Children's home run by ABC Care Solutions

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has experienced a relatively calm period without serious incidents and no children reported missing. For one child, unauthorised absences were reduced, improving their safety. Children benefited from a holiday in the summer where they had the opportunity to try new things. One child has moved on in a planned and positive way since the last inspection. Two children remain at the home. They benefit from warm and trusting relationships with staff and share humour .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is judged sustained effectiveness as, although there has been some positive progress, management has not met one of three requirements and four out of the five recommendations made at the last inspection. This limits progress in meeting all the children‟s homes regulations and quality standards.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An independent person has continued to visit the home and report on her findings. However, the registered manager has not conducted her own review of the service for 14 months. Therefore, opportunities to focus on the quality of care provided in the home are lost and this limits the home‟s development. There is some uncertainty about how frequently the registered manager is in the home. For example, some staff regard another member of staff as managing the home and the manager has not been present during the independent person‟s visits during this period. The registered manager must be able to demonstrate that they are in day-to-day charge of the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered person has not updated the home‟s statement of purpose. Therefore, the home does not provide current information about the service which also reflects the new regulations.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have not received training in autism and have therefore not been able to extend their skills and knowledge in working with an autistic child. There is progress in enrolling those staff without a level 3 qualification onto courses. This will help to ensure that all staff achieve the minimum qualification.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home operates CCTV. The registered person has not sought consent for its use from placing authorities. Therefore, social workers do not agree to surveillance and it is not clear if this compromises children‟s privacy or is necessary in each case. Neither is consent obtained to administer non-prescription medication or first aid to children.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff manage challenging behaviour well. For example, staff encourage children to sign behavioural contracts, and to direct anger and frustration to a punch bag. As a result, there is a calm and positive atmosphere in the home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have reorganised some records so that these better reflect children‟s achievements against the quality standards. They find that a new online group for staff improves communication between the staff members and stimulates ideas for their support of children.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff promote education. One child is in school and another is allocated private tuition. It is commendable that the tutor visits daily and tries to encourage the child to participate in education. However, the child refuses education and is not making progress. The staff are working with the placing authority to try to address this matter and encourage better outcomes in terms of improving their risks regarding internet safety, in supporting wider engagement with people and living a healthier lifestyle.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have experienced stability in those looking after them, with no new staff appointed in this inspection period. When recruiting new staff, the service plans to check the reason that people left their last employment (if working with children). This will be an additional safeguard to ensure that staff are suitable.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have taken steps to make the environment as domestic as possible, for example by removing the numbers from the bedroom doors. Staff have retained a noticeboard as they feel that local authorities and children want to see this in place.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

A limited company runs this children‟s home. The home provides care for up to four boys who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/10/2016 Full Good 21/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/10/2015 Full Good 18/03/2015 Interim Improved 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

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. With particular reference to ensuring that the statement meets the new regulations, includes details of the experience and qualifications of staff and includes an accurate description for the person employed as a counselling psychologist, not as a psychotherapist. (Regulation 16(3)(a)(b)) 30/05/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33(4)(a)) 30/05/2017

p.5

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. The registered person must supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45(1)(4)(a)) 30/05/2017

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure the home gains consent to any monitoring or surveillance by the placing authority in writing at the time of placement. The use of CCTV is regulated by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and the Surveillance Camera Code of Conduct (Home Office 2013). („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 16, paragraph 3.16)  Make sure each child has permission for staff to administer first aid and non- prescription medication from a person with parental responsibility for them recorded in their relevant plan. For children looked after, this permission should be sought and arranged by the child‟s social worker. Where appropriate, the child‟s family should be involved in supporting their child‟s health needs as well as providing permission for treatment. („Guide to the children‟s homes

p.5

Recommendations

regulations including the quality standards‟, page 34, paragraph 7.14)  Ensure that the registered person undertakes a review that focuses on the quality of the care provided in the home, the experiences of children living there and the impact that the care is having on outcomes and improvements for the children. Reviews should be underpinned by the Quality Standards as described in Regulations 5 to 14. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 64, paragraph 15.2)

p.6

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 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 0300 123 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, work- based 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.8