Children's Home run by Amicus Residential Care Ltd in Reading

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An abiding strength of the staff is the relationship forged with young people, which often continue after they have left their care. All three who were resident at the last inspection have left, one of whom lives locally and made a visit on the day of this inspection. Another has moved a considerable distance away to live with family. There was a period of several weeks before assessments were completed and the placement was formally ended. Over that time staff made weekly visits and maintained phone contact with the young person, his mother and even a neighbour. In this way support was provided, a level of safeguarding remained in place and the young person was assured of the continuing care and concern of the manager and staff even though he was not living with them. This ability to ‘reach’ young people is also evident with the young people who have been recently admitted. One said that he had been able to ‘create a bond with the

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

staff, not like you usually do with new people’. This was particularly the case with a male member of staff who showed him consideration and was attentive to what he was interested in; now the young person says ‘I wasn’t sure about any man who came to the house but now I can make relationships with the male members of the house and outside too’. The manager has taken steps to address the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. This is most significant with regard to young people who go missing from care. A new form has been introduced that requires staff to answer specific questions about their actions, who has been notified and if a return to care interview has been requested. It has not had to be used very often since but practice has improved. The policies for missing from care, anti-bullying and responding to allegations and suspicions of abuse have all been updated to cover more eventualities (such as

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

cyber-bullying) and be clearer about expectation of staff (for example to record safeguarding concerns as soon as possible). However, these new documents were kept separate from existing policies to show as evidence and there was nothing to show that staff were aware of them. The requirement to ensure staff are familiar with child protection policies is therefore restated. There was stronger evidence on this inspection that staff work effectively to ensure that young people engage in constructive activities. A ‘structured week’ chart is drawn up that includes such things as working in a charity shop, arts and crafts, and time spent on independent living tasks. Young people do not always engage (it would be more of an incentive if they helped to draw up the timetable) but where they have it has brought benefits. These include a sense of achievement, confidence and having positive things to add to CVs.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Education has been effectively promoted, for example, recognising one young person was not going to classes for a course he was not enjoying and liaising with his college and social worker to change to something more suitable. Attendance has improved dramatically as a result. The manager and staff have gone to considerable lengths to source appropriate placements for young people, including ones for young people moving on from the home to different areas. Pre-admission assessments have addressed potential issues, actions to avoid known risks and how the needs of children could be met. The impact on existing residents is also covered, although the potential for young people to engaging in inappropriate sexual activity has been rather glossed over by a statement that it has not been a problem before. Perhaps as a result there is a lack of clarity in the minds of young people about where the boundaries lie.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The message that close physical contact is not allowed has been given but inappropriate behaviour (although not of a serious nature) was observed during the inspection. One young person’s comment that all but one member of staff was ‘OK with it’ shows it has not been established in their minds that it is unacceptable or why it is unsafe. As the home is small and only had one resident for a while there has been just one member of staff on duty at times. Although unavoidable this has implications for the administration of controlled drugs and does not meet with NICE recommendations. The health of young people has not been compromised but policies do not address this circumstance and are not clear about particular roles when two staff are involved. This needs to be made more robust so the accuracy of records is assured and potential for mistakes reduced. Case records generally need to be more thorough so that the purpose of

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

interactions initiated by staff, what occurred and outcomes are apparent. Occasionally, no record is made other than a brief mention in daily logs (for example of visits made to the young person living away from the home). This means that although the home may be ‘amazing’ (as described but one young person) evidence of it may be limited and when young people want to access their records there are gaps in their history. Young people’s views are sought and acted on, including on the activities they go on, the décor and menus. This adds to their enjoyment of living in the home, which is a safe and comfortable place to be, both emotionally and physically.

p.3

Information about this children's home

The home is privately run and provides emergency as well as long-term placements for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

01/07/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

p.4

Recent inspection history

28/01/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

13/01/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure: Staff are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home's child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1)(vii)) 12 Feb 2016

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person must ensure that they make suitable arrangements to manage and administer any medication, with regard to ‘Managing medicines in care homes’ (March 2014). (Guide to Children's Homes Regulations 7.15 and 7.17, page 35)  Staff should be alert to the possibility that children may be at risk from relationships including with other children in the home, and they therefore should take appropriate steps to protect a child where there are concerns for a child's safety. (Guide to Children's Homes Regulations 9.13, page 43)  All children's case records must be kept up-to-date and signed and dated by the author of each entry and must always be recorded with sufficient detail that will be helpful to the child. (Guide to Children's Homes Regulations 14.3 and 14.4, page 62)

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