Children's home in Cannock Chase

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has Declined in Effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Several shortfalls in the leadership and management of this home have been identified during this inspection that have resulted in weaknesses in safeguarding arrangements. Since the last inspection some key staff members have left, as well as the registered manager. Children and young people have also presented with increased levels of anxiety and self-injurious behaviours. While there is no evidence this is caused directly by the changes in staff, the children and young people are known to be more relaxed and comfortable with staff they know well. Because of weaknesses in leadership and management several strategies recommended by a behaviour management trainer have also not been implemented. For example, a recommendation to complete a specific assessment tool and additional evaluative records, in order to help understand young people’s behaviours, have not been acted upon. This highlights a lack of focus on

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

understanding young people’s anxieties, which in turn reduces the opportunities for a reduction in self-injurious behaviours.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The system of using body maps to capture information about injuries, body marks or self-harm is a poorly maintained. For example, some days the forms are not completed. Forms that are completed are sometimes not signed and there is a pattern of not clarifying the full detail of the reason for a bruise. Additionally, the lack of management oversight of these forms means that patterns and trends are not being identified.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Weaknesses are found in placement planning. Areas of identified need are not always included in plans, which raises the potential for them to go unmet. For example, there has been a failure to develop a communication plan for a child with specific communication needs. This may restrict the child reaching their full potential. Protection strategies are weakened by the failure to capture and clarify all known risks and identified risk management strategies.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Communal areas of the home are very sparse and lack a homely feel. The cleanliness of the home is not maintained to an appropriate standard. For example, painted surfaces in the kitchen and dining room show a build-up of dirt, liquid and food marks. The wall-to-wall window in the lounge area appeared dirty inside and out. There has been a failure to clean plugs, sockets and wall lights following the decoration of the dining room, leaving it appearing unkempt. Together these issues show a lack of focus on providing a high quality, well-maintained environment.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Successful recruitment means that a new manager is now in post, and new staff are starting once recruitment checks are completed. The remaining members of core staff know the children and young people well and are keen to support them appropriately and to keep them safe. However, they have spoken to the independent visitor about low morale across the team. Also, during the inspection staff expressed frustration regarding the recording system, which is referred to as ‘not manageable’. It is clear though that the new manager is very experienced in managing similar settings and has over the last four weeks started to create a sense of stability within the team.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Regardless of the changes within the staff team several consistent staff remain, who promote some stability for the children and young people. Observations were made of staff remaining very calm and softly spoken when dealing with very difficult behaviours. Staff are mindful of the impact of some behaviours on others and endeavour to plan separate activities to reduce anxieties. Children and young people enjoy a number of activities including a weekly disco, swimming, the cinema, walks and shopping.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The two recommendations set at the time of the last inspection have been addressed. Kitchen work surfaces have been replaced, which improves the food hygiene arrangements. Medication administration systems are strengthened by the additional steps taken to ensure that medication no longer required is returned promptly to the pharmacy.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned home is registered to provide care and accommodation for three children who have a diagnosed learning disability.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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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

6 The Quality of Purpose of Care Standard.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality of purpose of care standard, with particular reference to maintaining a clean environment, the registered person must ensure that staff:

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Requirement Due date

(2) (b)(vii) provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. 18/03/2016

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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) (i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if 18/03/2016 necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child

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Requirement Due date

(vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare, and

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Requirement Due date

(2)(e) the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the care planning standard the registered person must ensure that children-

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Requirement Due date

(1)(a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home 18/03/2016

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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.

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

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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 .

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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

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

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Information about this inspection

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

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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

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