Children's home run by G.V Kids Ltd in Stroud

Inspection report children’s home: 1232271 1 Registered provider: G.V Kids Ltd

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private organisation and is registered to provide care and accommodation for four children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 13 February 2017

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

 Children make good progress as they respond positively to the support given by the manager and staff. The quality of care provided leads to children feeling safe, and decreases the risks of harm. Inspection report children’s home: 1232271 2  The manager has a focus on children’s experiences of attachment to previous care givers. She uses her knowledge of attachment theory to lead the staff team in delivering routines and boundaries with warmth and kindness. This approach enables children to form some trusting and secure relationships.  Joint working with other agencies is successful in keeping children safe. The collaborative approach with social workers to assess risks and compatibility provides a strong foundation for effective care planning.  Children make progress in their health and well-being, education and social skills. These successes lead to an increase in self-confidence and a belief that

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

they can achieve their personal goals. The manager and staff have high aspirations for the children, and promote a culture of success through praise and reward.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development:

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Records of restraint are stored on children’s case files only. In addition, these records need to be maintained centrally in the home.  Training provided has not ensured that staff members have a good understanding of drug misuse.  Staff should avoid the use of institutional language such as ‘misper’, ‘shift’ and ‘money in hand’.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/02/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 1232271 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

Employment of staff The registered person must ensure that all employees- (a) undertake appropriate continuing professional development. In particular, training regarding substance misuse. (Regulation 33(4)) 31/12/2017

p.3

Requirement Due date

Storage of records etc. The registered person must ensure that the following items, which may be kept in electronic form, are kept in an accessible manner- (h) records of the use of measures of control, discipline or restraint (see regulation 35); In particular, create a central storage for these records for the home in addition to storing them on children’s case files. (Regulation 38(h)) 30/11/2017

p.3

Recommendations

 Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. In particular, ensure that language used is appropriate and does not stigmatise children because they live in a children’s home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive good quality care that meets their individual needs. They are fully involved with their care plans, contributing to written documents and ensuring that they are meaningful to them. Children are supported to understand why they live in this Inspection report children’s home: 1232271 4 children’s home, and what they can achieve during their stay. Children say ‘I enjoy living at (this home) and the staff are great’ and ‘I like everything at the home.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children develop positive relationships with staff members, who know them well. The praise and encouragement that children regularly receive contributes to their increased confidence and general well-being. One child described their key worker as ‘amazing’.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Progress is visible, with successful weight loss, improved personal hygiene and general appearance, and raised self-esteem. Staff readily show the children affection, and tell them they are proud of their success and achievements.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

After significant periods of not attending education prior to living at this home, children are supported by staff to re-engage with their learning. A range of placements are arranged including alternative education, schools, colleges, and employment. The manager and the staff team liaise closely with social workers to secure education for all of the children.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff proudly report the success of one child who achieved a qualification in mathematics after a long absence from school. Continual learning is promoted, as children are provided with opportunities for work experience with the maintenance team and part- time employment at a local café whose ownership is linked to the organisation. One child is accessing a cycle project where successful repairs and restoration are rewarded with a bicycle to own.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a range of activities in the local community. Joining clubs helps children to develop their social skills and make friends through a common interest. This inspection occurred during half term, and children were enjoying many outings and activities such as shopping, quad biking, theme parks, skate parks and firework displays. To develop the children’s personal skills and confidence, some travel independently using the bus to get to activities, and some are working towards increased time out with friends.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to maintain and develop their relationships with family and friends, when this is safe to do so. With structure and support, previous difficulties in family relationships have improved in order that children benefit from quality time with people who are important to them. Family members have told the independent visitor that communication is good, and they have described things as ‘fab’ about the home. Another family member said this was ‘one of the best homes’.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

To help prepare children for their adult life, they are supported to manage a budget and shop for food to cook some of their meals. Older children can have the responsibility of a moped after passing compulsory basic training. When children leave they are presented with photographs and memories of their time living at this home.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A recent deterioration in behaviour led to a short unsettled period prior to this inspection resulting in one child leaving, as their needs could no longer be met. Inspection report children’s home: 1232271 5

p.4

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

Children are helped and protected by a staff team that has a good understanding of the risks that the children face. Children say that they feel safe living at this home, and they are confident the staff will help them.

p.5

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

Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and amended to provide effective guidance on how to minimise and reduce known risks. Children have discussions with staff about potential dangers, including the use of mobile phones and the internet. This helps them to make safe choices and reduce the risks to their safety. Incidents of self-harm, involvement with gangs and going missing have reduced for the children in this home.

p.5

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

At times of distress, children have walked away from the home, and on occasions from their school. When they do go missing, staff follow the children as detailed in agreed protocols. Staff provide a warm welcome when children safely return. Children have been shown how to operate payphones, including the ability to reverse the charges, to contact the staff, or the police, when they are missing. This gives children the message that staff care about them, and want them to return quickly and safely.

p.5

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

Children who smoke and misuse substances receive support and guidance to reduce such use with a goal of stopping. Key workers work in collaboration with substance misuse project workers. The key worker cascades their knowledge from this joint working to the team. However, the team lacks formal training on drug awareness and the signs and symptoms of drug misuse.

p.5

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

Staff are consistent in their approach to managing behaviour. The strong focus on the children’s early childhood experiences and fractured attachments enables staff to look beyond any disruptive behaviour to consider what thoughts and emotions lie beneath. A member of staff described this succinctly by saying, ‘As a team, we have passion and patience.’ Staff use effective methods to de-escalate situations when children are upset and angry. The use of restraint is minimal, and has been used only to prevent injury to children and others. In response to a requirement from the last inspection, the records of restraint have improved.

p.5

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

Through training and team meetings, staff are knowledgeable of risks that children may face, such as sexual exploitation, bullying and radicalisation. As a result, they are able to identify the early signs of possible harm and respond appropriately to keep children safe.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is a qualified social worker and is very experienced in the protection of children. She has high aspirations for the children, and expects the staff team to demonstrate enthusiasm and a commitment to delivering high-quality care. Inspection report children’s home: 1232271 6 The manager is preparing for a period of absence, and has implemented a robust plan to ensure stability for the children and the staff team. The deputy is working alongside the manager to be in a strong position to act up as interim manager during the planned absence, and other senior staff will act up into the deputy role.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

This home has been operational for a year now, and the manager has implemented some changes as a result of experiences to date. A review of the home captures the strengths and the areas for development. The manager and the staff team have some good working relationships with parents, relatives and professionals. A school staff member reported, ‘I have been impressed with this home, the dedication from the staff and the ethos they have.’

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children are regularly consulted through chatting, and formally through surveys and meetings. Their views impact on their personal care plans and the running of the home. Children participate in the recruitment and selection of staff by devising questions for applicants at interview. The complaints procedure is known to the children, and they have used this to express their dissatisfaction with each other. The manager listens to every complaint and promotes tolerance and understanding through her responses.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they enjoy their work; they feel supported through supervision and training. One member of staff said, ‘Everyone supports each other, like a family. Any question you have, you are listened to.’

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager promotes multi-agency working to achieve the best for children. Before any child comes to live in this home, the manager insists that the social workers for all of the children agree on compatibility and identify how known risks will be managed. Strong leadership demonstrates to the team how to advocate for children and ensure that their needs are met. When required, the manager readily challenges professionals with regard to any delay in securing education or specialist support, or when statutory visits and meetings are not made within timescales.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monthly review summaries of each child’s progress enable the senior team to monitor the quality of care provided and assess the level of progress the children are making. When children are not settling in the home and their needs exceed those that the home can meet, the manager recognises this and takes action to bring professionals together to make sure children are safe. This has led to children leaving this home.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have all been met. The records of behaviour management and restraint are suitable, and the introduction of a matrix to log significant incidents each month has proved useful to monitor and review progress. Records of restraint and any sanctions are required to be easily accessible, in addition to being stored as a record for each child. Inspection report children’s home: 1232271 7

p.6

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.

p.7

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: 1232271 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Coachhouse, The Rectory, Main Rd, Edge, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 6PF

p.8

Inspector

Clare Davies, social care regulatory inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1232271 9 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.

p.8

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9