Children's home run by Positive Cycle Limited in Bristol, City of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged inadequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection the home was 'not judged' .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This children’s home has received two inadequate judgements where compliance notices have previously been issued. Due to the serious and widespread concerns identified at previous inspections a restriction notice has been in force since 19 August 2016 and subsequently has been extended. The purpose of this visit was to monitor progress against the action plan that was proposed in response to the requirements from the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the monitoring visit on 20 October 2016, the two young people who were living at this home have moved on. The restriction notice has been complied with and no children or young people have lived in this home since 25 October 2016. The registered person submitted a voluntary cancellation of her registration as manager of this home on 27 October 2016 and, as the proprietor, she retains her role as responsible individual.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered person met with Ofsted on 14 November 2016 to propose an action plan to address the failings. It was agreed to permit the responsible individual time to take the steps detailed in the action plan, specifically to recruit a manager and to recruit a full staff team with the skills knowledge and training required to meet the specific needs of the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new manager had been appointed and commenced in post on 23 January 2017. The manager was present throughout this monitoring visit. Recruitment for full-time, permanent residential staff is progressing well; appointments have been offered, subject to suitable references, and some further interviews are planned. To assist with the implementation of the action plan, the registered person has commissioned an experienced consultant to work with her in improving this provision. To date, this has involved a two-day visit and extensive review of policies and other documentation. The inspector found that the majority of documentation has been reviewed. Key documents such as the safeguarding policy, behaviour management policy and the statement of purpose had yet to be finalised at the time of this inspection visit, they have subsequently been submitted to Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered person has visited another children’s home and secured membership of a national organisation. The registered person reports that this has been very useful in addressing the isolation of being a lone provider. The registered person has made plans to visit other children’s homes that are judged to be ‘outstanding’ in order to observe good practice and implement some examples into the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The environment has improved with the installation of a new front door to replace the damaged one. Doors in the communal areas of the home have been fitted with mechanisms that allow them to be propped open; this means that staff can supervise young people without compromising fire safety. The inspector found that decoration is still required for internal doors where signage has been removed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During a tour of the property, the inspector saw that three bedrooms have two beds in each room, a reflection of its former use as a guest house. The registered person reports that the excess beds can be removed and stored in order to ensure that the bedrooms are suitable and welcoming for young people. Each bedroom is en-suite. The manager has plans to prepare welcome packs for young people that will include towels and toiletries.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered person has improved the recruitment process and utilised some learning from safer recruitment training. However, the inspector found that it is not yet sufficiently robust. The interview notes provide a key to the scoring system, yet fail to provide the total that is required for an applicant to be offered employment. Interview records are inconsistent as some do not have the total score recorded. These omissions fail to evidence the assessment of suitability. The registered person and another senior member of staff have completed training in safer recruitment practice. The manager has yet to complete this training. She has experience of managing and working with vulnerable young people and young adults and consequently has received training in safeguarding prior to this employment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

With assistance from the consultant, the registered person and the manger have identified systems for effective monitoring and review in the home. There are currently no young people in placement and no staff working in the home, these systems will be implemented when the home is operational. The registered person is currently producing a review of the home and will report under regulation 45.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An independent visitor has continued to come to the home each month to meet the visiting requirements of regulation 44. With input from the consultant a new form has been devised to report on these visits.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered person has complied with the restriction notice and made progress with the appointment of a manager and a consultant. A staff team has yet to be confirmed and many documents have yet to be implemented. As the home is not fully operational there is insufficient evidence to confirm that previous requirements are met. The registered person has demonstrated capacity to improve and made good progress against the action plan. The registered person and the manager are required to inform Ofsted of their intention to become operational.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/09/2016 Full Inadequate 10/08/2016 Full Inadequate

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which 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 with 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;

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Requirement Due date

(2)(c) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to – (i) meet the needs of each child. In particular, decorate the doors where signage has been removed. 31/03/2017

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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 staff;

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Requirement Due date

2)(a)(i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child's relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. In particular, ensure written risk assessments incorporate known risks.

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Requirement Due date

(vii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home's child protection policies. In particular, report young people who go missing to the police and arrange return-to home interviews as specified in the policy for when young people who go missing. 31/03/2017

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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)(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; (c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; (d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child; 31/03/2017 (e) ensure that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child; (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; (g) demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on— (i) research and developments in relation to the ways in

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Requirement Due date

which the needs of children are best met; and (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 33: Employment of staff 4) The registered person must ensure that all employees- (a) undertake appropriate professional development (b) receive practice related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(a,b)) 31/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

(3) The registered person must ensure that - (a) within 24 hours of the use of the measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes-

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Requirement Due date

(i) the name of the child; (ii) details of the child's behaviour leading to the use of the measure; (iii) the date, time and location of the use of the measure; (iv) a description of the measure and its duration; (v) details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; (vi) the name of the person who used the measure (the user), and of any other person present when the measure was used; (vii) the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. In particular this applies to the record of any sanctions. (Regulation 35 (1)(b)(3)(a)(i-vii)) 31/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

36: Children's case records 1) The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which— 31/03/2017 (a) include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child. In particular, this should include a copy of any plan for the care of the child prepared by the child's placing authority, and of the placement plan. (Schedule 3, 19) (Regulation 36 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

40: Notification of a serious event 4) The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if- (b) an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)) 31/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

(1) The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (a quality of care review) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

(4) The registered person must- (a) supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1)(4)(a)) 31/03/2017

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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- (1)(a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home (2)(c) the registered person must ensure that each child’s relevant plans are followed. 31/03/2017

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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 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 0300123 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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children 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

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

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