Children's home run by The St Christopher School in Southend-on-Sea

Inspection report children's home: SC052398 1 SC052398 Registered provider: The St Christopher School

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The centre is a purpose-built residential short-break facility for six children who have learning and/or physical disabilities. The centre is attached to a special school, and both are run by a charitable organisation.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children‟s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 15 September 2016

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness Inspection report children's home: SC052398 2

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Key findings from this inspection

 The home provides a comfortable, calm and ordered environment. The children have an amazing time and lots of fun. They really look forward to their short breaks.  The children are nurtured. During the years that the children have used the service, they have come to trust and value the relationships that they have with the staff.  The children make progress and grow in confidence.  The children have the opportunity to take part in activities and experiences that otherwise would not be possible for them.  Good partnership working means that the children and their families are able to access the support that they need. Professionals and parents are complimentary about the service, highlighting that this highly valued short-break service makes a difference to the children.  Caring and committed staff provide child-centred, individualised care.  The staff are well supported and they enjoy their work. As a result, there are

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Key findings from this inspection

high staff retention rates, which mean that the children enjoy ongoing stability and familiarity.  Staff are passionate about making a difference to the children and they provide wrap-around support for children‟s families.  The manager leads the service well. She is able to maintain a balance between management tasks and a hands-on approach.  Although some areas for development have been identified, they do not impact on the high-quality experiences which the children and their families enjoy.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children‟s home‟s areas for development

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Key findings from this inspection

 Ensure that staff who administer medication are assessed as competent to do so.  Ensure that records of restraints are clear and include all of the required information.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Consider and address the potential risks of providing services to young adults, Inspection report children's home: SC052398 3 and the training needs of staff in respect of this.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Review the use of any environmental restraints.  Ensure that children‟s views are sought and evidenced as part of the independent visitor‟s quality of care review.  Ensure that all of the staff receive supervision of their practice.  Ensure that all of the children‟s case records are kept to a suitable standard and contain all of the required information.  Ensure that all staff complete a suitable professional qualification in working with children.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/09/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 21/04/2016 Full Good 29/12/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 21/09/2015 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC052398 4

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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 ensure that an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification, the level 3 diploma in residential childcare (England) („the level 3 diploma‟), within two years of working in a care role in a children‟s home. (Regulation 32 (3)(b)(4)(a)(5)(b)) 09/09/2017

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Recommendations

 Comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc). („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 15, paragraph 3.9) In particular, undertake a night-time fire drill.  Regulation 23 requires the registered person to ensure that they make suitable arrangements to manage, administer and dispose of any medication. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 35, paragraph 7.15) In particular, ensure that staff who administer medication are assessed as competent to do so.  Ensure that staff are alert to the possibility that children may be at risk from relationships including with other children in the home, staff, family members, friends and others outside the home. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 43, paragraph 9.13) In particular, undertake an assessment of the potential safeguarding impact on

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Recommendations

children of any person over the age of 18 living in the home. In addition, undertake training in relation to safeguarding vulnerable adults and ensure that there are clear protocols in place with regard to the lines of reporting concerns in respect of vulnerable adults.  The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality Inspection report children's home: SC052398 5 standards‟, page 46, paragraph 9.36) In particular, ensure that the records of the actions taken by staff are clear, that the views of children are consistently sought and that the registered manager or designated person reviews all incidents of restraint in a timely manner.  In some cases, such as children‟s homes caring for children with complex care needs, restraint may be necessary as a consequence of a child‟s impairment or

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Recommendations

disability. A child‟s education, health and care plan (EHC) or statement of special educational needs may contain detail about planned and agreed approaches to restraint or restraint techniques to be applied in the day-to-day routine of the child. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 47, paragraph 9.43) In particular, review the use of any environmental restraints, such as bedroom gates and lap straps. When their use is deemed necessary to safeguard the child, ensure that the details of the use are agreed with the child, their family and other professionals, and that the details of the use are included in the child‟s EHC plan.  The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny of the home and make the best use of information from independent and internal monitoring (including under regulations 44 and 45) to ensure continuous improvement. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality

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Recommendations

standards‟, page 55, paragraph 10.24) In particular, ensure that children‟s views are sought and evidenced as part of the independent visitor‟s quality of care review. Furthermore, ensure that the quality of care review is evaluative and contributes to improvement.  The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 61, paragraph 13.2)  All children‟s case records (regulation 36) must be kept up to date and stored securely while they remain in the home. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 62, paragraph 14.3) In particular, ensure that when the placing authority reviews and updates the

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Recommendations

child‟s EHC plan, the manager requests a current copy.  Ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 62, paragraph 14.4) In particular, ensure that children‟s records are clear, dated and current.

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Inspection judgements

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The setting provides short breaks to children who have learning disabilities and associated complex behaviour. The level of progress made by the children is highly individual, in accordance with their particular abilities. Some of the children make small but personally significant steps, while others make good progress in their communication, behaviour and self-care. For example, one child will now wear clothing throughout the day and eat with cutlery. As a result, they are now able to participate more in family and community life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children really value this service, which makes a great difference to them and their families. The children, parents and partner professionals consistently speak very highly of the home, using terms such as, „fantastic‟, „outstanding‟ and „brilliant‟. Comments from parent‟s included:

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

 „He [child] absolutely loves it.‟  „He [child] loves going. Every day he says, “I‟m going now? Am I going yet?” He is so excited to go.‟  „He [child] does so much at the cottage. It‟s all about him. Everything that they do is for him and he just loves it. He feels like it‟s his holiday.‟  „I [parent] was completely worried when placing him there, but it‟s always been fantastic. They are so good, they completely understand him.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager completes a comprehensive assessment of need prior to each child using the service for the first time. This helps to ensure that the children‟s established routines are adhered to, which enables the children to feel safe and secure. One parent said, „The comprehensive planning meant that I got that feeling of ease and peace of mind from the start.‟ Another parent described how their child is helped to feel secure and safe each time they stay.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff provide highly personalised care, which meets each of the children‟s particular needs in a holistic and child-centred way. Many of the children have been enjoying short breaks at the service for a significant part of their lives. As a result, the staff know the children well and they describe their joy at watching them grow and flourish. One parent said, „The staff have grown with her and helped her.‟ A social worker said, „Staff are so responsive and committed to her. They are attuned to what she likes.‟ The children come to trust the staff and perceive them as key people in their lives. One social worker said, „You can really see the relationships that they have with the young people.‟ Two of the children said they „love‟ all of the staff. The children spoke about who they would crown as king and queen of the service. The children benefit from a very stable staff group which has, on occasion, been one of the few sources of constant stability in their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One parent said, „The service provides fantastic support. It‟s like an extended family. It‟s a lifesaver; they‟ve gone through it all with us.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff listen to the children and respond to any issues that they raise. The children are encouraged to develop independence skills in areas such as personal care, Inspection report children's home: SC052398 7 socialisation and communication. As a result, some of the children have had particular personal successes. One child now manages their own short-break bookings. The child wanted to take part in a particular charity walk that without staff support they would be not have been able to undertake. Obtaining their competitor‟s medal was a matter of great personal achievement and pride for the child, enhancing their self-esteem and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Parents remain responsible for organising and maintaining their child‟s health and education. However, the staff support the children‟s health effectively, in partnership with parents and other agencies. All staff undertaking medication or complex-care tasks have received the appropriate training. However, competency assessments, which ensure that all of the staff have fully understood the medication training they have completed, are not in place. The potential for error is increased due to the frequency of doses and variety of medication that the children may be taking, as well as the constantly changing resident group.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are stimulated and they experience an immersive learning environment. They enjoy a variety of physical and sensory activities that contribute to a better understanding of the world around them. The children are encouraged to communicate by using pictorial communication systems, which are prominently displayed. The home works in very close partnership with the linked school provision, which ensures consistency of support with the children‟s learning aims. The staff in the school and the home share all of the children‟s support plans and targets. One social worker said, „There‟s a real wrap-around approach between the school and the home.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home offers a service to children who sometimes have limited physical mobility. The children benefit from a well-maintained and bright environment that is equipped to meet their needs. The staff do not let disabilities hold the children back. Imagination, good planning and high staffing levels mean that the children enjoy a variety of activities which would otherwise not be open to them. The children have enjoyed trips out for meals, visits to parks, specialist bike rides, bowling and, at a personal request, a visit to a nuclear bunker and a visit to the first world war touring poppies memorial.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children say that they enjoy and look forward to their short breaks. One child commented that he liked all of the opportunities to go out. Another child preferred playing on the games console. One child valued the opportunity to have some personal space, and another the chance to make new friends. The children said that the home is „really good‟ and rated the home as 10 out of 10. One child commented that the home is „awesome‟, and that if he was either Ant or Dec on „Britain‟s Got Talent‟, he would press the „gold buzzer‟.

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

The children feel safe, secure and well cared for. Families and professionals have absolute confidence in the service to safeguard the children effectively. The building is suitable, and health and safety arrangements are well managed. However, no night-time fire drill has been undertaken since the last inspection. This has the potential to have an Inspection report children's home: SC052398 8 impact on the staff‟s ability to act competently and swiftly in the event of an emergency. Appropriate security and supervision arrangements mean that there have been no significant incidents, or occasions when children have gone missing. The children are protected from unsuitable people gaining employment in the home because there are robust recruitment processes.

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

There have been no safeguarding concerns or complaints in the last year. The staff are aware of the additional vulnerabilities of children who have disabilities, and they are conversant with the home‟s safeguarding and whistle-blowing procedures. The children feel safe to disclose anything that they are worried about. The staff work in close partnership with other agencies. There are no concerns regarding bullying or unsafe behaviour. However, no assessment has been undertaken in relation to potential risks posed by young adults who have disabilities who are staying at the home. The staff have not had training on protecting vulnerable adults. The manager is unclear as to which professionals are responsible for the case management of potential adult safeguarding issues.

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

The staff ensure that the routines that the children have in place at home are, whenever possible, implemented consistently during their short breaks. This helps to reduce the children‟s anxieties. Behaviour management is appropriate. The staff provide consistently clear boundaries while maintaining a calm and relaxed atmosphere. The staff recognise behaviour as a means of communication. The children feel listened to and the staff help them to express their feelings. Partner professionals describe the collaborative working with the staff. They say that while challenging behaviours have not been eradicated, their frequency and severity have dramatically reduced. The staff share successful strategies and their understanding of the children‟s disabilities with parents. This enhances the parents‟ awareness and sometimes creates a safer environment for the family as a whole. One parent said, „They‟re not fazed by his behaviour or needs at all.

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

It‟s been a rollercoaster ride and they have stuck with us every inch the way.‟

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

When physical restraint is used, the records do not always contain the clarity of information required. For example, on occasion, the actions taken by the staff are not clearly recorded. The children‟s views are not always recorded as having been sought, nor does the manager always record that she has reviewed each incident in a timely manner.

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

Due to the complex needs of the children, some environmental restraints such as bedroom gates, bed guards and lap straps are used. There is no information to suggest that these are used with any intention other than to protect children. However, on occasion, it is not clear if these restraints continue to be required or whether their use has become custom and practice. There are no written agreements about the use of these measures to ensure transparency and to ensure that children‟s freedom to explore their surroundings is not being inappropriately curtailed.

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

Although some areas for improvement have been identified, the children, their parents and partner professionals all state that the children‟s experiences are very positive and the individualised quality of care and support remains high. Inspection report children's home: SC052398 9

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

This service is well-managed. The suitably qualified and experienced registered manager has been in post for many years and provides consistent leadership to staff. She is able to maintain the balance between good management of the home and provision of support to the children and their families. In times of crisis, the flexible service is able to respond to provide much-needed support to families.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager does not receive regular formal and recorded professional supervision to help her to reflect on and develop her practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

This suitably resourced short-breaks home is achieving its aims and objectives. The staff address inequality effectively through high-quality, individualised care. The service makes a significant difference to the lives of the children and their families; consequently, the service is held in high regard. The views of the children, their families and partner agencies are regularly sought and acted upon. However, these views are not always documented effectively. The manager‟s review of the quality of care provided does not include an evaluation of the information collated. The views of children and others are not used to contribute to an effective analysis of the service. Although the service provides a good level of care and support, this is not documented and shared to give an effective overview or to drive improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff feel that they are well supported by a committed manager who has high aspirations for the children and high expectations of staff. The staff feel well supported by each other and the management team. The comprehensive training programme ensures that the children are supported by a competent and able team. The staff have annual training updates, and competency assessments regarding the undertaking of complex care tasks. Most, but not all, of the staff who have been working with children in a children‟s home for over two years have completed the relevant level 3 diploma. Staffing levels are high and meet children‟s individually assessed needs. The children benefit from enthusiastic and dynamic staff who enjoy their work. Parents and professionals speak of high-calibre, caring staff. Their comments included:

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

 „ They are very strong managers, and the team is amazing.‟  „The staff are very knowledgeable about each of them.‟  „The staff are fantastic and the home outstanding.‟  „The quality of care is brilliant.‟

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recording systems in the home are generally sound. However, on occasion, suitably detailed records of care are not maintained. Case records are sometimes unclear and undated, and do not always contain all of the required information. For example, when the placing authority has reviewed and updated a child‟s EHC plan, a copy is not always obtained. Such shortfalls do not have a direct impact on the child, but they potentially undermine the clarity of information and the ability of the manager to have robust Inspection report children's home: SC052398 10 oversight of particular aspects of health and behaviour management.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A number of recommendations have been made at this inspection. These relate to the organisation and recording aspects of the service and they have no impact on the quality of care, which the children say is „awesome‟, and which one parent described as a „shining light in a dark world‟.

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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

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: SC052398 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The St Christopher School

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The St Christopher School, Mountdale Gardens, Leigh- on-Sea, Essex SS9 4AW

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jacqueline Mullan

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Inspector

Joanna Heller: social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC052398 12 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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