Children's home run by Care Management Group Limited in Mole Valley

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have made positive progress since the last full inspection in October 2015. The home had been without a consistent manager for some time. Seven requirements and two recommendations were made to address the shortfalls found at this time.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An interim manager started in January 2016, following a period of more than 26 weeks with temporary or deputy managers. The new manager submitted an application to Ofsted on the 11 March 2016, and the new registration is in process.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interim manager has met the majority of the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection and where one remains partly met, good progress has been made.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The majority of the shortfalls identified at the last inspection centred on the leadership and management of the service. The response of leaders and managers to the inspection combined with close working in partnership with the host local authority has led to many improvements. There are now structures and systems in place to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the service.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interim manager has worked as part of the management team to make an action plan to direct and plan improvements. The home’s statement of purpose has been updated. It reflects the quality standards and sets out the ethos and objectives of the home. A thorough risk assessment of the home including the surrounding local area has identified potential risks as well as available services for young people using the service.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two new staff have been recruited and are undergoing induction as part of their probation period. Essential training is underway for all staff and the new manager has developed a training matrix. This is a useful tool to keep a record of training undertaken and ensures mandatory training is completed and updated at required intervals. If training is not completed this shows up on the matrix tool and can be followed up in staff supervision and appraisals. Staff have enrolled on appropriate level 3 courses, have completed them or are in a probationary period. The interim manager has enrolled on the level 5 in leadership and management course.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are experienced and many have worked at the service for a number of years. Some bank staff have now gone onto contracts giving them more security of employment and hours. Staff are feeling happier, more valued and the home feels more settled.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has created a system to manage and ensure supervisions are happening. A matrix of scheduled dates keeps track on ensuring work is monitored and appropriate supports are offered. If supervisions do not take place, a reason is recorded and appointments are re-scheduled. The manager has also formally appraised most staff’s work, reviewing practice issues and developing training needs and progression for the year ahead. Three staff appraisals are not completed but appointments are scheduled. A recommendation is made to ensure the continuation of this process.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are doing well in this home. There is good stability of placements, with no new admissions and no young people discharged. The home continues to run with a vacancy despite receiving referrals, as the matching to existing young people has not been appropriate.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from consistency of care given by an experienced and longstanding staff team. They have also benefitted from the improved leadership of the interim manager who has put more structure and stability into the service.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make progress, for example, they look well, have grown and present as relaxed in interactions with staff in the home. They know the routines of the home well and follow them when they come home from school, for example, changing from school clothes and having snacks and drinks. They respond well to consistent routines set by staff who know them and their needs well.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interim manager has devised a structured activity plan for young people. This remains the same each week, helping young people to develop established routines. During weekends and holidays, further activities are planned for day trips out to museums or theme parks.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s meetings are now routinely happening. The minutes prepared from these meetings are bright, colourful and pictorial, making them easily accessible for young people to understand. Young people have been involved in helping to plan some new play equipment in the garden, following on from a suggestion raised by one of the young people that they would like a swing.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are safe in this home. Due to their complex needs and learning difficulties, staff ratios are high. Doors in and out of the unit are fingerprint or card operated and young people do not go out unaccompanied. Young people are restricted from leaving the home due to their vulnerability and to ensure their safety, however the reasons for these restrictions must be clearly set out within risk assessments or education and health plans.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is close supervision to ensure young people’s safety within the home. Restraint is not routinely used in this home. Staff are supported to manage complex behaviour with a positive behaviour support assistant practitioner. This worker supports staff to create positive behaviour plans to manage behaviours. Staff can also access a speech and language professional who helps create communication profiles and passports for young people to ensure all staff know the best way to communicate where young people have limited speech.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The leaders and managers have worked hard to create an excellent children’s guide, which explains to young people what to expect while staying in the home, how to complain and how to stay safe. The manager has also revised the placement plans and health plans to meet regulations. In addition, these documents are now more accessible to young people with plenty of pictorial information.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are shortfalls in practice, which need addressing. However, no young people have been placed at direct risk as a result. The manager must respond to all complaints in line with the company’s complaints procedure. All staff and the manager must ensure that any records of visitors to the home comply with the regulations, to ensure they are aware of who is visiting, the purpose of their visit and the time they arrived and departed the home.

p.4

Information about this children's home

This is a privately run home. It provides care and accommodation for up to five young people with special needs and associated multiple disabilities.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.5

Recent inspection history

24/03/2014 Interim Satisfactory Progress

p.5

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.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39(3)) 30/04/2016

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must- maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4. In relation to maintaining records of visitors to the home. (Regulation 37(2) - matters in schedule 4(4)(5)) 30/04/2016

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.6

Recommendations

 Ensure all staff must have their performance and fitness to carry out their role formally appraised at least once annually. This appraisal should take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and the children in the home's care. As part of the performance management process, poor performance should be addressed by a timely plan to bring about improvement. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

p.6

Recommendations

 Ensure clear recording in risk assessments or EHC plans why restraint or restriction of liberty is felt necessary as a consequence of a child's impairment or disability. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 47, paragraph 9.43)

p.6

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

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.8

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.8