Children's Home run by Idem Living Limited in Devon

Requires improvement

The children's home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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because:

 Leaders and managers do not ensure that clear guidance is provided to staff in how to manage young people’s behaviour. Staff do not respond in a clear and consistent manner to inappropriate behaviours and high risk activities, and do not set clear boundaries. Therefore, young people do not learn to manage their behaviour.

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because:

 Young people are not always cared for from a consistent staff team who have the knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience to support them. There is a current reliance on agency staff to compliment the staff team. However, leaders and managers are mindful that familiar agency staff who the young people know are employed at the home.

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because:

 Not all staff receives an appropriate induction to their role. Therefore, staff do not receive all the essential information to assist them with their work, clarify job expectations and objectives.

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because:

 The manager does not always ensure that all appropriate agencies are informed of all serious events that take place.

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because:

 Leaders, managers and staff do not ensure that young people are discouraged and supported to cease smoking. In addition, health care plans do not identify what action is to be taken in this area in order to promote young people’s health.

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The children's home strengths

 Young people feel safe at the home and generally achieve very well in terms of their education. They are fully supported to maintain and develop contact with their parents, relatives and significant others who are important in their lives.  The Registered Manager has a good awareness of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. Following a recent incident at the home she has reflected on the practice of the staff team as a whole, and has devised an action plan to address the identified weaknesses.  The Registered Manager and staff work in collaboration with placing authorities to ensure that there is an agreed plan of care and support. Placing authorities are happy with the care and support that is being provided to young people.  Restraint has not been used and the incidence of young people going missing from the home is rare.

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

in particular, ensure that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on an understanding about acceptable behaviour and positive responses to other children and adults

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Requirement Due date

in particular, ensure that staff meet each child's behavioural and emotional needs as set out in the child's relevant plans, help each child to develop socially aware behaviour, encourage each child to take responsibility for the child's behaviour, in accordance with the child's age and understanding, communicate to each child expectations about the child's behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child's age and understanding

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 11 (2) (i) (ii) (iii) (v)) 30/06/2015

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

in particular, ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of the child and that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the health and well-being of children are met and they receive the advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being. In particular, the cessation of smoking 30/06/2015 (Regulation 10 (1) (a) (b))

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes and appropriate induction

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the registered person notifies HMCI if a child protection enquiry involving a child is instigated

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Requirement Due date

7: The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff regularly consult with children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home’s care

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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 the behaviour management policy clearly describes the home’s approach to promoting positive behaviour and the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in the home. In particular, the agreed sanction/consequences that can be imposed (Quality Standard 9.33)

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Recommendations

ensure that staff have permission to administer first aid and non-prescription medication from a person with parental responsibility for them recorded in their relevant plan (Quality Standard 7.14)

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Recommendations

ensure the workforce plan gives consideration for staff to receive on-going training and professional development. In particular, that all staff receive training in attachment disorders and details the process for managing and improving poor performance (Quality Standard 10.8).

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Information about this children's home

 The home is operated by a private company and provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who may display emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

20/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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requires improvement

As part of the care and support plan used by staff there is a plan in how to meet and support young people’s health care needs. However, health care plans do not include strategies and action for staff to take to support young people to cease smoking. Staff do not discourage young people from smoking or educate them on the risk and dangers of this. In addition, not all health care plans contain authorisation for consents for treatments.

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requires improvement

It is not clear how staff seek the views of young people about the quality of the home’s care through individual discussions at keyworker meetings or at house meetings. The Registered Manager said that these meetings do occur but are not always formally recorded. This limits the opportunity for staff to learn from young people’s feedback and take necessary action.

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requires improvement

Leaders and managers do not ensure that staff provide young people with continuity and consistency of care. This primarily relates to the management of young people’s behaviours, setting boundaries and the provision of an experienced staff team.

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requires improvement

Prior to admitting a new person to the home, the Registered Manager ensures that detailed information is obtained about the needs of the prospective young person. In addition, the Registered Manager assesses if young people would be suitable to live together. Based upon this information leaders and managers decide whether to admit a prospective young person or not. Placing authorities said that they are happy with the care that is provided at the home and that they have good working relationship with the Registered Manager.

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requires improvement

Generally young people progress very well in education and are encouraged by the staff to attend college and school. Young people receive education that suits their individual learning need. This includes receiving support from a personal home tutor and at other educational sites. Some young people have obtained formal qualifications at college and are extremely proud of their achievements. One teacher commented that the registered manager works in collaboration with her to promote the educational needs of young people and that young people are achieving well in education.

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requires improvement

Young people are supported by staff to keep in regular contact with their families and friends. They frequently visit close family members and staff are very proactive in assisting these visits. Judgement grade

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requires improvement

Despite young people’s care and support plans containing comprehensive information about their known behaviours, leaders and managers do not ensure that all staff are provided with clear guidance on how to support individual young people in these areas. In addition, not all staff respond to negative behaviours with clear and consistent boundaries about what is acceptable and safe. The result of this is that young people do not receive a consistent response from staff in how to manage their behaviour.

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requires improvement

Leaders and managers do not ensure that all staff understand the ethos of the home regarding the reinforcement of positive behaviour. There is a lack of explicit guidance for the use of sanctions/consequences if these are imposed. Staff said that they are unsure what sanctions or consequences are appropriate. This does not promote continuity and consistency of care and young people do not learn from results of their actions.

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requires improvement

A recent serious incident resulted in involvement from the local area designated officer, placing authorities and the police. Placing authorities confirm that they consider young people are safe; however, the Registered Manager is currently investigating this incident further. Following this incident leaders and managers have provided staff with further training in respect of positive behaviour management. The effectiveness of this training has yet to be evaluated. The Registered Manager stated that this will be regularly reviewed and will be incorporated in the review she undertakes of the quality of care that is provided at the home.

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requires improvement

The Registered Manager does not always ensure that all appropriate agencies and authorities are advised of all notifiable incidents in the home, in particular notifying Her Majesties Chief Inspector.

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requires improvement

Leaders and managers do not ensure that there is skilled, experienced, qualified staff on duty at all times to meet the needs of the young people. In particular, staff who have the experience and skills to manage some young people’s high-risk activity and behaviours. However, restraint has not been used at the home and sanctions and consequences are rarely imposed.

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requires improvement

Where ever possible, staff involve young people in the planning of their care. The Registered Manager ensures a comprehensive care and support plan is devised and regularly reviewed. These plans are underpinned by comprehensive risk assessments that clearly identifies known risks and how to manage them. The incidence of young people going missing has decreased since they have been living at this home and it is now a rare occurrence. Managers ensure that staff take appropriate action if a young person does go missing and ensures that comprehensive documents are completed and all appropriate agencies and authorities are informed. Young people said that they feel safe at the home.

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requires improvement

Staff have received training in specific areas such as self-harm. If young people do self-harm, staff take the appropriate action to care for them. One social worker said that staff are good at managing risks and that they are kept informed of any concerning matters.

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requires improvement

Newly appointed staff receive a ‘new house instruction’ when they commence work. This includes basic information on safeguarding procedures and policies, emergency support, record keeping and health and safety. A subsequent high quality induction guide all staff in their work with young people is not provided. The Registered Manager has not identified timescales for all staff who require to have completed this as part of the home’s workforce plan.

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requires improvement

The Registered Manager has compiled a workforce plan but it does not include all the requirements as identified in the quality standards for leadership and management. For example, it does not demonstrate the process for managing and improving poor performance or include any further training requirements for staff in particular training in attachment disorders. The Registered Manager has identified dates for all staff to complete this training.

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requires improvement

Currently there is ongoing use of agency staff to ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained. Leaders and managers have taken positive action to recruit to vacant posts but with limited success. The Registered Manager confirmed that it is hoped that vacant posts will be appointed to in the near future.

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requires improvement

Leaders and managers have a good awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. The Registered Manager is reflective in her practice and of the care and support that is provided to young people. She undertakes regular evaluations of the care and support provided and responds to any weaknesses identified following visits by an independent visitor. Leaders, managers and staff have a clear understanding of the progress that young people have made at the home.

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requires improvement

The Registered Manager and staff ensure that young people live in a home that is homely, well maintained and decorated to a good standard. Young people choose soft furnishings and have a choice of colours when it comes to redecorating.

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requires improvement

The Registered Manager has addressed the two recommendations that were made at the last inspection. This has resulted in clear arrangements being made for a staff member to deputise in her absence and to encourage and promote young people to participate in a broad range of activities. However, some young people continue to choose not to participate in planned and ad hoc activities that are offered.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This 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 Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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