Children's home run by City of York Council

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three of the five recommendations made at the previous inspection are not met and a further four requirements have been raised at this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The local authority is operating an unregistered children’s home sited close to this registered provision. Prior to the inspection, the regulator was not aware of its existence. Consequently, the registration procedures that are required by legislation to ensure the safety and well-being of young people are incomplete. The provider understands that swift action to address this breach of regulations is now required. However, it is clear that the action taken to set up this bespoke accommodation is in the best interest of the young people concerned and in response to unforeseen circumstances. It is also evident that staff have worked hard to make sure that the accommodation and care provided within this additional setting is of a good standard. A member of staff said, ‘Young people are much more settled since they have moved to the house.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The statement of purpose about this short-stay service does not outline how the ongoing professional development and training needs of staff are addressed. As a result, stakeholders are not in receipt of this information. Nor is Ofsted updated about changes to this document within the required timescales. This omission undermines the accountability of those responsible for the day-to-day management of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The system to ensure appropriate review and update of the home’s policies and procedures is also not established. This increases the likelihood of staff not being informed of developments in care, thereby hindering continuous improvement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A proforma to ensure that the details of what information is verified when staff references are checked is not in place. As a result, the outcome of this aspect of vetting is unclear. These shortfalls remain so the previous recommendations are still unmet.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Social workers now routinely sign the risk assessments for children and young people. This means that there is shared understanding and agreement about the action that staff take to keep children and young people safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A contingency plan about what to do in the event of a shortfall of staff is now included within the home’s statement of purpose. This means that information is available, making clear what the home intends to do in these circumstances. These developments meet previous recommendations. However, it is not clear how parents and others are aware of any updates to this document. This means that those using the service are not informed about changes in how the home operates.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A number of administrative errors have resulted in children and young people not receiving their medication as prescribed. While this has not resulted in any significant harm to children or young people, these issues demonstrate a need for the provider to review medication policies and procedures to reduce the risks of any further occurrences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ofsted does not receive reports of visits carried out by an independent person within the required timescales. Neither do these reports demonstrate rigorous evaluation about what the home does to ensure children and young people’s safety and welfare. This means that opportunities to highlight and further develop care practice are overlooked. This delay is also reflected in the receipt of the manager’s six-monthly management report reviewing the quality of care. The report was made available during the inspection. It does not evaluate the difference that the home makes to improving outcomes for children and young people. It is not clear how consultation with children and young people about their care, or how any areas of strength or further development are addressed and by when. This oversight significantly hinders continuous improvement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An effective system is in place to respond to complaints. All concerns are taken seriously and a transparent approach is evident, helping reassure all parties involved that a fair system is in place. This means that lessons are learned, which in turn help to improve the running of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have experienced practical support from the management team during a challenging period. Since the previous inspection, the registered manager has retired and interim management arrangements are currently in place. Plans are also in place for a permanent manager to join the home in March. Staff feel well supported as a result of increased flexibility and improving the timing of team meetings. This means that staff are able to contribute, which helps to improve morale and promotes a consistent approach. A member of staff said, ‘A new manager coming in has not been as difficult as we anticipated. In fact, it has been really good. He is very honest and he has worked alongside us. I think that staff have coped really well.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide good support to children and young people that enables them to communicate their needs in a variety of ways. For example, by providing individualised care, staff get to know each child and young person well, enabling staff to understand their non-verbal cues. In addition, children and young people receive good assistance from staff so they can use their personal communication devices. This approach respects children and young people’s rights to make choices and influence the care they receive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a good understanding of children and young people’s interests, skills and abilities. Staff provide them with the opportunities to take part in activities and pastimes that they enjoy. This means that children and young people enjoy their short breaks in addition to promoting their social and emotional development. A member of staff said, ‘We had a lovely Christmas. Children and young people made decorations and cards, and we took them to see a special house that puts on a big light display, and we had a lovely Christmas dinner.’

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to eight children and young people who have physical and/or and learning disabilities. It is owned and operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/07/2016 Full Good 29/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/10/2015 Full Good 30/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a the statement of purpose which covers the matters listed in schedule 1.The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and notify HMCI of any revision and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. Details of the experience and qualifications of staff, including any staff commissioned to provide education or health care. Details of the management and staffing structure of the home, including arrangements for the professional supervision of staff, including staff that provide education or health care. (Regulation 16 (1)(3)(a)(b)) In particular, ensure that stakeholders are informed about any changes to this document. 28/4/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23(1))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the medication policy and procedures are reviewed and that staff receive training that enables them to comply with any revised practice relating to this. 28/4/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once each month. The independent person must produce a report about a visit (‘the independent person's report’) which sets out, in particular, the independent person's opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the home promotes children's well-being. (Regulation 44(1) and (4))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure rigorous assessment and evaluation demonstrating how the independent person arrives at an opinion about what the home does to keep children and young people safety and welfare. Ensure the report is submitted to Ofsted no 28/4/2017 later than the end of the month following the month in which the visit was conducted. 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

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating– the quality of care provided for children; the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

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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Requirement Due date

The registered person must— 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.

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Requirement Due date

The system must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 45(1)(2)(a)(b)(c)(3)(4)(a)(5)) 28/4/2017

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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

 The registered person should have a workforce plan. The plan should detail the processes and agreed timescales for staff to achieve induction, probation and any core training (such as safeguarding, health and safety and mandatory qualifications) Detail the process for managing and improving poor performance. Detail the process and timescales for supervision of practice. The plan should be updated to include any new training and qualifications completed by staff while working at the home, and used to record the ongoing training and continuing professional development needs of staff – including the home's manager. In particular, that this is reflected within the home’s statement of purpose. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53 paragraph 10.8)

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Recommendations

 The registered person is responsible for ensuring that all staff consistently follow the home's policies and procedures for the benefit of the children in the home's care. Everyone working at the home must understand their roles and responsibilities and what they are authorised to decide on their own initiative. There should be clear lines of accountability. Each home must have clear arrangements in place to maintain effective management when the manager is absent, off duty or on leave. In particular, that a system is established to update the home’s policies and procedures, making clear how staff are to be informed of any updates regarding these. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54 paragraph 10.20)

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Recommendations

 The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular, devise a proforma that makes clear the outcome of reference verification. (‘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 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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