Children's home run by ARC Adventure (Sussex) Ltd in Sutton

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness . There has been no change to the group of young people living in the home since the last inspection. They are all making some degree of progress in placement. For example, they are now attending education as planned. Young people are mostly settled in the home and they all enjoy some positive relationships with staff. One young person is due to move on to foster care in the coming weeks. He said that he was excited about this, but sad to leave the staff. His social worker commented that the staff had ‘done a good job’ for him. Young people gave positive accounts about the home, but also said that they often struggle to get on as a group. Social workers, in general, are happy with the home, but some do have reservations about the progress that their placed children are making. Care plans are unclear, and one sampled for a young person who is

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

currently experiencing extreme challenges has not been updated since March 2016. This indicates insufficient management monitoring and oversight of young people’s progress. It also fails to provide staff with worthwhile guidance about how best to support the young person. Since the last inspection, there has been a significant safeguarding concern, which has led to some staff being suspended. The investigation into the issue also highlighted that at least three staff had given their personal mobile number to a young person. While staff have since re-signed agreements regarding their personal and professional boundaries with young people, it indicates that they had not been made aware that this was unacceptable when starting employment within the organisation. The responsible individual has commissioned an investigation via the organisation’s external human resources provider to determine both how to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

conclude the matter and how best to take practice forward. An area of major concern is that the designated officer within the local authority was not informed of these concerns until several weeks after staff first alerted the managers to this. This is recognised as a failure on the part of the responsible individual. Additionally, with regards to safeguarding, new staff who have moved to permanent contracts from an external agency have not had their references verified. Managers have also failed to undertake a full risk assessment for staff with positive information on their DBS check. Staff are not working as a team with regards to behaviour management. There is a schism on how best to support one young person in particular. Recorded sanctions have been unnecessarily harsh at times, for example, removing all the toys and games that he enjoys. Entries in the sanctions records are often worded in a manner that suggests that staff are angry or frustrated with the young person or

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that reflects their lack of impact on his behaviour. The responsible individual has recognised this issue and halted removal of toys as a sanction. However, staff are yet to be directed in other ways in which to manage his behaviour. Managers have not yet arranged training in autism awareness, despite it being identified as necessary several months ago. Neither have they arranged for the young person’s therapist to meet with staff, as was suggested in a professionals meeting in December 2016. Staff are aware of the potential for confrontation between young people, but were observed to leave young people together unsupervised during the inspection. Staff do have some excellent skills in caring for young people and are mostly enthusiastic in their roles. The responsible individual identified that they are currently lacking suitable management and, as a result, have taken to managing themselves. This is leading to a disorganised home, which is not working

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

cohesively. The responsible individual is seeking to strengthen the team and to give it direction through utilising experienced staff from another home in the organisation. He has not utilised the opportunity to provide direct input himself, and should review his own learning to be able to do so in the future. The external audit of the home, it is hoped, will also direct the management in how to improve and strengthen structures and processes. The one requirement set at the last inspection has not been met and nor have two of the three recommendations. This has led to a repeated requirement and recommendations in addition to others set as a result of significant shortfalls identified at this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to five children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

26/01/2015 Interim Declined in 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

11: The positive relationships standard In order to meet the positive relationships standard, the registered provider must ensure that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on – (b) an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and (c) positive responses to other children and adults. (2)(a) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure 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; (v) communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands

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Requirement Due date

those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding; (vi) help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful; (vii) help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship; (viii) strive to gain each child’s respect and trust; (ix) understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour 03/03/2017 and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children; (x) are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same; (xi) de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or

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Requirement Due date

potentially violent behaviour by children; (xii) understand and communicate to children that bullying is unacceptable; and (xiii) have the skills to recognise incidents or indications of bullying and how to deal with them; and (b) that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. In particular staff must have the skills to meet the needs of the children living in the home, work consistently together to manage behaviour, use appropriate sanctions which do not negatively impact on the child’s emotional well-being, and recognise and prevent bullying in the home.

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered provider must ensure that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. (2) In particular, the standard requires the registered person to ensure – (a) that staff (including managers) – (ii) help each child to understand how to keep safe; (iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; (v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and (vii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. In particular, the registered person must inform external statutory bodies of any safeguarding concerns within the home when they 03/03/2017 arise.

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. (2)(a) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure – (vii) that staff are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; (b) that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm; (e) that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff do not contact children via their personal mobile telephones and that children do not have access to staff’s personal phone numbers. 03/03/2017

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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)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. In particular, the registered person must review policies to ensure that they are up to date and refer to current regulations, guidance and professional bodies. 03/03/2017

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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 enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that – (a) helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and (b) promotes their welfare. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to – (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 03/03/2017 home’s statement of purpose; (b) ensure that staff work as a team when appropriate; (c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

14: The care planning standard In order to meet the care planning standard, the registered person must ensure that children – (a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and (b) have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure – (a) that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose; (b) that arrangements are in place to – (ii) manage and review the placement of each child in the home. In particular, the registered person must review and update in- house care plans after any child looked after review, and when behaviour significantly changes. 03/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider is an organisation, the organisation must ensure that the responsible individual undertakes such continuing professional development as is necessary to ensure that the responsible individual has the skills needed for supervising the management of the home. (Regulation 29(2)) 03/03/2017

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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 registered person may only employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or, if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home if the individual satisfies the 03/03/2017 requirements in paragraph (3) –  the individual is of integrity and good character. (Regulation 32(1)(2)(a)) In particular, the registered person must follow safer recruitment practice with regards to the verification of references and, when necessary, complete thorough pre-employment risk assessments for staff whose DBS check is not clear.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33(4)(a)) In particular, the registered person must train staff in understanding autism. 03/03/2017

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 Refer to the ‘Managing medicines in care homes’ (March 2014) guideline that applies across both health and social care to determine procedures for recording and monitoring controlled medication. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.17)  Encourage children to see the home’s records as ‘living documents’ supporting them to view and contribute to the records in a way that reflects their voice on a regular basis. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 58, paragraph 11.19) In particular, develop in-house care plans to reflect children’s and young people's views and ideas as well as their cultures and identities.

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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. Whenever 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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