Children's home run by Roseberry Specialist Care Centres Ltd in Sunderland

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In relation to the previous requirements and recommendations, six of the ten requirements and four of the six recommendations are not met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

While young people’s placement plans now contain information about their behavioural needs, this does not comprise an effective behaviour support plan. The use of jargon and the lack of a structured format leaves room for misinterpretation and makes meaningful evaluation difficult.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is delay in sending reports to social workers about young people’s progress and experiences. Despite this, the quality of these reports when made available is good. However, any hold-up in providing information to a placing authority about young people’s current circumstances hinders care planning. A social worker said, ‘Reports have been late, I’ve raised this with the home, but they are detailed when I receive them.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Steps to make the accommodation more welcoming and homely are evident. A promising start has led to some of the young people’s bedrooms being redecorated and some have new furniture. However, further work is still needed to give a more homely feel to the accommodation and to ensure that information displayed for young people is in a format that they understand. A social worker said, ‘It feels like the decor could be improved.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are occasionally required to use physical interventions with young people. While there are no concerns about the care practice in relation to this, a lack of regular monitoring means that in the event of any shortfalls these are not readily identified. The system for reviewing young people’s risk assessments is not effective. The number of these assessments is unwieldy, increasing the likelihood of staff overlooking important information.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An entry in the ‘bullying log’, which documents concerns about young people’s behaviour towards staff, shows a lack of insight and understanding. This also suggests the underlying reasons for the behaviours and attitudes that cause young people to behave in this way are not addressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Night staff continue to carry out a written daily audit of young people’s medication in line with good practice. While this promotes compliance with procedural guidance, a lack of staff signatures on this record reduces accountability of those completing this task.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is an over-reliance on temporary staff. Leaders and managers are taking steps to address this through a further recruitment drive and some temporary agency staff are now in permanent positions. However, the lack of an established staff team means that young people are more likely to experience disruption and inconsistent care. A social worker said, ‘The young person has mentioned there have been a lot of agency staff.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The process of verifying references and gaps in employment is not consistently clear. These omissions potentially place young people at unnecessary risk. A revised induction programme does not demonstrate how staff gain an understanding of statutory guidance and how they are assessed as ready to practise. The process, timescales and content of the induction are not reflected within the home’s workforce plan. These omissions leave room for inconsistent care practice and hamper evaluating the effectiveness of this process.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Procedural guidance for staff about what to do if placing authorities do not meet young people’s needs is not yet in place. This oversight can compromise young people’s future outcomes. While the placing authority policy document about how to safeguard young adults is now available, this does not demonstrate that staff are sufficiently knowledgeable. A lack of training in this area can compromise young people’s welfare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Supervision records are evident for the core staff team but do not make clear the date and duration of these meetings. It is not clear if agency staff receive supervision regularly. Collectively, these omissions undermine systems designed to ensure that staff receive regular reflection time and support to meet young people’s needs effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s placement plans are now in an easier to understand format. This approach promotes care practice that recognises each young person’s individuality. This establishes a shared understanding between young people and staff, leading to improved levels of independence and confidence. As a result, young people feel more prepared for the transition from school to college, increasing the likelihood of future success. A member of staff said, ‘Being accepted at college was massive, the young person is really looking forward to that.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people now take part in a wider range of activities. Staff ask young people what they would like to do and they provide them with the necessary support to take part. This approach builds relationships and trust with staff and helps them feel that their opinions count. A young person said, ‘We have been to a pumpkin festival today, and we had a treat meal.’ Records of young people’s meetings, which they are asked to sign, are not written in a way that they can understand. This is a barrier to their full participation, and reduces their opportunity to contribute.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered provider has now notified Ofsted that the previous manager is no longer in post and about the interim management arrangements. This ensures that the regulator is fully informed and able to monitor the arrangements linked to the running of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have received training to ensure that they have sufficient understanding about how to carry out healthcare tasks competently. This increases the confidence of staff and promotes young people’s safety and well-being. A member of staff said, ‘It was really helpful, actually, to go through it all again.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Procedural guidance about the law and depriving young people of their liberty is now available to staff. This supports their understanding of young people’s rights. Young people now have access to independent advocates because staff have an increased understanding of the benefits this brings. When it is safe to do so, young people can use a phone to speak to family members without having to ask staff. The previous requirement relating to the managers biannual monitoring of the home is repeated, as the review of the quality of care that children receive is not yet due.

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Information about this children’s home

The home may accommodate six children with learning and/or physical disabilities. It is operated by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/07/2016 Full Requires improvement 03/12/2015 Full Good 23/07/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 25/03/2015 Full Adequate

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

11. In order to meet the positive relationships standard, with particular reference to ensuring that each child has a behaviour support plan outlining to staff the individual help young people require, is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on: (a) mutual respect and trust; (b) an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and (c) positive responses to other children and adults. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure: (a) that staff: (i) meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans; (ii) help each child to develop socially aware behaviour; (iii) encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding; (iv) help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

(v) communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding. 31/1/2017

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Requirement Due date

12. In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to ensuring that each young person has an easily understood risk assessment that is evaluated effectively and updated, which is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure: (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. 31/1/2017 13. In order to meet the leadership and management standard, with particular reference to ensuring that the home has sufficient permanent staff in place.

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Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to: (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. 31/1/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. 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 (3)(d) Schedule 2) In particular, ensure that references are verified and there is a full employment history, together with a satisfactory explanation of any gaps in employment, in writing. 31/1/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction and undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33 (1)(a)(3)(a)) In particular, ensure that induction is dated, evaluated and reflects current legislation and guidance, and that staff complete training about how to safeguard vulnerable adults. 31/1/2017

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Requirement Due date

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 a description of the measure and its duration; within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (‘the authorised person’) has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(iv)(b)(i)(ii)(c)) 31/1/2017

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review, the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. 31/1/2017 (Regulation 45 (2)(c)) In particular, make clear any actions and how these will be addressed over the next 6 months.

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Recommendations:

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation  When the placing authority or another relevant person does not provide the input and services needed to meet a child’s needs during their time in the home or in preparation for leaving the home, the home must challenge them to meet the child’s needs. Staff should act as champions for their children, expecting nothing less than a good parent would. The registered person should consider the use of an independent advocate. In particular, they should ensure that procedural guidance makes clear when and how the manager or staff should escalate concerns with the director of children’s services when a local authority or a health authority fails to meet young people’s needs, including transition planning (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.8).

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Recommendations:

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.). However, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. In particular, hang framed photographs of young people with their consent, and ensure that any displays are in a format that can be understood by young people and are in keeping with a domestic setting (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9).  The home should work in partnership with relevant people as appropriate to ensure that each child is provided with support (appropriate to their age and understanding) to communicate their views, wishes and feelings and

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Recommendations:

participate as fully as possible in all aspects of their care planning and daily care. This may include the use of and support to use communication aids, equipment and/or any necessary language support. In particular, ensure that children’s social workers receive the agreed updates about young people on time (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.6).  Children must be consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Due consideration should be given to the child’s cognitive ability in the development and implementation of any consultation processes. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. In particular, ensure that young people are not required to sign meeting minutes and that these are recorded in child-friendly format that

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Recommendations:

can be shared with them (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11).  Medicines must be administered in line with a medically approved protocol. Records must be kept of the administration of all medication, which includes 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. These are fundamentally the same sorts of arrangements as a good parent would make but are subject to additional safeguards. In particular, ensure that staff carrying out an audit of medication sign these records (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15).  Staff should understand what they must do to prevent bullying of children by other children or adults. Staff should be able to recognise and address

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Recommendations:

different types of abuse such as peer abuse, cyber-bullying and bullying in day-to-day relationships in the home. Registered persons must ensure that procedures for dealing with allegations of bullying are in place and that staff have the skills required to intervene, and to protect and address bullying behaviours effectively. In particular, only complete the bullying log when a young person has been the victim of an incident of bullying and make clear the outcome of any incidents (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.16).  The registered person should have a workforce plan. In particular, they should outline in the statement of purpose what is covered in the induction of new staff and how the effectiveness of this is to be evaluated, and ensure that this reflects current legislation, including the children’s homes regulations 2015 and ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the

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Recommendations:

quality standards’ (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8).  The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. Professionally qualified staff employed by the home, e.g. teachers or social workers, should be provided with relevant professional or clinical supervision by an appropriately qualified and experienced professional. In particular, demonstrate that all staff, including bank staff, receive supervision as outlined in the home’s statement of purpose. To make clear the date, time and duration of sessions (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2).

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Recommendations:

 Staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. In particular, avoid the use of jargon and use plain English within care and behaviour support documentation (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4).

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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 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 who 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

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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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