Children's Home, Residential special school run by MacIntyre Care in Buckinghamshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement 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

This interim inspection was carried out over two days. Following the first inspection visit in November 2016, further information was received prior to the report being finished. In line with Ofsted policies and procedures, the inspection was deemed incomplete and a third inspection day took place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An investigation by the appropriate authority into a serious incident that occurred at the setting in 2015 has concluded. No further action was taken by the authority in respect of this matter. A previous requirement relating to fire safety had been addressed. However, after the first day of this inspection, on 13 December 2016, a visit by a fire officer from the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority was carried out. The fire officer found deficiencies in the fire safety arrangements. These included poor maintenance of fire doors and door furniture as well as inadequacies in the fire risk assessments and the preventative and protective measures. By the second day of this inspection, some of the deficiencies had been resolved and clear plans had been drawn up to address the remaining issues. However, it is of concern that the provider does not take a consistently proactive approach to meeting its responsibilities in relation to fire

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recruitment processes for care staff seek to ensure that applicants are suitable people to be working with the young people. The recruitment process for non-care staff is not as thorough. Police checks and reference checks are undertaken on non- care staff. However, documentary evidence of the person’s identity is not maintained, full employment histories are not requested and the reasons for the individual leaving a job that involved working with children or vulnerable adults are not established. Additionally, neither of the two latter issues is detailed as being required in the recruitment policy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall there have been improvements in the quality and accuracy of record-keeping. Care plans are individualised to young people’s needs and preferences. While practice is reviewed following an incident, any changes that are made to care practices are not always recorded. This leaves the potential for similar incidents to occur.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

For young people who move on from the home there has been an improvement in ensuring that transitions are well planned. This includes strongly challenging local authorities, if required, to make sure that plans are developed and fully implemented. The manager and staff are fully involved in ensuring that a move out of the home goes as smoothly as possible for the young person. Staff work with the new provider/placement to make certain that all relevant information about the young person is known and understood. This provides young people with the best possible start to the new chapter in their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recommendation relating to incidents of young people hurting themselves by headbutting windows in the houses has been met. The glass in the specific windows has been replaced with Perspex in order to reduce the risk of young people harming themselves. There are high levels of damage to the fixtures and fittings in the home due to the young people’s behaviours; generally, any damage is quickly remedied. There are continued improvements in the quality of the environment of the houses. These improvements are due to a rolling programme of refurbishment that includes the renovation of kitchens and bathrooms. Young people’s bedrooms are highly personalised to meet the needs and preferences of individuals. For example, some rooms are vibrant and stimulating, while others cater for young people who fare better in a less stimulating environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good progress has been made in meeting a requirement that was made at the last inspection. This requirement pertained to all staff having or working towards a level three qualification. However, some staff’s training in food hygiene and in providing effective support to a young person who has epilepsy is overdue. A recommendation about job descriptions for staff has been met and this means that the management’s expectations of the staff are clearly set out.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

While the manager undertakes regular monitoring activities, she does not gather the views of others to inform her assessment of the quality of care that is provided. In addition, the reports made by the independent visitor following their visits contain some inaccurate information. Such shortfalls compromise the value and impact of monitoring arrangements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person’s wishes regarding their move into the home underpin their plan of introduction. Young people have a series of planned visits before they move in and through these they become familiar with the surroundings, the carers and the young people they will be living with. Information about young people is now being used effectively when decisions are made about which house is best placed to meet their needs. Areas of risk are planned for effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use a range of means to support young people to communicate. Young people are empowered to make their feelings understood. Staff also support the young people to understand what is being asked of them. This helps the young people to make the best of their time in the home. Considering the complexity of the young people’s needs, the progress they make is good. For example, one young person has been provided with an electronic communication system. He is thriving because he is now able to communicate with others successfully. Another young person – who, on arrival, refused to have his hair cut or washed, his teeth cleaned or his nails cut – now allows staff to wash his hair, clean his teeth and use a brush and file on his nails.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Due to the extreme behaviours of some young people, there is use of seclusion. This is in response to physical challenge to staff or another young person, or self-injurious behaviour. Its use is reducing and it is now only applied when other strategies to prevent a situation escalating have not been successful. Incidents of seclusion have been proportionate to risk and have taken place for the shortest time possible to ensure that the young person and those around them are safeguarded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people move freely around their house. Staff are attentive to them and know their needs and preferences well. Young people were smiling and laughing and generally seemed pleased to be at home with the staff who were caring for them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people do not go missing in the conventional sense, but there have been two instances of young people wandering off from their house. In response to these incidents, improvements were made in the staffing and supervision arrangements for young people and in the security arrangements for the site.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people take part in the many activities that are arranged in the houses and on and off the school site. During the inspection, the young people were observed to be enjoying the atmosphere after the school day. Some young people were relaxing in their room after the school day, others were having a cuddle with staff and listening to music or were playing on electronic games consoles. They also enjoy using the trampolines and playing in the gardens. There are trips out into the community and some young people gain pleasure from just going out for a walk with staff. A youth club was held on the evening of the inspection and some young people eagerly went off to join their peers for the evening. They spent their time there happily dancing to the music and playing on the bouncy castle.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s health needs are well managed. Information and assessments about a young person’s care that have been carried out by other professionals are now incorporated into the young person’s care plan. This forms a sound basis for guiding staff in their care of the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff’s awareness of the effective management of young people who experience epileptic fits has improved. Care is underpinned by epilepsy protocols that staff are aware of and implement. The manager periodically tests individual staff members about their knowledge of these protocols. In addition, there are prompts around the premises to remind staff that a young person who has epilepsy should never be left unattended in the bath. Thought has now been given to how staff would deal with a young person who has a seizure while there is an evacuation of the building in progress. As a result, the organisation has purchased chairs that would enable a young person who was experiencing a seizure to be evacuated safely. Young people have extremely complex needs and are highly vulnerable to harm. Their needs in relation to their day-to-day safety are assessed and they have appropriate levels of supervision to ensure that they are kept as safe as possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding issues and other incidents are dealt with effectively to ensure the safety and well-being of all. Safeguarding issues are referred to the relevant professionals within the local authority and notified to Ofsted; appropriate action is taken in conjunction with advice from professionals who have responsibility for safeguarding children and young people. There have been improvements in the quality of the locality risk assessment as the manager has consulted with other agencies and professionals about the neighbourhood. Complaints are dealt with effectively and efficiently. Parents have offered the home a number of compliments which commend staff for the care and support that they have provided for their children.

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Information about this children’s home

This service is a residential special school that is registered as a children’s home for young people who have severe learning disabilities. It is run by a large independent organisation. The school accommodates up to 40 young people in seven separate houses, usually on the basis of a 52-week placement.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/05/2016 Full Requires improvement 17/11/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/06/2015 Full Requires improvement 01/12/2014 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, 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

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, they may only allow that individual to work at the home – if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3). The requirements are that the individual is of integrity and good character; the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform; the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2; this

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Requirement Due date

relates to all individuals working for the purposes of the children’s home who have contact with the children living there. (Regulation 32(1)(2)(3)) 30/04/2017

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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. 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

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. This is with specific reference to ensuring that the views of other people are 30/04/2017 considered as part of the review. (Regulation 45(1)(b) and (5))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must take adequate precautions against the risk of fire. This is with specific reference to addressing all deficiencies found by the fire officer and ensuring that the system for monitoring safe safety matters are effective. (Regulation 25(1)) 31/03/2017

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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

 Ensure that any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person makes a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care. With reference to ensuring that information contained within the report is accurate and clearly set out. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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Recommendations

 Staff should understand factors that affect children’s motivation to behave in a socially acceptable way. Staff should encourage an enthusiasm for positive behaviour through the use of positive behaviour strategies in line with the child’s relevant plans. This is with specific reference to ensuring that plans are updated in writing. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.13)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs, and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. This is with specific reference to ensuring that when training or updated training is required this is provided without delay. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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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 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

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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