Children's Home run by Progress Children’s Services Ltd in Coventry

Unique reference number SC064117 Inspector Pete Hylton Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Progress Children's Services Ltd Registered person address Progress House, 127 Millfields Road Wolverhampton West Midlands WV4 6JG Responsible individual Claire Elizabeth Louise Haynes Registered manager POST VACANT Date of last inspection 09/10/2014 2 of 9 Inspection date 20/02/2015

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Previous inspection sustained effectiveness Enforcement action since last inspection There has been no enforcement action since the last inspection.

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Overall effectiveness inadequate

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

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It provides care and accommodation for up to seven children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/10/2014 Interim sustained effectiveness 12/02/2014 Interim good progress 25/07/2013 Full good 12/12/2012 Interim satisfactory progress

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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 that where a measure of restraint is used on a child the record under paragraph (3) must include (a) the duration of the measure of restraint (Regulation 17B (4) (a) ) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) promote the educational achievement of children accommodated in a children’s home, in particular by ensuring that the routine of the home is organised so as to further children’s participation in education, including regular attendance at school and participation in school activities of children of compulsory school age, regular attendance at college where applicable (Regulation 18 (1) (b) ) 31/03/2015 4 of 9 (2001) ensure that each child has access to such medical, dental, nursing, psychological and psychiatric advice, treatment and other services, as he may require (Regulation 20 (2) (b) ) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the employment of any persons on a temporary basis at the children’s home will not prevent children from receiving such continuity of care as is reasonable to meet their needs (Regulation 25 (2) ) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed by him receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal (Regulation 27 (4) (a) ) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of those premises at least once in each calendar year (Regulation 31 (1A) (b) ) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children’s home used by children are kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained (Regulation 31 (2) (e) ) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that where the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to the children's home the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 32 (1A) (b) ) 31/03/2015

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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 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) 5 of 9

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people make good progress in developing an awareness of different cultures and traditions. Regular events are held where young people are able to explore different dress, traditions and cultural foods. As a result, young people take part in new experiences and develop an understanding of the world. This also builds young people’s confidence in social settings as such events are inclusive and fun. For example, a recent evening focused on traditional African culture. Young people enjoyed taking part in a series of well-planned activities.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people do, on the whole, make progress in education. Young people enjoy going to school and developing their skills. A social worker commented that a young person is ‘making very good progress’ and is ‘a lot more independent.’ Where young people are without a school place, their progress is limited. This is because they lack a structured routine and do not have the same experiences of their school-attending peers. As a result, some young people are unoccupied and their educational progress is affected.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people maintain positive relationships with important people in their lives. This ensures that young people are able to develop their individuality and sense of belonging. Young people enjoy playing an active part in the life of their community. Regular trips ensure that young people are able to take part in a range of activities such as cinema trips, shopping and bowling. For some young people, there has been very good progress in developing their community responsibility. Where able to do so, young people now participate in voluntary work. This develops young people’s sense of responsibility and vocational awareness.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

There has been good progress in young people developing their diets and trying new foods. They are enabled to explore different tastes and textures. This helps them to follow broad and balanced diets in the home. Where young people present with complex health needs, the staff team ensure that safe care is provided. As a result, young people make progress in maintaining their health. However, the health needs of all young people are not uniformly met. For example, where young people have not been supported in attending optical appointments, there is the potential for this aspect of health to be negatively affected. To date, there is no demonstrable impact on the outcomes for young people.

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Quality of care adequate

6 of 9 Young people are provided with large communal spaces in the home and make use of a range of activities. The home is clean and, on the whole, kept tidy. Two communal areas of the home have bare plaster and have not been repainted. This detracts from an otherwise homely environment. There is no impact to young people as a result of this shortfall. However, young people live in a home that is not appropriately decorated and maintained. A requirement has been made to improve the condition of the home.

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Quality of care adequate

The staff team clearly enjoy working with young people and are enthusiastic in their work. Young people enjoy spending time with staff. However, gaps in staff training mean that there is the potential for young people to be cared for by staff who may lack the necessary skills. For example, some staff are not up to date with their food safety, restraint, safeguarding and health and safety training. This has, to date, not had a negative impact on the outcomes for young people. A requirement has been made to reflect this shortfall.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people’s files contain all required information and provide guidance to staff about how to provide suitable care. Where health plans are not updated health needs go unmet for example optician appointments . A requirement has been made to ensure that all young people receive the health services that they may require.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people enjoy living at the home and form relationships with the staff team. It is evident that young people are relaxed, happy and content and a range of positive activities are enjoyed for example regular trips in the local and wider community and various in-house activities. The staff team are enthusiastic, committed to creating positive experiences and genuinely care for the young people. This is reflected in comments from social workers; ‘The young person is happy there’ and ‘No concerns with the care provided.’

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Quality of care adequate

The majority of young people are settled in, and make good progress in their educational placements. Close contact between school, home and the placing social workers ensures that progress is monitored and concerns addressed. A social worker commented that the ‘School and the home are consistent with the young person.’ This consistency supports young people in developing their routines and lessens any difficulties in transition. Where young people are not at school there is a lack of consistency and routine. This has the potential to impact on the progress that young people make. A requirement has been made to address this shortfall.

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Quality of care adequate

Complaints from young people and their families are rare. Where they do occur, they are appropriately handled and amicably resolved. Young people know how to raise their concerns and are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings. Appropriately produced guides ensure that they know how to make complaints. The young person’s guide contains all required information. Young people are freely able to make contact with their families, social workers and external services should they so wish. 7 of 9

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

The home is, on the whole, safely maintained. All required checks on electrical and gas installations are in place and the staff ensure that avoidable hazards are reduced. For example, where young people are helping staff in the kitchen, there is appropriate oversight and support to reduce the likelihood of any accidents.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Restraint is used appropriately and for the purposes of keeping young people safe. Where restraint is used, records are detailed and contain the majority of required detail. Duration of restraint is not always recorded. This does not negatively impact on the outcomes for young people. A requirement has been made to ensure this practice improves. Sanctions are rarely used in the home. Where used, they are reasonable and fair. This helps young people to develop an understanding of actions and their consequences.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Fire safety is not appropriately promoted. Checks of fire-fighting and detection equipment are not routinely completed. Since the last inspection, there have been periods where these matters have not been appropriately addressed. This has not, to date, had a demonstrable impact on the outcomes for young people. Fire risk assessments for young people are inappropriate. Risk assessments clearly state that if a young person does not evacuate the home, they are to be left behind closed fire doors. This practice has the potential to significantly affect the safety of young people. A requirement has been made to improve these shortfalls. Ofsted have also passed these concerns to the local fire and rescue service.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Staff are safely recruited. All required details are recorded on staff files and the organisation ensures that safe recruitment practice is followed. This ensures that young people do not come into contact with adults who may wish to cause them harm. The staff team has been inconsistent due to the use of temporary and agency staff. However, the organisation has taken appropriate steps to assure themselves of the suitability of these individuals.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Since the last inspection, there has been one allegation of harm to a young person. This was robustly addressed and all required actions were taken in a prompt manner. Close liaison with safeguarding services meant that all relevant information was shared. As a result, the safety of young people was promoted. The organisation ensured that appropriate support was given to all parties involved and appropriate resolution was achieved.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Incidents of bullying do not happen at the home. Where tensions occur between young people, the staff intervene swiftly and appropriately support young people to resolve their differences. This ensures that they know that they cannot upset each other and that their feelings are taken into account. 8 of 9

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Leadership and management inadequate

The Registered Manager left the service in December 2014. The provider has communicated with Ofsted and is actively seeking to appoint a new manager. In the interim period, an experienced acting manager is in day to day charge of the home. This arrangement is supported by an experienced deputy manager who has worked at the home for several years. This ensures young people receive some continuity and consistency.

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Leadership and management inadequate

The home’s Statement of Purpose is up to date and reflects the changes to the staff team. The home’s aims and objectives are clearly defined. This means that placing services, parents and young people are able to review the home’s services.

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Leadership and management inadequate

The previous Registered Manager had put in place a development plan and the acting manager continues to work towards meeting the expressed aims. Regular monitoring of the home identifies some areas to improve and reflects the progress that young people are making. Monitoring reports are sent to Ofsted as required by regulation.

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Leadership and management inadequate

The previous manager took some steps to assess the location of the home in line with regulation. However, this work has not been collated into an appropriate review of the home’s location. There is no demonstrable impact as a result although there remains the potential for potential hazards to be unidentified. A requirement has been made to address this shortfall.

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Leadership and management inadequate

The risk of fire is not appropriately managed and this means that the home is not safely maintained. This is a weakness in the home’s leadership and management.

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Leadership and management inadequate

There have been some improvements since the last inspection. For example, staff now provide a range of additional cultural events to deepen young people’s understanding of the world. The views of young people have also been sought in choosing colours for new décor and there is an increased emphasis on recruiting additional staff.

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Leadership and management inadequate

The home has been without a full staff team and has been using agency staff to ensure adequate staffing is in place. As a result, there has been an increase in the numbers of adults working in the home. In a three month period between November 2014 and January 2015, 11 different temporary staff have worked in the home. This means that young people have not been afforded a stable, consistent and familiar staff team. There has been no demonstrable impact to young people. However, placing social workers have noted the increase in different staff working at the home. A requirement has been made to ensure that there is continuity of staff working with young people. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management inadequate

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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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