Children's home run by ARC Adventure (Sussex) Ltd in Sutton

Inspection report children’s home: SC362972 1 SC362972 Registered provider: ARC Adventure (Sussex) Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 13 to 14 September 2017

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

None Inspection report children’s home: SC362972 2

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Key findings from this inspection

This children’s home requires improvement to be good because:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The recently appointed manager has focused on improving childcare and staff skills. However, there remain many areas that require further development concerning care plans and records in the home.  The statement of purpose does not reflect the service provided, and uses outdated language.  The home manager has completed a full review of the home to form a comprehensive development plan. However, there has been no formal evaluation of the home or report produced in line with regulation 45.  Risk assessments are not effective at identifying the real risk posed nor accurately reflect what measures can realistically be used to mitigate the risk.  The home environment has been significantly improved and provides a more homely feel. Issues remain though: a piece of wood used to block a ground floor window from opening fully has not been risk assessed for its utility or its safety in the event of a fire and the stairs carpet is frayed and loose.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Staff do not always think beyond the behaviour that is being displayed. Smoking is treated as a behaviour, but staff appear not to have considered where the tobacco is being purchased or who is buying the tobacco.  Not all staff who employ restraint techniques are trained to do so in line with the home’s identified method of behaviour management.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The recently appointed manager is making great strides in improving the home. Both staff and young people are complimentary of the actions he has already taken.  The recent amalgamation of both homes in the organisation into this one home has been a positive move for young people. Planning has meant that it has not been too unsettling, and staff they already know have moved with them.  Staff are confident in their roles despite the upheaval and changes in the last year. They are working well as team to ensure that young people feel comfortable in their home.  All young people attend school or college full time. Liaison with school has improved and plans are in place should a young person be excluded or decline to attend. Inspection report children’s home: SC362972 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/05/2017 Full Inadequate 02/02/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 13/07/2016 Full Good 19/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC362972 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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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, be specific about the risks posed and to record all relevant information in risk assessments. 31/10/2017

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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.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm. (Regulation 12(1) and (2)(a)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, train staff to explore risks beyond the behaviour being displayed, such as, but not exclusive to, the risks when children seek to obtain tobacco in the community. 31/10/2017

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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.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12(1) and (2)(d)) 31/10/2017 Inspection report children’s home: SC362972 5 In particular, review the use of wood to block a ground floor window from opening fully and replace any carpets that are a trip hazard.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes set out in the home’s statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(1) and (2)(a)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the statement of purpose is relevant to the home, and includes current language and diagnosis; monitor records within the home to ensure that they are clear and stored in a coherent manner; and evaluate these in line with regulation 45. 31/10/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI of any revisions to the statement of purpose and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16(3)(b)) 31/10/2017

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Recommendations

 The behaviour management policy should set out how staff are trained and supported to meet the child’s needs. Regulations 13(2)(d) and (e) require children’s homes to employ a sufficient number of suitably qualified, skilled and experienced persons in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.37) In particular, ensure that staff who employ restraint techniques are trained to do so. Inspection report children’s home: SC362972 6

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improvement to be good

Young people make progress because of their strong relationships with staff. Two young people have recently moved into the home, along with their team of staff, when two homes amalgamated. These young people are positive about their new home and all three young people are living well as a group, aided by the fact that they already knew each other, and the planned manner in which the move occurred. Staff are engaging well as a team, in particular as they have joined recently. They have a shared aim to promote the well-being of all of the young people. Staff are aspirational for young people, and are learning new skills to ensure that they meet the young people’s needs. Young people have responded well, despite it being an unsettling time, and staff have been maintained boundaries well while managing the upset that the move may have caused.

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improvement to be good

Young people feel that they are listened to, and that since the new manager has been in post, things ‘get done’. An independent reviewing officer (IRO) was extremely positive about the home and how well staff promote young people’s views, in particular about their future placements. Staff supported a young person to complain to his placing authority regarding his social worker and mixed messages regarding visits with his mother and his future placement. He has not received a response and staff have escalated this appropriately to the IRO.

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improvement to be good

All of the young people attend school or college full time. The home has improved its liaison with education and staff are able to evidence this through new communication sheets and greater understanding of young people’s education plans. Should a young person be excluded or decline to attend school, plans are now in place regarding how to engage and educate the individual for the period of exclusion.

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improvement to be good

Young people access clubs and activities in the community, and have formed some friendships through this.

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improvement to be good

Young people learn about healthy lifestyles and what this means for them. Staff encourage the young people to cook meals with them and use fresh ingredients. Young people particularly enjoyed the evening meal during the inspection, and were keen to learn how to make it themselves.

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improvement to be good

The home manager is in the process of securing psychological input for the home through an external therapist. The external therapist will meet with staff and consider how best to support young people, and will offer individual sessions for young people or advice on what therapeutic approach would meet their needs.

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improvement to be good

Young people learn to understand that each of them is different, with differing needs, likes and dislikes. Observations showed young people managing situations maturely with staff guidance, especially when they have been aggravating each other. Staff fully Inspection report children’s home: SC362972 7 recognise the issues within the group and are engaging young people to manage their differences positively, but also intervening when this is not possible.

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improvement to be good

Young people’s actions and demeanour show that they feel safe in their home. All of the young people identify someone they would go to if worried or upset. Staff have a good understanding of young people’s vulnerabilities and were observed giving a young person space and time during mealtimes, because this time can be difficult for him.

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improvement to be good

No safeguarding or child protection concerns have been raised since the last inspection. An ongoing investigation has concluded. However, the records demonstrating this are not clear or located in one place. Staff are confident in what to do should they be concerned for a young person’s safety or welfare, and training in this area is ongoing. Laminated grab sheets in the office provide staff with a quick guide of how to respond in differing safeguarding situations, such as when a young person is missing or a disclosure is made. These ensure that staff follow agreed protocols, and resolve a previous area of concern.

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improvement to be good

Should young people be missing, staff are proactive in their responses. They will follow young people, encouraging them to return and discuss their issues or concerns. Staff look for them in known locations or addresses and will remain in the area where young people are until they can safely return them home. Should they lose sight of a young person, they liaise effectively with the local police and partner agencies. Staff are aware of a current pattern of going missing with regard to two young people, and have noted that it has reduced now they have returned to school. Staff were observed planning what response to give to young people whom they thought were considering going missing, what activities they could put in place to reduce the risk and what response to take should they leave the home.

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improvement to be good

Young people have been smoking in their bedrooms. Staff are working proactively to prevent this, but the issue remains. Staff have advised young people of the dangers of smoking indoors and have used fire safety videos. There is no specific risk assessment in place for the risks posed by smoking in bedrooms. The risk assessment regarding arson is not accurate because it wrongly states that young people are not allowed lighters in their bedrooms. Risk assessment do not consider the variables over which staff have no control. In addition, a block of wood has been screwed to the external window ledge of a ground floor bedroom where a young person is currently known to smoke in his room. This has not been risk assessed as to why the restrictor is required on a ground floor window, and the risk it may pose due to the young person not being able to use the window as an exit in an emergency.

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improvement to be good

Staff have improved their skills in managing and de-escalating incidents of unwanted behaviour. Reports are much clearer and use non-stigmatising language. The use of restraint has significantly reduced. However, some staff who are using holds are not trained in the techniques deployed. The issue has arisen because not all staff have been Inspection report children’s home: SC362972 8 trained in the new chosen method of behaviour management. Training has been booked for the near future. Staff are thoughtful about relationships and how young people may target staff specifically because they want to be held. Where this is identified, staff work to support the young person to seek appropriate touch and contact.

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improvement to be good

Sanctions are much fairer than was found previously and with a greater restorative element. However, staff are still not always exploring the risks beyond the behaviour displayed. For example, smoking is managed solely as the issue of smoking in itself. The concerns of where young people are getting the money to buy tobacco, and who is buying it for them, are not considered in discussion, plans or risk assessments.

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improvement to be good

The environment has significantly improved: the garden has been cleared of large broken items that had been dumped in bushes. Young people are enthusiastic about the extra space this has created and the prospect of recommissioning the pond and waterfall. The interior is well decorated, and areas that require attention are remedied swiftly by the organisation’s maintenance person. Holes in the ceiling will be plastered when the young people are on holiday in the half-term break. However, the stairs carpet is frayed and presents a serious trip hazard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The home has been without a registered manager since May 2017. A new manager has been appointed and has been in post since July 2017. He has spent his initial period in post improving the quality of staff’s skills in childcare, and developing systems and processes for daily plans and records. Records have been improved and redeveloped to evidence joint working, in particular with schools. Staff and young people are positive about the new manager’s impact on the home. In particular, young people say that he makes sure things get done and staff feel well supported and empowered to improve their skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

A detailed plan has been drawn up to identify areas of the greatest need and these have been remedied first. A new company is now providing the home with an independent visitor who provides extremely detailed reports in line with regulation 44. These are well utilised by the manager, who acts upon the identified areas for improvement. There has been no formal evaluation of the home and service in line with regulation 45 and there has not been a report submitted to Ofsted in 2017.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The statement of purpose has been recently reviewed. However, it still contains outdated language. It still does not accurately reflect the service that is provided, nor has it been sent to Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Young people’s in-house care plans are currently being redeveloped. They now have greater focus on young people’s skills and areas for development. They are goal-driven to identify the progress of young people, no matter how small. Clarity is sought if there are discrepancies between what their plan states and what the social worker is asking the home to do. Inspection report children’s home: SC362972 9 The home responds effectively to complaints and the home manager has spent time building relationships with neighbours. Young people’s complaints have been acted upon and resolved to the young person’s satisfaction.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

All requirements and recommendations set at the last full inspection and subsequent monitoring visits have been met. Gaps in staff recruitment have been rectified and all staff now have a full employment history. The manager is now focusing on how to improve other aspects of the home and care.

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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 differences 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: SC362972 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: ARC Adventure (Sussex) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: c/o Cox Costello, Langwood House, 63–81 High Street, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 1EQ

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Inspector

Jennie Christopher, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC362972 11 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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