Children's home run by Trax Care Limited in Stockport

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC368329 1 SC368329

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is one of a number of homes operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place on 25 July 2017, following an inadequate judgement at the home’s full inspection on 20 June 2017. Eleven requirements were made at the full inspection to address shortfalls identified, three of which were the subject of compliance notices. Since the inspection in June, Ofsted has received an application from a manager to register with Ofsted. This person is due to start on 3 August 2017. The home currently has interim management arrangements in place. The interim managers are clear about the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. The provider has developed a clear action plan that is having a positive effect. The managers have the necessary skills and experience to provide the staff team with appropriate support and guidance. Furthermore, they have made a positive impact on the home. The young person who was living at the home at the time of the full inspection in

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This monitoring visit

June continues to live there. Staff are familiar with the young person’s needs and he is progressing well. Ofsted is satisfied that the home has sufficiently addressed two of the three compliance notices. The provider has until 11 August 2017 to meet the third compliance notice. A further monitoring visit will take place to review compliance with this. The young person has a clear care plan in place that reflects his needs. His risk assessment is also of a good standard. Managers have introduced and implemented a risk calculator, which supports clear assessment and planning around risk. The tool is easy to understand. However, the colour coding on all risk-related documents is not consistent and thus ambiguous. Risks are now clear and the measures that are Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC368329 2 in place are having a positive impact on the young person’s behaviour. Aggressive

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This monitoring visit

and challenging behaviour has reduced. The recording of incidents, however, needs to improve. Some recording lacks important detail and, in some instances, information is missing. Management has noticed some of the recording issues as part of their management oversight and monitoring. In these instances, staff review their work and the quality improves. The managers have implemented an assessment process that is meaningful and evidence based. Strength and difficulties questionnaires are now in place. These are for young people to complete with support from staff. Staff also complete a focused assessment. Information gathered by staff is analysed by the clinical psychologist, who subsequently identifies targeted areas of need for young people alongside the required intervention and strategies to meet young people’s needs. The young person is now receiving quality key-working sessions that are in line with

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This monitoring visit

his identified areas of need. He receives the support he needs to understand and manage his behaviour better. He also receives praise and encouragement, and this is having a positive impact on his behaviour. Staff have a better understanding of the young person’s interests. This enables staff to engage with him in positive activities, for example pool, monopoly, badminton, golf and football. The young person is doing things that he enjoys. He is having fun and developing his self-esteem and confidence. Clinical support is offered to the home on a weekly basis. This is via team meetings and individual support to young people and staff. Furthermore, the young person is benefiting from a multi-agency meeting that supports both the implementation and the monitoring of interventions and strategies. Staff speak positively about this meeting and the support they receive. Team meeting minutes are meaningful and focused. Staff attend the meetings, and

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This monitoring visit

the discussions and actions support the continuous improvement of the home. For example, in one team meeting staff had training on the clinical model that is used by the organisation and then undertook a questionnaire to establish their learning and level of understanding. Staff say that this was a very valued and useful exercise. Staff believe that leadership and management have improved. They say that managers are now visible in the home. Staff feel supported in their role and say that having managers around has really helped to improve the home. Staff have been provided with a range of training since the last inspection. This has related to the clinical model, and on-line training for safeguarding and about child sexual exploitation. Staff are also booked on training courses relating to care planning, complaints, life-story work and managing challenging behaviour. Training about substance misuse has not yet been completed, despite this being a key risk

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This monitoring visit

indicator at the last inspection. The managers have liaised with a substance misuse service to facilitate this training. Staff receive regular supervision. This supports staff to explore their practice and identify ways that they can improve their practice. The interim management arrangements have improved the levels of communication and working practice Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC368329 3 within the staff team. Morale has improved and sickness levels have reduced considerably. Staff are working more as a team, and the young person is benefiting from this consistent approach. The home is calmer and the young person says that things are much better at the home as there is less damage to the property and furnishings. Staff also say that damage has reduced and the home feels better. The young person feels settled and likes living there. He does, however, miss not having any other young people living

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This monitoring visit

in the house. Although the young person’s long-term care plan is uncertain, the home has been proactive in engaging with the placing authority to establish a clear care plan as they recognise that this home will not meet his needs long term. The managers acknowledge that they are not yet ready to take new admissions to the home. They are clear that there is a need for the new manager to start and for her to complete her induction. Furthermore, they recognise that the staff team needs to feel confident in their practice. The managers are committed to ensuring that managers and staff have the necessary skills and experience to deliver care in accordance with the home’s statement of purpose. The level of staff resources has improved. While there have been some changes to the staff team, due to people leaving and new members of staff joining the organisation, managers are managing the rota well. No agency workers are used

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This monitoring visit

and a small number of staff from other homes are supporting the team if required. This ensures that the young person is receiving consistent care by suitably experienced and qualified staff. Managers have a monitoring and review system in place. However, this system is in its early stages of implementation and thus the full impact is, as yet, unknown.

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Recent inspection history

20/06/2017 Full Inadequate 30/03/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 10/10/2016 Full Requires improvement 07/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC368329 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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7. The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

In order to meet the children’s views, wishes and feelings standard the registered person must ensure that—

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7. The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

(1) children receive care from staff who—

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7. The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

(c) take their wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

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7. The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff ascertain and consider each child’s views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they have judged to be in the child’s best interest when making decisions about the child’s care and welfare. 11/08/2017

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10. The health and well-being standard

In order to meet the health and well-being standard, the registered person must ensure that—

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10. The health and well-being standard

(1)(a) the health and well-being needs of children are met; (b) children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being.

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10. The health and well-being standard

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (a) (ii) that staff help each child to understand the child’s well- being needs and the options available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding. 11/08/2017 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC368329 5

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11. The positive relationship standard

In order to meet the positive relationships standard the registered person must ensure that—

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11. The positive relationship standard

(1) children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on— (a) mutual respect and trust (b) an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and (c) positive responses to other children and adults. 11/08/2017

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14. The care planning standard*

In order to meet the care planning standard the registered persons must ensure that—

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14. The care planning standard*

(1) (a) children receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; (b) children have a positive experience of arriving at the home or moving on from the home.

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14. The care planning standard*

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person—

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14. The care planning standard*

(b) (i) to ensure that arrangements are in place to ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

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14. The care planning standard*

(ii) to manage and review the placement of each child in the home. 11/08/2017

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16. Statement of purpose

(1)The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (‘the statement of purpose’) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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16. Statement of purpose

(3) (a) The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it and notify HMIC of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of revision.

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16. Statement of purpose

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. 11/08/2017 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC368329 6

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33. Employment of staff

(4) (b) Ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. 11/08/2017

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40. Notification of a serious event

(4) The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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40. Notification of a serious event

(b) an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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40. Notification of a serious event

(c) there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. 11/08/2017

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44. Independent person: visits and reports

(4) The independent person must produce a report about a visit (‘the independent person’s report’) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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44. Independent person: visits and reports

(a) children are effectively safeguarded; and

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44. Independent person: visits and reports

(b) the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. 11/08/2017

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45. Review of quality of care

(1) The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (‘a quality of care review’) at least once every 6 months. 11/08/2017

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45. Review of quality of care

*These requirements are subject of a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC368329 7 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.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Affinity House, Station View, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 5ER

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Inspector

Lisa Gregoire-Parker, social care inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC368329 8 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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