Children's home run by R Place Limited

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed. The manager has put strategies in place to enable her to monitor and evaluate staff practice and young people‟s progress. Each member of staff is accountable for tasks in the home such as ensuring care plans are up to date and all staff take responsibility for recording young people‟s targets and achievements. The manager now has a system in place to ensure that notifications of serious events are sent to the appropriate agencies within 24 hours, in line with regulation. Staff are fully aware of this system and recent notifications have been received by Ofsted within required timescales.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been several incidents where young people have caused damage to the home. As a result the kitchen and dining room have undergone some refurbishments which the young people are now helping to re- decorate. On some occasions, low key physical intervention has been necessary to keep the young person, staff and other young people safe. Staff follow individual behaviour management plans and try to de-escalate a negative situation prior to using physical intervention. Young people are given opportunities to give their views on the measure used. One young person commented, „I let myself down because of engaging in negative energy‟.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been two complaints since the last inspection. Both by neighbours in the community and alleged that young people from the home were responsible for anti-social behaviour. Managers are promoting positive relationships between the home and the neighbours, working collectively with them and relevant agencies to improve relationships. Issues arising relating to the young people are now discussed between the neighbours and the home‟s managers. This proactive approach appears to have been successful and in strengthening relationships in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Occasions have arisen when staff have thought young people to be under the influence of alcohol and illegal substances. This has required staff to conduct a search of young people‟s bedrooms. It is not clear from records whether staff have discussed this measure with the young people, which impacts on young people rights to privacy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home receives monthly quality assurance visits and reports from an independent person. These reports are lacking the independent person‟s opinion regarding the home‟s promotion of children‟s well-being and whether they are effectively safeguarded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A compliance notice has been issued to the responsible person regarding unsafe recruitment practices. Recruitment policy and procedures are not being consistently followed. This means the management team have not undertaken detailed checks for each member of staff employed at the home to ensure young people are suitability protected from the adults working with them. Individual staff recruitment records do not show how the manager has satisfied herself that all staff employed are fit to work with young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A member of staff was allowed to commence their employment without a DBS certificate being issued, this means that the manager failed to explore and check that the member of staff is of good character and safe to work with vulnerable young people. Risk assessments in place around specific staffing roles have not been followed by the Registered Manager and staff team, this means that the safety and welfare of young people has been seriously compromised with individual staff members working without the agreed level of supervision and senior staff support and guidance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who are new to the home report that they receive a warm welcome from a friendly staff team. Staff plan for new admissions and assess the impact on the other young people in the home, seeking their views to ensure that any worries or anxieties are identified and resolved. Wherever possible staff visit the young person and ensure they have a good understanding of what to expect from staff. This planned approach means that all young people are fully prepared and that the dynamics between the young people remains positive. A young person said, „Lisa and Teresa came to collect me. I didn‟t want to come but I‟m glad I did. They made me very welcome and told me all about the home. I don‟t want to leave‟. Young people continue to make progress in all aspects of their development; participating in education provision, healthy lifestyles and staying safe. For example, Young people who self-harm are supported to find more positive ways to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

express their feelings, such as talking to staff about their emotions. Staff engage them in activities such as attending the gym, which also builds self-esteem and self-confidence. Overall, this is having a positive influence on young people and means that there is a significant reduction in self-harmful and negative behaviours. A young person said, „Staff showed me respect and I respect them. I used to be a street fighter and they got me into boxing and made it a positive experience. They ask me for my views and what I need and make sure I have everything. It‟s an excellent home‟.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make educational progress in terms of attendance, motivation and achievement. Some young people, who previously did not attend education, are now routinely engaging with teachers and making steady progress. This improved attitude to education has helped some young people to secure part- time work. This success has boosted young people‟s self-confidence and self-belief, which has inspired them to consider their long-term options for the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people speak highly of the manager and staff and are proud of the progress they are making. They talk of how staff have helped and supported them to make positive changes in their lives. Staff provide a high level of support and encouragement and develop positive relationships, building up trust and self- worth. They take a clear and fair approach in helping them to make good life choices. This has assisted in building emotional resilience and has helped young people to make positive choices in their daily lives.

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Information about this children's home

The children‟s home is owned and operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people who experience emotional and /or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

12/01/2015 CH - Interim declined in effectiveness

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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 particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to help each child to understand how the child‟s privacy will be respected and the circumstances when it may have to be limited, this is in relation to room search records. (Regulation 7 (2)(v)) 02/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person‟s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person‟s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the home promotes children‟s well-being. (Regulation 44 (a) (b)) 02/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure that: The homes day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (2)(b)) 02/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

*Obtain references that are current relating to any previous work involving children and young people. (Regulation 32 (7)(a)) 11/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

*Ensure there is a clear audit trail of information on record to demonstrate the rationale and reasoning behind the decision to employ individuals deemed to be of integrity and good character including details of any interviews with new employees, risk assessments and enquiries made with external agencies that informs the overall judgement about fitness. (Regulation 32 (3)(a)) 11/04/2016 *Exercise vigilance in taking all reasonable steps to obtain full information about each of the matters specified in schedule 2 in respect of any individual employed at the home specifically exploring other avenues when making enquiries about fitness, integrity and good character as opposed to accepting information at face value. (Regulation 32 (7)(a) 11/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to statutory requirement notice.

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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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