Children's home run by Action in Care Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC069221 1 SC069221

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Action in Care Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to accommodate up to five children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

This second monitoring inspection was carried out following the children’s home being judged inadequate at the last full inspection on 11 July 2017. Three compliance notices, three requirements and a restriction of accommodation notice were issued from that inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

A monitoring inspection conducted on 15 September 2017 found that one compliance notice, in relation to fire safety, was met. The two compliance notices under regulations 12 and 13 were not met. The deadline to meet all of the steps of these two compliance notices was extended to 17 November 2017. One requirement, in relation to making notifications, was met. Two requirements, in relation to the premises and monitoring systems, were not met. These were also extended to 17 November 2017 for completion.

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Information about this children’s home

The purpose of this monitoring inspection was to monitor the restriction of accommodation notice and the progress made in meeting the two remaining compliance notices under regulations 12 and 13, as well as the two requirements.

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Information about this children’s home

No children have moved into the home since the previous monitoring inspection. The home remains compliant with the restriction of accommodation notice. Progress towards meeting the two remaining compliance notices was monitored in order to inform a decision about ending or issuing a further restriction of accommodation notice. Senior leaders were unable to demonstrate that sufficient action had been taken to meet all of the steps of the compliance notices under regulations 12 and 13. They are currently unable to demonstrate that a staff team with the skills and capacity to safely care for children is ready to operate. A further restriction of accommodation notice will be served. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC069221 2 The compliance notices and requirements from the previous monitoring inspection are listed below, with details of the action taken and whether or not each is met.

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A compliance notice was issued under regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(v)(vi)

At the previous monitoring inspection, the steps under regulation 12(2)(a)(i) and (2)(b) were met.

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(2)(ii) Help each child to understand how to keep safe;

In particular, the step was to ensure that staff work with children to help them understand risky behaviour and how to keep themselves safe. Particular areas of focus related to safe internet use, car safety and risks in relation to setting fires and possessing knives.

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(2)(ii) Help each child to understand how to keep safe;

Insufficient progress has been made since the previous monitoring inspection. The manager spoke again of his plans to provide staff with additional training and guidance on using the key-worker role to guide and support children to keep themselves safe. However, with no additional evidence to demonstrate how this will be achieved, it is concluded from this monitoring inspection that no further progress has been made.

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(2)(ii) Help each child to understand how to keep safe;

Since the previous monitoring inspection, the manager has still not explored the staff’s understanding of the risks that may compromise children’s safety. Consequently, he remains unaware of the staff’s training and guidance needs in order for such planned key-working sessions to be effective.

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(2)(ii) Help each child to understand how to keep safe;

The manager explained that a new digital recording programme is to be purchased. His aim is that this will ensure that records of all key-working sessions will be sent to him for evaluation. No dates were confirmed in terms of the purchasing or implementation of this programme, or the training of the staff in its use. This proposed action might enhance the manager’s monitoring systems, but it does not target the need for staff to understand why and how they will use key-working sessions to help children to keep safe.

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(2)(ii) Help each child to understand how to keep safe;

The manager talked about house meetings being used in a planned way to guide children in keeping themselves safe. However, no further strategy, guidance or plan was provided to support this verbal statement.

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(2)(ii) Help each child to understand how to keep safe;

The previous monitoring report identified shortfalls whereby the manager had not Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC069221 3 considered the use of local services and/or resources to help guide and advise children with regard to their safety, and guide the staff team on how to support the children. Some initial contact with agencies, such as the local authority and the police, has been made, but no strategies or practice guidance have been developed.

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children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

In particular, the step was to ensure that each child’s risk assessment is reviewed after every incident and/or monthly and is discussed with all staff members, and that staff can demonstrate an awareness of the risks and their responsibilities in relation to them.

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children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

Further work is ongoing by the manager to produce a safeguarding policy and he is scheduled to undertake designated person training at the end of October 2017. The policy is a lengthy and detailed document which lacks sufficient clarity to direct staff on what to do, and when and how to do it. The manager talked about delivering safeguarding information and guidance to the staff team through a planned induction programme. However, he did not provide a timescale or training content to support this description.

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children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

Some members of staff have completed a range of online training courses. Topics included e-safety, female genital mutilation, ‘Prevent duty’ essential safeguarding, neglect, child sexual exploitation level 2 and child protection in education. The manager was unable to describe a rationale for the selected topics, or why this style of training was selected. He has not undertaken a review or evaluation of the impact of this training in relation to improving the staff’s understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

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(vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a

In particular, the step was to ensure that staff escalate serious incidents and concerns to the local authority if they are unable to safeguard children, and report all safeguarding issues.

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(vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a

At the previous monitoring inspection, the manager was reviewing all of the home’s safeguarding policies. At this monitoring inspection, some progress has been made, but gaps remain with regard to providing staff with clear procedural guidance to follow in the event that they become concerned about a child’s welfare.

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(vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a

This step is not met. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC069221 4 Due to the number of steps not met, this compliance notice is not met. The deadline for completion is 17 November 2017.

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(vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a

A compliance notice was issued under regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(c).

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helps children aspire to fulfil their potential;

The particular step was to ensure that the staff are equipped with the guidance and strategies they require to effectively support the children.

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helps children aspire to fulfil their potential;

The work to include a clear statement of the ethos and aims of the home within a revised statement of purpose has not been completed, neither has the induction training plan that was described at the previous monitoring inspection. Consequently, the manager is unable to demonstrate how he intends to equip the staff with the guidance and strategies that they require in order to provide effective support to the children.

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helps children aspire to fulfil their potential;

The previous monitoring inspection found that a private tutor and a therapist had been identified. This situation remains the same, with their roles and planned impact upon the service still not defined or factored into the manager’s action plan. It is therefore impossible to determine how senior leaders envisage the impact that these positions will have upon the operation and culture of the home.

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helps children aspire to fulfil their potential;

In particular, the step was to ensure that all safeguarding incidents and welfare concerns are referred to the local authority and actions are taken to safeguard children.

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helps children aspire to fulfil their potential;

The manager was directed to report a historic safeguarding issue at the previous monitoring inspection. This has been completed. Senior leaders explained that lessons had been learned as a result of this previous failing.

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helps children aspire to fulfil their potential;

The manager stated that all staff will receive further training with regard to their specific roles and responsibilities, including the actions they must take in response to safeguarding and welfare concerns. However, no training material or timescale was provided to support this statement.

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person to—

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statement of purpose;

In particular, the steps were to establish and implement a referrals and admissions procedure which pays due regard to the needs of the referred child, the current children and the skills and expertise of the staff team.

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statement of purpose;

At the previous monitoring inspection, senior leaders explained that a revised statement of purpose would be completed to inform all stakeholders of the intended culture and ethos of the home. A revised referrals and admissions procedure would be included. This remains incomplete.

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statement of purpose;

Shortfalls in relation to the new compatibility risk assessment, as identified at the previous monitoring inspection, have not been addressed. This document and process fails to demonstrate how the skills and expertise of the staff team will be factored into the decision-making process for new referrals.

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statement of purpose;

The manager discussed his plans to review the admissions criteria for future placements at the previous monitoring inspection. He was considering a younger age group and a possible focus on children who have disabilities.

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statement of purpose;

At this monitoring inspection, the manager discussed a different approach and way of thinking. He described the nature and types of presenting behaviours and issues that he would not consider with regard to potential referrals. He also stated that he would prefer the home to accommodate boys. No reference was made to his previous thinking about children who have disabilities. None of these thoughts and ideas have been formally agreed by senior leaders or committed to the home’s action plan. No clear agreement has been reached about the presenting needs, age range or other pertinent factors that senior leaders are confident about providing a service for.

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statement of purpose;

The manager did state that the ethos of the home is included in the staff induction programme, but no induction course content was provided. Minutes of a team meeting held on the 28 September 2017 record that the ethos of the home was discussed, but no actual detail of this discussion was documented. By failing to accurately record such meetings, the manager does not have an audit trail from which to monitor their impact and effectiveness.

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(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications

and skills to meet the needs of each child.

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(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications

In particular, conduct skills and training audits of every member of staff, in order to Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC069221 6 identify any skills and knowledge deficits. Produce a training plan with clear timescales for completion. Demonstrate that the impact and effectiveness of the staff’s learning is monitored and evaluated to ensure that the quality of care for young people improves. Ensure that all staff with management responsibilities, including deputising arrangements, have the skills, knowledge and qualifications to fulfil the functions of these roles. Conduct a separate and focused audit with regard to staff’s understanding and knowledge of their safeguarding duties and responsibilities. Produce and implement a training plan that addresses any shortfalls identified. Produce and implement a system for monitoring the staff’s continuing professional development.

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(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications

No further progress has made with regard to meeting these steps. The manager has not conducted a review of the skills, experience and expertise of the staff team. Some members of the previous staff team are described as working ‘on a voluntary basis – to be paid once the home is operational’. These staff members are assisting with the redecoration of the home and some have completed online training and restraint training. When asked to describe the staffing plan and structure, leaders’ responses were ambiguous and unclear.

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(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications

Other than a planned two-week induction programme, to commence on 6 November 2017, for which no course content was made available, there is no clear plan or timescale in place to demonstrate how and when a staff team will be judged by senior leaders to be ready for the home to become operational.

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(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications

The remaining steps, with regard to staff audits, training plans and the monitoring of the staff’s continuing professional development, are no further on. No further progress has been made.

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(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications

Due to the number of steps not met, this compliance notice is not met. The deadline for completion is 17 November 2017.

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(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications

A requirement was made under regulation 6(2)(c)(ii).

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designed and furnished as to—

(ii) enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home.

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designed and furnished as to—

The planned refurbishment and decoration that was underway at the previous monitoring inspection continues to be progressed. Although not fully completed, the maintenance and decoration of the home are improving. The deadline for meeting this requirement is 17 November 2017.

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designed and furnished as to—

A requirement was made under regulation 13(2)(f). Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC069221 7

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understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided

The previous monitoring inspection identified that no formal structures or systems had been devised in readiness for the admission of children. Consequently, there are no clear plans to demonstrate how children’s progress and experiences will be measured. No further progress has been made in meeting this requirement. The deadline for meeting this requirement is 17 November 2017.

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understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided

A requirement was made under regulation 13(2)(h).

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(2)(h) Use monitoring and review systems to make continuous

improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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(2)(h) Use monitoring and review systems to make continuous

The previous monitoring visit identified that the manager intended to use staff supervision and team meetings, as well as planned sessions to be facilitated by a part-time therapist, in order to help the staff team to review and monitor the progress of the children.

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(2)(h) Use monitoring and review systems to make continuous

At this inspection, one team meeting had taken place on 28 September 2017. However, monitoring of the progress of children was not included in the minutes of this meeting. The manager said that he had received supervision; however, it had not been recorded. No other staff supervisions have taken place since the last monitoring visit. No formal structures or plans were available to support how these intended actions would be completed. No further progress has been made to meet this requirement. The deadline for meeting this requirement is 17 November 2017.

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(2)(h) Use monitoring and review systems to make continuous

The home was given until 17 November 2017 to meet all of the steps stated under the compliance notices. The absence of a clear and measurable strategy and action plan, combined with the lack of progress found at this monitoring inspection, causes serious concerns about the registered provider’s ability to demonstrate that the home will be ready to accommodate children.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 11/07/2017 Full Inadequate 21/03/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 14/12/2016 Full Good 31/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC069221 8

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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

*(1)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 (10) requires the registered person to ensure— (2)(a) that staff— *(ii) help each child to understand how to keep safe; *(v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; *(vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(ii)(v)(vi)) 17/11/2017

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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 that—

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Requirement Due date

*(a) helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and *(b) promotes their welfare, particularly to ensure that all safeguarding incidents and welfare concerns are referred to the local authority and actions are taken to safeguard children. *2(a) 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; *(c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(c)) 17/11/2017

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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 that—

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Requirement Due date

(2)(f) 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; 17/11/2017 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC069221 9 (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(2)(f)(h)) he quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

(2)(c) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished as to— (ii) enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home.(Regulation 6 (2) (c) (ii) 17/11/2017

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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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.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 The Avenue, Gravesend, Kent DA11 0NA

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Inspector:

Suzy Lemmy, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC069221 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 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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