Children's home run by What's Out There Limited

Inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded.

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The children's home provision is inadequate because:

 Many of the weaknesses identified at this inspection have been a feature in previous inspections. Since this children’s home opened in March 2014, it has been subject to six full inspections, of which four have resulted in inadequate judgements. The other two inspections were undertaken when no young people were living at this home. Despite three different managers taking charge of the home since it opened, similar weaknesses continue and leaders and managers are failing to make significant improvements.  The arrangements to safeguard young people are inadequate. Leaders and managers do not always identify disclosures raised by young people as child protection concerns. As a result, a number of concerns had not been followed up immediately or referred to external agencies as required.  Leaders and managers failed to follow safeguarding procedures correctly when a young person made an allegation against a member of staff. As a

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The children's home provision is inadequate because:

result, the member of staff continued to work in the home with the young person until the member of staff was suspended four days later.  Leaders and managers are failing to provide sufficient, suitably trained, experienced and qualified staff as required by the statement of purpose. There are no sustainable or adequate contingency arrangements for staffing the home should staff be unavailable to complete their shifts. The registered manager served notice in respect of one young person’s placement. This young person’s placement was terminated prematurely due there being insufficient staff available to provide the care and support the young person required. This resulted in an additional placement move for a young person for a period of one week, which could have been avoided.  Management oversight of the home is not effective. Consequently poor practice by staff is not always identified as a concern or challenged.

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The children's home provision is inadequate because:

Significant and concerning information recorded by staff is not properly investigated. As a result, poor staff practice continues.  Leaders and managers have not ensured that all staff have the required behaviour management training so that they are able to intervene safely with young people, if the need arises. This lack of training does not ensure the safety of young people or the staff team.  Care planning is not informed by expert advice provided to the staff team by an external professional. As a result, not all staff are aware of a young person’s specific needs and, at times, their response to his care is not in line with the expert advice.

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The children's home strengths

The newly appointed registered manager has made good progress in putting systems and structures in place to make recording simpler and more transparent. Young people are provided with a memory book of their time at the home. This provides lasting memories of the opportunities available to them, such as their first aeroplane flight.

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The children's home strengths

Young people are encouraged to attend extra-curricular activities to address their needs in terms of confidence building and improving their self-esteem. For example, one young person attended a surfing course and another a youth group.

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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 ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the positive relationship standard, the registered person must ensure— (1) That children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on— (a) mutual respect and trust; (b) an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and (c) positive responses to other children and adults. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (a) that staff— (i) meet each child's emotional and behavioural needs, as set out in the child's relevant plans; (ii) help each child to develop socially aware behaviour; (iii) encourage each child to take responsibility for the child's behaviour, in accordance with the child's age and understanding; (iv) help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone; (v) communicate to each child expectations about the child's behaviour and ensure that the child understands those

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Requirement Due date

expectations, in accordance with the child's age and understanding; (vi) help each child to understand in a way that is appropriate, according to the child's age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful; (viii) strive to gain each child's respect and trust; (ix) understand how children's previous and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour, and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children; (x) are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the 1/9/2016 same; (xi) de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children; (xii) understand and communicate to children that bullying is unacceptable; and

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Requirement Due date

(xiii) have the skills to recognise incidents or indications of bullying and how to deal with them.

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Requirement Due date

(1) In order to meet the protection of children standard, children are protected from harm and are enabled to keep themselves safe. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (a) that staff— (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; (iv) manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other; (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; (b) that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively

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Requirement Due date

from harm; (e) that the effectiveness of the home's child protection policies is monitored regularly. 1/9/2016

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

(1) In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that— (a) helps children to fulfil their potential; (b) promotes their welfare. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— (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; 1/9/2016 (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,

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Requirement Due date

and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; (g) demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on:— (ii) feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet this requirement, the registered person must ensure that— (1) No measure of control of discipline which is excessive, unreasonable or contrary to paragraph (2) may be used in relation to any child. (2) The following measures may not be used to discipline any child— (j) any measure involving punishing a group of children for the behaviour of an individual child. 1/9/2016

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Requirement Due date

20: Restraint and deprivation of liberty

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet this requirement, the registered person must ensure that— (1) Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing— (a) injury to any person (including the child); (b) serious damage to the property of any person (including the child). (2) Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. 1/9/2016

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to care for up to three children and young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a small company. This is its only children’s home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

27 January 2016 Full Requires Improvement

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Inadequate

The current staff shift patterns mean that young people spend four consecutive days and nights with the same staff. One young person told the inspectors that they found this provision difficult when relationships with the staff were not particularly good. There is evidence that, on occasions, the shift pattern impacts negatively on the staff and then the young people. For example, if the staff have a particularly challenging night, they reported to the inspectors that they do not have time to recover and this can impact on the quality of care given to the young people. One member of staff stated, ‘Well, we have to get up in the morning and do our paperwork. They (the young people) don’t have to get up, so if I have been up, I won’t then take them out.’ The incident records confirm that, on occasions, staff have been too tired from the previous night’s work to take young people out for activities as planned. Leaders and managers have not taken

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Inadequate

action to reduce the risk of this situation happening again. Some staff demonstrate a lack of understanding of how young people’s experiences and individual needs can affect them. A key worker for one young person did not have a clear understanding of the young person’s diagnosis and had not used information from a psychological assessment on how best to manage his behaviour. As a result, for this young person, challenging behaviour is not always tackled effectively by staff. Some of the house rules are applied irrespective of young people’s individual needs. At bedtime, staff routinely remove the power cable from the television and the controls for the games console. One member of staff told the inspectors that the reason for this was because ’we don’t know what they are doing at night – they could be watching anything.’ It is evident that this strategy had developed into a trigger point leading to conflict

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Inadequate

with a young person. Leaders and managers have failed to review this practice. Staff do not provide the same level of care to all young people. Some staff stated that they do not always enforce the house rules, while others are more rigid in their approach. Not all staff agree with the rules that are in place, and one told the inspectors that they do not feel that the rules are realistic for teenagers. During the inspection, staff were observed to routinely wear their name badge and carry keys around their necks, both in the home and the community. They use clear plastic wallets to pay for goods outside the home and carry a rucksack on their back. One young person told the inspectors that because of this practice, he finds it embarrassing to be out with staff. Leaders and managers have failed to consider the impact that these practices have on the young people’s daily experiences. Sanctions given to one young person outweigh positive interventions, despite

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Inadequate

staff being given expert professional advice to use praise and reward to increase the young person’s self-esteem and confidence. Sanctions have been given to young people with no end date or a timescale for them to be reviewed. Young people’s views about the sanctions are not sought. This area of poor practice was identified by the independent visitor and, as a result, the manager took action to improve the practice. Incident records do not show that the use of consequences by staff improves the young people’s behaviour. Not all young people are clear about the plans for them. One young person told the inspectors that he was frustrated that he did not know how long he will be living at the home and when he will see his family. The young person felt that if he knew when he would see his friends and family, it might reduce the risk of him absconding from the home. The registered manager had failed to challenge the

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Inadequate

local authority about not providing this information to the young person. The registered manager terminated one young person’s placement early due to insufficient staffing levels. As a result, the young person had to move to an emergency interim placement before moving to a longer-term, planned placement. This response resulted in additional placement disruption for the young person and could have been avoided with effective and sustainable staffing contingency plans. Young people know how to make complaints and raise any issues of concern with staff. There is clear evidence that action is taken to address young people’s practical complaints, such as the heating not working. There is evidence that one complaint that a young person made raised a concern that was not identified by the registered manager or explored further. Young people are developing their skills for adult life by completing courses with

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Inadequate

a nationally accredited organisation. They are working towards gaining certificates. Young people are encouraged to attend youth groups that supports them improving their self-esteem. Young people are provided with a memory book of their time at the home. This provides good evidence of opportunities available to them, including a first aeroplane flight for one young person, birthday celebrations, trips to the beach and theme parks, and educational achievements such as the gaining of food hygiene certificates. These books offer young people lasting memories of their experiences. Rooms are well prepared for new admissions. Young people are provided with a welcome basket that is full of essential toiletries and a few additional treats. The home is set in a peaceful rural location and, while its remoteness brings its frustrations for some teenagers, they benefit from tranquil surroundings and a vast expanse of land to enjoy.

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Inadequate

Not all child protection disclosures made by young people are managed in line with statutory guidance and child protection policies. Weaknesses in managing child protection disclosures are evident at all management levels. One young person raised some safeguarding concerns with the independent visitor. Based on this information, the independent visitor made some assumptions that the disclosure related to information already known by staff. However, the concerns were not explored by the independent visitor or, subsequently, the registered manager to ensure that she was satisfied that she had understood what was being said. As a result of these assumptions, the inspectors made contact with the placing authority during the inspection to ensure that the safeguarding comments made by the young person would be investigated fully. The registered manager did not refer an allegation made by a young person about a member of staff to the local authority designated officer when the

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Inadequate

registered manager first received this. This resulted in the member of staff continuing to work directly with the young person for the following four days and nights. Following a visit by the police and social worker, the young person made the same allegation to them. The member of staff was then suspended while the allegation was explored. During the inspection, one young person made a significant safeguarding disclosure to the inspectors about the previous children’s home in which he had lived. The young person told the inspectors that he had also told the responsible individual of this home about the concern. The responsible individual failed to explore this disclosure further with the young person or to escalate the concern as required. The inspectors escalated these concerns to the placing authority during the inspection to ensure that these concerns would be addressed fully. The registered manager has failed to review records of restraints or sanctions

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Inadequate

effectively. Four physical interventions have been used by staff on young people since January 2016. Three of these interventions took place in the car during transportation. One of these three incidents occurred with only one adult present. During this incident, the member of staff was attempting to have a telephone conversation while driving and using a physical intervention. This poor practice was not only dangerous but also not challenged by the registered manager. When young people go missing from home, staff actively follow them and encourage them to return home. The manager has put systems in place to ensure that young people are offered an independent ‘return from missing’ interview. This provides them with an opportunity to raise any concerns or worries that they might have. Judgement grade

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Inadequate

This home has been judged as inadequate at four of the six full inspections since it was opened in March 2014. Since this time, leaders and managers have failed to make significant improvements to the quality of care provided in the home, despite three different managers being in post. Repeated weaknesses in behaviour management, child protection and sufficiency of staffing continue. As a result, the provider has been issued a statutory notice to restrict accommodation in the home. This is the second restriction since the home opened. Both the registered manager and responsible individual have failed to follow statutory child protection guidance correctly in response to disclosures made by young people. As a result, young people’s welfare is not being protected. The registered manager’s monitoring of the quality of care is not effective. She has not robustly examined and reviewed the methods used by staff to support and

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Inadequate

manage young people when they are distressed or display challenging behaviours. Staff have struggled to manage young people’s behaviours, leading to some placing authorities being given notice to move young people. On one occasion, a young person was given notice to move earlier than planned because of insufficient staff to care for him. The registered manager does not have a robust contingency plan in place to deal effectively with emergency staff shortages. The pre-placement assessments of young people completed by the registered manager are not always effective. These assessments do not consider whether the young people’s needs are compatible with those already living in the home. In one case, leaders and managers decided to place two young people together who had known significantly conflicting values and beliefs. This poor decision resulted in one young person being verbally abused by another. Prior to working in the home, not all staff have been provided with the training that

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Inadequate

they require for them to be able to care for young people and manage challenging behaviour safely. The registered manager has made plans for staff to receive behaviour management training by a person whom the local authority designated officer has advised needs to have more training in this area themselves. The registered manager has not questioned whether it is appropriate to continue with this plan. The lines of leadership accountability have the potential to cause a conflict of interest. The responsible individual often works shifts in the home and receives supervision from the registered manager. The registered manager receives all of her supervision from the responsible individual. No evidence was provided to the inspectors to demonstrate any current robust external scrutiny or challenge. Staff receive regular supervision from the registered manager and a variety of topics is discussed. However, the registered manager has failed to identify or

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Inadequate

challenge the concerns about individual staff members’ practice that have been highlighted during this inspection. The newly appointed registered manager has been successful in starting to move some parts of the service forward. Systems have been put in place that have improved the quality of some of the records kept by staff. The registered manager was able to identify a lack of knowledge for one member of staff about learning disability and autism. The registered manager arranged specialist training for her.

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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’. 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

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What the inspection judgements mean

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 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 ‘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 0300 123 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, work- based 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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