Children's home run by Radical Services Limited in Leeds

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC459107 1 SC459107

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is one of several operated by a private provider.

p.1

This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit was conducted on 6 June 2017, following an inadequate judgement at the home’s full inspection on 16 and 17 May 2017. As a result of the full inspection, eight requirements were made to address shortfalls identified and improve safeguarding and care practice in the home. Significant weaknesses which were identified in the home’s leadership and management compounded the situation, considerably undermining young people’s safety and well-being. Because of the seriousness of concerns identified by inspectors, Ofsted issued four of the eight requirements as compliance notices. In addition, a further notice was issued by Ofsted restricting admissions to the home.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Since the inspection in May, the home’s registered manager has been replaced by an acting manager. She is the home’s former manager and also current registered manager for one of the company’s sister homes. There have also been some staff changes and one young person has left the home since the last inspection. The acting manager is familiar with the home and the young person remaining in the home. She has the necessary skills and experience to provide the team with appropriate support and guidance.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The home has complied with the restriction notice, and has not accommodated further young people since the last inspection. Ofsted is satisfied that the home has sufficiently addressed three of the four compliance notices. However, shortfalls again identified in the home’s safeguarding practice mean that the home is not yet effective in helping and protecting young people. As a result, one compliance notice is reissued as a result of this visit. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC459107 2 Although the home had successfully reviewed and updated a range of individual risk assessments, one key assessment, addressing child sexual exploitation concerns, was missing from the young person’s record. Although the manager rectified this immediately, it meant that staff had been disadvantaged by not having sufficient and comprehensive information to help them to identify risk and understand the

p.1

This monitoring visit

strategies to use to minimise risk and keep the young person safe.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Additionally, Ofsted was appropriately notified of a serious incident that occurred involving a young person who was socialising with friends in the community. However, this also highlighted that staff had failed to properly record and advise managers of the incident when it occurred. Further, staff failed to take appropriate action to support the young person, seriously compromising her safety.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The staff’s response on this occasion highlighted disregard for the home’s policies and protocols, and a failure to act in accordance with established child protection procedures to protect a young person from harm. The management is appropriately addressing this concern with staff to minimise any likelihood of this happening again.

p.2

This monitoring visit

With only one child living in the home at present, bullying is not an immediate issue. However, the acting manager is reviewing arrangements to address the issue with staff to ensure that incidents will be appropriately identified and addressed. Improved recording of incidents will also support monitoring of any particular trends or patterns that may exist.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The home demonstrates transparency in keeping Ofsted informed of progress made in resolving child protection concerns and complaints identified from the last inspection. These matters are under investigation and the home demonstrates good practice in making sure that all relevant parties are kept informed, in accordance with good child protection practice and regulation.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff believe that good leadership and management are now evident in the home. This provides them with confidence that appropriate help and guidance are available to support them in their role.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff have received a range of training opportunities in the short period since the full inspection. This has mainly focused on their role and responsibilities in safeguarding young people. They are encouraged that further training is planned in the weeks ahead. Staff are being suitably supervised on a regular and frequent basis, ensuring that their performance is being monitored and developed. The acting manager has strengthened communication and working practice within the staff team, reinstating weekly staff meetings and more robust staff handover arrangements. This has made a significant impact on staff morale, enabling them to work more cohesively as a team.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The home has become a more peaceful environment. However, the young person still feels rather unsettled, as her future plan is somewhat uncertain. The home has been proactive in engaging with her placing authority to resolve this for her. This will Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC459107 3 enable her to feel more certainty about her future. She has returned to attending school on a daily basis and health concerns are being appropriately addressed with her GP and the looked after nurse. She engages well with staff and confirms that she feels safe and well looked after.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The acting manager and staff acknowledge that they are not yet ready to take new admissions to the home. They are clear that there is a need for further training and familiarity with the home’s policies and procedures to ensure that staff, particularly those new to the home, have the necessary skills and experience to deliver care in accordance with the home’s statement of purpose. The acting manager is carefully managing the staff rota to ensure that there is a good mix of experienced and new staff to support those new to the home. This ensures that the young person feels suitably supported.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The home has revised its external monitoring arrangements, appointing a new visitor to undertake this role. The management believes that this will strengthen the home’s quality assurance.

p.3

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/05/2017 Full Inadequate 28/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 23/06/2016 Full Good 02/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.3

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

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. 26/06/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC459107 4 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.3

Requirement Due date

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)(2)(i))

p.4

Requirement Due date

that staff have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(iii))

p.4

Requirement Due date

that staff understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(v))

p.4

Requirement Due date

that staff take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(vi))

p.4

Requirement Due date

that staff are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(vii))

p.4

Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject of a compliance notice.

p.4

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.4

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC459107 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Radical Services Ltd

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rouse House, 2 Wyther Lane, Leeds LS5 3BT

p.5

Inspector

Gillian Walters, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC459107 6 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.5

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.6

Inspector

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

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6