Children's Home run by Shalamar Children Limited in Essex

This monitoring visit

On 21 October 2015, an inspector conducted a compliance visit following a significant event notification sent to Ofsted. The outcome of that investigation was that there were serious concerns identified in relation to the action being taken to meet the welfare of a young person. A compliance notice and three requirements were set following this investigation. The main areas of concern arising from the visit were, the action taken by staff following two significant incidents of self-harm by a young person was ineffective; the organisation had failed to notify the appropriate agencies of a significant change in the administration of medication to a young person; and a lack of robust matching of admissions of young people to the home.

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This monitoring visit

The statutory requirements raised following this visit were with regard to, a review of the statement of purpose to ensure that this accurately reflects the conditions of registration and care that is provided to children and young people; a lack of robust action taken to ensure that a young person’s mental health needs were being effectively managed by a child or adolescent consultant psychiatrist; that relevant information was not shared with the placing authority to enable a robust review the placement and that there is a review of the matching process to ensure that the home only admits children and young people whose needs can be met by the home.

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This monitoring visit

On 20 November 2015, an inspector undertook a compliance monitoring visit. The purpose of this visit was to evaluate whether the provider had met the requirements in relation to the compliance notice and to review action taken to address the areas identified in the three statutory requirements. The inspector found that the provider had made sufficient progress to meet the compliance notice. This is because the provider has reflected on the identified breaches of regulations and taken appropriate action to provide the staff with further guidance. Recording systems have been refined to ensure that placing authorities are kept informed of significant events changes in the young people’s behaviour; with actions being clearly recorded. As a result, young people are sufficiently safeguarded.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector found that progress has been made in relation to a review of the assessment of admissions to the home. While the provider has not admitted any young people to the home since the last visit, they have modified their matching process. The provider now has a detailed matching form to consider the identified needs of the young people living in the home and the impact of a potential admission. Should additional resources be identified in order to meet the young people’s needs, these will be agreed with the placing authority and kept under review. In addition, a psycho-dynamic counsellor is employed by the home whose responsibility is to review all potential admissions to ensure that the provider can meet children and young people’s needs. The organisation has taken action in meeting the requirement regarding young people’s access to urgent health services. The provider has improved its communication with placing authorities, ensuring the timely sharing of information

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This monitoring visit

in relation to the young people’s health. The provider has ensured that, when required, young people have attended their health appointments.

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This monitoring visit

Following concerns raised about the accuracy of the statement of purpose, the provider has amended this to detail that they are a residential home that has a therapeutic approach. However, a further review of this is required to ensure that placing authorities and young people are fully aware of the services the home currently provides.

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This monitoring visit

Two further statutory requirements have been raised. The young people have sufficient individual risk assessments, detailing the action to take to reduce potential risks. For example, in relation to self-harm. However, records of incidents of self-harm fail to consistently demonstrate that risk assessments are implemented into the care of the young people. This does not ensure that staff take all the required action to reduce incidents occurring in the children’s home.

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This monitoring visit

The provider’s therapeutic approach has a particular focus on the use of attachment theory. However, while the staff have received training in attachment, this has not been delivered by a professional with a recognised qualification in this area. Therefore, this does not ensure that staff have received recognised robust training in this area in order for to meet the individual needs of young people.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A private organisation owns and operates this setting.

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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 order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(i) that staff assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child's relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. With particular regard to the implementation of individual risk assessments. 18/12/2015

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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 person must ensure:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(c) that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. With particular regard to training in attachment theory provided by a qualified professional. 18/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (Regulation 16(3)(a)) 18/12/2015

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the home since their last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. 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

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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