Children's Home run by Essex County Council in Essex

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:

 The home is not kept to a high enough standard of cleanliness in parts. Appliances, play equipment and furnishings are worn and the décor is in need of refurbishment.  The safeguarding policy and procedure was not followed in relation to a serious allegation made against a member of staff where an injury was sustained by a child. Although the allegation was withdrawn, there is no record that a full and transparent investigation has taken place.  The allegation made against the member of staff was not reported to the local authority or Ofsted.  Staff shortages have led to a number of planned respite stays for young people being cancelled at short notice.  Complaints are not always recorded. Records are incomplete. They lack detail in the action taken and the result of any investigation.  The Statement of Purpose does not take account of the new inspection framework, quality standards and regulations that came into effect on 1 st

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because:

April 2015 and it has not been submitted to Ofsted.

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The children's home strengths

 Young people look forward to their stays with enthusiasm. Respite care is a valued and integral part of young people’s lives.  Individual care plans are of a high standard and accurately reflect the individual needs of each young person.  Young people stay with peers with whom they are compatible. They enjoy social interactions that otherwise may prove difficult to manage.  A consistent group of staff know the young people well and have formed warm and positive relationships with them.  Staff understand and meet complex health needs to a consistently high standard.  Young people develop some independence and increased self-confidence away from their primary carers.  Parents report that their children are safe when they come to stay at the service.  Staff manage behaviour consistently, with a non-punitive approach appropriate to individual’s levels of understanding and cognitive functioning.

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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

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about current or ongoing abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the home is located and provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response. (Regulation 34) (2)(b)(d)) 09/09/2015

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Requirement Due date

12. The protection of children standard:

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered provider must ensure:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(d) that the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. 09/09/2015

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Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard:

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered provider must:

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Requirement Due date

2(a) lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose. 09/09/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) 26/08/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4) (c)) 26/08/2015 The registered person must provide a copy of the statement of purpose to HMCI. (Regulation 16 (2)) 26/08/2015

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Information about this children's home

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

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2015 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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Requires improvement

The home is welcoming but it is not cleaned to a high standard. The kitchens are dirty and containers holding medical supplies including syringes and latex gloves are dusty and dirty. Bathrooms and kitchens are particularly tired and worn. One cooker door does not close and there is a kick board missing in one kitchen. This is not conducive to good hygiene and infection control, particularly for young people with complex health needs. Play equipment needs repair and there is litter in the gardens. The majority of the interior and parts of the play area exterior need refurbishment. Individual bedrooms are personalised with young people’s belongings, which does give them a sense of familiarity and belonging during their stay. A grumbles book is in place although it does not contain details of young people’s views. There are entries from parents complaining on behalf of their children but there are no clear responses from staff or managers.

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Requires improvement

Staff and parents describe the difference the respite care makes to the young people and the progress they make. This is particularly in relation to developing their independence outside of their family and having opportunities to socialise with their peers. This provides young people with valuable social interactions. There are, however, a high number of cancellations of breaks at short notice causing disruption to family respite and plans. Young people enjoy coming to the home for short respite breaks. Parents confirm that young people are enthusiastic about their stays and enjoy the varied range of activities provided. These are tailored to their interests and individual needs, for example, efforts are made to make arrival particularly positive to lessen separation anxiety. One parent said: ‘He loves it when we get his suitcase ready, he laughs and runs around.’ Consideration is given to the mix of young people staying in each flat and efforts

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Requires improvement

are made to accommodate friends together. Similarly, where there are potential difficulties between young people, plans are put in place to minimise any risk of conflict. This generates a peaceful atmosphere. Care plans are of a good standard. They provide detailed information to guide staff in the individual care of each young person. For example, any specific dietary needs and preferences are clearly detailed and information guides staff about routines and behaviour. This enables staff to provide consistent care for young people who require set routines to reduce their anxiety. Some young people have complex health needs. Staff are trained and regularly updated in all procedures for each individual. As a result, staff are able to manage complex health conditions and interventions. This leads to minimal disruption for young people, reducing the need for hospital admission. Bespoke care helps young people know what to expect and to feel secure.

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Requires improvement

Staff spoken to during the inspection demonstrated a sound knowledge of safeguarding procedures within the home. However, a serious allegation about a member of staff was not reported to the local authority. Although this was retracted, this is not in line with the home’s policy and commitment to investigate and report all safeguarding allegations. Managers failed to notify Ofsted and the designated officer. This does not provide good safeguards to young people who have limited means of communication. The risks to young people are mitigated by clear assessment and detailed guidance for staff on how to reduce potential risk. This is reflected within their respective care plans. This contributes to young people’s safety. There are no incidents of missing from home. Staff are aware of young people who may try to leave the home and robust strategies are in place to prevent this. High levels of supervision are maintained ensuring vulnerable young people are kept

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Requires improvement

safe. Behaviour is managed consistently and appropriately and takes into consideration the understanding of the young people involved. There is minimal use of physical intervention. Records show good analysis of incidents and a proportionate response designed to reduce the impact on the young people directly involved. Young people have varying levels of cognitive understanding of right and wrong. The staff use an approach in line with young people’s ability to understand and process information. Staff take non-punitive approaches that they know will work. This helps to minimise triggers that escalate behaviour.

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leaders and managers

The service is managed by an experienced Registered Manager who has been in post since 2006. She holds a relevant level four qualification and the Registered Manager’s award. A Statement of Purpose is available but it does not take account of the new inspection framework, quality standards and regulations and has not been submitted to Ofsted. Feedback obtained during the inspection indicates that parents and social workers are positive about the care provided. Young people make good progress in terms of independence and socialisation. Despite this, during one month a quarter of young people had their stays cancelled due to insufficient workers being available. This is confirmed by parents and social workers. The impact of this is significant on young people who have limited understanding and need a predictable routine. Staff members are, somewhat dispirited by staff shortages experienced recently. Although complaints about the service are few, individual case files and supervision

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leaders and managers

records reflect that parents have complained. There is no full record of these complaints, the action taken or the outcome of any investigation held. This does not provide a transparent and robust response to concerns about the care of vulnerable young people and is not in line with the complaints policy. Monitoring ensures that managers are aware of the shortfalls and the potential impact this has on the care and experiences they are able to offer young people. Plans are in place to update and refresh the fabric of the home and managers are aware that some policies and procedures need updating. However, the issue of staffing remains a problem in respect of facilitating stays. Therefore, it is likely to continue to have an impact on the numbers of young people who can safely be cared for at the service. Professional relationships are good. The service is valued and recognised as a good resource that provides much needed and consistent respite care for young people

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leaders and managers

with complex needs. Parents and social workers speak highly of the individual care offered by committed workers. However, there is concern about the number of cancelled stays. Good shift planning ensures that staff are able to follow clear routines and consistency is maintained wherever possible. Staff handovers are detailed; ensuring young people’s individual needs are fully met. Staff say that they feel supported and enabled to develop professionally. Regular, good quality supervision takes place and managers make detailed notes of issues discussed. Annual appraisal is ongoing throughout the year and linked to individual outcomes for each member of staff

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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

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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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