Children's Home run by Derbyshire County Council in Derbyshire

Inspection report children‟s home: SC035976 1 SC035976 Registered provider: Derbyshire County Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority children‟s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children‟s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Sustained effectiveness

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Enforcement action since last inspection

None Inspection report children‟s home: SC035976 2

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Key findings from this inspection

This children‟s home requires improvement to be good because

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Key findings from this inspection

 The manager does not carry out checks to ensure that staff continue to be suitable to work with children. This has the potential to compromise young people‟s safety.  On one occasion, a thorough debrief did not take place following an incident in which staff intervened to manage a young person‟s behaviour.  The manager has not ensured that when temporary agency staff are used, she has enough information about their qualifications, previous work history and ability to provide good care for young people.  The manager, when completing the location risk assessment for the home, did not seek the views of partner agencies, especially the police, to ensure that she was aware of any risks to young people.  Young people who have used drugs and alcohol do not receive regular or structured individual work to help them address these issues.  The home‟s management has not been stable: the registered manager resigned

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Key findings from this inspection

and the current manager is not yet registered with Ofsted. Stability and consistency in management are required to allay anxieties in staff and young people.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The manager and staff provide good help to young people to overcome any obstacles to their educational progress. Some young people have done very well and continue to make good progress in education. They have developed aspirations for their future.  The young people and staff are supported by a clinical psychologist who provides guidance to the staff in caring for the young people. This helps to ensure that the care practice of staff is attuned to the emotional and behavioural needs of young people.  The young people are supported to see their families and those important to them regularly. These family meetings are monitored closely by staff who understand the emotional impact that these meetings can have on young people.  Young people‟s views matter. They are encouraged to express these views through house meetings. Their complaints are taken seriously and acted upon immediately by the manager.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Some young people become safer because of good multi-agency working, with improved coordination of plans and communication. Consulting young people about the plans in place to keep them safe has raised their awareness of risks and this has led to their behaviour changing.  Young people report good relationships with staff. They feel they can talk to staff and confide in them. They know staff will help them and keep them safe. Inspection report children‟s home: SC035976 3  The staff report feeling well supported by managers. The staff receive regular professional supervision and have their performance appraised. They receive good training and developmental opportunities. This supports them to provide appropriate care to young people.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/09/2016 Full Good 17/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 06/10/2015 Full Good Inspection report children‟s home: SC035976 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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)) 14/07/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children‟s safety. The requirements are that full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32(1)(3)(d)) 14/07/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”) has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate and within 5 days of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(b)(i)(ii)(c)) 14/07/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises. When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46(2)) 14/07/2017 Inspection report children‟s home: SC035976 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that, in line with their individual health plans and the ethos of the home, children are offered advice, support and guidance on health and well-being to enhance, and supplement that provided by their school through Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). Staff should have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to help children understand, and where necessary work to change negative behaviours in key areas of health and well- being such as, but not limited to, nutrition and healthy diet, exercise, mental health, sexual relationships, sexual health, contraception and use of legal highs, drugs, alcohol and tobacco. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 35, paragraph 7.18)  Those with a leadership and/or management role should be visible and accessible to staff and able to deliver their leadership and/or management responsibilities.

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Recommendations

Any registered manager employed in the home should have sufficient capacity to ensure that the Quality Standards are met for each child in the home. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 52, paragraph 10.7)

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improvement to be good

Shortfalls identified at this inspection include:

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improvement to be good

 the manager not adhering to a policy on the ongoing vetting of staff for any criminal convictions, complaints or cautions  no debrief of staff members and a young person following an incident of behaviour management  the manager not ensuring robust checking of temporary agency staff working at the home  the manager not ensuring that the views of partner agencies are taken into account when conducting the review of the location of the home  weak individual work with those young people using alcohol and drugs  disruption caused by management changes and staff sickness, leading to instability over the past few months.

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improvement to be good

The manager and staff help young people make progress with education and training. Some young people have experienced a great deal of disruption in their education and training. The staff have persevered through some difficult times and helped young people to access college courses and attend regularly. One young person is making good progress, and is currently applying for a college course in the creative arts. Two young people have recently moved to the home and are receiving a reduced educational timetable. The manager and staff are working with other agencies towards an increased number of hours. Staff will help with coursework, and encourage good educational Inspection report children‟s home: SC035976 6 attendance because they understand the importance of education for young people‟s futures.

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improvement to be good

The staff prioritise young people‟s health needs. Young people attend routine health appointments when required, supported by staff. The staff and young people benefit from a clinical psychologist working with the staff team. The psychologist will meet with the staff team regularly and provide advice, guidance and support. Staff use these meetings to analyse behavioural patterns in the young people to better inform the care planning process. Members of the staff team also use the sessions to reflect on how they work as a team, especially their communication and team dynamics. This leads to an insightful and thoughtful staff team that has positive relationships and feels able to discuss important issues openly.

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improvement to be good

Relationships between young people, their families and those important to them are valued and supported by the manager and staff. All family contact arrangements are agreed, through children looked after review meetings, by the multi-agency team supporting the young person. The staff are attuned to the emotional impact that personal relationships have on young people. The staff provide practical and emotional support to young people so that they can enjoy these important relationships in a safe manner.

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improvement to be good

Young people are supported to voice their opinions and views. The young person‟s handbook is informative. The young people meet regularly and discuss issues important to them. Ideas and suggestions are reported back to the manager for a response. The young people know how to make complaints, and since the last inspection, a number of complaints have been raised by young people. These complaints have been thoroughly investigated by the manager; some have been upheld. When the behaviour of staff has led to a complaint by a young person, the manager has taken robust action. If the behaviour of the staff member has been at fault, action is taken immediately by the manager. Consequently, young people are assured that their views are important, that they are listened to, and that action will be taken when necessary.

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improvement to be good

The manager has introduced a process of regular „key team meetings‟. These focus on a young person, and review all areas of their care in detail. These meetings also monitor the progress of young people and can trigger professional meetings if required. The manager and staff encourage the young person to attend the meeting so that they can review any progress together or discuss concerns. This is a good system for ensuring that plans are kept on track to achieve success for young people.

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improvement to be good

The manager has not followed a policy designed to monitor whether staff have received any criminal convictions, warnings or reprimands during their employment. As a result, safeguarding practice is not to the required standard.

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improvement to be good

The behaviour of young people has been concerning at times, with some significant Inspection report children‟s home: SC035976 7 incidents of poor behaviour taking place. The response to these incidents from managers and staff has not always been good. For example, there was a worrying incident in which one young person was causing a disturbance all night, assaulting a fellow resident, gaining access to the garage roof, being restrained by staff and going missing from the home. The incident required police involvement. Following this incident, the manager failed to undertake debriefing with staff and, crucially, never spoke to the young person directly. This was a missed opportunity to learn lessons that might prevent recurrence and support all those involved.

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improvement to be good

The manager, in completing the location risk assessment for the home, did not obtain the views of partner agencies. These views might provide valuable information about any potential risks or hazards to young people, and help the manager and staff take effective action that may keep young people safe.

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improvement to be good

There have been incidents of young people using drugs and alcohol to excess. The use of these substances by young people appears to be opportunistic rather than habitual. The staff benefit from the advice and guidance of a drug and alcohol worker. Individual work competed with the young people by staff about the use of drugs and alcohol has been reactive rather than proactive. A more structured and consistent approach would make these sessions more effective.

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improvement to be good

Some young people have become safer living in the home. One young person stated, „I feel safe here; it feels safe with all the staff around me, it is powerful.‟ The manager and staff complete comprehensive safe care plans. Fundamental to these plans is good multi- agency working. For example, one young person has become safer as a result of a well- coordinated safeguarding plan that has been kept on track by regular inter-agency meetings. The response from police and social workers is immediate when young people go missing. Additionally, young people are actively involved in the creation of their plans. This makes the plans more successful.

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improvement to be good

The young people can talk to staff about any concerns or worries they may have. They know that they will be listened to and taken seriously. One young person said, „It‟s a good place to live, staff make it fantastic.‟ The staff and manager recognise the importance of good relationships with young people. They spend time alone with young people, take them out, and provide activities that develop their relationships. Staff know the young people‟s friends and take a keen interest in activities, as any good parent would.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The previous registered manager resigned his registration and is currently acting as deputy manager. The new manager is in the process of becoming registered with Ofsted and currently undertaking the level 5 diploma in leadership and management. These changes have led to both staff and young people being unclear about the overall management arrangements. The current manager recognises the importance of prioritising spending time with staff and young people to ensure that their anxieties are addressed. Inspection report children‟s home: SC035976 8 The managers have not made certain that temporary staff have undergone rigorous checks of their work history, skills and abilities. The manager is using agency staff to provide night care but has not obtained written references from previous employers, a full work history, or confirmation that they have completed the required qualification for residential staff. She has also not ensured that any gaps in employment are accounted

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

for. One agency worker has not received safeguarding training to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager has developed a clear understanding of the strengths of the home and areas requiring development. She receives a report from an independent visitor to the home. At the last inspection, a requirement was made regarding the independent visitor communicating with parents, carers and professionals to gain their views on the home. This requirement is met, with these very important views now routinely obtained. The manager recognises and values the suggestions provided by the independent visitor as an opportunity to improve.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The staff say that they feel supported by managers. Staff receive monthly professional supervision and they use this time to reflect on young people‟s welfare, progress and plans. The staff feel able to express their own ideas and any concerns or worries they may have. Supervision processes are further supported through annual developmental reviews in which performance is appraised and any training needs identified.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Since the interim inspection, a number of staff members have been away from the service as a result of sickness. The manager endeavoured to use relief staff members who are familiar to young people in order to provide greater consistency of care. Sickness absence is currently reducing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager and staff have developed good partnership working relationships with key stakeholders. These include education professionals, health colleagues and social workers. Social workers report positively on the level of communication, as well as staff members‟ flexibility and creativity in meeting young people‟s needs. One social worker stated that, „The home have been fantastic and the placement of the young people has been supported with a creative plan.‟ Good relationships with other professionals promote effective partnership working. This improves the coordination of plans across agencies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager has developed a good understanding of the plans for young people. She advocates on their behalf with other agencies to ensure good access to services and resources. The young people have quickly established good relationships with the manager and they confide in her. This is a positive indicator that the service can improve quickly.

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Information about this inspection

Inspection report children‟s home: SC035976 9 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 whom 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: SC035976 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3AG

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Inspector

Phillip Morris, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC035976 11 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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