Children's home run by Bristol City Council

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness . The registered manager has failed to take effective action to meet the requirements and recommendations made at the full inspection and consequently they are repeated from this inspection. These failings relate to the leadership and management of this short-break service. The registered manager resigned in November 2016 and, as an interim arrangement, an assistant manager is acting as the manager. This ensures some consistency for children, young people, parents and staff. However, the assistant manager lacks capacity to attend to the management tasks effectively as she is required to be available to children and young people during their stay and is unable to spend sufficient time on management duties. The statement of purpose reflects the change of management arrangements. However, this document does

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

not meet the requirements of the regulations. This service fails to adopt a robust approach to the monitoring and review of its operation. The outgoing registered manager failed to improve these systems following the previous inspection. The interim manager did not receive a thorough handover prior to the registered manager leaving and consequently has adopted many of the inadequate systems. For example, a monitoring checklist completed each month requires a date and a few words. This system does not allow for evaluation of the information checked or promote analysis of any changes required. In addition, this form refers to outdated legislation instead of the current regulations for children’s homes. Prior to leaving in November, the registered manager completed a six-month review of the service as required by regulation 45 for children’s homes. The review report was not sent to Ofsted; instead, Ofsted received the previous report from

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

April 2016. This administrative error is a reflection of the poor management of this service. During this interim inspection, the latest six-month review report was presented to the inspector. This report fails to focus on the quality of care provided and the impact that the care is having on outcomes and improvements for children and young people. The report lacks reference to the quality standards and fails to clearly identify any actions required for the next six months and how they will be addressed. This short-break service has benefited from monthly visits by an independent person to review the quality of care and report on her findings according to regulation 44. However, the last visit occurred on 28 November 2016 and the required visit did not happen in December. This shortfall has not been identified and, consequently, the reasons have not been explored as to why the visitor has not visited the service since November.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The local authority responsible for this service has failed to improve the environment. At the full inspection in August 2016 it was reported that funding was available to refurbish the kitchen. This included changing the commercial shutter (that acts as a fire shield) to a domestic-looking door to promote a more homely environment. One of the bathrooms has an old shower with foam protection over the pipes. In August 2016 it was reported that a new shower would be installed, resulting in the removal of the exposed pipes. There have been no changes to the kitchen or bathroom. A senior manager from the local authority reports that the budget has been suspended and that the money will be released in April 2017. Three team meetings have occurred since the last inspection, in October and December 2016, and most recently on 4 January 2017. Records of these meetings are very poor. They are handwritten notes, often illegible, without any structure to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

identify action points. These minutes fail to confirm who is responsible for any further action and do not specify a timescale. This failing was reported at the last inspection. Similarly, the previous inspection report comments on the suitability of the frequency of fire evacuation drills and states that, to improve these records, the time of the evacuation should be recorded. No action has occurred with regards to this recommendation. To support children and young people in making progress, there has been a review of their individual targets, and these are now referred to as their ‘achievements’. Each child has two or three targets and staff record ‘if met’, and ‘how supported to achieve them’. Many of these targets are not specific enough to measure progress and they have not been possible to achieve due to staff shortages. For example, one child’s target is recorded as accessing the community and diversity of activities

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

while staying at (this short-break service). Records state: ‘I have not been able to access the community due to staff shortages.’ The following three records state that the child did not go out due to staff shortages, having a cold or it being a cold and wet day. Managers and staff have failed to identify that this target is not being achieved and consequently no action has been taken to amend it. There are some good examples of recording children’s experiences and progress such as ‘group activity baking cakes, she engaged well with lots of eye contact tracking staff movement, lots of smiles and very alert’. Recording of children’s achievements is inconsistent and the lack of monitoring by leaders and managers fails to address this shortfall. There is an improvement to the review and analysis of children and young people’s care records and risk assessments. Following an incident, a review of care practices

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

led to contact with all parents to obtain an up-to-date description of how their children express pain. In addition, communication systems are available for each child such as signing and picture symbols on cards. These aids enable children and young people to express when they are in pain and to alert staff to the cause. Staff report that the interim manager is working hard to make improvements and delegating tasks to ensure that the team works together. An area of improvement is where children’s meetings are evidenced with photographs and a display in the hall. Staff utilise their skills and experience to communicate effectively with children and young people to establish their views, likes and dislikes. Carefully planned transitions to this short-break service enable children and young people to settle at a pace to suit their needs. A gradual increase in visits, and staying for tea, allow familiarisation to build and for the child and their parents (or

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

carers) to be confident in the quality of care provided. Children and young people benefit from their short-break experiences where they are cared for by experienced staff, some of whom are qualified nurses, in a safe environment. Unacceptable behaviour is managed well, avoiding the need for physical intervention. Staff are patient and calm, supporting children and young people when they are distressed. Staff develop positive relationships with parents, carers and professionals and communicate well with them. The failings identified from this inspection are due to the weak leadership and management of the service. The local authority is in the process of recruiting a registered manager to address the actions required to improve.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide short breaks for up to five children who have physical disabilities and/or learning difficulties. It is operated by the local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

02/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 Interim Sustained 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, the 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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered person must – (2)(c)(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. 30/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must – (2)(a) lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose; (2)(f) understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; (2)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 31/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

16: Statement of purpose (1) The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (‘the statement of purpose’) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. 28/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports (1) The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. 31/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

45: Review of quality of care 30/04/2017 (2) In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating – (a) the quality of care provided for children; (c) any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. (3) After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (‘the quality of care review report’).

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Recommendation

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:

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Recommendation

 Ensure that children’s targets are promoted to encourage them to achieve their potential and beyond. In particular, ensure that these targets are achievable and measurable. The registered person is responsible for leading a team which provides high-quality care for all children in the home. They must lead and manage the home in a way that delivers the ethos, outcomes and approach set out in the home’s statement of purpose. They should also play a key role in shaping the ethos of the home through developing culture of high aspiration for children which is demonstrated through the care, resources and opportunities offered to the children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.4)

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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 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 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 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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