Children's home run by Woodlands House (Birmingham) Limited in Wolverhampton

This monitoring visit

This home was judged to be inadequate at the full inspection on 13 July 2016. This home was subject to a restriction of accommodation order between 15 July and 25 August 2016, following that inspection. There were concerns about safeguarding practice, staffing sufficiency and competence, and management effectiveness. This monitoring inspection took place to evaluate progress and the registered person's compliance with the restriction notice. The organisation submitted an action plan in response to the notice of restriction. Ofsted met with the responsible individual on 19 August 2016 to discuss this and his plans for improvement. There were no children and only one member of staff at the home during the visit. Children had gone on a summer holiday with staff. Neither the manager nor the responsible individual was able to be present at the visit. The registered person has complied with the restriction and no new children have been admitted to the

p.2

This monitoring visit

home during this period. Two of the original young people remain in residence. Ofsted set 21 requirements with varying timescales at the last inspection. Five were due at the time of this monitoring visit. The registered person was required to notify Ofsted of the additional officers of the company. Additionally, the company has changed addresses without notification. The responsible individual has not completed this action yet, but is clear that there are no additional officers. The company has closed its official office but has not yet notified Companies House or Ofsted formally. It has been much calmer at the house. There have been no significant incidents and no restraint has been needed. The fire authority has visited and made two actions. The responsible individual has asked a member of staff to create a fire risk assessment, but is not sure of that person's competency or skill to do so. The fire

p.2

This monitoring visit

alarm is now fully integrated in all areas of the house. Fire doors have been replaced and improved. Safeguarding practice is still untested as there have been no subsequent issues. Staff were clear about their roles. The provider has partially met some requirements within timescales, but some are untested or not yet evidenced. The responsible individual has returned an action plan, but timescales are vague. There is a significant amount of work still to do. All previous requirements remain in place. Ofsted will inspect the home again to ensure the service improves.

p.2

Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home is the only one operated by the registered person. It is registered to provide care for three children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.3

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that 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 within the given timescales.

p.3

Requirement Due date

11. The positive relationships standard In order to meet the positive relationships standard, the registered person must ensure that staff: 2(a)(x) are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same; (xi) de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children. 31/08/2016

p.3

Requirement Due date

12. The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure that staff: (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; (iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; (v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; 31/08/2016 (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare; and (d) that the premises 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; and (e) that the effectiveness of the home's child protection policies is monitored regularly.

p.3

Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard

p.4

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must enable, inspire and lead a culture in relation to the children's home that:

p.4

Requirement Due date

(2)(a) 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 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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. The registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner, which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 16(3)(a)(b)(5)) 31/08/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that no measure of control or discipline which is excessive, unreasonable or contrary to 31/08/2016 paragraph (2) may be used in relation to any child. (Regulation 19(1))

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20(2)) 31/08/2016

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(a)) and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25(2)(b)) 31/08/2016

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the employment of any person on a temporary basis at the children's home does not prevent children from receiving such continuity of care as is reasonable to meet their needs and that at all times, at least one person on duty at the home has a suitable first aid qualification. (Regulation 31(1)(2)(a)) 31/08/2016

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children's safety. They must ensure that an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification, by the relevant date. (Regulation 32(1)(4)) 31/08/2016

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction; and that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development, and receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33(1)(a)(4)(a)(b)) 31/08/2016

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy, which is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children's home from abuse or neglect; and sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect. The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular, provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response; describe the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect; and describe how and to whom staff are to report, without delay, any concern about abuse or neglect of a child. The registered person must keep under review and, as necessary, revise the home's child protection policies. (Regulation 34(1)(2)(d)(e)(f)(6)) 31/08/2016

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (‘the behaviour management policy’) which sets out how appropriate 31/08/2016 behaviour is to be promoted in the children's home. They must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it. They 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: a description of the measure and its duration; details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; and the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35(1)(a)(2)(3)(a)(iv)(v)(vii))

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child which: include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; are kept up to date; and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36(1)(a)(b)(c)) 31/08/2016

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4; ensure that the records are kept up to date; and retain the records for at least 15 years from the date of the last entry. This relates to staffing records and the rota. (Regulation 37(2)(a)(b)(c)) 31/08/2016

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children. In particular, the procedure must provide that no person who is the subject of a complaint takes any part in its consideration or investigation, except at the informal resolution stage if the registered person considers it appropriate. The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39(1)(2)(3)) 31/08/2016

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; or there is any other incident relating to a child, which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)(c)(e)) 31/08/2016

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered provider may not appoint a person who has, or has had, a connection with a person working at the home, as an independent person. (Regulation 43(3)(g)(ii)) 31/08/2016

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure the independent person produces a report about a visit (‘the independent person's report’) which sets out, in particular, the independent person's opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the home promotes children's well-being. If the independent person becomes aware of a potential conflict of interest (whether 31/08/2016 under regulation 43(3) or otherwise) after a visit to the home, the independent person must include in the report details of the conflict of interest. (Regulation 44(4)(a)(b)(6)(a))

p.6

Requirement Due date

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. This review must be sent to HMCI within 28 days and must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(2)(a)(b)(c)(4)(a)(5)) 31/08/2016

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children's home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard). When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46(1)(2)) 31/08/2016

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must give notice in writing to HMCI, as soon as it is reasonably practicable to do so, if there is any change of director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the organisation. (Regulation 49(e)(ii)) 31/08/2016

p.7

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home since its last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. in 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 this guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

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 children looked after 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,

p.9

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

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

p.9