Children's Home run by Enhanced Young Persons Care Limited in Middlesbrough

inspection

Three compliance notices were issued on 28 April 2016. A monitoring visit took place on 1 June 2016 and all compliance notices had been met. A restriction of accommodation order was in force from 28 April until 6 June 2016.

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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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The children's home provision requires improvement because:

 Outcomes for young people are mixed. Two young people have left the home because of escalating risk-taking behaviour, necessitating police involvement.  Another young person is leaving the home because their established behaviour places other young people at increased risk. The potential impact of this was not given due consideration prior to admission.  The effectiveness and consequence of any restrictive physical intervention are not effectively evaluated.  Young people who witness another young person being restrained are not routinely spoken to about the impact of this on them.  The outcomes of interviews carried out with young people following any episodes of missing are not obtained, evaluated or incorporated in risk assessments.  A recruitment check with a previous employer has not been fully carried out.  The registered person and interim manager have not completed the additional required training relating to the prevention of child sexual

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The children's home provision requires improvement because:

exploitation, the impact of child sexual abuse or attachment.  Monitoring systems to review the quality of care are not yet established.  Ofsted surveys have not been distributed to young people, staff, parents or professionals.

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The children's home strengths

 All young people attend school. Although the timetable is reduced, this is progress for two young people, in particular, who have lengthy absences from mainstream education.  Staff offer effective support to young people that helps them to sustain school attendance.  Young people receive sensitive support helping them to maintain relationships with their families.  Improved pre-admission procedures now focus on ensuring that the young people coming into the home are an appropriate match for resident young people.  Meetings with the police, safeguarding professionals and commissioners have improved joint working and information sharing.  Policies and procedures have been updated, and staff meetings, supervisions, and staff briefings take place to keep staff informed.  Young people’s concerns and complaints are taken seriously and acted on.   Staff are receiving training in report writing, managing self-harming and

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The children's home strengths

challenging behaviour, preventing child sexual exploitation, safeguarding and attachment.  Staff are motivated and want to help young people to achieve the best outcomes.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that must be taken so that the registered persons meet 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 persons must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider is a partnership, the partnership must ensure that one of the partners undertakes such continuing professional development as is necessary to ensure that the partner has the skills needed for carrying on the home.

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Requirement Due date

The registered manager must undertake such continuing professional development as is necessary to ensure that the registered manager has the skills needed for managing the home (Regulation 29(3)(4))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the responsible individual and interim manager undertake training regarding the impact of child sexual abuse, the prevention of child sexual exploitation and safeguarding. 1 September

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that – 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 – the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(vii)) 1 September

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review, the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating- the quality of care provided for children; the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. (Regulation 45(2)(a)(b)(c)) 1 September

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Children must be consulted regularly on their views about the home's care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. In particular, the surveys sent to the home by Ofsted should be distributed. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)  When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return-home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. In particular, local authorities should be contacted, if necessary in writing, to enquire about the

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Recommendations

outcome of any return-home interviews, and whether there is any information that the home needs to be made aware of to ensure children's safety and welfare. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)  The context in which restraint is used should also recognise that, as a result of past experiences, children will have a unique understanding of their circumstances which will affect their response to restraint by adults responsible for their care. In particular, all young people present at the time of the restraint should be offered an opportunity to talk about the impact that this has had on them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 48, paragraph 9.54)  The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management

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Recommendations

of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular, they should ensure that the reason for leaving any previous employment with children or vulnerable adults is verified. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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Information about this children's home

The home is operated by a private company and can accommodate up to eight children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and mental health disorders excluding learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

14 August 2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

26 February 2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Requires improvement

Outcomes for young people are varied. Since the last inspection, two young people have left as a result of escalating behaviours. Of these, one young person has moved to secure accommodation because of high levels of risk-taking behaviour. Young people with challenging behaviours, which the managers were aware of at the time of admission, are now advised that the placement is not equipped to keep them and others safe. While ending placements in this way is not a positive outcome for young people, these actions demonstrate that senior managers are now attempting to take responsibility in keeping young people safe. It also means they are responding realistically to young people whose behaviours they cannot effectively manage. The outcome of the home’s renewed focus on working with young people, aimed at increasing understanding of their underlying needs, is yet to be fully realised. This means that relationships between young people and staff vary. Staff have

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Requires improvement

enabled the young people who have lived at the home longest to develop trust in accepting increased support. This results in their making more positive choices to invest in their education and relationships. For example, one young person said, ‘I don’t do the daft stuff anymore. I think I have matured.’ Building these relationships is proving to be more difficult for other young people moving on from the home, and those experiencing difficulties outside their control. Staff support young people to return to mainstream education and to sustain school attendance. For example, two young people are starting to reengage with school on reduced timetables, after prolonged absences. This has been made possible for one young person by sensitive support from staff accompanying them at school. Another young person took their final examination in the on-site school. The young person and the teaching staff predict promising results. A young person

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Requires improvement

said, ‘I go every day for three hours. I like to go to school. I know everyone and I have friends there.’ Ensuring that young people take part in school life in this way significantly improves their life chances. As part of a planned move, a young person is encouraged to develop independent living skills such as buying food and preparing meals. The young person is also involved in exploring future living arrangements. Involving the young person in this way increases the likelihood of a successful future placement. Young people receive effective support, helping them to spend time with their families. Staff understand that this can raise difficult feelings for young people and they offer sensitive responses. A young person said, ‘I get to see my family, my mum and dad, sisters and brothers. It works well.’ The home’s statement of purpose and young people’s guide now make clear that young people’s arrangements to see their families will not be used as a means of managing their

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Requires improvement

behaviour. This promotes young people’s fundamental rights to contact with key people. In addition, fully informed stakeholders know about young people’s rights and the practices exercised in the home. Assessment and pre-admission procedures now consider the potential impact of the new admission for both new and existing young people. While this new system is yet untested, the management and staff understand the need to ensure that staff skills reflect young people’s needs. This new approach aims to match young people carefully and to prevent further placement breakdowns. Young people can raise any concerns in their community meetings. This forum helps young people to assert themselves safely and to learn about compromise. A young person said, ‘I want them to leave the wi-fi on all night and I asked about it in the meeting.’ When young people’s wishes are not acted on, staff explain the reasons for this to help young people to understand the reasons behind decisions.

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Requires improvement

Young people know how to raise a complaint and these are now recorded and acted on. Young people see that staff take their views seriously by respecting their right to make a complaint. This process is now enabling young people to build trust and confidence in the systems designed to protect them. Young people are provided with information about their right to an advocate. This indicates that they are better informed about how to access additional sources of assistance.

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Requires improvement

Incidents of restraints for some young people are still high. This indicates how ineffective previous behaviour management systems have been. A recent monitoring visit highlighted these concerns and, as a result, staff are now starting to focus on positive behaviour strategies directly involving young people. This has led to an increased understanding of young people’s feelings. This helps staff to recognise young people’s distress and to reduce their anxious behaviour. Improved communication systems are in place, enabling young people to raise their concerns about any matter, including restraints. The responsible person follows these up in consultation with the designated officer from the local authority. This demonstrates to young people that their views are taken seriously and acted on. Some aspects of incident recording are improved. The events leading to a young person being restrained are now more detailed. This shows that staff are

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Requires improvement

accountable for their actions. However, measures of physical intervention are not yet being effectively evaluated. This means that full understanding about the impact of being restrained for young people is not achieved. This remains an unmet requirement. Young people feel safe at the home. They do not report any bullying. However, several young people spoke about how difficult it is to see or hear another young person being restrained. Managers at the home have not recognised the impact of this on young people and are not routinely speaking to them following any such incidents. This leaves young people unsupported in dealing with the impact of this. Managers are in the process of implementing a new model of risk assessment for the young people. This is incomplete and currently being progressed. However, a review of the existing risk assessments indicates that staff are aware of the concerns involving young people. The risks relating to vulnerability of child sexual

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Requires improvement

exploitation are routinely assessed by staff. Maintenance staff no longer have access to the home without the necessary checks to ensure that they are safe to work in the home. However, recruitment process and checks are still not robust. For example, the reason a staff member left their previous role was unclear in their application. This lack of action places young people living at the home at potential risk of harm. Incidents of young people missing from home have reduced. The missing behaviours of a particular young person have led to increased working with the police and school. As a result, there is clarity between school and staff about their reporting responsibilities to safeguarding agencies. Guidance is now in place so that staff know what do to if they need to go looking for a young person during the night. This means that staff can fulfil their responsibilities to safeguard young people. This new way of working is very positive but is not yet sustained.

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Requires improvement

As a result of meeting with community partnerships police, the home is adopting a locally agreed policy and procedure about working together. Future meetings to embed these arrangements are planned. A police officer said, ‘We do not have any major concerns. Staff are communicating well.’ A health professional said, ‘The home has improved.’ Staff and commissioners are now informed about the home’s whistleblowing procedures. All these actions result in staff and those placing young people knowing what to do to bring any concerns to the attention of an appropriate person. The outcomes of return-home interviews carried out following an incident of missing are unclear. This means that staff are unable to update risk assessments. As a result, the previous recommendation is unmet. Judgement grade

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Requires improvement

An interim manager has recently been appointed although is not yet registered with Ofsted. This person is qualified and experienced having previously worked as the deputy manager within the home. A new responsible individual with a background in social care has also recently been appointed. This person is leading on making further improvements. For example, there is an increased focus on the individual needs of young people and approaches to care practice. 13 of the 15 requirements and six of the seven recommendations raised at the last inspection are now addressed. The registered person has given a verbal undertaking that the home does not intend to admit young people until they consider the home sufficiently ready to do so. This maximises the opportunity for staff to complete further training and to focus on the needs of the young people currently living in the home. Surveys, designed to seek the views of young people, their parents, carers, staff

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Requires improvement

and professionals have not been distributed by staff by those responsible at the home. This oversight significantly compromises consultation and opportunities for further improvements for young people living in the home. An electronic monitoring system is just coming into use about any incidents affecting individual young people. This means there is an increased level of oversight by the manager and responsible individual who will be scrutinising this information. Referring to this new development, a senior member of staff said, ‘I want to know exactly what is happening.’ The outcome of this system, which is also intended to evaluate aspects of the care young people receive, is not yet fully demonstrated, so this requirement remains unmet. Senior management arrangements and contingency staffing arrangements are well organised and understood by staff. Thus, staff know whom they can go to for guidance and they feel better supported.

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Requires improvement

Staff meetings and additional briefings now planned to take place on a regular basis. This promotes teamwork and consistent care practices. A senior member of staff said, ‘We have standing items within staff meetings and supervisions now that include a discussion about each young person.’ This ensures that staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities. New supervision arrangements now mean that staff receive monthly supervision. A senior member of staff said, ‘I will be getting monthly feedback about supervisions. They have got to be signed and written up. We are trying to instil with staff that they have to ask for it if it’s not happening and that they need to flag it up.’ This system places some of the responsibility back on staff as well as management ensuring appropriate oversight. Young people’s case records have been reviewed and reorganised. As a result, young people are being involved in their care planning. A senior member of staff

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Requires improvement

said, ‘The support plan and risk assessments are more streamlined now.’ Referring to seeing her case records, a young person said, ‘I can see it because it’s about me.’ A training plan focusing on increasing the senior managers and staff’s knowledge and understanding of young people’s behaviour is now underway. This is following improved access to the local authority led training courses and includes self-harm, attachment behaviour, safeguarding, preventing child sexual exploitation and understanding the impact of child sexual abuse. The improved knowledge will aim to promote good care practice that reflects young people’s needs. A member of staff said, ‘For a one-off charge, we can send staff to training provided by the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.’ Ofsted is notified, as appropriate, in the event of any serious concerns. This provides an opportunity to establish whether staff are taking the necessary action

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Requires improvement

to safeguard young people and a recently reviewed statement of purpose now addresses all the shortfalls identified at the last inspection and provides stakeholders with the necessary information.

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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 children looked after 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 that 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 that 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 whom 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

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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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