Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in County Durham

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC059180 1 SC059180 Interact Care Limited

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides accommodation for up to five children or young people who have learning disabilities. It is operated by a private company.

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This monitoring visit

The visit took place following a concern about the practice of physical restraint in this home and another operated by the provider. Specifically, that staff are restraining young people using techniques they have not been trained in; that managers are instructing staff to omit information about these restraints when completing the record; and that, as a consequence, staff and young people have been injured and continue to be at risk.

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This monitoring visit

Staff receive training in physical restraint and behaviour management. This consists of a foundation element, which all new staff undergo, and an annual refresher. The training is nationally recognised and accredited as suitable for staff working with children who have learning disabilities. The main focus of the training is on de- escalation of challenging behaviour, with a smaller element showing staff how they can safely hold young people and restrict their movement. The most restrictive technique involves holding young people in a seated position on the floor. There is a more advanced level of this training which enables staff to restrain young people in a supine position on the floor. This is intended for situations where the seated position is not sufficient to safely restrict movement. Currently, the provider feels that this advanced level of training is not necessary.

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This monitoring visit

There is no evidence that staff have restrained children inappropriately, or without attempting de-escalation. There is also nothing to indicate that they have recorded restraints incompletely. The training that staff receive in respect of physical restraint is adequate for the majority of incidents where children are physically aggressive and threatening. In some incidents, however, staff have been unable to exert sufficient control over children to prevent harm to themselves or the child. As a result, some staff have suffered serious injuries. This suggests that the level of training provided to staff should be reviewed. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC059180 2 It is also evident from other documents that staff are not always confident in applying children’s individual behaviour management plans and enforcing agreed boundaries. This creates inconsistency for children and increases the potential for

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This monitoring visit

Following one recent incident of restraint, the child involved has made an allegation against staff. Although the registered manager informed other agencies and has taken action to protect the child during the investigation, he did not inform Ofsted within the required timescale.

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This monitoring visit

Action taken by the home in respect of the two requirements made as a result of this inspection will be monitored at the home’s next inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/12/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 17/05/2016 Full Good 16/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 28/07/2015 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC059180 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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 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)) 11/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

11. In order to meet the positive relationships standard, with particular reference to providing children with consistent boundaries, and reviewing the level of training in behaviour management and physical restraint necessary to protect young people and staff from harm, the registered person must ensure that staff: (v) communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding; and (xi) de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children. 12/05/2017

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to investigate concerns which had been raised about the use of physical restraint in the home.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC059180 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Interact Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 4th Floor, Waterfront Building, Chancellor’s Road, Hammersmith Embankment, London W6 9RU

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Inspector

Nick Murphy, social care inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC059180 5 to 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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