Children's home run by Sahara Care Service for Children Ltd in Slough

Requires improvement

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.2

because:

 There has been no registered manager in post since November 2015.   There are shortfalls in recruitment of new staff. The procedures are not well organised.   There is no effective internal or external monitoring of the home to evaluate the service or overall progress of the young person.  The majority of staff have not achieved the appropriate qualification to work in a children’s home.  All staff need to act in accordance with the child protection procedures of the home when engaging the young person.

p.3

The children’s home’s strengths

 An experienced manager has been appointed and is undertaking the registration process.   The manager has improved the service effectively since the last inspection.  The young person currently residing here is making reasonable progress and enjoys good engagement with the staff.  There are no longer any direct safety concerns for the young person because staff have greatly improved their efforts to keep her safe.  Several of the previously made requirements and recommendations are now met, with those remaining not having a direct impact on the young person.

p.3

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

In order to meet the protection of child standard, the registered person must ensure: (2)(a) that staff: (vii) are familiar with and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (2)(a)(vii)) 31/01/2017

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 is required to: (2)(c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the need of the child. (Regulation 13 (2)(c)) 31/01/ 2017

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 is required to: (2)(d) ensure the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (Regulation 13 (2)(d)) 31/01/2017

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint someone to manage the children’s home. (Regulation 27 (1)) 31/01/2017

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. (Regulation 32 (1)(3)(d)) In particular, ensure that full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual recruited in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. 31/01/2017

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint, at the registered provider’s 31/01/2017 expense, a person (‘the independent person’) to visit and report on the children’s home carried on by the registered provider. (Regulation 43 (1)) The registered person must complete a review of the quality care provided for children (‘a quality of care review’) at least once every six months. (Regulation 45 (1)) 31/01/2017

p.4

Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.6

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 31/08/2016 Full Inadequate 12/07/2016 Monitoring No judgement made 18/05/2016 Full Inadequate 17/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.6

Requires improvement

There have been significant changes made by the manager in relation to staff engagement with the young person, and their active involvement in care planning and keeping the young person safe. The young person has been the sole resident in the home for almost two months and the quality of care she is being provided with has improved discernibly. A current pathway plan is on file, which guides the care of the young person.

p.7

Requires improvement

The previous ‘inadequate’ judgements at inspections here had caused some uncertainty about the future of the young person’s placement. The young person openly expressed that she is happy and enjoys living in the home. The young person stated, ‘the home is more relaxed, and is much better to live in.’ The staff have been supportive of the young person and her engagement with an independent advocate, which has resulted in the local authority continuing the placement.

p.7

Requires improvement

Positive relationships exist between the young person and staff. On previous visits to the home, the quality of relationships between the staff and young people were poor. The staff are now spending more time with the young person, engaging her in meaningful conversations and ensuring that her views and concerns are always obtained. The young person proudly talked about her involvement in the plans to make changes to the service.

p.7

Requires improvement

The young person has benefited from structure within her daily routine. The staff have drafted weekly planners for the young person that contain her appointments, meetings and meals. The development of the schedule allows the staff and the young person to focus on her goals. This practice assures that the staff are actively involved in the daily routine of the young person.

p.7

Requires improvement

The young people previously were noted to have too much idle time and no planned activities, which resulted in a requirement being made at the last inspection. This has now been met. The young person has participated in activities that she personally selects with the support of the staff. Some activities are planned by the staff as an opportunity for learning for the young person. For example, cultural night allows the young person to become familiar with cultures from around the world through questions and answers or eating a certain food. The young person was supported in her religious beliefs by the staff and enjoyed celebrating Diwali.

p.7

Requires improvement

The young person continues to make strides in her educational progress The young person has a high attendance rate and is making good progress in her chosen field of study.

p.7

Requires improvement

Health needs are met in accordance with the health plan for the young person and she has experienced improved health. The staff were observed offering support to the young person for a scheduled medical appointment during inspection. The young person is, with staff encouragement, engaging well with external professionals. A professional reported that the young person’s engagement has been ‘great’.

p.8

Requires improvement

The young person has achieved a certain amount of independence skills. She is confident that she can look after herself to a certain level. She cooks evening meals, travels independently and has developed other skills that have prepared her for semi-independent living. The young person has her first job interview coming up in a few days and is being prepared by the staff holding mock interviews for her.

p.8

Requires improvement

The staff are supportive of contact between the young person and her parent although they are not directly involved in the arrangements. When contact arrangements between the young person and her siblings broke down, the manager intervened and presented a plan of action in which contact could safely take place with the involvement of the staff team. This provides yet another example of how the staff are now thinking creatively and offering alternative solutions to any difficulties the young person experiences, which has prompted changes in her behaviour and attitude.

p.8

Requires improvement

Safeguarding of the young person is no longer neglectful; the manager has corrected the staff practice in this area. There remains some lack of awareness by management regarding the appropriate steps to be undertaken when recruiting all new staff.

p.8

Requires improvement

The requirement regarding developing and implementing safeguarding policies and procedures for the home has been met. New detailed safeguarding policies and procedures are in place, with a focus on all essential areas, such as missing from care, prevention of child sexual exploitation and radicalisation, staff behaviour and whistle-blowing. All staff must read all polices and sign to confirm that they understand them. The staff response to significant incidents demonstrates that keeping the young person safe is understood. Comprehensive risk assessments have been developed that identify, assess and offer counter actions to the identified risk. Prompt action has been taken when needed by the manager, ensuring that any new identified risk to the young person is quickly acted upon. For example, the staff were persistent in their attempts to obtain information on new people that the young person befriended, gaining a better understanding of the appropriateness of such

p.8

Requires improvement

Behaviour management of the young person by the staff is adequate. The staff have a reasonable understanding of the triggers for the young person that cause her to escalate into negative behaviour. Good practice was observed when the manager was able to calm the young person and have a respectful conversation despite the young person being agitated during a visit by her placing social worker.

p.9

Requires improvement

One missing from care incident has occurred since the last inspection. Although, the matter was reported late to Ofsted, there was a robust response by the manager. The manager evidenced that she worked collaboratively with all professionals until the young person returned safe and well. The new missing from care policy stresses the importance of return home interviews taking place for young people.

p.9

Requires improvement

One incident, involving a member of staff breaching a safeguarding policy of the home, resulted in a consultation with the designated officer by the manager. The designated officer felt that the manager had taken sufficient steps in safeguarding the young person and recommended no further action. The matter was dealt with through redeployment, supervision and further training.

p.9

Requires improvement

There have been no incidents of bullying. However, the young person is the sole resident in the home, so staff responses to this have not been tested. A new policy has been developed regarding bullying behaviour not being accepted and fresh information has been placed on the young people’s information board for them to reference should this be a concern in the future.

p.9

Requires improvement

The location risk assessment has been revamped and is very sound. The assessment includes all statistical data pertaining to the risks in the area that could potentially influence the young people residing in the home. The assessments refers to the local authority and local police information on recent crime trends and patterns in the area that are ever-changing.

p.9

Requires improvement

The home is maintained to a high standard, the room of the young person is decorated to her liking while providing a private sanctuary. Health and safety checks have been completed within good intervals. Fire safety and other household checks are conducted at frequent intervals. The portable appliance testing was undertaken on the first day of inspection identified an issue with a computer in the office; this issue was corrected on the day. A consultant and the responsible individual are now handling the recruitment of all staff. They both were unaware of the correct steps that should be taken when employing an agency worker as permanent and believed the agency checks to be appropriate. In addition, the recruitment file lacked the following information: start dates, offer letter, Disclosure and Barring Service checks and all references. The management acknowledged the criticism of the recruitment process and secured

p.9

Requires improvement

the correct information during the inspection, with only one reference being outstanding. When it is considered that the responsible individual has been present for every inspection, safe recruitment should be well understood.

p.10

Inadequate

The lack of a registered manager has been a theme for the past two full inspections that has severely influenced the judgement. A newly appointed experienced manager has been in post since shortly before the last inspection. This is the first time the home has had the same manager in post from one inspection to the next. Originally hired as a consultant, the manager has recently started the registration process with Ofsted. She has the experience and qualifications to manage the home and has started to make a significant difference in the day-to- day operations. The manager has confirmed that she is committed to managing the home long-term while bringing about effective changes.

p.10

Inadequate

The responsible individual acknowledges that she has to develop her knowledge of the standards and regulations along with other duties for the home to maintain stability going forward. The responsible individual has a development plan in place for her to grow in her role under the guidance of an independent consultant, consisting of regular supervision, training and undertaking the appropriate qualifications to work in and manage a children’s home.

p.10

Inadequate

The management clearly understands the current strengths and weaknesses of the home. A weakness of the home is the lack of availability of suitable and qualified staff to look after the young person daily. The staff team barely has enough people to cover every shift adequately. Only one member of the staff team outside of the manager has an appropriate qualification; the majority of the staff do not hold a suitable qualification. The recruitment of new staff has been made a priority and management has agreed not to admit any new young people until the home is fully staffed, including more qualified team members.

p.10

Inadequate

A wide range of support is being provided to the staff to develop their pratice. Supervision was evidenced to be reflective, and is also held regularly. Team meetings were purposeful, with the young person at the forefront of discussion. In addition, all staff are completing a new, extensive induction plan.

p.10

Inadequate

The external and internal monitoring of the home has, for several months, been non-existent. The responsible individual has been unable to complete any monitoring of the service in the absence of a consistent manager, resulting in no annual reporting for the home. A search is ongoing to appoint an independent visitor for the third time in seven months, as previous reporting failed to provide an unbiased, accurate view of the service. The management has identified some suitable candidates and plans to fill the post soon.

p.11

Inadequate

The needs of the young person are high priorities for the management team. Extensive management overview is now evident when discussing the progress of the young person. The manager has been actively involved in challenging the placing authority on behalf of the young person, which has brought about positive results. Managers are listening to the views of the young person and incorporating them into the staff’s practice.

p.11

Inadequate

The management has adapted a proactive action plan in their efforts to move the service forward. The plan of action will eventually be the guiding document of the service, including incorporating inspection findings. The plan highlights staffing, training, record-keeping and planning for the young person.

p.11

Inadequate

The statement of purpose has been updated and submitted to Ofsted. The ethos of the home has been clearly outlined and is available for all that enquire into the home. The previous requirement made at the full inspection has been complied with based upon this action. The children’s guide is a work in progress, is currently being updated, and should be available soon.

p.11

Inadequate

Professionals had some positive comments regarding the links that have been established with the home. One professional praised the staff for their ability to communicate effectively on behalf of the young person.

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 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 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 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, 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.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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.14