Children's home run by Kites Children Services Limited in Colchester

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.2

The children's home provision is good because:

 The children benefit from committed and supportive staff. They experience care from staff who have good therapeutic knowledge and have particular regard for the children’s past experiences and their presenting behaviours. Children establish trusting relationships with adults that care about their welfare. As a result, they feel able to open up about any worries or concerns that they may have.  The children make good progress in health, education, behaviour and social relationships. They enjoy living at the home and feel well supported. There is a variety of positive role models with whom the children establish strong relationships.  Good admission and transition planning helps the children to feel secure. The effective risk management means that while risk is not eradicated it is significantly reduced.  Equality and diversity are threaded through the service. Staff provide sensitive, non-judgmental support. This helps children to explore their

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

prejudices and identity in a safe environment.  Close partnership working with other agencies ensures that appropriate measures are in place to protect children and to promote positive outcomes.  This inspection identifies some shortfalls and areas for improvements. These include the management of medication, staff training and record- keeping. Staff working patterns are not always conducive to good childcare. Furthermore, quality assurance systems are not sufficiently robust and have failed to identify specific areas of concern or to promote improvement. However, these shortfalls are not currently having an impact on the safety and well-being of the children who continue to enjoy living at the home and receive good care and support.

p.3

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must: (2)(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; (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. In particular, they must ensure that all staff undertake suitable training in first aid, the ‘Prevent’ duty and medication. Furthermore, they must ensure that staff only undertake suitable and safe working practices, which promote children’s well-being. In particular, they must ensure that no staff work excessively long hours without a break. 04/11/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that, at all times, at least one person on duty at the home has a suitable first aid qualification. (Regulation 31(2)(a)) 12/12/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home the records specified in Schedule 4. This refers, in particular, to a copy of the staff duty roster of persons working at the home, and a record of the actual rosters worked. (Regulation 37(2)(a)) 12/12/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. 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 children are effectively safeguarded, and the conduct of the home promotes 26/12/2016 children’s well-being. (Regulation 44(1)(4)(a)(b))

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that prescribed medicines are only administered to the individual for whom they are prescribed. Medicines must be administered in line with a medically approved protocol. Records must be kept of the administration of all medication, and include occasions when prescribed medication is refused. Regulation 23 requires the registered person to ensure that they make suitable arrangements to manage, administer and dispose of any medication. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15) In particular, ensure that staff only administer medication when trained and assessed as competent to do so.  Undertake a review under regulation 45 that focuses on the quality of the care provided by the home, the experiences of children living there and the impact

p.5

Recommendations

that the care is having on outcomes and improvements for the children. The review should be underpinned by the quality standards as described in regulations 5−14. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.2) In particular, ensure that the system is evaluative and ascertains and considers the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff.

p.5

Information about this children's home

The home is operated by a private provider and is registered to accommodate six boys. It provides specialist care and treatment for boys who exhibit inappropriate sexual behaviour. The provider operates an independent fostering agency and a school.

p.6

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.6

Recent inspection history

4/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.6

Recent inspection history

10/12/2014 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.6

Good

This home makes a real difference to children. The children are able to experience a stable environment where they are nurtured by staff. One child described the experience of family mealtimes with comforting food as one of his favourite things, and praised the virtues of a particular staff member’s cooking, saying, ‘Their dumplings are like heaven in a ball.’ These nurturing relationships underpin the therapeutic ethos, which is embedded through the service. This helps children to develop strong bonds, to improve their confidence and emotional resilience and to develop empathy. As in a family home, key events are celebrated together. One child said: ‘One of the best times is Christmas Day. You think you would not want to be here at Christmas, but they make it as fun as they can. There is a real sense of fun. It is an amazing day.’ Another child said: ‘It is a brilliant place.’ The children know that there is always someone there for them, at any time of the

p.7

Good

day or night. They feel that staff care about their well-being and future, and, as a result, they want to do well. The majority of children make excellent progress. One parent said: ‘He is doing really well - much better than I thought possible.’ One child received an award from their local authority for his outstanding progress. Equality and diversity are threaded through the service. Staff provide sensitive non- judgmental support. This helps children to explore their prejudices, culture, sexuality and identity in a safe environment. One child said: ‘They have helped me understand who I am and who I can be. They have helped me have confidence in my own ability.’ Another reflected on lots of reasons for enjoying living at the home, but for him the best thing was that for the first time, because of the support of staff, he has developed the skills to build friendships. He said: ‘I have matured. I am so proud to be celebrating my 18th birthday with my friends. I have never had

p.7

Good

this before.’ The children receive highly individualised, child-focused care and support. They feel consulted on all aspects of the home. The children are aware of their individual risk assessments and integrated treatment plans. Opportunities for discussion occur not only in the home but also as part of the children’s regular therapy sessions. Staff are well trained and equipped to work in partnership with the therapy team, assisting the children to understand their personal histories and how these affect them. As a result, the children feel valued and develop tools for appropriately communicating and managing their emotions. Antisocial behaviour in the home, as a consequence, is very rare and the atmosphere warm and calm. One child said: ‘Staff are funny. I have learnt a sense of humour since I came here.’ The vast majority of children have excellent attendance at school or college and are progressing well in their education. One teacher said: ‘I have been very

p.7

Good

impressed by staff.’ Tutoring arrangements for children are in place where longer- term plans have yet to be established. Staff support the development of children’s literacy skills by reading books with them and helping them with their homework. Older children are well supported in accessing further education courses which meet their needs. Staff help them to develop curriculum vitaes and interview skills, as a result of which one child is now enjoying part-time employment. The organisation is committed to extracurricular learning opportunities. For example, most children learn a musical instrument or undertake singing lessons. Staff have also been imaginative in helping them to understand current affairs. For example, on one occasion a London bombing survivor spoke with the children about their experiences. The children are able to enjoy a range of activities both inside and outside of the home, which appeal to their interests, from gardening to driving simulators. During

p.8

Good

the school holidays, there is always a packed programme of activities, such as pool matches, a Halloween walk, pumpkin picking, outward-bound activities and trips to the theatre. Most of the children enjoy at least one holiday a year with the staff. One child spoke of how these opportunities have broadened his horizons: ‘I feel my confidence has really improved. They have given me more experiences than I would ever have had at home.’ Placements are well planned and the type of support well targeted. This means that placement breakdown is very rare. Individual well-planned preparing for independence arrangements result in older children being suitably equipped with practical life skills. Transitions from the home are well planned, and the young people look forward to enjoying semi-independence arrangements, with continued support from the staff who are important to them. Strong partnership working enables families to remain key figures in their child’s

p.8

Good

life. Families are able to engage in family therapy through the organisation, to improve the quality of the relationship and to promote lifelong family support. One parent said: ‘He gets lots of support, and his individual needs are so well met. They are amazing. They do not just support him. They support me and his family as well.’ Not all members of staff have received suitable training in administering medication or had their competence to do so assessed. On occasion, untrained staff have administered medication. Only four members of the staff have a valid first aid qualification. Consequently, a member of staff trained in first aid is not always on duty. This has the potential to impact on staff’s ability to competently respond to emergency situations. In order to effectively meet the health and well-being needs of the children, there should be sufficient staff with suitable training in administering medication and first aid.

p.8

Good

The children feel safe, secure and well cared for. They develop strong relationships with the staff who provide consistently clear boundaries while maintaining a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Partner professionals and parents have absolute confidence in the support that their children receive and say that children are much safer as a result of being at the home. One said: ‘I would say the home is brilliant because they have been. I cannot fault them.’ Risk is well managed. Fortnightly safeguarding meetings in the home enable safeguarding and effective risk management to consistently remain central to service delivery. Regularly reviewed, comprehensive risk assessments and management plans are developed in partnership with the children and partner professionals. This enables a truly transparent, partnership approach to risk management. The children fully understand their current risk rating, the reasons

p.9

Good

for this and what action they need to take to gain more freedoms. For example, one child said: ‘I have always felt safe and consulted. Any concerns I have or want brought up I can always talk to the staff about. It is very much a give-and-take partnership to help me manage risk.’ The individual risk assessments identify children’s ability to go out of the home and the support that they require. High staffing levels and robust security measures enable staff to be aware of their whereabouts at all times. As a result of the positive partnership with the children, incidents of going missing are very rare. When incidents do occur, staff act appropriately to effectively safeguard the children. Staff, while aware of their safeguarding responsibilities in most areas, are unaware of their responsibilities under the ‘Prevent’ duty. Furthermore, the correct reporting mechanisms are not detailed in the home’s anti-radicalisation policy. While the high

p.9

Good

supervision levels reduce the potential risk for the children currently living in the home, staff are not fully equipped to identify and respond appropriately to any potential issues of concern. Staff are proactive in keeping children occupied and focused on their particular interests. They are highly vigilant for potential conflict, particularly given the variation in age and maturity of children. As a result, there have been no instances of bullying. When potential conflicts arise, the children feel that the staff are very helpful and supportive, preventing issues escalating. The manager ensures a robust response to any safeguarding incidents which occur. Staff and the children as a group have high expectations. Positive behaviour is effectively promoted, and the children care about the staff and their home. As a result, anti-social behaviour and sanctions are exceptionally rare, and physical intervention is not used.

p.9

Good

The building is safe. Staff successfully manage the security measures in place in a way which does not detract from the homeliness of the building. Health and safety arrangements are well managed. Regular servicing of equipment and suitable fire prevention measures are in place. Since the last inspection, the manager has developed a personal evacuation plan for each child whose ability to safely evacuate the building in case of emergency is compromised.

p.10

Requires improvement

The suitably qualified and experienced registered manager has been in post for many years and provides consistent leadership to staff. The leadership and management have, on this occasion, been judged as requires improvement. This is because specific aspects of the home, in relation to staff deployment and training, have the potential to undermine the quality of service provided. The home is, therefore, not currently fully meeting the aspirations set out in its statement of purpose. The external and internal quality monitoring systems have not been sufficiently robust to allow these issues to be identified and addressed in an effective and timely manner. The home, however, continues to deliver high-quality, individualised care to the children. Children’s needs are consistently prioritised, and their views are central to the delivery of care. Strong partnership working with other agencies ensures clarity

p.10

Requires improvement

and commitment, further ensuring that the majority of children make good progress. The children benefit from an enthusiastic and dynamic staff team. Staff enjoy their work. Recruitment difficulties are, however, currently undermining the effective operation of the home. Following the departure of some staff, the manager has had difficulties in employing the high-calibre staff that they desire. This has impacted on staffing resources. As a result, the staff have been working shift patterns, which are quite long and, on occasion, unsafe. For example, staff often work a waking night shift either prior to or after a day shift. Of particular concern, however, is that on occasion staff have worked waking shifts through day and night for 24 hours, thus having no opportunity for a break from the home. These arrangements are not conducive to good-quality childcare. Staff individually feel well supported by each other and the management team.

p.10

Requires improvement

One staff member said: ‘I do the job because I love it. We all do.’ Children, parents and professionals speak of high–calibre, caring staff. There are effective induction and supervision systems in place, supplemented with team meetings. All staff who have been working with children in a children’s home for over two years have completed their level 3 diploma. There is a comprehensive training programme. As a result, the majority of staff are working at an enhanced level of knowledge in most areas, particularly in the specific therapeutic ethos of the home. However, changes in staff and a failure to keep fully up to date with periodic renewal of training has meant that not all staff have undertaken all the basic training in areas such as medication, first aid and wider aspects of safeguarding. This means that staff may lack knowledge and understanding of how to identify and meet all of the children’s needs and manage emergency situations effectively.

p.11

Requires improvement

Records, in the main, are clear, accurate and of good quality. However, staff rotas, which show hours staff have worked, are recorded in pencil and quickly fade. While this has no direct impact on children, staff rotas are a statutory record and should be held in a reliable form. At the last inspection, the manager was asked to improve the quality assurance systems in the home. There has been little improvement in this area. Neither the monthly visit conducted by the independent person, nor the manager’s own quality assurance systems have identified issues regarding staff working long hours, shortfalls in training and the maintaining of statutory records. This has impacted on the home’s ability to address these issues. The independent person’s report does not state the visitor’s opinion of whether children are effectively safeguarded and their well-being promoted. While this does not directly impact on the care provided,

p.11

Requires improvement

it does impact on the rigour of the review and independent constructive feedback for driving improvement. The manager’s review of the quality of care provided does not include an evaluation of the information to ‘tell the story’ of the home and the significant difference it is making, nor are the views of children, their families or partner agencies sought, to assist in an effective analysis of the strengths and areas for growth. Therefore, while the manager has aspirations and plans for the service, these are not effectively documented and shared to give an effective overview or to drive improvement, nor is the opportunity to celebrate the home’s many achievements effectively utilised. There are some requirements and recommendations set as a result of this inspection, and the oversight of the home is not as effective as it previously has been. However, the organisation and staff are highly committed, and, as a result,

p.11

Requires improvement

the overall experiences and progress of children remain strong. One parent summed up their thoughts and said: ‘They have been marvellous. If there was an award I would give it to them.’ One child said: ‘It is the best thing that ever happened for me, coming here.’

p.11

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’.

p.12

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

p.12

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.

p.12

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

p.13

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 .

p.13

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,

p.14

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.14

Information about this inspection

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

p.14

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

p.14