Children's home run by PCT Care Services Limited in South Norfolk

This monitoring visit

On 29 September 2016, an inspector conducted an interim inspection. This found that the home had declined in effectiveness. Following that visit, a compliance notice was issued and 11 requirements were set. The compliance notice related to effective risk assessments.

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This monitoring visit

In order to evaluate the progress that the home had made in meeting the compliance notice, a monitoring visit was undertaken by an inspector on 19 October 2016. At this visit, the inspector found that the compliance notice had not been met.

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This monitoring visit

The manager had reviewed the children’s risk assessments and written new ones using a new format. However, the old risk assessments had been left on file. Some of these contained contradictory information to the new ones. This is confusing for new staff, who would have to read the documents and work out which one was to be followed. The risk assessments have space for staff to sign once they have read them. The manager said that she had asked staff to read the new risk assessments and sign them. She had also asked staff to remove the old risk assessments from the files. There are no staff signatures on any of the risk assessments.

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This monitoring visit

The manager had not monitored these documents to ensure that staff had complied with her instructions. While new risk assessments had been written, this failure to remove the old ones can lead to confusion over which is to be followed. The failure of any member of staff to sign any risk assessment also raises questions about how well they have read them.

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This monitoring visit

Most of the new risk assessments are suitable, but there are still some inconsistencies. For example, one child was missing from care on 10 October 2016. Her most recent risk assessment records her as at high risk from going missing. The manager instructed staff to use restraint to return her to the home. Neither her risk assessment nor the individual missing from care protocol identifies why the use of restraint to return her is a proportionate and necessary measure to keep her safe. The consequences of using restraint against the risk that she may be at while missing have not been assessed and evaluated. This could lead to inconsistent responses and inappropriate measures being taken by staff. As this is not recorded in a risk assessment, there is unlikely to be a timely and effective review of the measure. The absconding risk assessment records that the on-call manager is to be made aware if she is not back by 8:30pm, and she has a curfew

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This monitoring visit

of 10pm. At her looked after child review on 10 October 2016, it was decided that she should not have free time in the community, yet the risk assessment has not been updated with this information.

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This monitoring visit

The risk assessments and management plans for another child contradict each other, one stating that he has a history of absconding and the other that he has not. He is not seen as a current risk from going missing, but it is important that there is clear information on whether this has been a risk in the past or not.

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This monitoring visit

The implementation of new risk assessments is a positive move, but the failure to ensure that old ones are removed, and the remaining inconsistencies and omissions, mean that the system of identifying and reducing risk is still not sufficiently robust.

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This monitoring visit

The aspects of the compliance notice which were not met will be reissued. The inspector did not monitor compliance with the requirements made at the interim inspection on 29 September 2016. Monitoring of these requirements will take place through future regulatory activity.

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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. The home is owned by a private company.

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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 (c) If the registered person consider, 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. 31/10/2016

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard* In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to having accurate risk assessments, the registered person should ensure: (2)(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.* 09/11/16

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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, with particular reference to the maintenance of the home and children’s access to the kitchen, the registered person should: (2)(c) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to— (i) meet the needs of each child, and (ii) enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. 31/10/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the 31/10/2016 use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes all of the information required under this regulation. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)) This relates in particular to the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. Further, that the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so, has spoken to the user about the measure, and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. 13: The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard, with particular reference to plans, records and children’s individual progress, the registered person should: (2)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 31/10/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records for each child which are kept up to date. This relates to care plans and placement plans. (Regulation 36(1)(b)) 31/10/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the reports written by the independent person set out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. The reports should be sent to HMCI. (Regulation 44(4)(b)(7)(a)) 31/10/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provides for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(5)) 31/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)(b)) 31/10/2016

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Requirement Due date

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(3)) 31/10/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children are provided at all reasonable times with access to a telephone on which to make and receive telephone calls in private. (Regulation 22(3)(a)) 31/10/2016

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are 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

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

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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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