Children's home run by Pine Forest Homes Limited in Cannock Chase

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged as requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness . Despite progress being made in some areas since the last inspection, the continued shortfalls identified during this inspection mean that the home continues to require improvement. The home has been without a registered manager for 10 months. It was originally proposed that the manager from the provider’s other home would apply for dual registration. However, she decided not to pursue this application. A new manager has been appointed and is in the process of applying to register. These circumstances have left the home without someone who can be formally held accountable and responsible by the regulator for the day-to-day operation of the service. At the last inspection, eight requirements were made, four of which have been addressed. Maintenance shortfalls identified at the last inspection have been

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

rectified, providing young people with a warm and homely environment in which to live. Young people’s views, wishes and feelings are now taken into account in relation to matters affecting their care and welfare. The new manager has introduced a new format for young people’s meetings that has broadened their contribution to the care arrangements. The manager ensures that the outcomes of these discussions are actively resolved, and young people are now informed of any action taken. As a result, young people feel listened to and consulted. The new manager has introduced a new independent living programme that assesses and evaluates young people’s progress. Staff make sure that young people receive help to learn the necessary skills to live independently. The manager has now commenced staff appraisals. This means that staff development needs are identified and met prior to their becoming potential practice issues. The manager now makes sure that young people’s personalised

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

reward and incentive programmes, to promote positive and socially acceptable behaviours, are regularly reviewed and evaluated. She ensures that when young people have met their targets they now receive their agreed rewards. This promotes the effectiveness of the behaviour strategy and has a positive impact on young people’s motivation. Four requirements are repeated, as they have not been fully met. Staff do not consistently complete risks assessments. Although managers completed an initial impact risk assessment prior to a recent new admission, they subsequently failed to risk assess known areas of risk-taking behaviour, for example carrying a knife, following admission. This means that there is an absence of effective strategies and interventions to guide staff or to encourage young people to take responsibility for their own safety. This has led to a lack of robust risk management, and young people are not effectively safeguarded. Managers continue to fail to make sure that

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

young people are effectively protected by safe recruitment practices. Managers do not challenge gaps in employment histories. Managers have not ensured that staff are able to access training to address the presenting needs of young people, for example to raise awareness of the issues surrounding sexually harmful behaviour. This compromises staff effectiveness in supporting young people. The appointment of the new manager has not been notified to Ofsted as required. This inspection also focused on some specific concerns raised with Ofsted. These concerns related to the home’s insurance, staffing and safety of the company vehicle. Since the last inspection, agency staff have been regularly used in the home. However, the organisation has made sure that there is always a permanent member of staff on duty in the home. As a result, young people are afforded some familiarity and consistency. A director of the company confirmed and evidenced

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

during the inspection that the vehicle has the relevant checks, insurance and duty paid. However, a system is not in place to ensure that all staff know how to check the vehicle before commencing a journey. As part of the inspection, the home’s liability insurance was checked and found to be in place as required. There has been progress in some areas since the last full inspection. The cohort of young people currently living in the home is settled and making good progress. For one young person recently admitted, this is his first experience of a care setting, and staff have worked hard to settle and support him to have a positive time. Young people who have recently arrived at the home said that staff made them feel welcome and provided them with personal items and information about the home. This gives them an understanding of what is expected of them and of what the home has to offer. A young person said, ‘I have only just come here, and staff

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

have given me information about the home. I know what to do if I need to make a complaint. Everything is there in my room.’ Young people continue to make progress in their education. For example, one young person has recently successfully transferred to a college placement in a neighbouring city. The manager and other professionals made sure that adequate support was available and carefully monitored this plan. Staff supported him effectively during this transition. College staff are positive about his attendance and attainment. Another young person is being supported by staff to continue to attend school in his hometown, thus ensuring continuity. Young people benefit from structured and agreed contact arrangements with families and those people who are important in their lives. Plans are regularly monitored and, when issues have arisen, contact amended to meet the needs of the young person. This is through consultation with all relevant professionals and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

family members. This enables young people to maintain positive relationships with their families and to develop their identities. Although some young people living in the home have a history of going missing, incidents have reduced since placement. From the last inspection, there has only been one reported incident. Staff work in accordance with the individualised risk management plan, resulting in a prompt and safe return of the young person. Staff model and promote acceptable behaviour. Staff identify problems early and step in to prevent escalation. Since the last inspection, there have been no physical interventions, as staff promote positive behaviour. The manager has not completed the required biannual review of the quality of care. This means that she has not fully evaluated the experience of young people at the home over the past six months, nor consulted with all stakeholders, such as placing and host authorities, to learn the lessons of placement success and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

breakdown. The new manager has begun new recording and monitoring systems and is undertaking monthly audits, but still has to evaluate the information. This will be raised as a regulatory shortfall. Partnership working is good. Staff effectively challenge services when they consider that plans do not adequately meet young people’s needs. This partnership working helps young people to overcome difficulties that previously affected their development.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is privately owned. Care is provided for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

8/03/2016 Interim Declined effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered provider 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 is particularly with regard to the time following incidents. 5/01/2017

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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 is required to: 2(c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. 5/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of (a) the name of the person appointed; and (b) the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27(2)(a)(b)) 5/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. They must ensure that full and satisfactory information is available in respect of the individual in relation to the matters in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 2.This is with specific reference to gaps in employment history. (Regulation 32(1)(7)(b)) 5/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of 5/01/2017 care provided for children (‘a quality of care review’) at least once every six months. (Regulation 45(1))

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection, we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the ‘Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection’.

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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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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 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

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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