Children's home run by CareTech Community Services Limited in Hertsmere

This monitoring visit

A compliance investigation visit was undertaken by a social care regulatory inspector on 8 February 2016 following serious concerns about sufficient action being taken to safeguard children. Two requirements were set. The main concern arising from the visit was the lack of robust action taken by the organisation to conduct a sufficient investigation into the allegations, and that sufficient action is taken to prevent a reoccurrence. In addition, further allegations were made by young people on the day of the visit.

p.2

This monitoring visit

In order to evaluate the progress the home has made in meeting the two requirements, and additional concerns raised through external monitoring of the home, a monitoring visit was conducted on the 8 March 2016 by two inspectors.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The visit found that while the organisation had taken some action, through the appointment of an independent person to complete an investigation, there continued to be a lack of sufficient investigation. This is because, some allegations made had failed to be investigated. There was a lack of some investigation records detailing all action taken to investigate allegations and a failure to use key lines of enquiry available to complete a sufficient investigation. With regard to one allegation, young people had been led to believe that their allegation had been substantiated, which differed to the outcome of the independent investigation overall findings. In addition, the organisation had failed to implement the home’s disciplinary policy to conduct a disciplinary investigation to ensure that robust action is taken to prevent a recurrence. As a result, young people are confused with the current situation with regard to some staff members, and the actions of

p.2

This monitoring visit

the organisation. The organisation has failed to sufficiently promote the welfare of the young people. As a result, two compliance notices are made.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The visit found that the living environment, was not sufficiently maintained. This is because, for example, in some of the communal living areas, there was debris on the carpets, they required cleaning and hoovering; inside kitchen cupboards and outside of the fridge were stains and pieces of food; ivy is growing through the window of the bathroom; the seal between the base of the shower screen and the bath was green with mould. In some young people’s bedrooms, there were cobwebs and dirty windows; and some rooms the décor appeared dark and tired. As a result, this does not provide young people with a welcoming environment, or that the home is maintained in an adequately safe manner to avoid potential hazards to young people.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The visit found that insufficient nutritious food available to young people. This is because there was items of food found were tinned or dried, and there was little stock in the fridge. The young people had raised concerns which were recorded in the homes log book, and within allegations made that they had raised with staff that they were hungry. While the staff always took action to go out and purchase young people food, it does not ensure that young people have sufficient access to nutritious and varied food to meet their needs.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Concern was raised regarding the lack of consistent action by staff when young people are missing. While staff take action at the time of reporting a young person missing, there is no action taken during the night. For example, on occasions the last telephone call made to a young person who had been missing three nights was made at 20:20, the staff failed to call again until the next day at 11:00. This does not ensure that staff take robust action to ensure that young people are safeguarded.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The visit found that young people have positive relationships with some staff. One young person spoke positively about her relationship with her key worker. The young person reflected on how the home had helped to make improvements to reduce her missing incidents, engage in schooling and with the rules and expectations within the home, since her admission. This shows significant progress for this young person in these areas.

p.3

This monitoring visit

A previous recommendation made at the interim inspection was not looked at during this visit, and is therefore repeated.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Despite some progress having been taken, there remain serious safeguarding concerns about the sufficiency of the organisation in order to safeguard young people effectively. Ofsted will continue to monitor.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A private organisation operates this setting.

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.4

Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

p.4

Requirement Due date

(2)In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard in particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— (b) ensure that staff— (ii) protect and promote each child's welfare; (iii) treat each child with dignity and respect; (v) help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect.* 01/04/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

p.4

Requirement Due date

(1) In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that— (b) promotes their welfare.* 01/04/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

(2) In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure: (d) that the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child's health. 15/03/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

p.4

Requirement Due date

(2) In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard the registered person must ensure that staff: 15/03/2016 (vii) provide to children living in the home the physical necessitates they need in order to live there comfortably. This is with particular regard to access to varied and nutritious food.

p.4

Requirement Due date

(2) In order to meet the protection of children standard, in particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure: (a) that staff - (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare. This is with particular regard to effective action being taken by staff when young people are missing overnight 01/04/2016

p.5

Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to statutory requirement notice.

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that staff supervision enables staff to reflect and act upon how their own feelings and behaviour may be affected by the behaviour of the children they care for. This specifically relates to the regularity of supervision in line with the home's policy. (The Guide to The Quality Standards, page 39 paragraph 8.15)

p.5

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the home since their last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. 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