Children's home run by Social Care Services Limited in Stockport

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC357133 1 SC357133

p.1

Social Care Services (Clayton) Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run children’s home that provides care and accommodation for three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 26 and 27 July 2017. There were serious concerns in relation to young people’s welfare and safety. Ofsted issued four compliance notices relating to the identified deficiencies. The purpose of this monitoring visit is to assess the progress made by the provider in meeting the notices. This visit found that steps have been taken to promote the welfare and safety of young people. For example, staff have attended refresher training in safeguarding and the safe administration of medication. Training has also been scheduled in relation to working with young people who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to meet the needs of the young people currently living in the home. Young people’s risk assessments have improved; they have been reviewed and fully updated. This means that risks are clearly identified, with strategies in place to

p.1

This monitoring visit

manage and minimise incidents. The local fire safety officer has recently undertaken a visit of the home to ensure that the home is compliant with fire safety regulations. Furthermore, there are plans for a fire safety officer to complete some preventative work with individual young people around fire safety. This ensures that the welfare and safety of young people is promoted. There are significant improvements to the home environment. Carpets have been replaced throughout the home. Most of the home has been redecorated and refurbished so that it provides a more pleasant and homely enviroment. Improvements have been made to young people’s bedrooms; the burnt carpet, broken furniture and torn curtains have been replaced. However, young people continue to smoke in their bedrooms. Measures are in place where they have to Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC357133 2 hand in their lighters at bedtime, but staff do not consistently implement these.

p.1

This monitoring visit

There are improvements in the recording of medication administration. Staff clearly record the time that they administer a young person’s medication. This means the manager can be satisfied that young people have received their medication as prescribed. Young people’s health plans have been reviewed and include relevant up-to-date information. Staff have liaised effectively with the looked after children’s nurse in relation to a young person’s specific health needs. Furthermore, all young people are now registered with appropriate health professionals. This ensures that the young people receive the health services and treatment that they need. The provider has taken steps to improve staff responses to all safeguarding concerns. A team meeting took place on 22 August 2017, which a senior manager facilitated. Staff’s roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding practices were revisited, including referring allegations to outside agencies without delay. The

p.2

This monitoring visit

provider was able to demonstrate to the inspector that effective action has been taken in response to an allegation made against the registered manager, following the previous inspection. It was evident that the allegation had been dealt with in line with safeguarding procedures, including a referral to the designated officer. There is a clear audit trail of events, including actions taken in response to allegations. This practice ensures that the welfare and safety of young people is protected. The manager and staff are working together to rectify the shortfalls found at the full inspection. The registered manager has taken himself off the rota, so he can focus on driving improvements. Ofsted is satisfied that steps have been taken to address the poor safeguarding practice found at the last inspection. Consequently, all four compliance notices have been met by the provider. Other requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection will be monitored at the next full

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/07/2017 Full Inadequate 07/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 11/05/2016 Full Good 11/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC357133 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

6.—(1) The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— (a) understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; (b) use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— (a) understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose; (b) ensure that staff— (i) understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose; (ii) protect and promote each child’s welfare; (iii) treat each child with dignity and respect; (iv) provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. Specifically, that staff implement clear and consistent boundaries as identified in young people’s plans, such as measures identified to prevent young people smoking in their

p.3

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.

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC357133 4

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Social Care Services (Clayton) Limited

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Social Care Services Group, 31 Shaw Road, Stockport SK4 4AG

p.4

Inspector

Michelle Bacon, social care regulatory inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC357133 5 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.4

Inspector

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.5

Inspector

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

p.5

Inspector

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

p.5