Children's Home run by Pilgrims Corner Limited in Kent

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:

 The Registered Manager does not have a sound understanding of the strengths and development areas of the home. The overall experiences and progress of young people are compromised by weaknesses in the management and safe running of this home.  Restraint records do not meet regulatory requirements. Poor quality recording means that it is hard to ascertain how young people have been held, including floor holds. This risks inappropriate physical intervention being used on young people.  One young person‟s local authority care plan is not on file for staff to refer to. Admission processes do not show consideration for the child already placed within the home. One in-house placement plan fails to detail a young person‟s sensory needs and how they will be met.  Young people do not have free access to a suitably protected computer and internet access. This compromises their learning and personal development.

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because:

 Some foods are locked away in the staff office routinely. This compromises an otherwise homely environment.  Recruitment practices require improvement. One recruitment file has gaps in employment history. Files do not show why staff left previous work with vulnerable children.  Staff induction is inconsistent. Some staff have not completed the framework which the organisation uses. These staff now lead shifts, without a full and proper introduction to the home. Staff members‟ appraisals do not consider the views of young people in order to improve practice.  The statement of purpose to the home is not followed wholly in practice. Staff are unfamiliar with this key document.  Monitoring systems currently in place are ineffective at identifying key weaknesses and raising the standard of care.  The fire risk assessment does not consider the impact of securing the fire exits overnight using a key. This has the potential for delaying young people

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because:

in leaving the premises in an emergency.

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The children's home strengths

 Young people live in an environment that is of a good standard. They personalise their bedrooms and speak positively of the home they live in.  Educational outcomes are well promoted. Young people attend school and education placements regularly. Communication between staff members and education staff is regular and effective.  Contact arrangements are well facilitated. This means young people successfully maintain contact with family and friends.

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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

5. Engaging with the wider system to ensure children's needs are met:

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the engaging with the wider system to ensure children‟s needs are met standard, the registered person must (c) if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority‟s or a relevant person‟s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child‟s needs are met in accordance with the child‟s relevant plans 30/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

6. The quality and purpose of care standard:

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose standard, the registered person must (2)(b)(i) ensure that staff understand and apply the home‟s statement of purpose 30/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard:

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must: (2)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home 30/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children‟s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6) of Regulation 16, the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose (Regulation 16(1)(5)) 30/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must provide adequate means of escape 30/04/16 from the home in the event of fire. (Regulation 25(1)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only employ an individual to work at the children‟s home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

The requirements include that full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2 (Regulation 32(2)(a)(3)(d)) 30/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction (Regulation 33(1)(a)) 30/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— (a) within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes— (iv) a description of the measure and its duration; (v) details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; (vi) the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

(b) within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)— (i) has spoken to the user about the measure; and (ii) has signed the record to confirm it is accurate (Regulation 35(3)(a) (iv)(v)(vi) (b)(i)(ii)) 30/04/2016

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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 any modifications to the environment of the home, must only be made where this is intended to safeguard the child's welfare. All decisions should be informed by a rigorous assessment of that individual child's needs, be properly recorded and be kept under regular review (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15, paragraph 3.10)

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Recommendations

 Ensure children have access to a computer and the internet to support their education and learning, unless there are specific safeguarding reasons why this would be inappropriate. In such cases, the home should consider whether and how it can support the child to access a computer and the internet safely (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 29, paragraph 5.19)  Ensure the specific responsibilities of the home towards supporting the health and well-being of each child are agreed with the placing authority and recorded in the child's placement plan (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 34, paragraph 7.7)

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Recommendations

 Ensure staff members in a deputy or supervisory role such as 'shift leader' should have substantial relevant experience of working in a children's home and have successfully completed their induction for the home in which they are employed (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 54, paragraph 10.21)

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Recommendations

 Ensure the registered person is skilled in anticipating difficulties and reviewing incidents, such as learning from disruptions and placement breakdowns. They are responsible for proactively implementing lessons learned and sustaining good practice (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 55, paragraph 10.24)   Ensure placements for children are only accepted where the registered person has fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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Recommendations

 Ensure staff appraisals take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and children in the home's care. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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Information about this children's home

This children‟s home is managed and run by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to two children with emotional and behavioural needs.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Requires improvement

While young people and professionals speak positively about this home the weaknesses identified on this inspection impact on young people‟s day-to-day experiences, safeguarding arrangements and the organisation of the home. Young people reflect on the progress they have made. A young person commented „I used to get into trouble, but now I don‟t. I‟m a lot calmer than I was‟. Observations show that relationships between young people and staff members are positive and warm. Key working takes place regularly. This one to one time with young people allows them opportunity to talk about anything that is worrying them. A young person said „if I have stuff on my mind, staff are there‟.

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Requires improvement

Young people live in a home that provides a good standard of accommodation. A young person commented, „it feels homely. It doesn‟t look like a care home‟. Young people engage in regular structured activities. They make new friends through participating in youth clubs, sports clubs, and playing pool. They also visit family and friends locally. Young people successfully build and maintain attachments to those important to them.

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Requires improvement

Young people‟s health is improved through a reduction in smoking. They engage in smoking cessation clinics to learn about the dangers. A young person reflected that they have not misused substances since living in this home. Staff work effectively in partnership with child and adolescent mental health services to ensure the emotional needs of young people are identified and met.

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Requires improvement

Young people maintain regular attendance at educational settings. Taking into account their individual starting points, they make steady academic progress. Life skills are well promoted. Young people undertake basic household chores. This suitably prepares them for independent living.

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Requires improvement

One young person has earned an internet enabled mobile phone as a result of their age and progress towards independence. Currently within the home, the only computer with internet access is based in the staff office. As a result, not all young people have private access to emails. They do not have free access to research leisure interests, or to search for college courses or employment. A young person commented „I could use a computer to do some school work in the evening‟. Young people‟s preparation for adulthood and their learning is compromised without appropriate access to a computer and the internet. Some foodstuffs like cereal bars, crisps and flavoured water are locked in the staff office. A young person commented „I don‟t think its fair I have to ask every time I want a packet of crisps‟. There is no formal risk assessment detailing why access to these items is restricted, and when this practice will be reviewed. This detracts

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Requires improvement

from an otherwise homely environment and young people are not fully supported to learn about making good food choices for themselves.

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Requires improvement

In general, internal placement plans detail clearly the individual needs of young people. They are updated regularly. However, one young person‟s sensory needs are not included in their in-house placement plan. As a result, records do not demonstrate how the home are ensuring staff are supported in meeting this particular health need.

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Requires improvement

Young people say they feel safe living in the home. There have been no allegations against staff members or referrals to local children‟s services made since the previous inspection. Staff demonstrate sound understanding of safeguarding procedures.

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Requires improvement

Since the last inspection, there have been 15 physical restraints in the home. Records kept do not comply with the Children‟s Homes Regulations 2015. For example, the bound log does not contain information on what methods have been used to avoid the use of physical intervention. There is no written record of a debrief with the staff member initiating a restraint, although staff members state they happen. This does not demonstrate how the Registered Manager is reviewing with the staff team each restraint to learn and avoid its use in the future. This is particularly relevant as floor holds have been used with one young person, and these involve higher risks. Not all entries in the bound logbook are complete. This means that the Registered Manager has incomplete information to evaluate whether actions taken by staff are proportionate and reasonable. Overall, the quality of restraint records is poor. They do not describe clearly how young people

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Requires improvement

have been physically held. This makes it difficult to ascertain if approved restraint techniques have been used. This places young people at risk of inappropriate restraint.

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Requires improvement

Recruitment files do not clearly show the reasons for an adult leaving previous work involving children. In one recruitment file, there were three gaps in employment history. This compromises safe recruitment practice and is not in line with regulatory requirements. Potential new staff undertake shadow shifts in the home. Afterwards, young people share with the Registered Manager what they think about them. This demonstrates to young people that their views are important about potential new staff members.

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Requires improvement

Routine health and safety checks take place which ensure the safety of the young people and all who visit the home. Young people know the evacuation plan in case of an emergency. However, overnight the fire exits are locked shut. This compromises young people‟s ability to leave the premises without delay. This has not been fully considered as part of the fire risk assessment to ensure both the security of the property and the safety of young people.

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Requires improvement

There have been 13 missing episodes since the previous full inspection. For one young person these episodes were not reducing. A secure placement was sought in order to support their complex emotional needs. For another young person, their missing episodes have reduced significantly since moving into this home as a result of work carried out by the home to identify and address their needs. Individualised risk assessments capture actions staff must take to reduce risks.

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Requires improvement

The Registered Manager has been in post since March 2015. He also manages another of the organisation‟s children‟s homes that is located within walking distance of this home. He has 15 years of experience of working within children‟s homes. Currently, he is undertaking the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare. He already holds a diploma in therapeutic childcare. The only requirement set at the previous inspection related to the registration of a manager, which has been met.

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Requires improvement

The statement of purpose contains two references to one of the other children‟s homes within the same organisation. Descriptions of whether the home accepts emergency admissions are confusing and contradictory. These matters were addressed by the Responsible Individual during the inspection. The home is not being conducted in line with expectations set out in the statement of purpose. For example, in relation to admission processes. Staff are not familiar with the content and ethos described within this key document. This unfamiliarity risks staff working inconsistently with young people, although this was not identified during this visit.

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Requires improvement

Since the previous inspection, there has been a new admission to the home. This young person‟s local authority care plan is not on file for staff to refer to. They have been in placement for some months. Records show the Registered Manager has contacted the local authority once to request a copy. The Registered Manager accepted the admission of this young person without this key document to inform the placement decision. This new young person was appropriately involved in sharing their wishes and feelings about moving in. Information was collated on the young person‟s background and history to assist in making the admission decision. However, the process for matching does not record what the likely impact of the new child may be when joining the home. As a result, the Registered Manager cannot demonstrate how the safety and stability of the current young person is considered when agreeing to a new placement.

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Requires improvement

Links exist between the Registered Manager and local police and health professionals. Placing social workers receive monthly reports and information following serious incidents. This keeps them up-to-date with young people‟s progress.

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Requires improvement

Staff confirm they receive regular supervision from senior staff. Young people‟s views are not sought as part of staff members‟ annual evaluation. This does not allow young people an opportunity to give feedback on staff practice to help them improve.

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Requires improvement

Induction processes require improvement. The organisation‟s induction framework is not followed consistently. Opportunity to ensure staff receive an effective introduction into the ethos and procedures of the home is therefore missed. Some staff now lead shifts without having completed their induction. This means the home is led by staff who have not received full orientation into the home, and therefore risks an inconsistent approach. Staff members receive training in safe care skills such as managing self-harm, and medication administration. This ensures staff have the relevant skills to meet individual young people‟s needs.

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Requires improvement

External monitoring visits take place on a monthly basis. Direct feedback from the young people is limited within these reports. Action points are appropriately identified for the Registered Manager to consider.

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Requires improvement

Internal monitoring systems are not effective at sustaining a good standard of care. An unannounced audit by the Responsible Individual identified multiple action points. These have been addressed by the Registered Manager. Internal reviews of the quality of care had not identified these shortfalls, nor further deficits as highlighted in this inspection. The Registered Manager does not demonstrate a sound understanding of the strengths and development areas of this home. Comprehensive reviews following serious events and incidents do not routinely take place. As a result, lessons learned are not proactively recognised and implemented. Although an internal action plan is in place, it is having little impact in raising the standard of care delivered in the home.

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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

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

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Information about this inspection

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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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