Children's Home run by Clouds Children’s Care Ltd in Derbyshire

The children's home provision is inadequate because:

 Not all restraints are safe. A restraint was carried out for a significant duration by a staff member and the owner. Neither has had appropriate training. Additionally the record of the intervention did not demonstrate that it was necessary or proportionate.  The staff team do not have the training necessary for safe care practice within a children‟s home.  The home does not have sufficient staff, and records of staff rotas were incomplete.  Records of visits to the home are incomplete and do not provide sufficient detail to illustrate the nature of all visits to the home.  A lack of resources leading to the home operating without a designated car and with a restricted budget.  The home is not operating in line with its statement of purpose. Amendments are required to provide a more accurate reflection of the operation of the home.

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The children's home strengths

 Young people say they are happy in this home.  Structured routines, clear boundaries and expectations support young people to progress in their home studies, activities and independence skills.  Young people are making good progress in managing and improving their behaviour. They are learning to regulate their emotions and develop social skills.  The provider has ensured all young people benefit from home tuition until such time that formal education programmes can commence.  The staff team provide individualised care to young people to meet complex health needs. This has helped young people with medical needs to become healthier.  Young people have positive relationships with each other and staff. They are very clear in stating that the registered manager and staff team have enabled them to make progress in all aspects of their lives.  Staff access advocacy services for young people. This has enabled young

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The children's home strengths

people to express their wishes, feelings and choices in challenging local authorities about their care plans.

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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

12: The protection of children standard *

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Requirement Due date

(2) In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure –

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Requirement Due date

(b) day to day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. 18/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

(2) In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person should:

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Requirement Due date

(d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child 18/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children‟s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. Specifically points 6, 10, 14, 17 and 19. (Regulation 16 (1)) 18/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner consistent with its statement of purpose. With particular regard to describing the staff training and appropriate qualifications, use of „treatment plans‟ and „therapeutic‟ approaches to physical interventions. (Regulation 16 (5)) 18/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20 (2)) 18/11/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that at all times; at least one person on duty at the home has a suitable first aid qualification. (Regulation 31 (2) (a)) 18/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep in relation to children‟s homes a 18/12/2015 copy of the staff duty roster or persons working at the home, and a record of the actual rosters worked. (Regulation 37 (1) Schedule 4 point 3)

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep in relation to children‟s homes a record of all visitors to the home, and to children, including the names of visitors and the reasons for the visit. (Regulation 37 (1) Schedule 4 point 5) 18/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must carry on the children‟s home in such a manner as it likely to ensure that the home will be financially viable for the purpose of achieving the aims and objectives set out in the statement of purpose. With specific reference to ensure readily available car transportation at all times and sufficient budgets to meet the needs of the home, children and young people. (Regulation 47 (1)) 18/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to statutory requirement notice.

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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

 A record of supervision should be kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation 33(4) (b). (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61, paragraph 13.3)

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Recommendations

 Those commissioning training in restraint for children‟s homes staff should be satisfied that the training fits with their approach to restraint or existing restraint system and is appropriate to the needs of the children the home is set up to care for. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 49, paragraph 9.58)

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children‟s home, registered for up to three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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inadequate

This is the homes first inspection since registration in April 2015. This inspection identified that the experiences of young people are inadequate because of potential and actual safeguarding concerns. Unsafe care practices have meant young people have been at potential risk of harm. Not all staff have had appropriate training needed to care for young people, and a young people was restrained for a long period by untrained staff. Whilst there are some positive experiences for young people these concerns can, and have had, a big impact on their ability to be kept safe at all times.

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inadequate

Staff do not have access to a home car and young people have to rely on staff transporting them in their own vehicles. This has the potential to impact on what activities they can attend, and the staffs‟ ability to respond to young people‟s travel needs.

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inadequate

Young people who live in this home receive care in a family style environment. The commitment from the registered and staff team lead to young people developing trust, confidence and positive attachments with staff. This means they feel secure, valued and relaxed. One young person said: „The manager is a legend. Staff are sound‟ Another young person, on a scale of happiness, rated the home and the staff ten out of ten, with no recommendations to improve the home. Consequently, such positive relationships mean that over time, young people are able to focus on other areas such as education, activities and social skills.

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inadequate

Young people confirm that they are involved in their care and placement planning. They receive support to prepare or attend statutory reviews. Where young people have been concerned about care planning decisions, staff have ensured that they have access to advocates to represent their views. Young people confirm that they know how to complain and have their own children‟s guide which sets out what they can expect from their care. This means they are able to exercise their rights and raise concerns about care.

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inadequate

Education arrangements for young people have required the manager and staff to implement bespoke education plans for young people, until such time that formal education can commence. This has included one young person having direct home tuition with a teacher from the virtual school. The teacher said: „The atmosphere is warm, supportive and staff want to get the best out of the young people.‟ Another young person is having a daily programme of structured home study. Professionals have praised the work of staff in securing formal education and their proactive work in pursuing education plans. One independent reviewing officer said: „Staff in the home has been very proactive in contacting schools, trying to pursue education. They have made sure he is studying in the home and he can now tell the time and is reading.‟ Because of staff encouragement and support young people who have not been in school for several years have acquired motivation

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inadequate

and enthusiasm to commence mainstream school.

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inadequate

Staff have ensured that the complex medical needs of young people are addressed. One young person had to undergo a series of surgical operations. This required a high degree of liaison with the hospital. The keyworker for this young person supported the young person practically, emotionally and physically to go through these procedures with minimum trauma. Hospital staff said: „Staff made sure all appointments were attended, the young person was always well prepared for her stays. I observed good rapport between the staff and the young person. The vigilance of staff to provide post-operative support meant that any complications with pain received prompt attention.‟ This means the health outcomes for young people improve because of good quality of care and high levels of staff attention.

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inadequate

During a statutory medical examination, the health care practitioner assessed a young person as having clear signs of physical disability and possible underlying learning disabilities. Staff liaised with the health care team and ensured a full paediatric assessment was carried out to gain a better understanding of her cognitive abilities. The keyworker has implemented a good plan to ensure that care practice ensures clear routines and behaviour management strategies. However, the implementation of these plans is not consistently applied. Where this occurs the young person can become unsettled, which means her behaviours can become more challenging.

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inadequate

Some young people have benefitted from staff support to enable them to participate in a range of sporting activities. One young person has a weekly timetable of boxing club, swimming and gymnasium sessions. An independent reviewing officer commented on the young person‟s progress and said: „The progress has been excellent! They have turned a young person around! He is now determined to succeed. He is focused and they have managed to divert his energies into structured activities. He is much healthier and emotionally much more positive. He can now talk through his feelings and manage his anger.‟

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inadequate

The daily running of the household is undertaken by staff, however all young people have their chore‟s and tasks to undertake. One young person said: „Sunday is the main day we have to do our chores. Staff check we have done a good job. If we have, we can do our activities.‟ This structure means young people benefit from ongoing practice, guidance and support to develop their self-care skills. Learning practical tasks, such as cooking, cleaning and doing their own laundry enables young people to become more independent. Judgement grade

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inadequate

This home is inadequate at keeping young people safe and protected from harm. This inspection identified a significant safeguarding issue where a young person was at potential risk of serious harm. On this occasion, due to a staffing issue, the director/owner of the home made a decision to work within the home for several day and night shifts. He is not part of the care team, is not a residential care worker and has no relevant training. He and a new member of staff undertook a physical restraint on a young person who was exhibiting challenging behaviour. This young person has complex medical needs. Neither of these adults has training in physical intervention. This intervention lasted for a period of ninety minutes. Records of this intervention were poor and failed to illustrate the rationale for the restraint. This is unsafe practice. Ofsted have communicated the details of this incident to the local authority designated officer.

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inadequate

Arrangements for ensuring that the home has a well-trained workforce have been poor. The statement of purpose outlines that: „Training programmes will specifically include statutory training such as basic food hygiene, first aid, physical intervention and safeguarding.‟ There are no staff members with first aid or food hygiene training. The manager could not demonstrate that any staff have up to date, recognised, physical intervention training. The majority of staff do not have up to date safeguarding training. Consequently, the welfare and protection of young people is not adequately safeguarded. A separate compliance notice has been issued concerning this matter. This is to ensure that the registered provider rectifies this shortfall as a matter of urgent importance.

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inadequate

The recording and monitoring of visitors to the home is not robust. Records do not consistently include details of visits from individuals and the purpose of the visit. The registered manager cannot account for the purpose and times of all visits to the home. This lack of oversight fails to protect young people from potential harm and adults against potential allegations.

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inadequate

There have been no incidents of young people being absent or missing from care. When the home was established the manager took appropriate steps to build effective and cooperative links with the local police service. The home have the relevant missing from care protocols and policies. Additionally, young people have individualised protocols that outline actions to be taken in the event of a young person missing. These combined strategies mean staff are aware of what to do if a young person goes missing. Behaviour management strategies have been effective for some young people. One young person has learned to self-regulate their behaviours more positively. They said, „I love living here. I get interaction, attention and care here. Before, I didn‟t so I went out a lot and did bad stuff. Since living here, I have stopped doing bad stuff, no offending, missing from care, drugs or crime. I have also stopped

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inadequate

Health and safety within the home is assured through routine checks and servicing. Regularly reviewed generic and specific risk assessments cover all aspects of daily living. Health and safety checks, including fire equipment are current and environmental risks assessments are in place. Regular fire drills ensure that young people and staff understand the dangers of fire and safe evacuation from the home.

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inadequate

The manager became registered in this post in April 2015 at the same time as the registration of the home. He has a National Vocational Qualification at Level 4 in health and care with children and young people and Level 4 in leadership and management. These are suitable qualifications for the post of registered manager.

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inadequate

The leadership and management of this home are inadequate for a number reasons. The registered manager and registered individual have not been able to ensure that the director/owner does not interfere with the running of the home. This led to a serious safeguarding incident.

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inadequate

Staff are not appropriately trained. For example, the statement of purpose outlines that: „All staff will have either achieved or be working towards a Diploma Level 3 for children and young people.‟ At the time of the inspection there were no staff working towards the Level 3 Diploma and only two of the staff team with the appropriate qualification. The statement of purpose refers to „treatment plans‟ and „therapeutic approaches‟. The manager confirmed that, the home currently do not use these techniques. These inaccuracies and omissions mean that prospective placing authorities and parents do not get a complete picture of the home and this undermines decision making about the matching of suitable admissions.

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inadequate

The home does not have the staff structure as outlined in the statement of purpose. Staff shortages have resulted in staff being on shift for up to four consecutive days and nights. Furthermore, staffing rotas are unclear and with some rotas missing. This inhibits the capacity of the inspector to determine the extent of staff shortfalls. Financial concerns relate to reductions in the household budget, which the registered manager has said has impacted on his ability to provide the quality of care he feels is necessary. The home also does not have its own designated car. This means the transportation of young people is solely reliant on staff using their own cars. This restricts the capacity of the home to respond to potential emergencies and to meet young people‟s wider needs.

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inadequate

Supervision arrangements for staff are consistent and are in line with the home's own policy. This supports staff appropriately and ensures staff performance is monitored. The registered manager confirms he has regular supervision; however, there were no records retained within the home to support this statement.

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inadequate

The manager acknowledged the shortfalls identified within the inspection and was clear about what action is necessary to rectify them. The manager has development plans to reflect proposals to make improvements in the home.

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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

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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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