Children's home run by West Sussex County Council

Inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and their care and experiences are poor and they are not making progress.

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The children's home provision is inadequate because:

 Managers and staff do not sufficiently protect young people from harm. This is because managers do not implement safeguarding referral procedures as required.  Managers do not effectively monitor the home, or review and evaluate the service. This means that existing shortfalls are not addressed or actioned.  Staff do not sufficiently track or monitor young people’s progress to ensure that they have an accurate account of their placements.  Managers and staff do not ensure that risk assessments pertaining to the use of single separation accurately detail the timing of welfare checks. This leaves young people vulnerable.  The home does not have adequate numbers of staff to ensure that young people benefit from consistent care. The regular use of temporary agency staff negatively influences teamwork in the home. This is detrimental to young people’s progress and development.  Complaints are not logged or actioned as required. Records of complaints

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The children's home provision is inadequate because:

are incomplete and fail to detail how managers address these concerns. This lack of transparency compromises young people’s safety.

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The children's home strengths

 Partnership working arrangements between the home and commissioned health services continue to improve. This means that young people access the services they need to support and promote their emotional and physical health.  Staff use bespoke mobility sessions to prepare young people for their transition from the home. This increases the likely success of their future placement.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet(s) 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 In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered person must ensure: (2)(c)(i) that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. 02/01/2017

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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. This specifically relates to the need for individual risk assessments, relating to the use of single separation to include the frequency of observations checks linked to procedures pertaining to this measure of control. 02/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

12. The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure: (2)(b) that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. This is with specific reference to the use of searches and the recording of searches and how and when ligature cutters are checked and verified as fit for purpose. 02/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must: (2)(b) ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate; 02/01/2017 (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; (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

14. The care planning standard In order to meet the care planning standard, the registered person must ensure: (2)(b)(ii) that arrangements are in place to manage and review the placement of each child in the home. 02/01/2017

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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. (Regulation 16(3)(a)(b)) 02/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23(1)) 02/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. If an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, the registered person may only allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3). The requirements are that full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32(1)(2)(b)(3)(d)) 02/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction; and the registered person must ensure 02/01/2017 that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development, receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience, and have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33(1)(a)(4)(a)(b)(c))

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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. This specifically relates to the implementation of this policy. (Regulation 34(1)(a)(b)) 02/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep under review and, as necessary, revise the home’s child protection policies. This is with specific reference to the incorporating arrangements to fulfil the local authority’s responsibilities under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 and the government’s ‘Prevent’ duty guidance. (Regulation 34(6)) 02/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it. The registered person 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 all required information. (Regulation 35(2)(3)(a)(i-viii)) 02/01/2017

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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)) 02/01/2017

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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. (Regulation 40(4)(c)) 02/01/2017

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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. (Regulation 45(2)(a)(b)(c)) 02/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

Except in the case of an emergency or unforeseen absence, a 02/01/2017 notice under paragraph (1) must specify with respect to the proposed absence, and in the case of the absence of the registered manager, the arrangements that have been, or are proposed to be, made for appointing another person to manage the home during the absence. (Regulation 48(2)(b)(v))

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that the children's home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of children and is a homely and domestic environment. In particular, ensure that settees and chairs are in good condition and free from stains and that all windows have curtains or blinds, which fit correctly. (‘Guide to the children's home regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  Ensure that the children’s home produces a children’s guide. The children’s guide must be made available to all children when their placement in the home is agreed (or on arrival at the home if the placement is made in an emergency) and must be age appropriate, provided in an accessible format and explained to each child to make sure that they understand it. (‘Guide to the children's home regulations including the quality standards’, page 24,

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Recommendations

paragraph 4.21)  Ensure that any sanctions used to address poor behaviour are restorative in nature, to help children to recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. In some cases, it will be important for children to make reparation in some form to anyone hurt by their behaviour, and the staff in the home should be skilled to support the child to understand this and carry it out. (‘Guide to the children's home regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)

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Information about this children's home

This secure children’s home is managed by a local authority. It is approved by the Department for Education to restrict young people's liberty. Education is provided on site in dedicated facilities. The children's home can accommodate up to seven young people who are aged between 10 and 17 years and accommodated under section 25 of the Children Act 1989. Admission of any young person who is under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

14/01/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Inadequate

There are significant shortfalls in providing for and promoting young people’s welfare and safety. The service has failed to ensure that young people are safe in the home or protected from harm. This area of practice and the leadership and management of the home are inadequate. These failures are detrimental to young people’s progress and their day-to-day and overall experiences of living in this secure children’s home. Young people’s individualised care has improved slightly since the last inspection. The direct work undertaken reflects some of the key aims for their placement. Social workers state that young people have made some progress during their placements. However, records do not demonstrate clearly the progress that each young person is making. This is because records do not specify arrangements in place to manage and review the placement of each young person. Relationships between young people and permanent care staff are generally

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Inadequate

positive. However, in recent months the service has relied heavily on an increasing number of agency care workers to provide care to young people. This has a negative effect on the consistency of care provided to young people and their overall daily life experiences. Young people benefit from an integrated health team that provides improved access to a number of services. These services include a looked after children’s nursing team, substance misuse care, a child and young adolescent mental health team, and additional psychiatric and psychological support. Nevertheless, deficits exist in the administration and recording of medication. As a result, young people do not always receive medication in line with the doctor’s instructions. Incomplete medication records do not support fully good health outcomes. The environment is clean but has a number of areas in need of decoration. Some furnishings and fittings are noticeably stained and showing signs of wear and tear.

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Inadequate

Some curtains remain badly fitting or are not in place. The service has plans to refurbish the facilities, although currently this does not give young people a positive environment in which to live. Young people have participated in a range of activities over the summer period. These include graffiti-art, go-carting, swimming pool activities and arts and crafts. Young people take part in a number of regular activities, which include playing pool, card games and watching films. These provide young people with age- appropriate activities, giving them new experiences and promoting their interests and hobbies. Staff support young people to keep in contact with their families. Young people make regular telephone calls to their families and receive visits when appropriate. This provides young people with meaningful and continual safe contact with those who are important to them. In addition, it promotes a sense of identity and

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Inadequate

belonging. Young people have a number of opportunities to give their views and opinions. This occurs though daily discussions, in key-work sessions and through young people’s meetings. A young person said: ‘We make suggestions for meals on the menu and the activities we want to do.’ Young people are encouraged and supported to attend their reviews, to participate in these and contribute to the decisions about their future. This supports young people’s feelings of inclusion. Staff support young people to increase their independence skills. Young people say that they are involved in a number of house chores, which include cooking, and cleaning and keeping their bedrooms tidy. Mobility sessions in the community help to prepare young people for their future non-secure placements. This assists young people to gain skills that will be essential to them as young adults and to adjust to moving back into the community.

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Inadequate

Managers and staff do not adequately protect young people from harm. For example, inspectors identified two significant concerns relating to young people’s safety and the security of the building during this inspection. There have been two safeguarding incidents since the last full inspection in June 2016. Brief records were available relating to one event. These indicated a delay in referring this matter to the local authority. This is not in line with expected or acceptable practice. Inspectors were made aware of a further allegation during the inspection. The acting manager failed to notify Ofsted of this allegation as required. Inspectors found insufficient records of this concern. For example, it was unclear when this incident occurred, when or whether managers referred this event to the local authority child protection team or the designated officer and, most significantly, what actions were taken to ensure the safety and protection of young

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Inadequate

people. Furthermore, managers did not preserve closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage that might assist with any subsequent enquiries or investigations. The lack of evidence to show that the home is following child protection procedures means that young people are at potential risk of harm. There are links with the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). The acting manager meets periodically with safeguarding professionals in order that there is oversight of any concerns. Due to lack of evidence, it is not clear how effective or meaningful this process is, or what impact it has on helping to keep young people safe. The acting manager stated that there are no established links with the regional police counter-terrorism team. There is a lack of understanding of the home’s responsibilities under the government’s ‘Prevent’ agenda and the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015. Some staff said that they have received training in

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Inadequate

awareness of radicalisation, whereas others said that they have not. There is no process, policy or procedure for assessment, review and formal referrals to relevant professionals and agencies, should there be a concern at the home. Staff search young people on admission, when a young person has been out of the home on a planned or approved visit and when there are any concerns of a safety or security nature. The home’s searching processes include two methods: use of ‘pat down’ and an electronic wand, and a young person removing their outer clothing in private, after which clothing is searched and returned. Records of these events are insufficient and of poor quality. They do not indicate the type of search, the rationale or justification for the search, the manager authorising this search, what, if anything, staff found or any further actions taken. These records do not demonstrate that staff practice is safe or that staff promote young people’s safety

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Inadequate

and dignity. In addition, staff complete bedroom searches on the same day each week. Young people are generally present for these searches and staff do not complete robust records of these events. The documentation in place does not record what, if anything, staff find or whether any actions are required to maintain young people’s safety. These shortfalls mean that managers do not access relevant information to inform risk assessments and to help safeguard young people. As searching practices are standardised, they do not attain the right balance of promoting young people’s rights, privacy and dignity with safety and security. Risk assessments are in place. Staff stated that the young people currently in placement are not at risk of suicide or self-harm. Staff also stated that, when young people have specific vulnerabilities, risk assessments would identify these, including those relating to suicide or self-harm. However, risk assessments do not

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Inadequate

indicate the minimum observation levels for young people when they spend ‘elected’ time alone. Staff indicate that they ‘believe’ that the minimum checks for all young people in these circumstances is every 15 minutes, unless the risk assessment indicates otherwise. Nevertheless, they could not identify where this practice basis exists in the home’s policies, procedures or guidance. The single separation policy also indicates the minimum checks of young people every 15 minutes or in line with risk assessments. This minimum level may not be appropriate for some young people. For example, in enforced or directed single separation circumstances, young people may be in a heightened or distressed state. Furthermore, the home does not have a monitoring system or procedure in place to verify that ligature cutter blades remain fit for purpose. This shortfall results in young people being at risk of harm in these situations.

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Inadequate

There have been no incidents of young people absconding while out of the home on approved visits with staff, since the last full inspection. Staff are aware of the actions to take to help keep young people safe should an incident occur. The home does not have an incentive scheme in operation or a clear behaviour management ethos. Staff are positive role models and encourage positive behaviour. They say that they are in the process of consulting with young people about what an incentive scheme should incorporate. Staff use sanctions to address any negative behaviour, although these do not always have a clear link to the misdemeanour. There is no evidence of the use of restorative practice. This means that young people do not develop an understanding of the impact that their behaviour can have on others, or learn to put right what they have done wrong. Records are not always sufficiently detailed. For example, staff do not detail the

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Inadequate

effectiveness of sanctions. This means that managers are unable to sufficiently monitor and review the use of these measures of control or to identify any patterns, themes or trends. Staff use physical restraint in line with regulations. Since the last inspection, there have been six physical restraints. The process for monitoring and oversight to ensure appropriate and safe practice is not clear or effective. Managers state that the individual with responsibility for training staff in approved restraint methods also reviews some incidents on CCTV. It was not clear who reviews the other incidents or who has overall responsibility for this task. The thoroughness and rigour with which the monitoring of physical restraint incidents occurs is unclear, and inspectors could not access all relevant records, including debriefs with staff. Staff reported that debriefs do occur but that these focus on ‘lessons learnt’ rather

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Inadequate

than on providing personal support. There is no evidence that either the registered or acting manager has reviewed the most recent physical restraint incidents. There is no system in place to identify any trends, themes or patterns. Of concern is that staffing rotas indicate that, on occasions, there have only been two staff on duty. Staff confirmed that, in order to appropriately physically restrain any young person and manage the incident safely, three staff are required. Although there had been no incidents of physical restraint when there were only two staff on duty, there is the potential for this significant shortfall to impact on the safety of young people and staff and the security of the building. Furthermore, the LSCB does not have oversight of or assess physical restraint practices as set out in ‘Working together to safeguard children’ (2015). The LSCB’s annual report for 2014−2015 does not

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Inadequate

provide an assessment of restraint practices at this secure children’s home, and the 2015−2016 report was not available. There is, therefore, no external or independent oversight of physical restraint practices. Since the last inspection, the service has employed four new agency staff. The acting manager has failed to ensure that records are in place to demonstrate that appropriate suitability checks, including previous employer reference checks, are completed as required. This is of significant concern as the acting manager cannot evidence or determine whether the staff employed in the home are suitable to work with vulnerable young people.

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Inadequate

Ofsted inspected this secure children’s home in June 2016 and judged it inadequate. Since that inspection, the provider has taken insufficient action to address six of the 12 requirements raised at that time. These include continued failures to ensure that managers implement safeguarding procedures correctly, that managers address all complaints and complete records of complaints as required and that managers effectively and robustly monitor the quality of care provided by the home. In addition, a further 11 requirements have been made. Since late August 2016, interim management arrangements have been in place. An acting manager is temporarily in charge of the day-to-day running of the home. These temporary arrangements lack vigour. A permanent appointment would assist with the stability and development of the home. Internal monitoring and review systems remain weak and ineffectual. Since the last inspection, managers within the organisation have failed to adequately review or

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Inadequate

evaluate the quality of care provided by the service. Monitoring systems do not allow for the analysis of information to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the services or highlight any patterns and trends. There is no assessment of the impact that service failures have on young people’s overall experiences or progress, and staff do not seek young people’s views or opinions relating to the quality of care that they receive. Senior managers do not retain sufficient oversight of the service, or take suitable action to affect positive changes to the day-to-day running of the home. This means that necessary and required improvements are not clearly identified or actioned and the service remains inadequate. The statement of purpose does not accurately reflect the scope of the provision and the services available. At this time, the stated aims and objectives are not realised. This is because managers and staff do not adequately protect young

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Inadequate

people from harm and the quality of care that young people receive is inadequate. Furthermore, the young people’s guide to the home is out of date. This does not provide young people with an accurate overview of the daily routines in the home. Young people say that they do not receive a young person’s guide on admission to the home and they rely on verbal information from other young people to gain an overview of daily routines. Thus, young people do not receive correct information about the service. Young people’s day-to-day experiences and progress continue to fluctuate, depending on the team of staff caring for them. Some staff identified the lack of teamwork as an issue in the home. Staff said that young people do not receive consistent care or support because of this shortfall. The continued use of agency staff in the home compounds this issue. Furthermore, agency staff do not receive suitable induction. The acting manager has failed to ensure that these staff have

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Inadequate

sufficient skills, qualifications or experience to support vulnerable young people. For example, there are a number of occasions noted when agency staff account for over 50% of staff working in the home. These staff do not undertake training in the restraint methods used in the home. This is detrimental to young people’s progress and compromises their safety and well-being. Since the last inspection, there has been a considerable decline in staff receiving regular and practice-related supervision. This means that during this challenging period for the service, staff do not receive adequate support and are unable to reflect on their practice. Staff do not receive annual performance assessments or appraisals. This means that managers do not monitor the suitability or fitness of staff, or provide staff with continual professional development opportunities. There have been 24 complaints made by young people since the last inspection.

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Inadequate

Nine of these do not detail the actions taken. This includes a complaint made by a young person relating to racism by a member of staff. In addition, on some occasions the feedback given to young people is inappropriate and derisive, belittling the concerns that young people raise.

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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’.

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What the inspection judgements mean

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 children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements 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

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or that 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 that 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 whom 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 0300123 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, workbased 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

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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