Children's home run by Capstone Care Provider Limited in Nottingham

Inspection report children‟s home: SC431699 1 SC431699 Registered provider: Capstone Care Provider Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to accommodate three children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned by a private provider.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

p.1

inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

inadequate

There are serious and/or widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded, and/or the care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.

p.1

inadequate

Date of last inspection: 24 January 2017

p.1

inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: Sustained effectiveness

p.1

Enforcement action since last inspection

None Inspection report children‟s home: SC431699 2

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

This children‟s home is inadequate because:

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Safeguarding practice has put young people at risk of harm. Specifically with regard to staff failing to follow and implement children‟s risk assessments.  Ofsted and stakeholders have not been notified or updated about significant incidents.  Notifications of serious incidents have been of a poor quality. This means that the regulator is unclear about incident details, actions taken to safeguard young people or the effectiveness of the actions.  Casual staff have not been supervised. This is unsafe care practice.  Children and young people are not consulted about the quality of care in the home. This means that their views and opinions do not influence the delivery of care.  Internal and external monitoring of the home is inadequate. Systems fail to identify weaknesses or how the home‟s care practice can be improved.  Managers do not have oversight of the training profile of the staff team. This

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

means that training needs have been unknown.  Children and young people do not benefit from having a record of their time in the home.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 The registered manager is highly committed to his role. He works hard to improve the experience and progress of each young person.  Children and young people benefit from excellent school and college attendance, engage in their individual activities, and enjoy well-organised contact with families.  Since the last inspection, the registered manager has ensured that the previous requirements have been met.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/06/2016 Full Good 21/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/04/2015 Full Requires improvement Inspection report children‟s home: SC431699 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The children‟s views, wishes and feelings standard In order to meet the children‟s views, wishes and feelings standard, the registered person must ensure that children receive care from staff who take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children‟s care and welfare and their lives. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home‟s care. (Regulation 7(1) (c) and (2)(a)(iv)) 07/07/2017

p.3

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; manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other; understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person and are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home‟s child protection policies. (Regulation 12(1) (2)(a)(i)(iv)(v)(vii)) In particular, that staff adhere to and follow children‟s risk assessments and implement safe care plans. 07/07/2017

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. With particular regard to ensuring that all casual staff, agency staff and staff who work across the provider‟s home receive well-coordinated and regular supervision. 07/07/2017 Inspection report children‟s home: SC431699 4 (Regulation 33(4)(b)) The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is any incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; a child protection enquiry is instigated or concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry). (Regulation 40(4)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 07/07/2017

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a notification made under this regulation must include details of the matter, the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who and which have been notified and any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter. With particular reference to ensure that the details of the notification are clear in regards to the incident, actions, outcome of the incident. (Regulation 40 (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)) 07/07/2017

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children‟s home at least once each month. The registered person must help the independent person to interview, if they consent, in private, children, their parents, relatives and persons working in the home as the independent person requires. The independent person must produce a report about the visit (“the independent person‟s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person‟s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and the conduct of the home promotes children‟s well-being. The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person‟s report to HMCI. (Regulation 44(1)(2)(a)(4)(a)(b)(7)(a)) 07/07/2017

p.4

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 6 months. The report must monitor, review and evaluate the quality of care provided for children, the feedback and opinions of children about the children‟s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it, and any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. The registered person must supply a copy to HMCI within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c)(4)(a)) 07/07/2017

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should have a workforce plan which can fulfil the workforce related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20). The plan should detail the necessary management and staffing structure, the experience and qualifications of staff currently working within the staffing structure, and any further training required for those staff, to enable the delivery Inspection report children‟s home: SC431699 5 of the home‟s statement of purpose. Additionally, the plan should include the processes and agreed timescales for staff to achieve induction, probation and any core training (such as safeguarding, health and safety and mandatory qualifications). The plan should be updated to include any new training and qualifications completed by staff while working at the home, and used to record the ongoing training and continuing professional development needs of staff, including the home‟s manager. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations

p.4

Recommendations

including the quality standards‟, page 53, and paragraph 10.8)  The home‟s records on each child represent a significant contribution to their life history. Children and their parents should be supported to understand the nature of records kept by the home and how to access them. Staff should understand their important role in encouraging the child to reflect on and understand their history, according to their age and understanding. Staff should keep, and encourage children to keep, memorabilia of the time spent living at the home and help them record significant life events. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards,‟ page 62, paragraph 14.5)

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

This inspection identified that the experiences of children and young people are inadequate because of concerns about how children and young people have been kept safe and protected from harm. Unsafe care practice by staff has meant that children and young people have been put at risk that could have been avoided. Young people have a structure to their day, with activity and independence planners used to support their daily routines. Young people have their own meetings, which provide an opportunity for them to make decisions about their weekly routines. Young people are not, however, routinely consulted about the quality of care or contribute to their care plans. This limits young people in expressing their views and opinions. Planned transitions from the home are decided within care planning reviews. Sometimes, due to unforeseen circumstances, children leave the home suddenly. This means that managers and staff are unable to ensure a positive ending to the placement. In such

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

circumstances, it is important for children to leave the home with a record of their time in the home. Unfortunately, care practice does not ensure that staff help children and young people collate a record of their time in the home. This fails to provide children and young people with an enduring record of memories to look back on. Children and young people who live in this home experience medium to long-term care in a family-style environment. The commitment from the registered manager means that they have trust in him and his staff team. This means that children and young people feel secure and settle into the routines of the home. Consequently, over time, they are able to focus on other areas such as education, activities and social skills. This has resulted in all children and young people benefiting from good educational attendance. Young people confirm that they trust staff and have positive relationships with staff and

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Inspection report children‟s home: SC431699 6 each other. One young person said he could trust all the staff, but is especially close to his keyworker. The young person said that his keyworker helps him with any problems he may have. When asked if he was happy living in the home, he said, „Of course!‟ Staff support children and young people with the promotion of contact with their families and significant individuals. This means that young people benefit from the promotion of their family identity. Young people can invite their friends to come to the home. This further develops identity and social skills. Professionals are positive in their views about the promotion of contact. Young people are able to lead full and balanced lives in this home. They participate in their own chosen activities, with their friends and staff. They integrate into the community and participate in a range of social and sporting activities. Young people

p.6

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

learn to use public transport, manage money, and practice domestic and cooking skills. Over time, they learn independence skills both in and outside of the home. This will be of benefit to them when they leave the home and become fully independent.

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

The manager has failed to ensure that Ofsted and placing local authorities are notified about significant incidents. Social care professionals have expressed concerns that safeguarding procedures have not been followed. This has led to delays in safeguarding procedures being implemented, including child protection medicals and the involvement of the designated officer. These delays mean assessments and investigations of child protection concerns have not been initiated in a timely manner, potentially putting children and young people at risk. Ofsted received a notification concerning a safeguarding incident, which was of an exceptionally poor quality and failed to show a coherent account of the incident and actions taken to protect children and young people. The notification did not demonstrate appropriate management oversight. Additionally, the manager has not provided updates to Ofsted. This has meant that the regulator has not been able to monitor the

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

progression of safeguarding incidents. On admission to the home, all children and young people have their risks assessed. Plans are put in place to minimise risk of harm. These risk assessments are regularly reviewed to reflect any increase or reductions in levels of risk. However, regardless of these risk assessments, staff have failed to implement these appropriately. This demonstrates that staff do not fully understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children and young people. This has resulted in a significant safeguarding incident. Poor care practice by staff has potentially put children and young people at risk of harm. Physical interventions are rare in this home and are only used to promote the safety of children and young people. There have been two physical interventions since the last inspection. Records show that managers monitor physical interventions for effectiveness.

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

This demonstrates the home‟s commitment to ensuring that all interventions are necessary, proportionate and effective. Inspection report children‟s home: SC431699 7

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager is a competent practitioner and has considerable experience within residential care. He is currently engaged in studies to ensure that he has an up- to-date, appropriate qualification. Since the last inspection, arrangements for the management of this home have been ineffective. The registered manager demonstrates commitment and dedication to his role; however, his „hands on‟ approach has limited his ability to ensure that there has been sufficient managerial oversight. External quality assurance processes have failed to identify weaknesses, promote improvement and guide development. These visits are not wholly effective as they have failed to identify shortfalls noted in this inspection. Reports lack evidence to show that the independent visitor makes reasonable efforts to consult with children, parents, relatives or staff. This means that stakeholders are unable to give feedback with their

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

views on the care provided and outcomes. The visits are not rigorous. The reports are of a poor quality and repeat information from previous months. The content of reports fails to show how children are effectively safeguarded and how the conduct of the home promotes children‟s well-being. Reports are not sent to Ofsted in a timely manner. Consequently, the regulator cannot routinely monitor the operation of the home. Internal quality assurance processes are not effective. These systems do not evaluate the impact of the quality of care for children and actions necessary to promote improvement. Importantly, these quality assurance processes lack the feedback and opinions of children and young people about the home. These monitoring reports are not completed in accordance with regulatory requirements. Not all staff receive regular supervision in line with the home‟s own policy. This is with particular regard to casual staff. There has been a failure to supervise staff following a

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

significant incident, which does not support staff appropriately. Importantly, it fails to ensure that children and young people are appropriately safeguarded. Staff have access to a training programme delivered to meet the needs of the children and young people. However, the registered manager does not have an accurate overview of training. This shows that the registered manager does not monitor the training of the staff group as a whole. This means that the manager cannot be certain that the staff have the relevant skills and knowledge to meet the needs of young people. Consequently, the safety and welfare of young people could be potentially compromised. The inspector was able to ascertain, through discussion with the responsible individual, that staff do have up-to-date training. The requirements from the last inspection have been largely met, with the exception of arrangements for the external monitoring of the home. Since the last inspection, the

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

home has benefited from a programme of staff training. The home now has additional staff, therefore improving continuity of care. Lastly, systems to improve communication in the team are more effective. The responsible individual and registered manager are clear about the shortfalls identified in this inspection. They are committed to taking decisive action to rectify Inspection report children‟s home: SC431699 8 shortfalls.

p.7

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.

p.8

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: SC431699 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Capstone Care Provider Limited

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Renewal Trust Business Centre, 3 Hawksworth Street, Nottingham NG3 2EG

p.9

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Trevor Edinborough

p.9

Inspector

Amanda Ellis, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC431699 10 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.9

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.10

Inspector

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

p.10

Inspector

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

p.10