Children's home run by After Care (NW) Limited in Sefton

Inspection report for children‘s home - monitoring visit: SC063673 1 SC063673

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children‘s home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural needs.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 8 and 9 May 2017. The inspection found that there was a lack of effective action being taken by the manager in response to serious safeguarding and health concerns. Furthermore, shortfalls were found in care planning, support for young people in relation to their education needs and the overall monitoring by the managers.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On 17 May 2017, Elaine Allison, social care regulatory inspector, completed an unannounced monitoring visit. The purpose of this monitoring visit was to assess the progress made by the home regarding the two compliance notices issued under section 22A of the Care Standards Act 2000. These relate to regulation 12, the protection of children standard, and regulation 10, the health and well-being standard, of the Children‘s Homes (England) Regulations 2015. At this visit, the inspector found that the provider had taken steps to improve staff responses to all safeguarding concerns. Furthermore, sufficient measures were in place to ensure that the ongoing health needs of the young people are met.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On 14 June 2017, Elaine Allison, social care regulatory inspector, completed a further unannounced monitoring visit. The purpose of this monitoring visit was to assess the progress made by the home regarding three compliance notices issued under section 22A of the Care Standards Act 2000. These relate to: regulation 8, the education standard; regulation 13, the leadership and management standard; and regulation 14, the care planning standard of the Children‘s Homes (England) Regulations 2015.

p.1

This monitoring visit

A new education planning document has been created that enables staff to identify each individual young person‘s ongoing needs in relation to their education. The Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC063673 2 document clearly sets out individual provisions and strategies to encourage young people to attend education. This will ensure that a planned approach will be taken to support young people‘s education and that their individual needs will not be allowed to drift. Consequently, staff at the home are now equipped to promote the importance of learning and education for all young people.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The interim managers have completed an internal review of documentation in the home, including internal placement plans and risk management plans. They have set out, in team meetings and individual supervision sessions, staff members‘ individual roles and responsibilities with regard to reading, reviewing and updating all young people‘s documentation. A young person commented, ‗I suppose I do feel safe here with all their rules and things‘. The interim managers have instigated some positive measures to involve the young people and staff in the development and review of individual plans, which means that there is clearer direction and purpose to what they are working to achieve for young people.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff supervision has now been undertaken with all staff. This has provided staff with an opportunity to reflect on their practice and identify any further training needs. Rotas demonstrate that there are adequate staffing levels to meet the needs of the young people. Furthermore, team meetings have taken place that have reinforced staff‘s roles and responsibilities in relation to providing good levels of care and protection.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The interim managers have implemented a management audit tool to enable them to have continuous oversight of the quality and content of documentation used in the home to ensure that young people receive the appropriate care in line with their care planning documents so that young people are kept safe and make progress.

p.2

This monitoring visit

No further enforcement action is planned. However, a further inspection will take place to review how these improvements are being embedded to improve the quality of care provided.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.2

Recent inspection history

08/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/05/2016 Full Requires improvement 30/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/01/2016 Full Good Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC063673 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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their education potential and are helped to do so.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure- that staff promote opportunities for each child to learn informally; and help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment. (Regulation 8(1)(2)(a)(v)(ix)) 24/7/2017

p.3

Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that the health and well-being needs of children are met; children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff help each child to— achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child‘s relevant plans; understand the child‘s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child‘s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child‘s age and understanding; take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child‘s health and well-being needs; and understand and develop skills to promote the child‘s well-being; that each child is registered as a patient with a general medical practitioner and a registered dental practitioner; and that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10(1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(b)(c))

p.3

Requirement Due date

24/7/2017 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC063673 4 12: The protection of children standard*

p.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.4

Requirement Due date

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; help each child to understand how to keep safe; have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child‘s welfare; and are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home‘s child protection policies; (Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)) 24/7/2017

p.4

Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard*

p.4

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children‘s home that helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— lead and manage the 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; ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(c)(f)(h)) 24/7/2017 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC063673 5 14: The care planning standard*

p.4

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children receive effectively planned care in or through the children‘s home; and have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home‘s statement of purpose; that arrangements are in place so that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home‘s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)) 24/7/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

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; are kept up to date; and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36(1)(a)(b)(c)) 24/7/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— (a) a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; (b) an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; (c) there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; (d) a child protection enquiry involving a child — (i) is instigated; or (ii) concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or (e) there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (5) A notification made under this regulation— (a) must include details of— (i) the matter; (ii) the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and 24/7/2017 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC063673 6

p.5

Requirement Due date

(iii) any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter; (b) must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40(4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(5)(a)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

p.6

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children‘s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.6

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC063673 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: After Care (NW) Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 45 Kensington Road, Southport, Merseyside PR9 0RT

p.7

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Timothy Blundell

p.7

Inspector

Elaine Allison, social care inspector Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC063673 8 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8