Children's Home run by Step-A-Side Company Limited in Gloucestershire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has declined in effectiveness, because the young people who live there, and those who come for respite care, have not been kept safe. Additionally, the number of restraints and police involvements have increased and this does not indicate that behaviour management is good. A recommendation from the previous inspection has not been implemented. This was a recommendation to provide those young people who have reading difficulties with a Children’s Guide in a symbol format. This does not give all young people full information about services provided and where they can go for help.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no recent admissions or discharges. Young people range in age from 10 to 15 years, and in spite of their complex and widely differing needs, overall their outcomes continue to improve. They have all been living in, or coming to stay in, the home for long periods of time. This consistency affords young people stability and a strong sense of security. All young people attend school regularly, and their attendance is almost 100%. They do well in education, enjoy a wide range of interesting activities and most benefit from good quality contact with their families.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people can show very volatile behaviour, which sometimes leads to challenging situations. Staff generally manage these incidents extremely well. Young people generally have very positive relationships with staff. However, there has been a high increase in the number of physical restraints since the last inspection and this does not indicate positive behaviour management. These restraints mainly relate to one particular young person with moderate learning disabilities, who had been given a medication change, and who had recently lost a member of their close family. A placement review decided to monitor this placement following a return to the original medication. The home commissions external psychological services and help has been sought on behaviour management. Young people therefore have ready access to skilled professional therapy to support their emotional needs. The Registered Manager monitors

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

incidents very carefully and identifies any patterns of behaviour. Staff and young people are carefully debriefed so that there can be learning from each situation. The home has received two complaints from young people since the full inspection. Both have been acted upon appropriately.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from living in a pleasant, attractive home with an exceptionally well maintained, attractive garden. The home is situated in a forest, with ready access to country walks and other rural activities.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one safeguarding referral to the local authority designated officer (LADO). This incident involved a member of the care staff allegedly assaulting a young person. Whilst there was no witness to this incident, a senior member of the care staff immediately suspended the staff member from duty and all appropriate authorities were notified, and a strategy meeting was held. The LADO has directed the provider to conduct an internal enquiry and this is still being done. The police view was that as the young person’s family and the young person themselves did not want to take further action this was not done. However, this does not indicate that young people are always kept safe.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is monthly monitoring through clear, comprehensive Regulation 44 visits and reports. The manager completes regular Regulation 45 reports to provide robust oversight of the service. The home has very positive relationships with placing authorities, schools and with the psychological service. It works effectively with these organisations to maintain good communication and promote good outcomes for young people. The manager is appropriately assertive in advocating for young people, to ensure that they have access to the services they need. Staff from the home have actively supported young people in school to promote positive behaviour and help school staff to understand the difficulties some traumatised children and those with disabilities experience in a classroom setting. This helps to reduce the risk of young people being excluded from school.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements were made at the previous full inspection with regard to the need to ensure that the home had copy of each young person’s EHC plan and placement plan in place. This has been implemented and this means that there is now comprehensive information to help staff to look after young people exactly in line with the young people’s needs. Three requirements have been made as a result of this inspection and are as indicated in the following table.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This children’s home is run by a small, locally based private company, which also operates another children’s home in the area. The company also provides domiciliary care services for young people and homes for disabled adults, which are separately regulated and inspected by the Care Quality Commission. The children’s home provides long-term and respite care for a maximum of five young people, who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

03/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the children's guide and complaints under review and seek children's comments before revising either document, with specific regard to producing the children's guide in a suitable format for all of the young people to read. (Regulation7(2)(c)) 04/12/2015

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12(2)(b) ) 03/11/2015

p.5

Recommendation

 Ensure that the children receive personalised care which meets each child’s needs and promotes their welfare, with specific regard to properly managing the behaviour of children which may impact on the other children living in the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 14 paragraph 3.2)

p.5

What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

p.6

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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.6

Information about this inspection

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 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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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

p.7