Children's home run by Positive Cycle Limited in Bristol, City of

Inspection report children’s home: SC485331 1 SC485331 Registered provider: Positive Cycle Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for four children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: Not applicable

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 31 January 2017

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Enforcement action since last inspection

Restriction of accommodation notice ceased on 3 March 2017.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged inadequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection the home was ‘not judged’.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

No children or young people have lived in this home since October 2016. A restriction notice ceased on 3 March 2017 in response to the provider addressing the many shortfalls previously identified. The last inspection reported on the initial progress of the appointment of a manager and the recruitment of permanent, full-time staff. The development of this home and the staff team is hindered by the manager recently leaving, resulting in the provider recruiting to this post again. The provider has engaged with consultants, other agencies, national forums and local independent children’s homes providers. This has led to the sharing of good practice and some elements being implemented into the revision of policies and recording systems. Painted areas of the home improve the appearance through use of colour. Soft Inspection report children’s home: SC485331 2 furnishings and pictures decorate the home and excessive health and safety signage has

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

been removed. The staff are keen to decorate further and remove net curtains to allow more light into the rooms. The bedrooms for young people have suitable furniture and there are plans for young people to choose additional items to personalise their rooms according to their preference. There are some loft hatches in bedrooms that are secured with padlocks, detracting from a welcoming appearance. In this rented property, the provider is unsure as to the purpose of these hatches. This needs to be established in order to reduce any potential risks to young people. Regular checks of the house and its suitability to provide a home for young people have failed to identify that a DVD film with a certificate 18 rating is stored on the bookcase in the lounge. Full-time staff are now in post, all with experience of residential care. There is more recruitment underway. In the absence of young people living in this home, the staff are

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

decorating, reading policies and procedures, and holding team discussions about the way the home will function once it begins caring for young people. The provider has ensured that staff have received training through a range of formats such as online, face-to-face and reading. Records are maintained to evidence staff training for personal development, and as a team, in order to provide an overview of the skills and gaps amongst the team. Staff report positively on the supervision, training and support that they are receiving. They are keen to have a new manager in post and are enthusiastic in wanting to welcome young people into the home. The employment of staff has improved by adopting safer recruitment procedures. Previous inspections have found omissions in such records and these have now been rectified. The provider explores any employment gaps and concerns about an applicant’s suitability and records are made. The records do not always summarise the rationale for

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

decision making and this is an area for further improvement. The provider shows great commitment to the development of this home, employing consultants, mentors and marketing staff. Some good progress has been made in getting this home ready for young people to live here; however, a significant setback has been the absence of a registered manager. The provider is confident that a manager will be appointed soon in order to pick up the pace of improvement and enable this home to provide care and accommodation to young people. Some requirements from the last inspection remain as a result of them not being implemented fully without young people living here.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/01/2017 Interim Not judged 26/09/2016 Full Inadequate 10/08/2016 Full Inadequate Inspection report children’s home: SC485331 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 protection of children standard The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12(1) and (2)(a)(i)) In particular, ensure that written risk assessments incorporate known risks, including access to loft space. Ensure that DVDs and video games are age appropriate. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12(1) and (2)(a)(vii)) In particular, report young people who go missing to the police and arrange return home interviews as specified in the policy for

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Requirement Due date

when young people go missing. 31/08/2017

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— lead and manage a home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 13(1) and (2)(a)) 31/08/2017 Inspection report children’s home: SC485331 4 The care planning standard The care planning standard is that children receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14(1)(a) and (2)(c)) 31/08/2017

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Requirement Due date

Behaviour management policies and records The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (the behaviour management policy) which sets out— the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. (Regulation 35(1)(b)) The registered person must ensure that— within 24 hours of the use of the measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes— (i) the name of the child; (ii) details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure; (iii) the date, time and location of the use of the measure; (iv) a description of the measure and its duration; (v) details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; (vi) the name of the person who used the measure (the user), and of any other person present when the measure was used; (vii) the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the

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Requirement Due date

measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(i-vii)) In particular, this applies to the record of any sanctions. 31/08/2017

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Requirement Due date

Children’s case records The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which— include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child. (Regulation 36(1)(a)) In particular, a copy of any plan for the care of the child prepared by the child’s placing authority, and of the placement plan. 31/08/2017 Inspection report children’s home: SC485331 5 Appointment of manager The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if— there is no registered manager in respect of the home. (Regulation 27(1)(a)) 31/07/2017

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Recommendations

 Ensure that records in relation to the recruitment of staff evidence the rationale for decision making. The registered person must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, and paragraph 13.1)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC485331 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Positive Cycle Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Pickle Factory, 13 All Hallows Road, Bristol, Avon BS5 0HH

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Ayannah Griffith

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Inspector(s)

Clare Davies, social care inspector Michelle Oxley, social care manager Inspection report children’s home: SC485331 7 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(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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