Children's home in Coventry

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:

 Young people at risk of or experiencing child sexual exploitation are not always kept safe, despite the efforts of managers and staff.  Some young people’s voices are not heard, as effective systems to share information with them are not in place.  Independence work with young people is variable.  Not all staff have regular supervision in line with their organisational policy.  Not all staff have attended refresher training courses in key areas, including child sexual exploitation.  Staff do not always gain feedback from young people following an incident of physical intervention.  Following incidents of young people going missing from care, they are not always offered a return home interview by an independent person.  Recordings of incidents are not always clear and sometimes lack key information such as dates.  Young people are not receiving education, despite staff’s efforts.  The home environment needs attention to maintain a homely and well

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The children’s home strengths

 Young people, family and professionals reported positively about the service offered to young people by staff.  Young people and staff have positive relationships.  Staff support young people’s contact with their friends and family.  Managers and staff have strong links with other professionals and they work well together to help to support young people.  The new registered manager is aware of shortfalls in the service and has plans in place to improve the service. 

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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 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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered person must ensure that staff— (2)(vi) help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult. 25/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

7: The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the children’s views, wishes and feelings standard, the registered person must ensure that staff— (1)(b) engage with them. (2)(ii) help each child to express views, wishes and feelings; (d) ensure that an explanation is given to each child as soon as reasonably practicable after the child's arrival about— (i) the children’s guide; (ii) how to make a complaint or representation in relation to the home or the care the child receives, and how any such complaint or representations will be dealt with; and (iii) what advocacy support or services are available to the child, how the child may access that support or those services and any entitlement the child may have to independent advocacy provision; and (e) ensure that the views of each relevant person are taken into account, before making a decision about the care or welfare of a child. 25/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, in particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (2)(a)(vi) that staff take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare. 25/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake 25/11/2016 appropriate professional development. (Regulation 33(4)(a)) The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33(4)(b)) 25/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(c)) 25/11/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority provides 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 children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)  The registered person should oversee the welfare of the children in their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.23) In particular, review and sign incident logs.  Ensure that young people live in an environment which meets their basic day-to-day needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the

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Recommendations

quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7) In particular, continue to make the home a comfortable and homely environment.  Ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  Ensure the necessary support is given to children to enable them to access their education or training. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.13)

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Information about this children’s home

This home offers care and accommodation for up to eight young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Young people may stay on a planned medium- to long-term basis, according to their needs.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 30/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 14/07/2015 Full Requires improvement 13/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 18/06/2014 Full Good

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Requires improvement

There have been changes to the young people living at the home since the last inspection. Some young people have left to live with family or moved to new placements. Other new young people have arrived at the home. Young people feel positive about the care that they receive from staff. One said, ‘I like it here, I am very happy.’ Another said, ‘This is a good place. I have everything I need, and staff always help me.’ A parent of a young person who has moved said, ‘Staff were fantastic. They did all they could.’

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Requires improvement

A number of young people living at the home are not fluent in speaking English. Staff support their needs and relevant professionals visit the young people at the home, helping them to sort out their circumstances. Interpreters visit these young people twice each week, but some of the young people said that they did not understand how to find out information about how the home works and how to get information in the community. They were unclear about whom to talk to in the home if they had any worries. Consequently, young people are disadvantaged, as they are unable to voice their views or opinions and do not know how or where to seek help.

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Requires improvement

Managers and staff work extremely hard to identify school and training placements for young people. This has had mixed success. Some young people have started college or training placements, but have been unable to continue for varying reasons. Others have secured a school placement and are waiting to start, pending other support services being available. Staff work closely with young people and professionals to identify appropriate education placements, which help young people to move forward with their lives. It is not always clear what young people are doing when they are not at school. During this inspection, some young people remained in bed until lunchtime. There appeared to be little structure to their day, including how staff encourage them to get up and leave their bedrooms at a reasonable time. Staff do not help young people to manage their time and routine appropriately.

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Requires improvement

Young people’s health needs are met. They attend all routine appointments and, where more specialised help is needed, for example therapeutic services, are supported to attend. When they refuse to go, staff gently but persistently encourage them. One-to-one discussions between staff and young people reinforce the importance of them looking after themselves, increasing understanding and confidence.

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Requires improvement

Young people have very positive relationships with staff. One social worker said, ‘Staff have gone “above and beyond” in supporting her. She has had a lot of difficulties and staff could not have done more for her. Her confidence has grown considerably.’

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Requires improvement

Young people have varying ability in their independence skills. Staff encourage them to help with chores around the home, to complete personal laundry and keep their rooms clean and tidy. However, it is not clear how staff help young people to learn new skills, enabling them to move towards independence with the necessary skills and confidence to give them a good start in life.

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Requires improvement

Young people live in a large home with plenty of internal space and large external grounds. Due to its age, the home needs improving and updating, and staff have ensured that many areas are homely and comfortable. One room has an area of damage where a leak has caused damage to a ceiling. Managers and staff continue to be vigilant to ensure that the home continues to meet their overall needs. Young people enjoy a variety of activities in the home and local community. A holiday is planned for the half-term break. Some attend the gym, participate in sports, attend local youth clubs, and go shopping and bowling. Young people have opportunities to enhance the quality of their lives.

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Requires improvement

Staff support young people with their contact arrangements with family and friends, helping them to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. All young people have family who live locally, or are asylum seekers.

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Requires improvement

Leaders and managers do not always identify and manage risky situations effectively. For example, one young person who was at increasing risk of experiencing sexual exploitation remained living at the home, despite managers and staff raising concerns with senior leaders. Consequently, the young person’s welfare was compromised, as the risks increased and staff were unable to keep her safe.

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Requires improvement

Staff ensure that there are clear and consistent boundaries in place when young people struggle to manage their own behaviour. Physical interventions are rare and, since the last inspection, there has only been one occasion when physical intervention has been used. However, the young person’s views about the physical intervention were not obtained and recorded. The young person was not given the opportunity to discuss why the intervention was necessary or to learn from the incident.

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Requires improvement

The home’s incentive system is used effectively to help young people to improve their behaviour. Overall, this is used well and means that young people learn to regulate their own behaviour, leading to a calmer and more pleasant atmosphere in the home for all.

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Requires improvement

There have been a high number of missing from care and other absences since the last inspection. Records are not always clear in terms of the incident and staff action. Dates of incidents are not always included in the reports. When young people read their files, they may be confused, as information is unclear. Following a missing from care episode, young people are not always offered the opportunity to have a discussion with an independent person. Consequently, they miss an opportunity to talk to someone about their experiences and to tell someone if there were specific reasons why they ran away.

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Requires improvement

Managers work closely with the police to promote young people’s safety. A recent initiative involves managers and police working together on a restorative justice project, reducing the incidents when young people may be criminalised for more minor issues. Local police also visit the home informally. Young people develop an understanding of the role of the police and barriers are broken down.

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Requires improvement

Safe recruitment systems ensure that all staff are subject to essential checks before starting work. All fire, gas and electrical equipment is routinely serviced to ensure that it is in good working order. This ensures that young people live in a safe environment and that they are protected from people who may present a risk of harm.

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Requires improvement

The registered manager has been in post for over a year. She is suitably qualified to undertake this role, having obtained her level 5 diploma in leadership and management in residential care of children and young people. The registered manager is an experienced leader who has the welfare of young people at the heart of her practice.

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Requires improvement

The registered manager has introduced a number of new initiatives to evidence the progress made by young people in her care. These include a baseline assessment of their needs and a ‘star journey’ tool, illustrating progress over a period. Staff have started to use these tools, but practice is not yet embedded and does not show the difference that these initiatives make for young people. Staff do not always successfully gather the views of young people in the home.

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Requires improvement

There are shortfalls in supervision for staff. Not all staff have received supervision in line with organisational guidelines. This means that young people are cared for by staff who have not had received the necessary support to enable them to carry out their duties. They have missed opportunities to reflect upon the progress of young people in their care. Most staff have obtained the level 3 diploma in caring for children and young people in residential care. When they have not obtained this qualification, they are enrolled on the course and aim to complete it within the required timescale. However, training records are not all up to date and it is not clear when or whether staff have completed all core organisation training courses. Some staff have not completed refresher courses, including recognising child sexual exploitation. Young people may be cared for by staff who lack relevant and up-to-date information about their needs.

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Requires improvement

The registered manager understands the strengths and areas of development for the service. Areas for development include embedding staff practice in evidencing young people’s progress and introducing reflective practice for staff. She highlighted the positive relationships between staff and young people, and the commitment and hard work of the staff team. The registered manager acknowledged the shortfalls found in this inspection and underlined her commitment to working towards improving the service for young people’s benefit.

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Requires improvement

Managers and staff work well with other professionals. A social worker commented, ‘Staff maintained an excellent level of communication and kept me informed about any developments.’ Managers and staff proactively challenge other services and agencies when there is a delay in young people receiving a service, for example education. Young people are reassured that adults will help them to achieve positive changes in their lives. However, managers were unable to ensure the safety of one young person speedily when it became apparent that they were unable to maintain her safety while she was living at the home, contrary to the aims of the service as contained in the home’s statement of purpose.

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Requires improvement

One requirement was made at the last inspection relating to the use of physical interventions. The recording of physical interventions has improved. Records confirm that managers speak to the person using the measure and they sign the record as having done so. However, young people’s views are not always sought following the intervention, and this remains a shortfall at this inspection. One recommendation was also made relating to the type of sanctions used. The registered manager has improved this process, and she reviews and approves all sanctions prior to their being implemented. This means that young people are reassured that adults listen to their queries about fairness and that a consistent approach is in place for all young people’s benefit.

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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 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 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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