Children's home SC068658

Unique reference number SC068658 Inspector Caroline Jones Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager Beverley Eddleston Date of last inspection 18/06/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 27/03/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection None

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This 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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This inspection

Young people's progress, experiences and outcomes have deteriorated since the last inspection in June 2014. There have been breaches of regulation that impact on the welfare of young people. Staff turnover has increased and there are shortages of competent staff to meet the needs of young people. For example, agency staff are used to cover gaps in shifts, however, they are not trained in relation to young people's complex health needs. Also, staff have been placed in charge of the home whilst on probation. Consequently, the overall deployment of staff is not sufficient to ensure the welfare of young people.

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This inspection

The health and safety of the living environment for young people is not fully assured. For example, the cleanliness and hygiene of one bedroom is unacceptable and windows frames in another bedroom are screwed permanently shut. These hazards compromises the safety and wellbeing of young people living in the home.

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This inspection

The home is led by a suitably qualified and experienced Registered Manager and two deputy managers. Staff confirm that morale is low and that they do not feel supported and not all staff have had regular, quality supervision. There have also been complaints about the running of the home, which are being addressed by the senior manager. For example, a meeting is arranged to look at ways forward to improve team morale. Records confirm that both internal and external quality assurance processes are in place to monitor the quality of care and a development plan is in place to promote improvement.

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This inspection

There are new young people living at the home who have complex needs and staff work together to help them settle into their new environment. Care planning and positive consultation with young people's families ensures their involvement and choice in the placement planning process. Staff support young people to see their families regularly, which maintains and builds relationships with those significant to 3 of 6 them. Again, this reassures young people and their families and promotes placement stability.

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This inspection

A start has been made on the recommendations from last inspection and six out of the eight have been addressed. For example, sanctions are now fully recorded and include young people's feedback, residential care plans pay full attention to young people's cultural needs and recruitment processes include verification of references by telephone. Two recommendations have not been addressed and are elevated to regulations to ensure they are carried through to improve practice. Namely, achieving suitable staffing numbers and competence, and staff fully understanding the whistleblowing policy.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager and senior manager are currently taking action to remedy the concerns identified as a result of this inspection. However, the breaches of regulations and shortfalls in practice highlighted during this inspection have contributed to the judgement of declined effectiveness. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It provides care and accommodation for up to six young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/06/2014 Full good 04/11/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 13/06/2013 Full good 10/01/2013 Interim satisfactory progress

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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 Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that there is at all times, having regard to; the size of the children’s home, the statement of purpose, and the number and needs of the children accommodated there; and the need to safeguard and promote the health and welfare of the children in the home, a sufficient number of suitably qualified, competent and experienced persons working at the children's home (Regulation 25(1)(a)(b)) 29/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the home are so far as reasonably practicable free from hazards to young people's health and safety. This specifically relates to maintaining hygiene standards in a young person's bedroom (Regulation 23(a)) 22/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

32 ensure that requirements made under the 22/04/2015 5 of 6 (2001) regulatory reform Fire safety order 2005 are complied with. This specifically relates to removing the screws used to permanently close windows in a young person’s bedroom (Regulation 32(1A)(b))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the arrangements for the protection of children are implemented. Specifically, that the whistleblowing policy is made known to all staff to make a clear duty for such people to report to an appropriate authority any circumstances within the home which they consider likely to harm the safety, rights or welfare of any child at the home. (Regulation 16(a)) 22/04/2015

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 ensure that all staff have access to support and advice, and are provided with regular supervision. (NMS 19.4) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections 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

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The 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 relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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