Children's Home run by Amicus Residential Care Ltd in Reading

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good 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

Since the last inspection, the dynamics of the home have changed because two young people left earlier than expected due to safeguarding concerns and negative behaviour. The circumstances surrounding their placements ending confirm that staff were unable to help them to develop positive relationships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The only female resident was moved from the home at the recommendations of the police after making an allegation against another male resident that has yet to be substantiated. A criminal investigation is ongoing, and staff are engaging with professionals and implementing strategies to protect the young person. For example, arrangements were made for one of the young people to stay at a hotel with staff while the placing authority sought alternative accommodation. He eventually returned to the home after the other young person left.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The placement of another young person ended due to management concerns over his suspected involvement in gangs, drugs and criminal activity. It was determined that his friendships, behaviour and attitude were beginning to influence the other residents negatively and potentially place them at risk.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people experienced a high level of conflict with each other during this period, in which staff had to intervene. On three occasions, the female resident was threatened with physical aggression by two of the male residents. The incidents were logged as physical interventions as staff had to remove them from the area. The efforts to improve the relationships between the young people were not robust. Staff were not persistent in their efforts, resulting in lingering conflict.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some of the young people have developed inappropriate friendships in the community. These negative influences contributed to the behavioural difficulties of one young person who has now left the home and potentially could influence a current resident. Staff are aware of the potential risk, but there is no clear evidence that they have prioritised deterring him from associating with these individuals. A new resident was admitted on a short-term basis two months ago and has settled into the home quickly. His placing authority is now considering making the placement long term due to his progress. The young person said, ‘The staff listen to me and I feel supported.’ He was observed interacting with staff and going to the local shop as part of his developing trust and independence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The impact risk assessment underpinning this admission lacked detail of all risks associated with this young person and his potential effect on the others. There was some concerning background that was not properly assessed by management.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Care planning for the young people is good. There are some notable achievements made by young people, who have struggled with attending and achieving in school historically. Some have successfully completed The Prince’s Trust Award; others are performing well at college and studying courses such as introduction to sport at the local football club.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff use their initiative to ensure that alternative provisions are in place for young people not in education. The manager has funded a tutor for a young person until his school place is secured and funding approved by the placing authority. The manager has committed to financing this arrangement long term if needed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person who was previously considered at high risk of absconding and of child sexual exploitation has successfully lowered the risk with assistance of staff. Staff liaised with professionals and had regular input at meetings while offering alternative options to improve her awareness. Incidents of going missing reduced and are no longer a concern to the police.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team continues to be stable. The majority of its members are suitably qualified, with only two part-time workers needing to complete their qualification. They enjoy working with the young people and forge relationships with them, which are appreciated. The staff team does not have a good gender balance. Only one male is a permanent member of the team. Now that management has made the decision on a temporary basis to admit males only, based on the previous month’s behaviours, this imbalance means that young people have insufficient role models that they can identify with.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff receive good support from management. Supervision continues to be provided regularly along with mandatory attendance at team meetings. A team away day was held with an agenda involving how to improve service delivery to the young people, such as adapting social pedagogy into their practice. The majority of the training for staff is completed online; it would enhance staff members’ ability to work with the young people if face-to-face learning opportunities were sourced which are more engaging and allow exploration of their own practice experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All the young people believe that consequences imposed upon them by staff are fair and just. For example, one young person stated that he agrees that he should pay for the damages that he caused in the home when he was upset. The young people engage in meaningful activities. A member of staff is responsible for arranging and structuring individual and group activities, such as bowling or days out. She acted quickly to sort out the newest resident’s transfer to the air cadets in the area and this has positively influenced his behaviour and confidence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people spend quality time with their families when possible through safe contact arrangements. Those from minority ethnic communities maintain their cultural and identity connections with family. They build upon these pre-existing relationships through the support they receive; for example, staff supervising visits and providing transport.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is well maintained and located in a quiet residential area. Young people have their own personalised bedrooms with ample space. The lounge area is currently being redecorated; young people have chosen the decor, evidencing that their views are valued.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has fulfilled all the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection. She is currently looking to acquire further external opinion by appointing an additional independent person offering a new perspective of the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately run and provides emergency as well as long-term placements 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 19/07/2016 Full Good 07/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 01/07/2015 Full Requires improvement 28/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to the relationships between young people, the registered person to ensure that staff: (2)(a)(iv) Manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(vi)) 12/3/2017

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to impact risk assessments, the registered person to ensure that staff: (2)(a)(i) Assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s development plans, and if necessary, arrange to reduce risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(i)) 12/3/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Whenever possible, staff in day-to-day contact with children should include staff from different gender groups. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.22)  Staff should be skilled in understanding the range of influences that friendships can have and should encourage those with a positive impact and discourage those with a negative impact. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 36, paragraph 8.8)  As set out in Regulations 31–33: the registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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 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 0300 123 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, 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,

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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

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

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