Children's Home run by Tulip Care One Limited t/as TulipCare in Kent

inspection

Following the last full inspection in June 2015, four compliance notices were issued in relation to the protection of children, leadership and management arrangements, the statement of purpose and independent visitor monitoring arrangements. A restriction of accommodation notice was also served.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Inadequate at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has Improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following the full inspection in June 2015, two monitoring visits were conducted in August 2015. The first was to measure the home’s progress in meeting the restriction of accommodation notice and the second visit explored progress against the four compliance notices in relation to the protection of children, leadership and management arrangements, the statement of purpose and independent monitoring visits.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The last remaining young person moved on from the home on 30 June 2015. The first monitoring visit established that no further children or young people had been placed. The home was judged to have met this notice. Senior managers had not sought to actively seek new referrals. They had reflected on lessons learnt and were continuing to implement an action plan to address the four compliance notices and seven requirements previously made. Although the restriction of accommodation notice was effectively ended, the responsible individual made well- reasoned and appropriate decisions not to pursue referrals; focusing instead on working to meet the compliance notices and requirements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

These were fully explored at the second monitoring visit. Progress was evident but on-going action was still being taken by the responsible individual. For example, the home was undergoing major refurbishment and redecoration, and a new staff recruitment campaign was underway. Consequently, progress against the compliance notices and requirements could not be fully tested and therefore remained in place following the visit. The responsible individual understood this rationale and remained clear in her commitment to implement all of her action plan before considering the future placement of children and young people. Ofsted has continued to receive regular progress updates from the responsible individual following these monitoring visits.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This inspection finds progress is continuing albeit some areas are not fully completed or embedded. The responsible individual is systematically implementing each stage of her action plan and intends to be ready by the end of May 2016 to begin accepting new referrals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In respect of the compliance notice concerned with child protection and safeguarding arrangements, the home’s review of its policies is almost complete. Areas including child sexual exploitation, radicalisation and female genital mutilation are now included. Further work is ongoing in terms of strengthening and making explicitly clear, the procedural actions for staff to take in the event they become concerned about, or aware of a safeguarding concern. The names of the home’s designated persons for safeguarding have not been added to the policy while the staff recruitment campaign remains on-going. In readiness for its planned new staff team, core safeguarding and child protection training days and workshops have been arranged with the Kent Safeguarding Children Board. Strategic planning recognises the value of consolidating a new team’s ability to understand the safeguarding roles of wider agencies and how these affect the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

home’s own procedures. Major refurbishment and redecoration works have been completed, combined with sharper maintenance and health and safety reporting procedures, ready for implementation. The physical premises has been transformed into a physically safe, secure and inviting environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In respect of the compliance notice relating to leadership and management arrangements, a staff recruitment campaign is on-going. The revised job description and package for the manager position is attracting good quality candidates; shortlisting has been completed and interviews are scheduled for the end of March 2016. This aspect links to the requirement in respect of the on-going professional development of the responsible individual. So far, she has attended additional training for practitioners in child sexual exploitation and is continuing to research additional learning relevant to her role. Advertising and short listing is also on-going for staff team members. In accordance with the two requirements made about the fitness of workers and their induction periods, job descriptions and interview processes have been revised and updated. While actively seeking individuals already in possession of relevant qualifications, such as the Level 3

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Diploma, the home has also contracted with an external training provider, in the event of an otherwise strong candidate who does not yet possess this. Revised induction templates and procedures which now explicitly differentiate between each role and job title are ready for use. New staff stand to receive a more uniquely tailored introduction to the home with focus on their own role within it.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

These developments impact upon the compliance notice relating to the home’s statement of purpose. While senior managers are verbally clear about the precise details of the home’s future admissions criteria, in terms of the sex and age range of the children and young people to be accommodated, these details have not yet been added. The responsible individual plans to complete the final document following the appointment of a manager, in order that they can assist with its completion, therefore taking greater ownership of its delivery.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In respect of the compliance notice relating to independent visitor arrangements under Regulation 44, an appointment has been made through the National Youth Advisory Service (NYAS). The responsible individual explains that visits will commence in April 2016, in advance of the home being ready to accept new referrals. A requirement was also made for the home to ensure the continued implementation of its internal monitoring arrangements under Regulation 45. Recent months have realistically focused upon the implementation of the action plan. With no children or young people in placement, there is no immediate concern or consequence of this and a format and process is ready for implementation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Action has been taken by the home to address the two requirements in respect of care planning and engaging with the wider system to ensure children’s needs are met. Care plan formats contain a direct link into risk management and strategies for staff to implement. The responsible individual explains that such guidance will be used to identify the topics to be covered during individual key working sessions with young people. Early care planning guidance will contain the findings and recommendations of the psychology assessment, commissioned by the home. The revised layout of the care planning process describes a clear process of liaison with placing social workers to ensure they are kept updated through the receipt of monthly reports from key workers. In addition, revised health care folders, in response to the health and wellbeing requirement, are also ready for implementation. It is planned that these will run concurrently with all other aspects

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

of daily care documents and delivery but held somewhat separately to ensure such key information is readily available in one place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The responsible individual is able to demonstrate progress across all of the previous requirements but without full completion in some areas as neither a staff team nor young people are present, the impact of the changes cannot be fully measured. Consequently, all of the requirements are repeated and will be evaluated at the next inspection. The responsible individual is committed to completing her staff recruitment objective prior to actively seeking to accept new young people. With a projected date of May 2016, an open day is planned to invite local authorities to make referrals.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home provides residential care and support for up to five children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. A separately registered school, on the same site can be accessed by those living in the home. At the time of this inspection, the home’s statement of purpose was under revision to offer its services to girls only.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

21/11/2014 Interim Sustained 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 order to meet the care planning standard, specifically that plans for the day-to-day care of young people take account of the recommendations made in specialist assessments, the registered person must ensure that: (1)(a) children receive effectively planned care in or through the children's home. 14/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

5: Engaging with the wider system to ensure children's needs are met In order to meet the engaging with wider system standard, with particular reference to ensuring that placing authorities are provided with reports within agreed timescales, the registered person must ensure that staff: (a) seek to involve each child's placing authority effectively in the child's care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. 14/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the health and well-being standard, with specific reference to arrangements for medication and appointments with health professionals, the registered person must ensure that: (1)(a) the health and well-being needs of children are met. (2)(a) (iii) take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting their health and well-being needs. 14/05/2016

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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 necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; (ii) help each child to understand how to keep safe; (iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; 14/05/2016 (iv) manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other; (v)) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare; (vii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home's child protection policies. (2) (d) that the premises are used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child's health.

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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, with particular reference to the statement of purpose, the skills and qualifications of staff, sufficient staffing levels, and the continuity and quality of care, the registered person must: (2)(a) lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home's statement of purpose; (b) ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate; (c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; (d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child; (e) ensure that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child; (f) understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality

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Requirement Due date

of care provided in the home. 14/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 16 (5)). 14/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

29: Continuing professional development: registered person and responsible individual

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Requirement Due date

The organisation must ensure that the responsible individual undertakes such continuing professional development as is necessary to ensure that the responsible individual has the skills needed for supervising the management of the home. (Regulation 29(2)). 14/05/2016 32: Fitness of workers

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Requirement Due date

Ensure individuals employed at the home have the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform. (Regulation 32 (3) (b)). Specifically that staff possess, or are working towards the completion of the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare. 14/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction. (Regulation 33 (1) (a)). This particularly relates to the induction of the manager. 14/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports

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Requirement Due date

Ensure the independent person produces a report about a visit which sets out, in particular, the independent person's opinion as to whether- (a) children are effectively safeguarded; and (b) the conduct of the home promotes children's well-being. (Regulation 44 (4) (a) (b)) 14/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

Complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every six months. (Regulation 45 (1)) 14/05/2016

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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 all young people have access to appropriate advocacy support; specifically, ensure young people are provided with information on how to contact an advocacy service. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 23, paragraph 4.16)

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Recommendations

 Ensure each child's talents and interests are understood and nurtured, with children selecting activities based on their personal preferences and abilities, so far as is reasonable. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 31, paragraph 6.4)

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Recommendations

 Ensure the home supports full time attendance at school; specifically ensure young people receive the encouragement and support they need to maintain regular attendance. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 28, paragraph 5.14)

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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

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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