Children's home in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

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, senior managers and the staff team have made substantial progress since the last inspection. Due to the short timescale between inspections, improvements are not fully embedded.  The work undertaken to make the homes more comfortable and of a family style is ongoing. Further improvements are needed.  Staff need to ensure records maintained are correctly dated and details of guidance provided by fellow professionals is recorded in more detail.  The meals provided for young people with specific health issues need to be reviewed to ensure they are nutritious and wholesome.

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The children's home strengths

Leaders, managers and staff team have demonstrated their commitment to improving the service and to improving the care they provide. This has included a review of their practice, recording systems, record keeping and their approach to the management of young people’s behaviour. There has been a decrease in the number of physical restraints and difficult incidents. The way that staff manage young people’s behaviour now has a more positive focus with the emphasis on de-escalations, diffusion and identification of triggers; so incidents can be avoided. Staff have been well supported by managers during this and the homes have benefited by having a higher management presence on a day to day basis. Young people’s individual plans are now detailed and provide clear guidance on how to meet the young people’s needs. These plans have been enhanced by the input from the educational staff at the school. Young people attend school regularly and continue to make good progress in their

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The children's home strengths

education from their starting point. Staff provide young people with effective support in this area. Safeguarding process at the home are now adhered to in practice and now protect young people. This includes the recruitment process. Staff enable young people to develop their independence skills. They are encouraged to cook and do household jobs around the home. Staff also help young people to develop their road safety skills.

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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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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that children are provided with nutritious meals suitable for each child's needs. In particular, ensure that young people receive sufficient wholesome, nutritious food to promote their health and development, and consider referral of specific young people to a qualified dietician. (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, paragraph 3.8)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular, record detail of the reference verification conversation with the referee in all cases (Guidance to the Children's Homes Regulations (April 2015) paragraph 13.1)

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Recommendations

 Ensure staff are familiar with the home's policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. In particular care needs to be observed when recording dates and advice gathered from fellow professionals should be recorded in detail. (Guidance to the Children's Homes Regulations (April 2015) paragraph 14.4)

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 36 young people who have autistic spectrum disorders and associated learning difficulties. The accommodation comprises of six houses. Five houses are located on the main school site with a sixth house located in the local town. This accommodation is used for older young people in order to promote their independence. At the time of this inspection the house on site which provides a short breaks service was not operational.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/11/2014 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

13/02/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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Requires improvement

The overall experiences of young people have improved since the previous inspection on 17 December 2015. Due to the timescale between this and the previous inspection it is yet to be evidenced that changes are soundly embedded in practice. The young people have good relationships with the adults working in the home. Relationships have been enhanced by increased stability in the staff teams. This has also led to a reduction in significant incidents and physical interventions. The young people are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle, but further work is required to improve some of the menus. Specifically, some young people with sensitivities are consuming foods that may disagree with them. The manager has ensured that improvements have been made to the quality of the accommodation in most houses on the school site. This is acceptable progress in the short timescale available. There are no longer an abundance of health and

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Requires improvement

safety signs in the young people accommodation. In addition the information for staff has been removed to the office, the staff clocking on and off machine has been concealed and the padlocked on some kitchen cupboards have been removed. These actions have made the houses feel more homely and welcoming. The offsite house continues to provide young people with an environment which is of a high standard homely and welcoming. At the time of this inspection the short breaks house was not in use. The manager said it they are not proposing to reopen this house until March 2016. The young people’s healthcare is appropriately managed. Detailed healthcare plans are in place. Medicines are stored, handled and administered effectively and this is supported by detailed records. Young people’s sexual health is sensitively addressed. Since the previous inspection, care plans have been further reviewed and developed. The plans contain clear targets and chart each young person’s

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Requires improvement

progress. Behaviour management plans have been further refined and are informed by the home’s therapeutic team and the education team. The home provides a good range of activities to suit young people’s interests and abilities. Staff encourage young people to try new activities and experiences. They are well supported to develop independence skills. At the beginning of each week, each young person, supported by their staff team, devises a structured programme to help them to plan their time. Staff shortages are being addressed and there has been a dramatic reduction in the use of agency staff. The staff are skilled in helping young people to express themselves and routinely use alternative systems of communication through symbols. Young people make good progress in developing independence skills. The staff team at the off-site house for the older residents are particularly good at this work. Young people attend school regularly and make good progress in comparison to

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Requires improvement

their starting points. Parents remain positive about the care provided by the staff to their children. This is evidence in the recent consultation. Where issues have been raised these are promptly and effectively dealt with by senior managers.

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Requires improvement

Since the previous inspection, the service manager’s reporting process for child protection concerns has improved. Incidents are reported appropriately, but some recording, for example, official responses to investigations by the local authority designated officer (LADO), lacks sufficient detail to provide a clear analysis of the situation. The LADO reported the increased contact from the home has further develop their working relationship; enhancing the protection of young people. The homes safeguarding and child protection procedures are linked to those of the local authority. Staff interviewed demonstrated a good understanding and working knowledge of these. Behaviour management has also improved since the previous inspection. Records are now well ordered and effectively monitored. There is now no evidence of inappropriate interventions that restrict the young people’s liberty. Overall, the number of incidents has decreased, and the quality of recording has generally

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Requires improvement

improved. The restraints recorded as being used, are of a low level in intensity and the majority have been to prevent self-injurious behaviours. One record of restraint showed an incorrect date. Where required young people have a detailed physical intervention reduction plans which have been effective in practice. Staff said these linked to the new individual plans which have a more positive focus, benefiting young people. The manager has improved the home’s relationships with others. Placing authorities and parents are now fully informed of significant incidents affecting their young people. Staff recruitment systems meet regulatory requirements. The staff files are well ordered and checklists are used to ensure that appropriate vetting has taken place. References are verified by phone and the outcome is usually, but not always recorded. In addition as part of the recruitment process for overseas staff and

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Requires improvement

English test is undertaken to ensure their English level is of an acceptable standard which will enable them to understand young people’s plans and the homes policies and procedures. Observation holes in bedroom doors are used to observe young people where a safeguarding or health need has been identified. These are now kept under review and this has led to the number of these in operation being significantly reduced. Young people benefit from living in a safe environment where their wellbeing is protected by comprehensive risk assessments and Health and Safety procedures. Individual risk assessments clearly identity young people vulnerabilities and risk. A RAG (red, amber, green) rating is and appropriate strategies are put in place to reduce the level of these risks. Due to the timescale between this and the previous inspection it is yet to be evidenced that the changes made are soundly embedded in practice.

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Requires improvement

The home has undergone significant management restructuring. Several house managers have left and new appointments have been made. The staff commented very positively on the increased visibility and engagement of the management team. Leaders and manager have a clear understand of what work remains to be done within the homes and they have developed comprehensive plans to address these areas. The five requirements and single recommendation made at the previous inspection have all been met. This demonstrates the home’s commitment to improvement. The homes manager has been in post since June 2015. He has submitted an application to become the registered manager which was being considered by Ofsted. Monitoring system within the homes has significantly improved. These are undertaken by the homes manager and the managers of each pair of homes. Records and practice is scrutinised. This increased scrutiny means young people

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Requires improvement

receive a better standard of service from the staff. In addition any shortfalls are identified and addressed. Staffing levels have improved through external recruitment. A number of staff are from overseas, but they are carefully screened for proficiency in English and Maths before appointment. Consequently, the use of external agency staff is now rare. The home has identified a small pool of internal, ‘community’ agency staff who are already known to the young people. This helps to promote continuity of good care. The managers carry out weekly risk assessments to ensure that the young people’s needs are met through staffing arrangements. Staff morale is high, and they are willing to cover additional shifts if needed. Staff report that they are well supported through regular and effective supervision. They also have regular team meetings, which are used to discuss practice issues. Staff training has improved since the last inspection. This is delivered in a variety

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Requires improvement

of formats online or face to face, mostly by in-house staff. Staff spoken to were positive about the training they receive and felt it equipped them well for their role. The independent visitor visits the home regularly and provides manager with a useful report which includes consultation with staff and parents. Managers swiftly address any areas for improvement identified within these reports. Despite the significant improvements made since the last inspection due to the timescale between this and the previous inspection it is yet to be evidenced that the changes made are soundly embedded in practice, although the direction of change is very positive.

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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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