Children's home run by Quarriers in Inverclyde

Inspection report children‟s home: SC420587 1 SC420587 Registered provider: Quarriers

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides short-break accommodation for up to four children or young people who have learning disabilities. It is operated by a charity.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 14 February 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: None

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Key findings from this inspection

 The children enjoy their short breaks. They are provided with a range of activities and opportunities so that they can play and learn with their friends. Staff ensure that those children who are able complete self-care skills Inspection report children‟s home: SC420587 2 independently and safely through observation and support if required.  The staff team is skilled in managing behaviour without the need for physical restraint. Safeguarding incidents are promptly reported.  Communication is good with parents, carers and professionals. This ensures that planning for children‟s short breaks is robust. The children are provided with everything that they need to meet their individual needs while enjoying their experience.  The staff team is highly motivated to ensure that the children are provided with good, safe care in a nurturing and warm environment.  The manager and her staff team develop strong relationships with children and

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Key findings from this inspection

their families.  Transitions to the home are well planned and at a pace that is respectful of the individual needs of families and their children.  The staff team is provided with reflective supervision, which provides opportunities for development in a supportive, proactive environment.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children‟s home‟s areas for development:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The evaluation and reviewing of documentation needs to be robust to ensure that all the documentation relating to children is accurate and up to date.  The home‟s monitoring systems need to inform the quality of care review report, specifically the development plan. This will enable the service to have a clear focus on development to improve all the outcomes for children who access short breaks.  The review of the suitability of the premises and its location needs to highlight and promote the positive opportunities and aspects of its position in the local community.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 06/09/2016 Full Good 30/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 09/09/2015 Full Good Inspection report children‟s home: SC420587 3

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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. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure– 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) and (2)(a)(i)) In particular, review, update and evaluate risk assessments and behaviour management plans on a regular basis. 07/09/2017

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Requirement Due date

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. In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating– any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (“the quality of care review report”). (Regulation 45(1)(2)(c), and (3)) 07/09/2017

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Recommendations

 Regulations 35-39 detail the records that must be kept in children‟s homes. All children‟s case records (Regulation 36) must be kept up to date, reviewed and signed. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality Inspection report children‟s home: SC420587 4 standards‟, page 62, and paragraph 14.3)  When establishing the home, the registered person must ensure that it is suitably located so that children are effectively safeguarded and can access services to meet needs identified in their relevant plans (see regulations 12(2)(c)). Under regulation 46, the registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. The review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home‟s location and strategies for managing these. Providers should refer to the non-statutory advice about the location assessment process. („Guide to the

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Recommendations

children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 64, and paragraph 15.1)  As set out in regulations 31-33, the registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular, regular supervision of staff in the induction period as detailed in the statement of purpose. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 61, and paragraph 13.1)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The preparation required to ensure that the children and their families receive the best possible short-stay experience is extremely positive. The manager and staff visit each child‟s individual school to provide a detailed insight into their behaviour and to allow for in-depth discussions with educational professionals. This enables a comprehensive analysis of the child to assist with planning for their care. The children and their parents are invited for a tea visit, whereupon a site visit can be completed by the parent, while their child has the opportunity to explore or spend time with staff and other children under supervision. Thereafter, another tea visit may be required where, if able, the child can be left to enjoy their tea without the parent being present. This allows them to sample the experience for a short period of time, allowing both parents and children to become comfortable enough to take the next steps. This is always carried out at the

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

pace of the child and their parents. This ensures a smooth transition into the short-break stay experience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager or respective team member is able to ensure that certain children are matched appropriately and friendships are encouraged and developed. Many of the children with specific needs require a consistent approach provided with sensitivity. A parent said: „Best thing that ever happened finding this service. When I saw the place it really put me at ease. [Name] is able to have a social life; friends from his school also come, it is fabulous.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff draw up individualised plans, which set out a clear day-to-day programme of events and activities. The attention to detail ensures that each child has a stimulating and rewarding experience. The children are able to access community activities, such as Inspection report children‟s home: SC420587 5 bowling, cinema trips and going to the nearby beach. Targets are set for each child and recorded at the start of their short-break experience. They are agreed with the parent and, where possible, the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Health needs are detailed in their files, which are specific and sometimes connected to their targets, such as gaining weight and improving diet. If identified in the child‟s individual plan, the local hospital nursing team monitors the child‟s weight. If the child is having a short-break stay and the appointment falls on the same day, the staff ensure that the child attends. This ensures that a consistent approach to health is maintained in partnership with parents and professionals. A parent said: „What they really do well is tailor his day; it does not matter who is staying and how many. Each child has exactly what they need and they can each do what is in their plan to do or an activity they wish.‟ This develops children‟s confidence, self-esteem and well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A child particularly loves washing machines and a member of staff said: „He is obsessed with washing machines. He can load and put his washing in now, previously he would just look at it.‟ The same child‟s mother said: „They even take him to [Name] shop, they indulge him, which is fine, I love that.‟ Another parent said: „Staff have started toilet training, he now sleeps all night here but not at home. His speech is coming on as they talk to him all the time. He sees people as friends now, where previously he saw them as a threat.‟ These are all stages of development that have particular barriers associated with learning needs. However, staff consistently endeavour to provide opportunities to help children gain a little bit of independence while in their care. Many children require their intimate personal care needs met and these are carried out at all times with sensitivity to ensure that dignity is respected.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well furnished and is very spacious. It is equipped with a newly decorated sensory room; a child was observed enjoying her time in the room supported by a member of staff. Quiet time is frequently required to enable the children to become calm in a controlled space, at their own pace. The staff team is skilled in recognising the need to provide opportunities to support children in regulating their emotions and behaviour. The sensory room can help to soothe and relax children who have complex needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Bedrooms are individualised and are resourced with specialist equipment for specific disabilities when needed. Photographs of the children are a centrepiece of the bedroom door. This helps children identify their own room and gives them an opportunity to personalise their room. There is ample space if a child wishes to spend time alone and it is safe to do so. The lounge has numerous board games and DVDs, as well as books. The most popular is the Xbox with its own games chair. On inspection, although there was an array of games and toys to play with, it was noticeable that the four children present were all directly interacting with staff in their individual way. The children are provided with warm and attentive staff who engage them in play and relaxation. Well- being is promoted at all times.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Records of achievements and positive memories are displayed on the corridor walls as well as in the lounge. Lots of happy faces, children and staff enjoying experiences together, were displayed. They were normal day-to-day activities, such as children Inspection report children‟s home: SC420587 6 cooking with staff, helping to clear tables and load washing machines, in addition to activities in the community, such as bowling, cinema and trips to the beach. The outside space at the home provides the children with room to explore play equipment, such as go-karts as well as bikes. The home, and importantly the children, benefit from the relationships that staff have with local businesses. Themed fairs have been held to raise funds, which go back into the home to make improvements. There is a real family element and ethos to this home. This enhances the life experiences and feelings of self- worth for all the children using the service.

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

The staff team assesses risks to children in all relevant areas. These detail the vulnerability of the child in accordance with their highly individualised behaviour management support plans. These plans are developed through close consultation with other agencies and parents, and in particular highlight individual triggers and likes and dislikes in how to respond to each child. When children have significant communication issues, the voice of the parent can be seen in plans where attention to detail is essential. This supports prompt intervention, which may well reduce anxiety and therefore eliminates any need for physical intervention, which has not been required for some time at this home. This enables the children to be supported with dignity and with sensitivity. A parent said: „[Name] has come along really well. His behaviour is fabulous now, he has calmed massively. It is a fantastic service I could not fault. It is the only place he can go

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

where he can be completely himself and they can handle him well.‟

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

Individual risk assessments and behaviour management support plans do not routinely show how the children progress from their starting points. The assessments and plans would benefit from regular review and record entries that celebrate the good work that is carried out with the children. Work that is carried out is not always reflected in documentation. Therefore, plans are not as robust as they could be and could have an impact upon children‟s progress overall.

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

The children cannot leave the building without staff supervision and support, but this is appropriate given their vulnerability, specifically their lack of understanding of danger. The rear garden is enclosed, and access with supervision to the community on activities does not restrict children‟s liberty. The staff team reports any incidents in terms of safeguarding promptly and with sufficient detail. Body maps are routinely used to indicate any minor abrasions. These are completed and shared with parents when parents drop off their children. This provides transparency, ensuring that the children are safeguarded at all times. Any investigations are robustly carried out and the manager and staff follow the home‟s and local authority‟s safeguarding procedures. The home‟s on-call system ensures that there is always a person of authority to share concerns with and to receive the appropriate advice from if required. Following good practice ensures

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

that the children are safeguarded effectively and that parents are reassured.

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

The staff team ensures that care is provided in a consistent manner. Many of the children who access the service have autistic spectrum disorder, and therefore predictability ensures that any feelings of anxiety are reduced. The matching of children is carefully planned in accordance with their abilities and unique characteristics, mainly Inspection report children‟s home: SC420587 7 associated with their learning disability.

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

The staff team is extremely skilled in maintaining an environment that is full of happiness and tranquillity, and the energy and warmth that they provide enables children to feel safe and mostly calm. The children are distracted effectively when required; an example was observed on inspection. A child wished to be in the office as he loves to help and staff went through a range of suggestions that they clearly knew may entice him away. This took a period of time but the staff eventually, without any distress to the child, were able to coax him away happily. This patient approach and knowledge of the child helped to avoid him becoming anxious and overly excited. Interaction with him throughout was warm and respectful. The children‟s safe care and well-being are at the centre of practice observed throughout the inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and is undertaking the relevant management qualification. She had only recently taken over the role at the time of the inspection and is supported by a strong staff team. The manager is applying for registration with Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The team leader is stepping up as deputy manager and will support the team and manager further during a time of change. There is a mixture of experience in the team. The home has shown a determined and consistently high level of care that has not gone unnoticed by parents and professionals. Significantly, the support and care for the children has been maintained throughout and they have continued to enjoy their short- break stay experiences. A social worker said: „[Name] is an outstanding service, very family orientated. Parents are initially very worried about bringing and leaving their children for the first time but now they feel it is an extension of their families. Families are so happy.‟

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has quite quickly identified areas for improvement and has produced some positive documentation that will enhance the experience for children and their families. In particular, many of the children who access the short-break stays have associated medical conditions, and it is essential to monitor, for example, toileting behaviour and motions. A recording sheet is now in place that assists relevant professionals in health and social care to plot progress and to monitor health daily. Another example is the use of a communication file that assists all staff, be it part-time or full-time, to know exactly what is required of them and of others to ensure that consistent care is provided and documentation is completed in a timely manner. A staff member said: „The communication file helps all staff if they have been off in respect of any changes and directs you to complete individual tasks and training promptly.‟ This proactive and

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

supportive action supports the care experience for the children and development of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are provided with good quality supervision that is reflective and supportive. The agenda is robust and routinely covers safeguarding and discussions in relation to the children‟s overall short-break stay experiences. Training, specifically around safeguarding and individual needs of children, is completed regularly. Mandatory training is provided Inspection report children‟s home: SC420587 8 by both the current provider and the local authority, either face-to-face or through e- learning. The staff team is encouraged to develop as professionals, and one example of this is the provision of a topic that a staff member researches and delivers to the rest of the team. This develops confidence and maintains a proactive response to gaining and refreshing knowledge, ensuring that research informs practice and therefore, with relevant management oversight, improves the level of care for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Any challenges in respect of accessing relevant documentation from local authorities is addressed by the manager. The escalation policy has been used and there is a system in place that highlights what action has been taken, detailing when requests have been sent and who to. This direct and immediate response is carried out with respect, but endeavours to ensure that relevant plans are in place to meet the individual needs of children, particularly around behaviour management support and reviews of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home‟s current use of internal and external monitoring systems is not robust; they do not clearly state what actions are required in order to improve the development of the service. Consultation with the children, parents and professionals is good and therefore opportunities to evaluate opinions and wishes are not informing future plans. In addition, the analysis required to ensure that all areas are covered in respect of the locality of the home has not been adhered to and specifically does not detail the positivity of living at the location. This diminishes the overall positive aspects of the location and focuses too much on the negative aspects.

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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: SC420587 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Head Office, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire PA11 3SX

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Inspector

Michael Dack, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC420587 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 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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