Children's home run by Inroads Essex Limited in Mid Suffolk

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged as good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although some requirements remain or are similar to those set at the last inspection, the manager has addressed the majority of the shortfalls. The manager continues to prioritise effectively, ensuring that the children receive highly personalised care that meets their individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children experience a settled, nurturing home in which they thrive. The staff have high aspirations, and as a result all of the children make significant progress from their individual starting points. For example, one staff member said about one child, „It‟s amazing to see his progress. It‟s above and beyond what one could ever expect; we had no sense of the achievements he would make.‟ The children all grow in confidence, and are more able to control their environment through improved communication. One staff member said, „There‟s a real sense of achievement in helping the children grow and develop, and show their personalities.‟ A particularly strong example of the progress children make is reflected by one child who on admission was immobile, doubly incontinent, had very little speech and was not attending school. As a direct result of the support and guidance of the staff, they have made phenomenal progress over the past two

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

years. The child can use the toilet and attend school. They know their colours, their left and right hands and they are working on learning how to tell the time. Furthermore, they now joyfully run about everywhere, constantly telling staff what to do.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The parents have confidence in the staff and say their children feel safe and happy. When talking about staff, parents and partner professionals use terms such as „genuinely caring‟, „enthusiastic‟ and „energetic people‟. One parent said, „There‟s a high level of personal involvement from the staff which goes above and beyond.‟ They described how three staff gave up their personal time to support them and their child have a brilliant birthday party. The parents and partner professionals rate the care as „amazing‟ and „brilliant‟. They said:

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

 „It‟s a brilliant home.‟  „Staff have real genuine empathy and concern for her well-being.‟  „It‟s nice to see, when we turn up unannounced, all the fun that they‟re having.‟  „They have her best interests at heart. They genuinely care for her.‟  „They‟re so committed to him, they are like a family. They genuinely care and want what‟s best for him.‟  „They show real affection towards him.‟ The staff and the manager work well in partnership with others to improve the children‟s experiences and outcomes. For example, one child who had been out of school for two years before placement has been successfully progressing through a phased reintegration into school. This is as direct result of the manager‟s strong advocacy regarding the child‟s right to a suitable education and the staff‟s creativity and flexibility. Another example of this is the two staff provided by the home for over a year, specifically to support this child‟s reintegration. The child says they

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

now like school and tell staff they have had a „good day‟. The headteacher said, „The staff are very good at thinking outside of the box. Without their support, he would not be in school.‟

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Significant events are rare, and there have been no incidents of children going missing, safeguarding concerns or complaints since the last inspection. The staff are alert to and know how to raise any concerns regarding the children‟s well- being. The children indicate that they feel safe. They have strong bonds with the staff, and enjoy snuggling up for a cuddle and asking for particular activities with their favourite staff members. One teacher said, „The level of care is very good. The children come into school happy and leave happy.‟

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No formal sanctions are used, and the staff work closely with behaviour specialists. They seek to understand why the children behave in the ways that they do, helping the child find alternatives to negative behaviour and identifying how best to support them. This, in conjunction with consistent boundaries given and improvements in the children‟s personal communication, means that all of the children, for the majority of the time, present as calmer than they did pre- placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Due to the complex needs of the children placed, suitably trained staff use appropriate physical restraint when any child presents as highly challenging and displaying unsafe behaviour. There is no evidence to suggest that physical restraint is used punitively or inappropriately. However, recording of such incidents is not always of a sufficiently high quality and does not meet the standards set by regulation. For example, on occasion, it is not clear from the records the type or length of hold used, or that the threshold for restraint has been met. The management review of these incidents has not identified these shortfalls and therefore has not always been sufficiently robust. It is essential that there is a thorough review of all incidents to ensure that the use of physical intervention is appropriate and that the child has always received suitable support and that opportunities for learning are fully utilised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitions into and from the home are well planned and, as a result, placement breakdowns are very rare. The one child who has moved into an adult residential service was well supported throughout their transition. This helped reduce both their and their family‟s anxieties about the change.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff vetting procedures and arrangements for the assessment of the staff‟s ongoing suitability have improved. The organisation has now established processes to ensure the proper translation of employment checks when the staff are directly employed from outside the UK. Criminal records checks are now to be undertaken at suitable intervals. This enables effective auditing of the staff recruitment process, with a clear understanding of how decisions regarding suitability are reached. The staff training arrangements have improved. Staff are very positive about the training and the support that they receive, and which helps them maintain their knowledge and resilience when dealing with challenging situations. The vast majority of the staff have completed training in epilepsy awareness. This enables them to support the day-to-day needs of the children effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The building is a spacious detached house with appropriate living space. The staff help the children to reflect their individuality in the decor of their rooms, while continuing to provide accommodation which meets their particular needs. However, the building has been subject to some damage, which has yet to be fully repaired. Some of the décor appears tired, and the lounge carpets are stained. There is also an odour of urine in particular areas of the home. Since the last inspection, fire prevention arrangements have improved, thus promoting the children‟s safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring systems are in place, and the manager has a clear sense of the strengths and areas for development within the service. However, there is no documented review of the quality of care provided over the past six months. This means that the manager‟s aspirations and plans are not effectively documented and shared to give an effective overview or to drive improvement. It also means that there is no opportunity to celebrate the home‟s many achievements effectively utilised. There are now appropriate arrangements for an independent person to visit the home monthly. However, the reports of the visits do not state the visitor‟s opinion as to whether the children are effectively safeguarded or their well-being promoted. Copies of the most recent visitor‟s reports have not been provided to the registered manager. While this does not directly impact on the care provided, it does impact on the effectiveness of the independent, constructive feedback for

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

While some requirements and recommendations have been set at this inspection, these do not negatively impact on the children‟s outcomes and experiences. Their individual progress and experiences remain strong. The home is making a positive difference to these vulnerable children and their families.

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Information about this children's home

The home is a privately owned residential service for up to six children who have learning difficulties and who may display some challenging behaviour. It is one of a small range of local services operated by the organisation and its sister company providing support to children and adults who have learning disabilities. The home provides primarily long-term care. However, it continues to provide shared care for a very small number of children.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/09/2016 Full Good 01/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 04/06/2015 Full Good 02/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes— (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; and (viii) a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)) 31/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the independent person produces a report about the visit 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. A copy of the independent person‟s report must be provided to the registered manager. (Regulation (44(4)(a)(b)(7)(d)) 14/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every six months. 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”).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. (Regulation 45 (1)(3)(4)(a)) 14/04/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Provide a nurturing and supportive, homely and domestic environment that meets the needs of the children. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

In particular, ensure that the home is odour free, the carpet is of suitable quality and the damages to the walls are repaired.

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair and the above principles as set out in 9.35 are respected. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 36, paragraph 9.36)

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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‟. procedures set out in 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

regulates and inspects to 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

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Information about this inspection

Policy Team, 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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