Children's Home run by Future In Mind Limited in Staffordshire

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was last inspected in August 2016. Two requirements were raised. One has been met. The home is judged to have declined in effectiveness, and four requirements and two recommendations are raised.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The emergency lights are now checked regularly and are located in line with the fire risk assessment. As a result, the home is protected against the risk of fire. The staff roster is now clear in identifying the whereabouts of all staff, including the manager. As a result, staff and the young person know when the manager is on duty.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is no record of the total balance of money saved for a young person, because records of money saved into a bank account are not on his file. The manager confirms that the staff have deposited savings into his account. However, there is no evidence to substantiate this. As a result, the finances of the young person are not protected, leaving open the potential for financial abuse. This requirement has been raised again.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No action has been taken to refer an allegation against staff to the appropriate safeguarding agencies. Staff did not respond appropriately correctly in regard to child protection procedures following the allegation from a young person. An internal investigation took place without the oversight or advice of the safeguarding team. The home’s child protection policies are out of date and do not refer to changes in current legislation. This fails to protect the young person from abuse.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager did not notify Ofsted without delay about the allegation against a staff member working at the home. Information required to be shared was significantly delayed. This impacts on any action that may be required of the home by Ofsted.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During school hours, staff are supporting the education staff by assisting a young person from the home. There have been occasions when school staff and home staff have had to use physical intervention together to keep the young person safe, or others safe from him. However, there is no evidence to demonstrate how the risk of the use of physical intervention will be managed, or that all staff are trained in the same techniques. This does not guarantee the safety of the young person when home and school staff are using physical intervention.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been changes to the management arrangements since the last inspection. The registered manager resigned in October 2016. A new manager was appointed. She is suitably skilled, experienced and qualified.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person continues to sustain his placement. The staff work in partnership with the education staff to support his education plan. Although this has proved extremely challenging, the young person has made progress in returning to education on a full-time basis. However, recently his attendance has decreased again due to challenging behaviour.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to promote good health and well-being for the young person. Staff take appropriate action to refer health issues to the relevant services. This makes sure that the young person has access to services that meet his needs. The young person has enjoyed a holiday with staff and is planning for his next one. As a result, the young person enjoys his time at the home.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This home is owned by a private company and provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The service provides a specialist therapeutic programme, and staff practise therapeutic techniques under the supervision of a qualified therapist.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 09/08/2016 Full Good 23/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/01/2016 Full Good 05/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

12. The protection of children standard:

p.5

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure—

p.5

Requirement Due date

(2)(a) that staff: (iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm. (v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (vii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. 31/03/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep under review and, as necessary, revise the home's child protection policies. (Regulation 34(6)) 31/03/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4 and ensure that the records are kept up to date. This is in relation to the young people’s finances. (Regulation 37 (2)(a)(b) Schedule 4 (7)) 31/03/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)) 10/03/2017

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure the registered person is responsible for ensuring that all their staff have been adequately trained in the principles of restraint and any restraint techniques appropriate to the needs of the children the home is set up to care for as defined in the home's Statement of Purpose. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 49, paragraph, 9.57)  Ensure that in a restraint situation, staff use their professional judgement, supported by their knowledge of each child's risk assessment, an understanding of the needs of the child (as set out in their relevant plans) and an understanding of the risks the child faces. Professional judgements may need to be taken quickly, and staff training and supervision of practice should support this. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards',

p.5

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’.

p.7

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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

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

p.8