Children's home run by Crossways Care Ltd in Tewkesbury

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness . The home has declined in effectiveness because there has been no registered manager in post for over 32 weeks. Consequently, monitoring is insufficiently robust. Monitoring relies substantially on external auditing to identify areas for improvement. Action is taken to remedy some of the shortfalls identified by the regulation 44 independent visitor and by Ofsted, but the internal monitoring is weak. This means that further shortfalls arise, which are not identified until another external audit takes place. The impact is that, while the day-to-day care of the young people remains positive, the overall management of the home has weakened since the full inspection in May 2016. The registered person has failed to ensure that all the work required to meet the requirements and recommendation made at the full inspection has been

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

completed. Although some elements have been met or are no longer relevant, other requirements or recommendations, such as updating person-centred placement plans, have not been actioned. New shortfalls have emerged: for example, poor decision-making and monitoring with regard to safeguarding notifications, lack of attention to detail in recording of restraints and a lack of consistency in terms of the regularity and content of direct work with the young people. The home’s managers have failed to ensure that all serious incidents have been notified to Ofsted. In two cases, when allegations were made, it was assumed that, because the local authority designated officer decided that the situation did not meet the criteria for a section 47 investigation, notification was not required. It is of concern that managers failed to identify other reasons why these incidents met the notification criteria listed in regulation 40: for example, police being called to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the home and self-harm that was serious enough to warrant attendance at hospital. The interim manager is an experienced residential worker who has not previously been registered as a manager, so she is relatively new to the role. Her great strength is in providing very warm, nurturing care to the young people, but she does not yet have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the regulatory framework in which the home operates. Consequently, the home has not made sustainable progress, and three new requirements have been made. Although a BA honours graduate in early years’ education, the interim manager does not yet hold a level 5 qualification in leadership and management. Discussion took place at the previous inspection in May 2016 about the equivalence of her degree in relation to this award. To move this discussion forward, the inspector asked the interim manager to produce evidence of the content and relevance of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

her qualification. Six months later, this has not been provided. The interim manager strives to ensure that the young people’s needs are met and that her staff are well supervised and supported. Her courage and ability to engage with very complex young people who struggle with forming secure attachments have meant that she has, on occasion, been targeted and assaulted. As a result of one incident, the interim manager sustained a broken nose. Social workers and colleagues confirmed that the interim manager has shown remarkable resilience and commitment to persevere with the young person and to continue to work with them. The regulation 44 independent visitor prepares detailed and robust reports, which identify points for improvement. The interim manager values this process and works very well with the independent visitor to make improvements. What is lacking is evidence that the manager can transfer learning from one situation to another.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This means that matters that should have been picked up through routine internal management scrutiny of documents, care plans and logs are not identified or actioned. For example, although the independent visitor has highlighted over several visits that restraints and incidents are not always effectively monitored, the present inspection found other examples of the interim manager not evaluating these recordings. The restraint record requires staff to describe exact techniques used. One record states that, during a 40-minute intervention, the method used was ‘various techniques to keep others safe’. This does not provide a clear picture of the incident, but the interim manager’s monitoring had not picked this up. Some key worker sessions for the young people are very brief and not fully recorded. Progress against the requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection has been variable. The home had agreed to set up a safeguarding

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

protocol, with regard to one young person, which did not comply with ‘Working together to safeguard children, 2015’. There have been examples, since the previous inspection, when the home has responded appropriately to new allegations. The allegations were found to be unsubstantiated. In addition, compatibility risk assessments for the young people are now readily available on file. This requirement is met. The previous requirement under the leadership and management quality standard has not been fully met. Although staff training has been updated and is largely complete − a process which has been substantially supported by the regulation 44 visitor, new concerns have arisen with regard to how training is monitored. The company’s head office training tracker does not flag up qualifications that are about to expire. This has led to some staff not renewing their training until the previous qualification has expired. The interim manager’s physical intervention, first aid and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

child protection training were all between two and four months overdue by the time that she eventually completed the updated training. Some young people’s person-centred placement planning documents have not been updated for many months, despite a requirement at the full inspection to action this. The manager said that the delay is due to new paperwork being introduced. This is not an acceptable reason, because these plans are working documents that help the staff to understand the young people’s needs. This shows that management weaknesses are now having an impact on the young people’s care planning. A new requirement has been made to ensure that this is now actioned. The previous recommendation regarding the need to ensure that prospective employees record their full employment history on the application form has now been met. New staff files show that the company is monitoring this process effectively, but a complete audit of these files was not possible during this

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

inspection, because they are not located in the home. This will be followed up at the next full inspection. The home continues to provide good-quality care for the young people. They have made positive progress in their education, and both attend the company’s own school every day. The home thus continues to provide safe, nurturing and positive experiences for the young people. Those whose life experiences have caused them to display very hazardous behaviour have shown a recent reduction in serious incidents; for example, there was none between 7th August and 26th September. There have been six incidents since that date. The last one was on 16th October. This shows that the young people’s behaviour is gradually becoming more stable. Some young people’s special educational needs make it difficult for them to retain information and learn from experience, so, under these circumstances, progress has been

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

encouraging. Staff confirmed that there has been a reduction in assaults on colleagues and visiting professionals. A social worker commented that they are really impressed that the home manages their young person’s behaviour, and that they have persevered when many previous placements were unable to cope. The young people are beginning to realise that the staff are not going to give up on them. There have been only two incidents of young people going missing since the full inspection. In both cases, one young person left school and made their way back to their home area. The young person explained to staff that this was linked to their frustration with not understanding the local authority’s plans for their care, and was not related to their relationships in the home. The young people are generally in good health. One young person was unwell during the inspection, but was being cared for in his own room, with due regard for

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

his privacy and dignity. Another young person was able to participate in the inspection, and said that she is doing well at home and at school. She has been able to reduce her prescribed medication, under medical supervision. This has improved the quality of her life and has had a positive impact on the side effects that the drugs caused. The inspector observed this young person watching television and joking with a member of staff. For the first time, over four successive inspections, she was heard to laugh. This is remarkable progress. Staff develop positive relationships with parents and professionals and have good communication with them. Multi-agency meetings have been held when required, to review concerns about specific young people’s behaviours. The interim manager has challenged local authorities when care planning documentation has not been provided. This has been partially successful, but one young person still does not

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

have a local authority care plan for the current placement. Staff were extremely positive about the quality and timeliness of their supervision, and this takes place regularly. The interim manager clearly prioritises this, and her personal qualities mean that the staff feel very well supported.

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Information about this children's home

This independent children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children and young people, irrespective of gender, who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a national provider of children’s services.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/03/2015 Interim Declined in 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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13: The leadership and management standard

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, with particular reference to ensuring that: all aspects of the conduct of the home, including the recording of serious incidents and restraints, are effectively monitored and that any shortfalls identified are actioned within the specified timescales; the interim manager receives sufficient training and mentoring to support her role; and training that requires regular renewal is completed before the previous qualification expires, 13(2) the registered person must: (c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; and (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 31/12/2016

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36: Children's case records

36(1) The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child which: (a) include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; (b) are kept up to date; and (c) are signed and dated by the author of each entry. In particular, they must ensure that young people’s placement plans are kept up to date to reflect their current needs. (Regulation 36(1) and Schedule 3) 31/12/2016

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40: Notification of a serious event

40(4) The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if: (a) a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; (b) an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; (c) there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; (d) a child protection enquiry involving a child (i) is instigated; or (ii) concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or (e) there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)) 31/12/2016

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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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