellent record keeping’ and went on to say that staff support to young people is, ‘excellent, they support young people in a very dignified way.’ This ensures young people’s health needs are met.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

There is some use of physical restraint. In an isolated case, a young person was held on a number of occasions to prevent their behaviour escalating. In these instances, restraint was used before people were at risk of injury or there was serious damage to property. The young person left the service after a short time following a review of their needs. Restraint records evidence evaluation of the decision to restrain the young person and learning from these incidents. The service has not admitted young people in similar situations since. Physical interventions used by staff prior to this and following this were appropriate.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Overall, restraint records are detailed and well written. They provide clear evaluation and are regularly monitored by the Registered Manager. They do not always show that young people are routinely offered the opportunity to be examined by a registered nurse or medical practitioner. This limits the support available to young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The service has a clear child protection policy. On one occasion, this was not implemented effectively. This was addressed robustly by the Registered Manager and appropriate action was taken.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people say that they feel safe; overall their behaviour supports this. Young people can identify adults they trust. In the majority of cases, positive and proactive behaviour management strategies are effectively applied. This improves young people’s behaviour. The service rarely uses negative sanctions, preferring to build on positive behaviours with rewards. Staff and young people do not identify bullying as an issue.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Staff are knowledgeable about safeguarding issues. They are committed to young people’s safety and are aware of key risks for individual young people. The service provides good support to young people with specific safeguarding needs and liaises 8 of 10 well with other professionals. This helps to protect young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people do not go missing. Staff are aware of factors that may trigger this and of young people’s increased vulnerabilities. Clear protocols are in place should a young person go missing. Young people do not engage in offending behaviour and police involvement is extremely rare.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Some doors within the home are locked. In addition, a small number of young people require a bed with lockable sides. These measures are used appropriately to keep young people safe. The service does not risk assess these measures; this has the potential to impact on young people’s freedom to move around the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

All staff have up to date checks and references. Some staff files do not evidence a full work history or that some gaps in employment are explored. All staff receive safeguarding training regularly. Staff are aware of the home’s whistle blowing procedures. In addition, any allegations against staff are well handled by the Registered Manager. These measures reduce the impact of the shortfall and safeguard young people from unsafe adults.

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Leadership and management adequate

The service is managed by an experienced Registered Manager who has been in post since 2006. They hold a variety of qualifications including a level four national vocational qualification and the Registered Manager’s award. The Registered Manager continues to develop their knowledge, focusing on key areas such as communication. This is highly beneficial to the young people the service supports.

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Leadership and management adequate

The Registered Manager is aware of the service’s strengths and weaknesses and has a development plan in place. This plan is continually shared and updated with the staff team, creating a greater sense of shared responsibility. The Registered Manager monitors the performance of the service regularly and produces reports with clear action plans. These plans also inform the development plan. The Registered Manager sets ambitious targets in some areas; some aspects of the service improve because of this. The service addressed the one recommendation made at the last inspection. This related to the maintenance of the garden.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff receive regular training in key areas. Not all staff have access to some refresher training in a timely way. Primarily, this relates to fire training and Makaton training. In addition, not all staff start to work towards a level three qualification within six months of confirmation of their employment. This prevents some staff from progressing professionally and keeping up to date with the skills required to support young people.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff talk extremely positively about the support they receive, this includes access to regular supervision, which supports staff and helps to develop their practice. The 9 of 10 service uses a small number of temporary staff employed via a recruitment agency. In contrast, not all of these workers have the same access to regular supervision. This limits the support available to them and the opportunities to reflect on their practice.

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Leadership and management adequate

Health and safety arrangements are strong. Swift action is taken in response to any issues and are tracked through the Registered Manager’s monitoring reports. Fire drills are regular but do not always include young people. Young people have individualised personal evacuation plans but do not always have the opportunity to practice these. This limits young people’s confidence in this area.

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Leadership and management adequate

The service has a clear, individualised Statement of Purpose. This ensures that families, young people and other agencies understand the aims and objectives of the service and the facilities offered.

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Leadership and management adequate

The Registered Manager has very positive relationships with other agencies and challenges shortfalls appropriately. For example, taking prompt action to chase up overdue reviews for young people. Other professionals talk positively about the challenge offered by the Registered Manager. This challenge ensures the needs of the young people remain at the forefront of their care planning. Parents also highlight this as a strength of the service. 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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