Children's home run by Surrey County Council

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:

 There have been delays in notifying the senior team and professionals of potential safeguarding information; policies and procedures have not been followed nor information shared appropriately.  Recording in relation to body maps is poor and very limited and the accompanying analysis does not demonstrate any exploration or explanation for bruising that has occurred.  Some training in safeguarding has not been easy for staff to access due to availability of courses. In addition, the majority of staff have not received training specific to children with disabilities. They have not been provided with the skills to act on concerns.  Insufficient monitoring means that the manager and senior team are ill- informed of the weak areas in need of development as identified through this inspection. The information gathered has not been well used to improve the quality of care provided.  Staff do report that in recent months, the priority has been to keep young

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because:

people safe and there have been limited opportunities to work on young people’s targets.  Staff morale is reported as low by the staff team.  There is an array of information relating to health needs which does not cross reference to enable staff to be clear on the necessary way to support a young person.

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The children's home strengths

 There is a range of extra-curricular activities on offer to the young people, this has improved social interaction and developed young people’s confidence.  The management team is committed to revising the current development plan for the home to highlight weaknesses found during inspection.  Staff interpret young people’s behaviours well and are able to act upon instances when young people are worried or upset. This has resulted in low use of physical intervention.  Staff work in partnership with parents, schools and other professionals to ensure that a consistent approach is achieved.  Relationships between young people and staff are warm and constructive. Positive feedback has been received from parents about the favourable impact the service has on their children.

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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 that staff:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm, (v) understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person, (viii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s procedure under regulation 36(1) (policies for the protection of children). 28/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure the independent person who visits the home produces a report about a visit which sets out their opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and if the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. This should include consultation with children and parents as far practicable.

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Requirement Due date

Establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provided for children. Supply a copy of the quality of care review report to HMCI within 28 days of the date on which it was completed.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure staff have the relevant knowledge to respond to health needs of a child. This specifically relates to ensuring all information is cross referenced and necessary paperwork completed. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 34 paragraph 7.12)  Ensure suitable arrangements are made in managing medications and additional safeguards are implemented. This relates to audit trials of medication entering and leaving the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 35 paragraph 7.15)  Ensure that staff engage proactively to contribute fully to the relevant plans for the child's care on an ongoing basis. This specifically relates to demonstrating progress in targets in operation. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 56 paragraph 11.3)

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Recommendations

 Implement a procedure for recording any marks or injuries following physical intervention to enable effective monitoring. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 49 paragraph 9.59 )

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Recommendations

 Ensure training records are easily assessable so managers are aware of any resources required to support training needs of staff. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 53 paragraph 10.11 )

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Recommendations

 Ensure there are risk assessments in place within recruitment files to evidence and ensure good employment practice. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61 paragraph 13.1)

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Information about this children's home

This children's home is run by a local authority and provides a short break service for children and young people who have learning and/or complex disabilities. The home offers overnight care for a maximum of six children and young people.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

02/09/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

09/10/2014 CH – Interim improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

09/01/2014 CH – Interim Inadequate progress

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requires improvement

Weaknesses exist within how well children are helped and protected and the effectiveness of the leadership in the home. The staff team are enthusiastic about their work and in supporting young people to have an enjoyable time with purposeful activities, to enable them to reach their potential. Staff do report that in recent months, the priority has been to keep young people safe and there has been limited opportunities to work on young people’s targets. This is reflected in young people’s daily information. Although targets for the young people are identified there is limited reporting of progress when young people visit. This lack of recording does not enable regular review to ensure targets are still appropriate and achievable. Young people show affection for the care staff and there is a relaxed atmosphere in the home. It is evident young people have fun and develop as a result. This was echoed by a parent’s. Comments included: ‘it’s brilliant, so friendly and just like

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requires improvement

home from home;’ ‘it ticks all the boxes;’ and ‘I can’t praise it enough.’ Young people have made progress given their starting point upon arrival at the home. Staff are proud to report on achievements and how young people continue to develop skills and grow in confidence. Some examples of progress include the development of effective communication skills and developing independence in self-care skills.

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requires improvement

Staff work in partnership with parents and professionals to ensure that a uniform approach is achieved. Effective communication ensures that key messages about young people’s care and well-being are properly addressed. One parent explained, ‘communication is good and I can contact them at any time.' The home uses the information gained through this consultation to ensure consistency of care is achieved.

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requires improvement

Young people’s interaction and communication skills are developed through a range of varied and purposeful activities. Young people enjoy opportunities to have fun and experience opportunities that may otherwise not be available to them. The home is situated within easy reach of local facilities. There is a strong community presence with the home taking the opportunity to be fully involved and enabling the young people to experience what community life is about; they develop a sense of belonging. The home provides individualised admission arrangements. They have an individually tailored transition, which includes the young person visiting the service to meet staff and joining in with activities before building up to an overnight stay; this helps to develop their confidence and trust in the staff. This transition means that they are prepared emotionally to embark on their planned stay. The service demonstrates a needs-led approach to providing a positive experience for young

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requires improvement

people and it strives to match them to appropriate peer groups, to promote friendships and participate in shared activities. Young people are cared for in line with their individual shorts breaks plans, which are in place from the time they arrive to the time they leave. In addition, the home has working documents, which include routines, individual assessments of need, risks and emergency care. However, care planning documentation relating to health needs such as epilepsy did not include emergency protocol information and epileptic seizures were not detailed in the necessary monitoring charts. There is an array of information that does not cross reference to enable staff to be clear on the necessary way to support a young person. Medication arrangements with regard to administration are robust. However, medication has arrived without staff being aware of the amount that should be there. There is not a record stating this and

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requires improvement

staff assume all medication is present. At times medication may have been handled by up to six different people before entering the home. Medication arrangements could be strengthened to ensure an audit trial is in operation. Young people's views are gained on all areas of their care. Staff are able to communicate effectively with those young people with communication difficulties and actively seek the views of young people as part of their everyday practice. A good knowledge of each young person's needs enables staff to tell if someone is unhappy and to respond accordingly. If a young person appears unhappy staff immediately intervene.

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requires improvement

Young people are happy in this home, indicating they feel safe and are well cared for. They are at ease with staff; they interact confidently and move freely around the home. Relatives and professionals have confidence that young people are safe. The routines and structures in place for individual young people supports them in feeling safe and comfortable in their surroundings. Young people are kept safe through on-going supervision of their whereabouts and the retention of high staffing ratios. Young people who access the service are not currently assessed as displaying or being at high risk in the areas of self harm, missing or child sexual exploitation. Staff are aware of the policies and have received information to enable them to act on concerns. During discussion, staff demonstrated some understanding that young people’s autism and learning disabilities makes them highly vulnerable. However, during the inspection a

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requires improvement

number of body maps were located in a young person’s file, these documented a high amount of bruising being identified. The detail within these body maps was very limited and information did not demonstrate any exploration or explanation for the bruising. This information had not been shared and managers were unaware of it. During the course of the inspection, the manager took action to share this with appropriate professionals. In these instances, the homes safeguarding policy had not been followed. Some training in safeguarding has not been easy for staff to access due to availability of courses. In addition, the majority of staff have not received training specific to children with disabilities. Therefore, staff have not been provided with all the necessary skills to identify and act upon concerns. The staff training that has been received has not been fully embedded into their knowledge and practice.

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requires improvement

In other cases, allegations or suspicions of harm have been promptly and appropriately shared with external safeguarding agencies. Staff attend relevant professionals meetings and share appropriate information about young people's well-being. This demonstrates predominantly effective partnership working. Staff are trained in the safe handling of challenging behaviour and with the emphasis on distraction, physical intervention is rare. The recording of any physical intervention is sufficiently thorough that it enables the manager to monitor effectively and identify any patterns or trends. However, body maps and checks to determine any injury are not routinely completed following a physical intervention. This process could be further strengthened. Staff use restorative ways of working with young people to increase a sense of personal responsibility this results in sanctions not being used. This enables staff to respond with appropriate

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requires improvement

boundaries about what is safe and acceptable. There have been no instances of bullying reported since the last inspection. This is due to the planning and attention given to ensuring appropriate peer groups are in place for young people’s visits. Young people are encouraged to treat each other with respect through appropriate role modelling and re-enforcement of boundaries. This has created a relaxed and nurturing atmosphere. At the last inspection, a requirement was made to improve recruitment processes. The policy and procedure for the recruitment and vetting of staff has been followed. Clarification has been sought with regard to the gaps identified in recruitment files and to ensure references coincide with dates of employment given in application forms. Although the systems in place have been strengthened in this area, there has been a period of delay in obtaining a new Disclosure and Barring Check for a staff member and in this period, a risk assessment has not been

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requires improvement

completed to determine any level of risk. There are good systems in place to address matters of health and safety, ensuring a safe environment. Routine checks are carried out in relation to fire safety and staff have practised evacuating the building. There are detailed assessments that minimise risk, without denying young people opportunities to take measured risks as part of their growth and development, for example, swimming and other outdoor activities.

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requires improvement

The Registered Manager obtained her registration with Ofsted in April 2014. She is a learning disability nurse registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. She has also completed a level 5 qualification in leadership and management. She has the necessary experience to provide effective leadership. However, the shortfalls identified within the safeguarding judgement did not have management oversight. The management team understand the strengths of the service; there is a development plan in operation to clarify the future of the home with a focus on improving experiences for young people. Staff are very clear on the aims and objectives of the service and this is clearly outlined in the Statement of Purpose. This document gives parents and professionals comprehensive information about what to expect from the service. The children’s guide has been produced to a high standard and is written from the

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requires improvement

perspective of a child; this promotes child-centred practice well. Observations show there is an appropriate number of staff on each shift to meet the needs of the young people. One staff member has recently left the organisation and another is on long term sick, staff cover shifts amongst themselves and through the use of consistent bank and agency cover. Discussion with staff reported the level of responsibility was felt at too high; they feel this is due to the lack of permanent staff on some shifts. Staff report morale is low and they find it difficult to balance the shifts, which includes both waking nights and day. In addition, they report there is limited opportunities to develop in the home. The managers have recognised these areas they are recruiting to vacant positions and beginning to involve staff in new developments. There are regular independent visits to monitor the conduct of the home. These

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requires improvement

reports do not evaluate or set out the visitor’s opinion on whether young people are effectively safeguarded or how the conduct of the home promotes well-being. Although it is clear internal monitoring takes place by the management team, monitoring that had taken place has not identified the shortfalls identified during this inspection. In addition, staff views have not been incorporated; this means reviews are not as thorough or purposeful as intended. All staff are receiving regular supervision that provides the opportunity to reflect on their practice. Staff report that they undertake essential training, and all new staff complete an initial induction programme. This practice contributes to them understanding and meeting the needs of young people. However, up-to-date training records could not be located during the course of the inspection. This means managers do not have a clear enough oversight of training required.

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requires improvement

The management and staff team work with other agencies for the safety and welfare of the young people. The team work with professionals within health services, education and social care departments. This inter-agency working ensures that there is a team approach in meeting the specific needs of young people. Managers are able to demonstrate progress young people have made as a result of their stay in the home. They are presently arranging parent forums to fully involve families to ensure experiences are positive and purposeful for the young people.

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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

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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