Children's home run by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Inspection report children’s home: SC032772 1 SC032772 Registered provider: Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The local authority operates this home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children and young people who have emotional and/or 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 inadequate

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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: Requires improvement

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Enforcement action since last inspection

None Inspection report children’s home: SC032772 2

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Key findings from this inspection

This children’s home requires improvement to be good because  The home has not had a registered manager since January 2016. There have been significant delays in the expected closure of the home and the move to a new property.  The decor has not improved following earlier inspections, and there is still much work to be done to improve the quality of the accommodation for the young people.  Young people’s risk assessments are not consistently being followed. This leads to confusion and frustration for the young people.  The approach by some of the staff lacks consistency, and young people sometimes receive mixed messages about what is acceptable.  Actions taken by the management team to help staff to deal more effectively with young people’s emotional behaviour need to be embedded and developed further.  Although staff have now undertaken some required training that was identified at the last inspection, specific training on the therapeutic needs of a current

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Key findings from this inspection

resident young person is not due to take place until September 2017.  The manager does have access to external support at a senior management level. However, she has not received formal supervision since February 2017.  Staff’s annual appraisals do not consider feedback on their performance. There are no arrangements to seek the views of the young people or other professionals.  The required review of the quality of care report has not been completed for some considerable time.  The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have not been fully met.

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Key findings from this inspection

 A manager is in position. She is qualified and very experienced, and is currently the registered manager for another home in the authority. Young people, staff and external professionals have expressed confidence in her abilities.  Staff speak positively about the young people whom they care for. They are committed and are supporting the young people to make progress in all areas of their lives. The staff demonstrate a good understanding of why the young people behave negatively, and empathise with them.  There has been a significant decrease in incidents following the last inspection. Young people are now more settled at the home. Inspection report children’s home: SC032772 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/03/2017 Full Requires improvement 09/12/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 18/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 20/07/2015 Full Requires improvement Inspection report children’s home: SC032772 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

27: Appointment of manager The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if- There is no registered manager in respect of the home; and is not, or does not intend to be, in day-to-day charge of the home (Regulation 27(a)(iii)) 31/08/2017

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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard Ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6(2)(c)(i)) 31/08/2017

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard Ensure that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12(2)(b)) In particular, ensure that risk assessments include specific details of recent incidents and that the process for staff familiarisation is effective. 31/08/2017

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard Ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13(2)(c)) 31/08/2017

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Requirement Due date

45: Review of quality of care Ensure the completion of a review of the quality of care provided for children (‘a quality of care review’) at least once every six months. (Regulation 45(1)) 31/08/2017 Inspection report children’s home: SC032772 5

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Recommendations

 Ensure a record of supervision is kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.3)  Ensure that staff appraisal takes into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5)  Ensure the capacity and competence of staff to build constructive, warm relationships with children that actively promote positive behaviour, provide the foundations for managing any negative behaviour. Staff should have the skills to respond to each child’s individual behaviour. Where necessary they should manage conflict, maintain constructive dialogues and react appropriately if

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Recommendations

challenged by a child in their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.14) Inspection report children’s home: SC032772 6

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improvement to be good

There has been good progress since the full inspection on 28 March 2017. Young people have significantly improved their responses as a result of the guidance from staff. This has resulted in a more settled and stable home. Young people are engaging more and enjoying better experiences. They are generally positive about most of the care that they receive at the home. There are still further improvements to be made in order to improve the overall experiences and progress of the young people.

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improvement to be good

Relationships between the staff and the young people were observed to be warm, sensitive and caring. Young people do value this, although they say that some staff are better than others. The staff are firm but fair in their approaches to the young people, and support them throughout difficult behaviours. Young people did tell the inspector that some staff are inconsistent in their approach and their attitudes towards them. This leaves young people at times frustrated and angry.

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improvement to be good

Young people know that the staff are approachable and feel that staff understand them as individuals. Young people were observed spending time with the staff and enjoying a variety of in-house activities and games. Concerns raised by young people during the inspection were discussed with the manager, and she is looking into them.

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improvement to be good

Staff listen and respond quickly to young people’s views and requests. Key-work sessions are carried out regularly, and young people do engage. These frequent sessions enable young people to develop a sense of their own importance. As a result, young people reduce their risk-taking behaviour such as aggression and self-harm, and they learn to manage safe relationships.

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improvement to be good

Young people receive education based on their individual needs. Attendance is variable, dependent on young people’s mood, emotional state and their behaviour. One young person attends a post-school training course regularly and is making good progress. For another young person, their complex needs mean that formal education is not currently realistic, so staff are working with local education providers to consider alternatives.

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improvement to be good

Young people, individually, have made very good progress in managing their aggressive and destructive behaviour. In the case of one young person, she is now able to recognise the impact of her actions on others, and the numbers of incidents have decreased significantly since the last inspection. Another young person has been supported through a series of dental appointments to ensure that his oral hygiene is maintained.

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improvement to be good

There are no issues with the young people’s physical health needs. They are able to make their own health appointments and are supported by staff when attending these. Following the last inspection, staff have completed training in the handling and administration of medication. This training has assessed staff competencies when dealing Inspection report children’s home: SC032772 7 with any medication brought into the home.

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improvement to be good

Young people do have access, as do the staff, to the visiting psychologist. This supports young people to identify their emotional needs and provides staff with strategies to support these. However, the specific training booked for all staff is not due to take place until September 2017. This may hinder some staff’s ability to fully understand young people’s therapeutic needs and the best way of supporting these.

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improvement to be good

Staff are extremely sensitive to the young people’s needs, and observations were made of support being provided to the young people, particularly when they receive upsetting news. It is evident that staff put the young people’s needs and emotions at the centre of their practice. The staff help young people to maintain relationships with their family and friends. Staff support young people to travel considerable distances to see the people who are important to them. This helps young people to maintain a sense of family and social identity.

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improvement to be good

Young people told the inspector that they are encouraged and capable of completing independence work. They plan, shop and cook food for themselves and the staff. Young people are being supported well in preparation for adult life. One young person has a ‘staying put’ plan in place. This ensures that he has the necessary support as a care leaver. The young person, staff and his personal advisor are working together to formulate a pathway plan which will identify his support needs and those people responsible for meeting these needs as he moves forward.

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improvement to be good

The young people’s social workers contributed to the inspection. Despite previous difficult behaviours from young people and, at times, issues between the young people themselves, the social workers are pleased with the overall progress that their young people are making. They confirmed that they are regularly kept informed of events at the home. They said:

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improvement to be good

‘My young person has lived in the home coming up for five years. It is his home, and I feel that he has made very good progress and enjoyed new experiences in the home with staff who are very keen and support him very well. Staff are working well with the young person, me and other professionals to make sure that his transition from the home fully meets his future needs.’

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improvement to be good

‘The staff have stick-ability. It’s not been easy but, with their commitment and compassion, she has significantly reduced her aggressive and abusive behaviours. She has really benefited from this support.’

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improvement to be good

Young people told the inspector that they feel safe at the home. Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding, whistleblowing and counter-radicalisation procedures. The management team and staff have acted appropriately when allegations or disclosures have been made. Inspection report children’s home: SC032772 8 Recent safeguarding training undertaken by the staff includes child sexual exploitation (CSE). None of the young people are considered to be the subject of CSE. Where young people are exploring their sexual identity and engaging in relationships, staff are fully aware of the signs to look out for if they feel that young people are suspected to be involved in CSE. Staff educate the young people in how to be safe and stay safe when away from the home.

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improvement to be good

Young people do not report bullying as an issue, although, at times, they feel that one of them winds the other up. They are not intimidated by this, and the observations show how sensitive the young people can be towards each other at the times when it is most needed.

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improvement to be good

Young people do not use illegal substances or drink alcohol. They rarely go missing. When they have gone missing, it has been for a few hours only. Staff have followed appropriate ‘missing’ procedures by attempting to follow young people when they leave the home, searching for them and contacting the police. The two missing from home incidents since the last inspection have been followed up with a return home interview with the young person. This provides staff with vital information to prevent further incidents and make other necessary agreed arrangements with the young people.

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improvement to be good

Behaviour management plans are effective documents that support staff to provide positive boundaries for the young people. For example, bedtimes are a difficult time for one young person, and the clear guidance is followed by staff at these times. There have not been any physical interventions with any of the young people. Any sanctions imposed for inappropriate behaviour are reviewed and signed by the manager. Staff are trained in de-escalation techniques and safe restraint techniques.

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improvement to be good

Written risk assessments for young people are in place, although they have not been signed as read or been dated by any of the staff. This has led to confusion around the expectations of staff in relation to a young person who is staffed on a two-to-one basis. There have been inconsistent approaches by some staff, for example when the other young person is out of the home and this young person is alone with the two staff. Some staff will consider the young person’s mood at the time and, if appropriate, feel confident to go to the local shop for provisions, leaving the young person with just one staff member. Other staff will ask the young person to accompany both staff members to the local shop. This frustrates the young person. This was brought to the manager’s attention, and they will discuss it and ensure that the young person is provided with a consistent approach by all staff.

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improvement to be good

The necessary physical, environmental and safety checks of the home are conducted at appropriate timescales. Staff have delegated duties, ensuring that all necessary checks are completed and recorded. This keeps young people, staff and visitors safe when in the home.

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improvement to be good

Recruitment practices help to protect young people from the risk of harm. The authority’s human resource department has strengthened this procedure following the last inspection. This now ensures that all staff, including agency staff, have had all of the Inspection report children’s home: SC032772 9 required recruitment checks. This means that the management team can be assured that all staff are suitable to work with vulnerable young people. Two new staff members described to the inspector the robust procedures that they went through before commencing work at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home has not had a registered manager in post since January 2016. The current manager is registered and responsible for another home in the authority. She is qualified and very experienced. She has struggled to manage this home effectively, as well as her other home, and to be involved in the development of a new property to replace this home. Young people, staff and external professionals have expressed confidence in her abilities. She now has the support of an experienced practice manager at the home, who has returned from sick leave.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff are enthusiastic about their roles and keen to help young people to succeed. They talk about the young people positively and have high aspirations for them. Two new staff members told the inspector that they had a thorough induction into the home. Established staff members describe their training as good quality and useful to their development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff confirm that they feel very well supported and have regular supervision, as well as team meetings. This helps to further develop their practice. Staff demonstrate well a good understanding of the young people. They understand why the young people behave in the way that they do, and empathise with them. Staff appraisals continue to omit the views of the young people and other professionals in relation to staff competencies in the work undertaken with the young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

While the manager feels supported and has external links to senior management for support, she has not received formal supervision since February 2017. Her senior supervisor has been on sick leave since this time and no other formal arrangements were put in place. This prevents her development and any opportunities of training that are specific to managing the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager uses recommendations made by the independent person to help to improve the functioning of the home. However, internal monitoring systems have not identified the shortfalls found at this inspection. The manager told the inspector that the last inspection report was not been sent to her and that it has not been available from Ofsted’s website. She says that this is the reason for not meeting all of the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The inspector informed the manager that the last full inspection report was published on 16 May 2017. A staff member located the report on Ofsted’s website and printed it off during this inspection. Furthermore, the home’s required ‘quality of care review’ report has not been completed for some considerable time. The last ‘quality of care review’ report received by Ofsted was for the period June to December 2015. This calls into question the quality of the home’s internal monitoring systems. It also limits staff Inspection report children’s home: SC032772 10 members’ ability to develop and improve the home’s services for young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The decoration, fixtures and fittings of the home have, for some considerable time, been stark and bare. There are few photographs or personalised touches to reflect the identities of the two young people living at the home. The lack of financial investment in the home is a result of it having been identified for closure. This was initially planned for August 2016. However, since that time, there have been incomplete or inaccurate application forms from the manager and the responsible individual to register the new home with Ofsted. This has led to significant delay in closing the home and moving to the new property, which has been purchased and ready for some time.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff do keep the home clean, and young people have personalised their own bedrooms. The home’s internal and external environment is below acceptable standards.

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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 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: SC032772 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The District Centre, Town Hall, Market Street, Hyde, Tameside SK14 1AL

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Inspector

Mark Kersh, social care regulatory inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC032772 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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