Children's Home run by Kattz (AH) Ltd in Enfield

Inspection report children's home: SC473460 1 SC473460 Registered provider: Kattz Ltd

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who may have emotional or/and behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

 Young people make good progress in all areas as a result of the care and support staff provide. Inspection report children's home: SC473460 2  Staff understand the needs of the young people living in the home. They stick with them through difficult times and work out how to help them.  Young people like living in the home and enjoy positive relationships with staff.  Staff clearly understand the vulnerabilities of each young person. Young people make safer choices as a result of the help and support that staff provide.  Placing social workers are very positive about the care provided by the home.  Staff prioritise education. They promote positive routines and provide all the resources young people need to help them engage with learning.  Staff are committed to the young people living in the home. They genuinely care for them and take pride in their achievements.  The registered manager of the home is able to reflect and learn from mistakes.

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

She has made significant improvements to the service. All requirements from previous inspections have been resolved successfully.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 The registered manager does not yet receive regular formal supervision or appraisal.  Staff mostly complete training online. They would benefit from more in-depth, face-to-face training. This will enable them to increase their knowledge, and reflect as a team how to enhance their support for young people living in the home.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/06/2016 Full Requires improvement 05/04/2016 Full Inadequate 23/10/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/06/2015 Full Requires improvement Inspection report children's home: SC473460 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

Employment of staff The registered person must ensure that all employees— receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33(4)(b))

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must receive practice- related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. 14/09/2017

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees— undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33(4)(a))

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, staff must undertake training of sufficient depth and scope in order to meet the needs of the young people living in the home. 14/09/2017

p.3

Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— keep the children’s guide and the home’s complaints procedure under review and seek children’s comments before revising either document; (Regulation 7(2)(c)) 14/09/2017

p.3

Recommendations

 Contingency plans should be prepared in the event of a shortfall in staffing levels. If it is likely that there might only be one member of staff on duty at any time the manager should make a formal assessment of the implications for children’s care, including any likely risks. This assessment should be recorded and available for inspection by Ofsted and placing authorities. It should make clear how the risks Inspection report children's home: SC473460 4 are assessed and what protective factors are in place to support lone working. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.18)  The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. In

p.3

Recommendations

particular, the impact risk assessments for new admissions must identify why the placement is a good match for them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)  The registered person must ensure that staff have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to: respond to the health needs of children; administer basic first aid and minor illness treatment. In particular, staff need to undertake first aid training that is sufficiently in-depth to teach them the practical skills they need to provide emergency first aid. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.12)

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young people speak highly of the staff and report that they are happy there. One young person said that she ‘gets on well with the staff but especially my key worker. I really like her’. She also observed that ‘staff seem happy to see me’. Another young person described how he felt anxious when he first arrived. He appreciated the way staff had put him at ease and made him feel welcome. He said, ‘It’s a brilliant place.’ This demonstrates that staff develop meaningful, trusting relationships with young people.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Detailed care plans set out how the staff provide support for each young person. Staff take note of how young people experience care in the home. They pay attention to what matters for young people and constantly review the support they provide. This is to help establish what works. As a result, young people make positive progress in all areas of their lives.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff establish clear routines and provide resources to help young people engage in education. They work effectively with placing social workers and education providers to provide suitable education placements. As a result, young people make exceptional progress. One young person, who was out of school for a long period, is now back in mainstream education and doing well. Another young person will continue to study through the summer holidays with the support of a tutor. This was provided at his request and provides him with a great opportunity to achieve better results when school restarts in September.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are healthy. Staff closely monitor young people’s physical health and emotional well-being. Young people receive the support and care they need to stay healthy and to be happy. This has a positive impact on their engagement with education Inspection report children's home: SC473460 5 and creates a good environment for them to think positively about and work towards a better future.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Placing social workers and families speak highly of the care and support provided to young people by staff. One social worker said, ‘I’m really impressed with the staff team.’ She placed a young person in the home who had suffered multiple placement breakdowns and was at risk of being placed in secure accommodation. The social worker described how staff had ‘held her hand the whole way’. This helped her (young person) settle, engage in education and become safer in the community. The social worker continued that this young person had, in a few months, made ‘huge strides’. Another placing social worker reported that she felt staff have an excellent insight into how the young person felt and how this influenced his presenting behaviour. She felt that this helped them advocate effectively for him within the professional network.

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, staff have accepted several new very short-term placements. The vast majority of these young people had a positive experience of living in the home and moved on in a planned way in accordance with their care plans. Staff plan endings well and provide memory books with photographs of their time in the home. This helps young people feel valued, missed and gives them a positive experience of care.

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are supported, whenever possible, to stay in touch with their family and friends. Staff regularly support one young person to visit a friend in another city. He appreciates this as it helps him to stay connected to important people in his life.

p.5

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

Young people report feeling safe . Staff have a clear understanding about the risks and vulnerabilities of each young person. They provide focused support to help young people to learn to make safer choices in terms of their lifestyles and the relationships they have with peers.

p.5

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

A placing social worker described how staff intervention had helped a young person become much safer. She reported that the young person is now able to open up to staff and ‘let them into her world’. Staff now have a clear idea of where she goes when she is out, and she is now taking responsibility for her own safety.

p.5

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

The registered manager of the home is thoughtful about matching the needs of potential new residents with the needs of the young people already living in the home. Staff complete a risk assessment to help with this matching process. This contains useful information about the needs of the young people. However, the assessment is not explicit in outlining why placements are a good match. This removes an opportunity for staff to explore the management of risk factors when admitting young people to the home. In practice, the young people currently in placement are well matched and there are no concerns.

p.5

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

Staff undertake regular child protection training and they participate in training updates and refresher courses. Most of this training is online. This is mostly effective, as staff are Inspection report children's home: SC473460 6 able to demonstrate good knowledge of safeguarding practice. However, online training does not give staff an opportunity to explore key issues as a team or collectively reflect on its influence on care practices. In addition, the online first aid training course provides staff with a basic knowledge only, and does not equip them with the practical skills to apply first aid in the event of an emergency.

p.5

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

Staff are vigilant and responsive when young people are missing or absent from the home. They keep in regular contact with them and work effectively in partnership with other agencies to keep them safe. Young people go missing less often because they like living in the home and have positive relationships with the staff team. Staff are alert to risks in relation to young people being vulnerable to sexual exploitation and those at risk of radicalisation. They have safety plans in place to help keep young people safe. Placing social workers report that the staff are proactive in their response to concerns and that they take all necessary steps to protect young people from harm.

p.6

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

Young people’s behaviour is generally good and they get on well with each other . When incidents do occur, staff are skilled in de-escalating conflict and helping young people learn from their mistakes. The staff are resilient in the face of challenging behaviour and stick with young people to help them through crises. This reduces the chance that young people will have unplanned placement endings. Young people experience a good quality of care from staff who display empathy and who will not give up on them. This creates a safe space for young people.

p.6

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

Staff occasionally work alone when there are unexpected staff shortages. Managers carefully balance the need to have sufficient staffing with the need to avoid using staff who are unknown to young people. Staff complete risk assessments when they work alone. There are no concerns that lone-working is unsuitable or unsafe for staff or young people.

p.6

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

Staff recruitment and vetting practices are safe. The provider completes all of the necessary checks to ensure that staff are of good character and have sufficient experience to work with vulnerable young people. New staff have a clear induction period and they receive a high level of support. This means that staff manage complex social care tasks only when they are competent to do so.

p.6

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

Young people and others know how to complain and make use of the home’s complaints procedures. Staff take complaints seriously and resolve them promptly. If mistakes are made, the home takes steps to put them right. If staff are unable to grant a request from a young person, they clearly explain the reasons why. The registered manager monitors complaints and thoroughly investigates any concerns. The designated officer reports that there have been no allegations made against staff.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership and management of the home is strong. This has a positive impact on young people’s experiences and the quality of care they receive. Leaders and managers have an increased focus on compliance with the regulations and improving outcomes for Inspection report children's home: SC473460 7 young people. All shortfalls highlighted at previous inspections have been successfully resolved.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is an experienced, qualified social worker and has an appropriate management qualification. She leads the staff group by example and has realistic ambitions for the service. The registered manager’s support and supervision of the staff team is good and this ensures that the standard of care is high. One member of staff comments, ‘I feel very supported by managers. I can discuss any issue with them and know I will be listened to. Managers allow you to think for yourself, do your own research first and then come back for discussion. I like that.’

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision sessions meet staff’s support needs, and managers offer supervision regularly. However, this is not the case for the registered manager, who has not received formal supervision since April. This means that the registered manager fails to benefit from regular formal supervision to manage the home effectively and efficiently.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to specialised training. Recently some staff have received training in reflective supervision and the risks posed to young people by female genital mutilation. This has been in response to identified placement needs at the time. Team meetings and individual supervision are also forums for staff learning and development.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and leaders have clear ambition for the development of the service. Some of the home’s monitoring systems are newly developed. These systems support the continued improvement of the service and positive outcomes for young people. The registered manager and key staff complete internal audits to help provide a good overview of the home’s operation and effectiveness. Staff regularly ask young people about their views of the home and their ideas of how to improve their experiences and quality of care.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An independent person conducts monthly monitoring visits. Subsequent reports highlight strengths and any gaps in staff practice. This is to help support service development and improved outcomes for children. Managers respond promptly and effectively to any shortfalls that are highlighted.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers are mindful to ensure that the home explores issues of equality and diversity and its impact on young people’s well-being. The registered manager is currently making efforts to employ additional male staff in response to the specific emotional needs of some male young people.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered provider is financially viable and provides appropriate resources to ensure that the home meets children’s needs well. For example, managers recently provided additional funding for new recreational equipment and creative outings following consultation with children.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The statement of purpose is a detailed, comprehensive document that accurately outlines the home’s aims and objectives. The children’s guide is a summary of the services the home provides. However, the document is not easy to read and contains Inspection report children's home: SC473460 8 language and vocabulary that is not age-appropriate for young people. The guide requires revision so that key information about the home is easily accessible to children.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The quality of professional relationships between staff, key external partners and families is very effective and communication is consistent. This promotes the involvement of others in the care planning process and helps to keep young people safe. Staff share a particularly effective working relationship with social workers, educational professionals and the police. A local authority social worker comments, ‘The home is a cut above the rest. There’s a high level of professionalism and with good outcomes for children. Staff aren’t just there for those who are easy and calm, but are there for young people who are challenging and difficult at times.’

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership of the home has improved significantly since the last full inspection. The management of the home is effective. This has a positive impact on young people’s experiences, safety and progress. The outcomes for young people are now good.

p.8

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.

p.8

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: SC473460 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Kofoworola Ibitoye

p.9

Inspectors

Lee Kirwin, social care inspector Sandra Jacobs-Walls, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC473460 10 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.9

Inspectors

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.10

Inspectors

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

p.10

Inspectors

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

p.10