Children's home run by Oxfordshire County Council

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1229977 1

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Oxfordshire County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is run by a local authority. It provides care and accommodation for up to six children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home provides short-term care and accommodation, which may be on a shared-care basis, aimed at preventing a family breakdown. It also accommodates young people while assessments of their longer-term placement needs are carried out. The home provides an emergency bed.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out following the children’s home being judged inadequate at the full inspection on 6 June 2017. 11 requirements were made and the focus of this visit was to assess the progress in meeting these. As a result of the findings of the previous inspection, the organisation undertook a full review of the recording systems. Significant restructure of the integrated children’s services database and recording systems is in progress. Due to the timing of this visit not all of the planned changes are operational, and this has limited the extent to which it has been possible for the organisation to fully meet all of the requirements. Additionally, some improvements that have been made have not had time to become fully embedded in practice.

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This monitoring visit

The requirements from the previous inspection are listed below, with details of actions taken and whether or not each requirement is met.

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The care planning standard (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) and (2)(a))

The particular steps required were to ensure that thorough risk assessments are carried out prior to a child’s admission to the home, to ensure that the needs of all children can be met safely. Additionally, if the assessment is that a placement is not viable, then the child must not be placed in the home. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1229977 2 The organisation has reviewed and revised the compatibility risk assessment format for considering referrals. Additionally, there are arrangements for the clinical team and the child’s social worker or parent to be involved in the development of these assessments. New arrangements have also been put into place for considering the appropriateness of emergency placements. These arrangements include the on-call manager being satisfied that any risk can be provided for before agreeing a placement. In these circumstances it is planned that the full assessment is carried

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The care planning standard (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) and (2)(a))

out by the registered manager, in time for the 72-hour meeting. Should his assessment not be favourable then there is the option to give five days’ notice on the placement. During the visit it was found that no children had been placed when it had been assessed that the placement was not viable. The quality of the assessments remained variable. The involvement of the clinical team has strengthened the review and decision-making of all new referrals. While some improvements have been made, this is a new system that is not yet fully embedded in practice.

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2(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

The particular steps required were to ensure that all known information about a child’s health needs was included in their residential health plans, and met. The leadership has carried out a detailed and comprehensive review of the recording framework. There has not been time since the last inspection to implement the significant revisions identified. During the visit the inspector focused on ensuring that children’s mental health needs were being adequately met. It was found that the heath care planning and risk assessment processes in this area were of a good quality overall.

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The protection of children standard (Regulation 12 (1) and (2)(a)(i))

The particular steps required were to ensure that all needs and risks are identified and assessed, and that clear strategies to reduce risks are contained in children’s plans. Following the inspection findings the leadership reiterated to the registered manager and the team their duties under regulation 12. New daily handover and debrief procedures have been developed and implemented. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1229977 3 The quality assurance manager makes contact with the home each working day to oversee the action taken in response to any safeguarding matters. The handover and debrief procedures are subject to sample checking on a monthly basis by the quality assurance manager. These processes ensure that there are significant levels of oversight of safeguarding matters by senior managers. During the visit the inspector reviewed a sample of risk assessments including the

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The protection of children standard (Regulation 12 (1) and (2)(a)(i))

behaviour management assessment for one child. The behaviour management assessment detailed clear strategies for staff to use to support children with their behaviour. This requirement has been met.

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(2)(a)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

The particular steps required were to ensure that allegations made by children are always acted on and referred in a timely way to safeguarding professionals. As an interim measure new daily handover and debrief procedures have been implemented. The quality assurance manager makes contact with the home each working day to oversee the action taken for any safeguarding matters. The handover and debrief procedures are subject to sample checking on a monthly basis by the quality assurance manager. These processes ensure that there are significant levels of oversight of safeguarding matters by senior managers. There have been no further allegations made that have required action. The specific shortfalls identified during the inspection are subject to ongoing investigation. However, since the full inspection there has been an occasion when staff had not sought immediate medical advice in a timely way when a child alleged that she had

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(2)(a)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

taken an overdose. This requirement has not been met.

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(2)(h))

The particular steps required were that the registered person must use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. In particular, the registered person should ensure that safeguarding concerns are identified through monitoring, and that poor staff practice is addressed in a timely manner when allegations are made by children. As an interim measure new daily handover and debrief procedures have been implemented. The quality assurance manager makes contact with the home each Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1229977 4 working day to oversee the action taken for any safeguarding matters. The handover and debrief procedures are subject to sample checking on a monthly basis by the quality assurance manager. These processes ensure that there are significant levels of oversight of safeguarding matters by senior managers. There have been no further allegations made that have required action.

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(3)(a)(b))

The statement of purpose has been reviewed, updated and meets regulations. Ofsted have been provided with a copy of the statement. This requirement has been met.

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Measures of control (Regulation 19 (1) and (2)(a))

The particular steps required were that there should be no use of financial sanctions other than by way of reparation. Senior managers had emailed staff to remind them that children must not be fined, and this had been discussed with staff in a team meeting. The inspector found that there had been no sanctions since the last inspection. This requirement has been met.

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Case records (Regulation 36(1)(a)(b)(c))

In particular, ensure that all information that staff need to care for a child effectively is accurate, up to date and easily accessible to staff and children, and that records of missing episodes are fully completed. The leadership has carried out a detailed and comprehensive review of the recording framework. There has not been time to implement the significant revisions identified. This requirement has not been met.

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Supervision of staff (Regulation 33(4)(a)(b))

In particular, ensure compliance with the organisation’s policy in relation to the frequency and quality of the support to staff through supervision and staff meetings. The leadership has developed and begun to implement a plan to support the manager in getting staff up to date with supervision. At the time of the visit not all Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1229977 5 staff had received supervision in line with the organisation’s policy. This requirement has not been met.

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Review of the quality of care (Regulation 45(1) and (5))

A six-monthly review has not been due since the last inspection. This will be assessed at the next inspection. This requirement has not been met.

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The home’s register (Regulation 37 (1) and (2)(a)(b))

The register was viewed during the visit and was up to date. This requirement has been met.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 11/05/2017 Full Inadequate 16/02/2017 Full Requires improvement Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1229977 6

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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 care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) and (2)(a)) With specific reference to ensuring that the quality of arrangements for impact risk assessments are consistently high and become embedded in practice. 28/09/2017

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that— the health and well-being needs of children are met; children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff help each child to achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans; understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding; take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well-being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) and 2(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)) With specific reference to ensuring that the revised recording

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are 28/09/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1229977 7 protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— Staff take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (2)(vi)) With specific reference to staff seeking immediate medical advice should a child allege self-harm. The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child which: include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; are kept up to date; and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36(1)(a)(b)(c)) With specific reference to ensuring that the revised recording framework is implemented. 28/09/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development, and receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33(4)(a)(b)) In particular, ensure compliance with the organisation’s policy in relation to the frequency and quality of the support to staff through supervision and staff meetings. 28/09/2017

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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. The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(1) and (5)) 28/09/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1229977 8

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Information about this inspection

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. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1229977 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oxfordshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, New Road, Oxford OX1 1ND

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Inspector(s)

Rosie Dancer, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1229977 10 to 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(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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

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