Children's Home run by Individual Specialist Care Limited in Sandwell

Inspector Pete Hylton

This monitoring visit . In September 2016, this home was judged to be inadequate. A monitoring visit took place in October 2016 to ensure that a compliance notice had been met. The provider had taken appropriate steps to meet the compliance notice.

p.2

Inspector Pete Hylton

This visit took place to ensure that there the remaining requirements from the September 2016 inspection have been met.

p.2

Inspector Pete Hylton

There has been some progress in meeting the requirements. Young people now benefit from a more focused approach to teaching them independent skills. Staff now have resources to support this work and young people have started to develop their independence. This means that young people are now starting to be better equipped for their futures. Young people are also now supported in giving feedback about their experiences and feelings in the home. When young people express dissatisfaction, this is appropriately followed up and resolved. As a result, young people have their views sought and, where necessary, acted upon. This also extends to the complaints policy that has been revised. A new complaints recording system is now in place and known to all young people and staff.

p.2

Inspector Pete Hylton

The staff team are now better aware of bullying and how to address this, should it occur. This is also supplemented by young people being given age appropriate literature that makes clear forms of unacceptable behaviour. This is further supported through improved supervision where staff are able to discuss their practice and are encouraged to engage in further training around bullying, safeguarding and other ways of enhancing young people’s safety. There have been improvements to young people’s files. Previous missing information is now included. This means that all relevant health information is now recorded. This ensures that young people’s health is now better monitored by staff.

p.2

Inspector Pete Hylton

Staff recruitment has improved since the last full inspection. A previous compliance notice was judged met at the October 2016 monitoring visit. The organisation have recruited no new staff since that point. All staff currently employed are now either completing or starting their level three qualifications. This is an improvement since the last inspection.

p.2

Inspector Pete Hylton

Young people are no longer prevented from moving around the home freely. Staff remain vigilant to the needs of young people and their whereabouts. Since the last inspection, young people now have door fobs which allows them free movement in and out of the home. However, the home is not suitably maintained in all areas. This remains ongoing work from the September 2016 inspection. A young person’s bedroom is not appropriately maintained. There is no heating, lighting or decoration. The managers of the service explained that the reason for this is agreed and known to those involved in the placement of the young person. However, there is no supporting documented evidence that allows the use of this sparse bedroom. Therefore, this is a failed regulation from the September 2016 inspection.

p.2

Inspector Pete Hylton

Similarly, the use of restraint is not always proportionate. There has been one occasion, since the last full inspection, where staff used a weighted blanket during a physical intervention. This was not proportionate as the use of this blanket is not agreed in any crisis management plan. Staff lack clear guidance with regards to the safe use of this blanket. Furthermore, this means that the young person’s comfort blanket is seen as something used in crisis and not as a calming measure by choice.

p.3

Inspector Pete Hylton

There are further concerns with restraint from this visit. A recent rise in the use of physical intervention has not been sufficiently analysed by the managers in the home. A pattern has developed where a young person is using the same behaviours to trigger a response from staff. This leads to physical intervention. As a result, young people are developing ways of engaging staff in physical interventions. This has not been identified by the managers nor acted upon.

p.3

Inspector Pete Hylton

As a result of this inspection, four requirements from the September 2016 inspections are judged unmet.

p.3

Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to three children and young people with learning disabilities. A private provider owns and operates the home.

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that 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(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.4

Requirement Due date

6. The quality and purpose of care standard

p.4

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard the registered person must ensure and ensure that staff— (2)(c)

p.4

Requirement Due date

(i) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. 30/12/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure— (2)

p.4

Requirement Due date

(d) that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. 30/12/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard

p.4

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must— (2)

p.4

Requirement Due date

(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 30/12/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20(2)) 30/12/2016

p.4

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home since its last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. out in 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 this guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Information about this inspection

to 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, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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.7

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.7