Children's home run by Care Assist Children’s Services Limited in West Lancashire

This monitoring visit

At the full inspection on 5 July 2016, the home was judged inadequate. A number of shortfalls were identified. This included a lack of effective action taken by managers and staff in identifying and responding to serious safeguarding concerns. This left young people at risk of harm. Staff had also failed to address and support the health needs of young people, specifically in relation to sexual health and substance misuse. Care planning was poor and risks to young people had failed to be identified, understood and managed. In addition, staff had not received supervision for a significant period of time and safer recruitment procedures were not being adhered to. The provider had also failed to ensure effective and efficient management of the home. Four compliance notices were issued under Regulations 10, 12, 13 and 14. An unannounced monitoring visit took place on 23 August 2016. The purpose of this monitoring visit is to evaluate the progress made by the home, regarding the

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This monitoring visit

four compliance notices issued under section 22A of the Care Standards Act 2000. These relate to Regulation 10 the health and well-being standard, Regulation 12 the protection of children standard, Regulation 13 the leadership and management standard and Regulation 14 the care planning standard, of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015. During the monitoring visit inspectors, found that the organisation has secured effective temporary management of the home, which has enabled improvements in the quality of care practice and consequently more settled and positive relationships between staff and young people. A registered manager from one of the providers other homes had supported the deputy manager and staff team in implementing new ways of working. A clear and concise action plan was devised and provided to inspectors. This included evidence of the work undertaken to update all policies and procedures, introducing internal

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This monitoring visit

monitoring systems and the clear and effective auditing of all young people’s care records. This has improved the quality of care provided within the home. New compatibility risk assessments and pre-planning documents have been introduced into the home. All staff have received training on the importance of preparing and supporting any new young people coming in or moving out of the home. Since the inspection, no young people have moved in or out of the home. However, staff are now better equipped to support young people during these times. Staff have taken action to ensure that the health needs of young people are met. Health care plans are in place, which now clearly identify each individual health need and the strategy on how staff will support young people to meet them. For example, in one healthcare plan, there is clear direction on how young people will be helped to address concerns around smoking and drug misuse. New incentives

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This monitoring visit

have also been introduced. This encourages young people to engage in healthy lifestyles. Furthermore, the staff have worked with other agencies to address substance misuse with young people. They have taken this opportunity to increase their knowledge and formulate plans for direct work with young people. One young person said, ‘Staff have talked to me about the damage I may do to my health, they have also arranged for me to talk to other people and gave me leaflets.’ This means that young people’s health and well-being is now prioritised, with clear actions for staff to take to promote young people’s health and development. The interim manager had taken action to develop new risk assessment and action plans. They now clearly identify all of the individual known risks, including going missing from care, substance misuse and child sexual exploitation. Staff have been provided with individual time to look at all the new plans in place and to ensure

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This monitoring visit

that they understand and implement the strategies within the plans, to effectively safeguard young people. Missing from care records now provide a clear and accurate account of all missing from care episodes. These now include the actions that staff have taken to try and locate young people and to whom they have reported all safeguarding concerns. This has been achieved by the introduction of a newly devised electronic recording system. This has enabled the interim manager to have a clear audit trail and overview of all missing from care episodes. In addition, systems are in place to ensure that independent return interviews are arranged. This means that young people are provided with an opportunity to talk to someone independent and robust systems are now in place when young people go missing. Inspectors found that safeguarding practices had been discussed within team meetings and supervision sessions. This has been used as an opportunity for

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This monitoring visit

learning and ensures that all staff are now fully aware of their roles and responsibilities in keeping young people safe. Inspectors spoke with staff who confirmed that they had all received individual supervision sessions, which had focused on safeguarding and protection for all young people. One staff member said, ‘We are clear on what to do around safeguarding and it is all a lot better.’ The interim manager has also addressed the shortfalls identified within the recruitment process. He has spent time with each individual staff member requesting all outstanding information. For example, gaps in employment and work histories. The responsible individual has also ensured that all references are now in place and that they have been fully checked and verified. This ensures that staff who have been suitably checked look after young people. The interim manager has improved the rota system and records are clearer about

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This monitoring visit

the actual staff on shift and their hours worked. However, there continue to be shortfalls. Inspectors found that on 30 and 31 July 2016, a member of staff had left the home due to illness. The responsible individual partly covered a shift until another staff member arrived. Rotas were not updated to include these changes and therefore do not provide a clear audit trail of who is working within the setting, when and where. The lack of transparency of who is on duty potentially places young people at risk and compromises the continuity of care. A further requirement was made at this monitoring visit and this was discussed with the provider. Inspectors found that the interim manager had taken steps to ensure that all young people had a care plan or pathway plan in place. He had arranged meetings with local authorities to discuss the care planning arrangements for individual young people. For example, contact arrangements are now agreed, clear and in

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This monitoring visit

line with local authorities plans. Placement plans now include objectives from local authorities’ plans, which demonstrate how staff will meet the health, education and care needs of all young people. This means that all professionals working with young people are fully aware of their needs and working towards an agreed plan. Inspectors found that the provider is actively seeking to employ a permanent manager for the home. The interim arrangements are sufficient and have led to the improvements in practice and the four compliance notices being met. The provider, interim manager and deputy manager are now delivering training, coaching and modelling of effective childcare practice. They are using reflective individual supervision and team meetings to challenge and support staff to improve. They demonstrate skill in positive and proactive approaches to building warm and nurturing relationships. Young people are responding well to clearer and

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This monitoring visit

consistent boundaries and expectations. Young people said ‘staff are now saying the same thing, can’t get away with anything’ and ‘it seems a lot better’. Consequently, young people receive a consistent staff approach, which promotes positive behaviours. No further enforcement action is planned. However, a further inspection will take place to review how these improvements are being embedded to improve the quality of care provided.

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Information about this children's home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a private organisation.

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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.

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Requirement Due date

5: Engaging with the wider system to ensure children's needs are met (5)(c) If the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority's or a relevant person's performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child's needs are met in accordance with the child's relevant plans. 19/09/2016

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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard 6. (1) The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— (a) understand the children's home's overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; (b) use this understanding to deliver care that meets children's needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— (a) understand and apply the home's statement of purpose; (b) ensure that staff— (i) understand and apply the home's statement of purpose; (iii) treat each child with dignity and respect; (iv) provide personalised care that meets each child's needs, as recorded in the child's relevant plans, taking account of the child's 19/09/2016 background.

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Requirement Due date

10: The health and well-being standard In order to meet the health and well-being standard the registered person must ensure that— (1) (a) the health and well-being needs of children are met; (b) children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being. (2) In particular, the registered person must ensure— (a)(i) that staff help each child to achieve the health and well- being outcomes that are recorded in the child's relevant plans. 19/09/2016

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard 12. (1) The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and 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; (v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare; and (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

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Requirement Due date

as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm; (e) that the effectiveness of the home's child protection policies is monitored regularly. 19/09/2016 13: The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered persons must enable, inspire and lead a culture in relation to the children's home that— (a) helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and (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; (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

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Requirement Due date

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; (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 19/09/2016

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Requirement Due date

14: The care planning standard In order to meet the care planning standard the registered persons must ensure that children— (1)(a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children's home; and (2) ensure— (b) that arrangements are in place to— (i) ensure the effective induction of each child into the home; (ii) manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and (iii) plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child's placing authority; 19/09/2016 (c) that each child's relevant plans are followed.

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Requirement Due date

25: Fire precautions 25.—(1) After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must— (d) ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that persons working at the home and, so far as reasonably practicable, children are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire. 19/09/2016

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Requirement Due date

33: Employment of staff 33.—(4) The registered person must ensure that all employees— (a) undertake appropriate continuing professional development; and (b) receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. 19/09/2016

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records 35.—(1) The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (‘the behaviour management policy’) which sets out— (a) how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children's home; and (b) the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. (2) The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it. 19/09/2016

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Requirement Due date

40: Notification of a serious event 40.—(4) The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— (a) a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; (b) an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. 19/09/2016

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports 44.—(4) The independent person must produce a report about a visit (‘the independent person's report’) which sets out, in particular, the independent person's opinion as to whether— 19/09/2016 (a) children are effectively safeguarded; and (b) the conduct of the home promotes children's well-being.

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Requirement Due date

46: Review of premises 46 (1) 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 a calendar year taking into account the requirement in Regulation 12 (2)(c) (the protection of children standard). (2) When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. 19/09/2016

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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 .

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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 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,

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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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