Children's home run by Kids

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The number of new admissions to the home has not matched the number of young people who now require adult provision and have therefore moved on. In addition, the packages of care currently commissioned are typically rather less than those previously agreed for children who have been using the service. This has led to a period of consolidation of the service and some redundancies for staff. Inevitably, staff morale has suffered, and some members of staff have left to take up positions elsewhere. Nevertheless, the home has continued to provide a valuable service as evidenced by the responses of parents and children to evaluation surveys that have recently been undertaken. Observations made during the inspection were of staff attuned to the wishes and feelings of children. For example, staff responded appropriately to the non-verbal cues of a child who wanted to remain in her wheelchair rather than get out of it, as

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

is the normal routine after school. Children responded warmly in their interactions with staff and were happy in their care. Staff use their good relationships with children to encourage them to undertake tasks they may otherwise be reluctant to do, such as unpacking their belongings, and to avoid problematic behaviours. Leaders and managers have understandably focused on managing the difficult process of consulting the team regarding pending redundancies, supporting staff members to minimise their anxiety and ensuring that the service remains viable after completion of the process. This has meant that they have not given full attention to the requirements and recommendations of the last inspection. The manager has produced a revised statement of purpose and undertaken a regulation 45 review of care. These meet requirements, and HCMI has received them promptly. The manager has drawn up a placement plan for the most recent

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

child admitted, together with individual risk assessments, again within an acceptable time period. There are, however, some ambiguities within these risk assessments, such as the specific behaviours the child might display, what potential risks sensory issues may present, and lack of reference to equipment that staff should use to prevent him from running off while in the community. Only the author of children’s plans and assessments produced for the home signs the documents, even when parents have contributed to the writing of the documents. Also, there is no signing sheet for staff to complete once they have read them. It is therefore not possible to demonstrate that stakeholders in the care of the child agree to and understand the way in which the home intends to meet needs of that child. Staff are using a new format for the physical interventions log, and this new format is still bedding into practice; so far they have not always fully completed all the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

sections, and the manager missed reviewing one incident. A sanctions log has also been introduced. However, the format does not demonstrate that actions and timescales required by regulation have taken place or been adhered to, respectively. Although the manager has signed off each entry, she does not comment on whether the sanction was fair or if the general principles for behaviour management have been followed. The provider is still in the process of reviewing and revising its safeguarding policy in response to the recommendation made at the last inspection; it is therefore restated. Staff set targets for each child and were able to state what the current ones were for those using the service on the day of the inspection. Children make progress; sometimes this progress is very gradual, but it is still significant. For example, the diet of one child was restricted to a single food on his admission but in the ensuing

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

years has expanded to include many more. Other children have been helped to be able to make choices for themselves, such as what activities to do and the flavour of drink they would like. It is evident that the provider seeks to provide a service to children and their families who are under strain. Parents’ responses in evaluation exercises testify to the difference that having access to the short break and other services has had on them. This family-centred approach contributed to a decision to take the referral of an emergency placement, but accounts suggest that the manager came under considerable pressure from the placing authority. This led to a curtailing of the admissions process, and the gathering of essential information and consents was less robust than it should have been. The manager has drawn up a new complaints policy and procedure for the home that addresses complaints made by, or on behalf of, children. It has the same title

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

as a similar document for the whole organisation and is misdated, which could lead to confusion for staff looking for guidance. The document draws on lessons learned from the only complaint received since the last inspection, and it includes a new recording format that covers the nature of the grievance, the action taken and the outcome. The unusually poor condition of the file of the child who was involved in the complaint means that it is difficult to find all of the documentation to verify what is reported in the response to the complaint. In addition, as the home does not routinely write up and place on file all contact with others about children, there are gaps in the relevant records. However, the substance of the complaint itself was adequately addressed. The lack of recording of significant contact with others also means that case files do not demonstrate the work done to help young people to transition to other

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

services, most frequently when they become adults. In addition, personal information records (daily logs) that were case tracked for a young person during the inspection did not indicate that the ending of the placement was acknowledged with an event, presentation or saying of ‘goodbyes’. Staff do not routinely sign the personal information records and there are examples of errors in other documentation. These include attributing a significant phone call to the wrong person, not dating or misdating paperwork, and incomplete information in logs. Although none of this has been to the detriment of a child, there is a lack of accountability when authors are not clearly identified, and a risk of confusion for those seeking to understand historical events. The manager was able to explain a gap in a job applicant’s application as she asked about it at interview, but did not record the answer. However, the recruitment process is robust, particularly as it includes an observation of potential

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

employees working with children on a shift. The manager is seeking to improve liaison between day and night staff by linking named staff on each shift to cooperate over such matters as ensuring that documentation is filed appropriately. The premises continue to offer a wide variety of opportunities for children, including a garden full of equipment for them to enjoy, a soft room and a sensory room. Funding is still being sought to refurbish the bathrooms, which are now showing signs of being well worn.

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Information about this children's home

This home is operated by a charitable organisation and provides a short-breaks service for up to four children and young people at one time. Those placed have learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairments or a combination of these. The organisation provides other services to a similar client group from the same premises registered with the Care Quality Commission.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

27/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

23/02/2015 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 a description of the measure and its duration, details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure and the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. The registered person must ensure that within 48 hours the user has been spoken to about the measure; and signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within five days an addition is made to the record confirming that the child has been spoken to about the measure (Regulation 35 (3)(a-c)). In particular records must show that these timescales have been adhered to. 29/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain case records for each child, which are kept up to date and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(b) and (c)) 29/04/2017

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 The registered person has specific responsibilities to prepare and implement policies setting out arrangements for the safeguarding of children from abuse or neglect. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 44, paragraph 9.19) These should addresses the specific issues the home encounters, including the vulnerabilities of children with disabilities and communication issues.  Emergency admissions should not be taken unless the home’s statement of purpose and its capacity and support systems mean that it has the capability to care for children admitted at very short notice. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.6) In particular, the home should ensure that sufficient information is gathered and consents obtained to be able to care for the child.  The registered person should work with the placing authority to ensure that each

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Recommendations

child's transition is planned, and help each child to prepare for leaving both practically and emotionally. ('Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards', page 57, paragraph 11.9) This work should be adequately recorded.  Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. ('Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 14.4) This includes significant contact with others about the child.

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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’. 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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