Children's Home run by PCT Care Services Limited in Norfolk

NR18

The home received a full inspection of the service on 23 August 2016. Following this, Ofsted issued three compliance notices on 2 September 2016. These were in respect of concerns relating to the standard of accommodation and the quality of individual care for children, the recording, review and evaluation of sanctions and physical interventions and effective risk assessment.

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NR18

In order to evaluate the progress that the home had made in addressing these concerns, a monitoring visit was undertaken by an inspector on 4 October 2016. At this visit, the inspector found that the compliance notices in respect of accommodation and care of children, and sanctions and physical intervention had been met.

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NR18

The compliance notice in respect of accommodation required the service to ensure that the premises were reviewed to identify areas that require re-decoration or refurbishment and to take appropriate action in order to provide a welcoming and homely environment for children.

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NR18

The service has undertaken the assessment and begun the work to make the environment more welcoming and homely. While this has made a notable difference, the outstanding and more long-term work will need to be completed and the standard of the accommodation maintained.

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NR18

The compliance notice in respect of risk assessments had not been met. While risk assessments had been reviewed, and some were recorded clearly, others were less clear and lacked significant detail. Children had risk assessments for ‘missing from care’ as well as separate ones for ‘absconding and missing’. Similarly, they had risk assessments for ‘child sexual abuse’ and separate ones for ‘vulnerability’. The information given on these different risk assessments was not always compatible. For example, guidance given on one may be missing from the other, or the level of identified risk may be different. This lack of consistency is confusing for staff and may lead them to take inconsistent or ineffective actions as they try to keep the children safe. Further to this, some risk assessments identified ways of keeping children safe in the short term, but no consideration was given as to how children could be helped to keep themselves safer in the longer

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NR18

term. For example, children are supervised when using the internet and their internet history is checked, but there is no identified work to help them understand the risks that the internet may pose and how to use it safely. This is despite the level of risk for this child being assessed as high. Also, children who are at significant risk if they go missing from care are closely supervised, but there is no identified work to help them understand the risks of going missing, inappropriate relationships and how to keep themselves safe. Failing to fully consider these issues means that while the children may be kept safe when living in the home and having limited independent time, they are not helped to gain the knowledge and learn the skills they will need to keep themselves safe as they become more independent and when they are adults. Consequently, the service is required to take further action to fully and effectively address the shortfalls.

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NR18

A further compliance notice has been served on the organisation and this will be monitored by Ofsted.

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NR18

The inspector also looked at the requirements and recommendation made at the previous inspection.

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NR18

Since the previous inspection, one member of staff has left. This is a reduction in the previously high turnover of staff. New staff are being recruited, including an experienced person who can take on the role of a senior care worker. Work is underway to recruit a new manager to the home, but an individual has not yet been identified. The reduction in staff leaving and the appointment of further staff are positive moves towards providing stability of staffing for children. The responsible individual is currently managing the home. Staff view her role as a positive change in the running of the home and in the care of children. One member of staff described her as a breath of fresh air. However, the appointment of a full-time, permanent manager is important to ensure consistency and stability. Recently appointed staff are undertaking appropriate inductions to help them understand their role in working with the children.

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NR18

The responsible individual is monitoring some aspects of the home, such as the use of sanctions and physical intervention. However, the monitoring had not identified that the compliance notice relating to risk assessments had not been met. This had prevented appropriate steps being taken to help the children keep themselves safe. The requirement for monitoring is repeated. There are appropriate and properly documented records relating to the movement of medicines in and out of the home when a child is on contact. There is also clear guidance for staff on the process of passing on medicines to others. This helps to ensure that the children receive medication in line with their prescriptions.

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NR18

The safety tab has been replaced on the fire extinguisher which was identified as needing one in the fire risk assessment. While a small step, the omission of this tab had called the attitude to fire safety into question. Since the previous inspection, Ofsted have been notified of significant incidents which have occurred in the home. This enables Ofsted, as the regulator of the service, to have more awareness of the operation of the home between inspections. A new independent person has been appointed to undertake the monthly monitoring visits to the home. So far they have done one visit. They have looked in detail at the operation of the home and identified a number of shortfalls. This helps the service to be aware of areas which they need to address to improve the quality of care for children.

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NR18

The completion date for the requirement relating to the home’s internal review of the quality of care has not expired. The next review is due to be completed by the end of November 2016. At the previous inspection, a recommendation was made that the children should have access to appropriate advocacy support. This has not been fully addressed, so this significant resource is not currently available to children in the home. This recommendation has been raised to a requirement.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities. The home is owned by a private company.

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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

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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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

Requirement Due date 12. The protection of children standard *

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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to the safe storage of substances, the use of comprehensive risk assessments and risk assessments for specific issues, the registered person should ensure that: (2)(a)(i) staff 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. 28/10/2016

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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

13. The leadership and management standard

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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, with particular reference to the monitoring of the service, the registered person should: (2)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 28/10/2016

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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children's home. (Regulation 27(1)) 28/10/2016

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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children at least once every six months. The system used in order to complete a quality of care review must include evaluation and provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. 30/11/2016 (Regulation 45(1)(2)(5)) 7. The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

In order to meet the children’s views, wishes and feelings standard, with particular reference to advocates, the registered person should: (2)(b) ensure that each child: (iii) is given appropriate advocacy support. 28/10/2016

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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

* This requirement is subject to statutory requirement notice.

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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. out 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

to 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

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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