Children's home run by Shropshire Council

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding 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 home was last inspected in November 2016. One requirement and two recommendations were raised. Action has been taken to address them. The home is judged to have sustained effectiveness, and five requirements and three recommendations have been raised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has now taken action to record a complaint, in line with regulation. This ensures that all complaints are now held on record. The manager confirms that activity risk assessments are now completed before young people go out. As a result, there have been no incidents in the community since the last full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager did not notify Ofsted of an injury to a young person in line with regulation. However, the staff acted appropriately to provide the young person with access to medical attention.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During the inspection it was noted that a large waste bin was used to keep open a fire door. The large trampoline in the garden is damaged and has not been removed. As a result, young people may be at risk of encountering hazards to their health.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some bedrooms have not been redecorated when young people have moved out. Carpets that need cleaning remain stained. This does not provide a welcoming environment for new residents, and does not reflect the standard that is usually kept by the home. Not every young person has access to a key for the cabinet in their bedroom, where they can store items safely. As a result, their privacy is limited.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The use of physical intervention has been used several times since the last inspection. Records that are kept electronically and in written format do not cross- reference. The record is not always signed off by the manager in 48 hours. The view of the young person and the methods used to de-escalate the behaviour are not always recorded. Within five days of the use of a measure, the manager or the authorised person has not added to the record to confirm that they have spoken to the child about the measure. This does not guarantee that the use of the method is safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Not all young people have access to a phone at all times, to use without reference to staff. There are phones available, but they are not portable. This restricts privacy when young people want to use them. Young people that have their own mobile phones do not always have credit on them. As a result, access to a phone to use in private is limited.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The statement of purpose does not make clear the age range that the home provides a service for. Updates to the statement of purpose are not provided to Ofsted in line with regulation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two young people have successfully moved on from the home, in line with their care plans. Two young people have moved in and have been welcomed by staff and the young people. Relationships are starting to form between them. A social worker commented about the quick placement move and said, ‘Whilst the process of making the placement was quick, the home made it clear what they expected both from me in moving the care plan forward and from the young person.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no missing-from-care episodes since the last inspection. The staffing levels that are in place keep all young people safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff continue to work in partnership with external agencies. Education and health services are a key focus. As a result, young people access appropriate education to meet their individual needs, and their health improves. A deputy headteacher said, ‘There is an open line of communication and I’m really impressed with the partnership working.’

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Information about this children’s home

The home is one of two homes that are provided by a local authority. The home is registered for five young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 01/11/2016 Full Outstanding 12/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 24/11/2015 Full Outstanding 24/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(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

6. The quality and purpose of care standard:

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(c)(i) The registered person to ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. 28/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

12. The protection of children standard:

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to assessing risk and maintenance:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(c) The registered person to ensure that the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. 28/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16(3)(b) Schedule(3)(b)) 28/04/2017

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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 details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (‘the authorised person’) has spoken to the user about the measure, and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. Within five days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(v)(b)(i)(ii)(c)) 28/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant 28/04/2017 person without delay if there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)(c))

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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 staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. 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)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that children are provided with appropriate furniture, such as a lockable cabinet or drawers to securely store personal items. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph, 3.19)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that children are provided access to a telephone that children can use privately. This can include the provision of a mobile phone where appropriate and safe for the child, as long as an alternative is in place for the child to make telephone calls in private if their personal mobile phone is lost, or out of credit or broken. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 58, paragraph, 11.17)

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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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