Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in West Sussex

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1250194 1

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My Choice Children’s Homes Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home that is registered to provide care for up to four children who have emotional and/or behavioural problems. Two additional conditions of registration apply. The first is that the home may only provide care and accommodation for children who do not present with known and identified child sexual exploitation risks. The second is that the home may only provide care and accommodation for children who do not present with a known and identified alcohol and/or drug dependency. Education can be provided at the organisation’s school.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 30 and 31 August 2017. Six requirements were made to address the breaches of regulations and shortfalls in practice. The date set for meeting the requirements was 13 October 2017. This monitoring visit was undertaken to assess the progress that the home has made in meeting the requirements.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has taken realistic measures to address the shortfalls identified at the inspection. However, the effectiveness, impact and sustainability of these measures could not be fully assessed for all requirements. The visit was not able to validate the impact that training has had on some areas of staff members’ practice. In addition, the inspector was not able to fully assess whether staff supervisions now reflect on the young people placed and how staff are meeting their needs. These areas will be assessed at a full welfare inspection to be undertaken at a later date.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager was not present during this visit. A senior manager in the organisation assisted with the inspection in the manager’s absence.

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This monitoring visit

The following requirements were made at the previous inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1250194 2 A requirement was made under Regulation 16:

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revise it. (Regulation 16 (1)(3)(a))

In particular, ensure that it provides an accurate reflection of the home.

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revise it. (Regulation 16 (1)(3)(a))

The registered manager has reviewed the home’s statement of purpose and made updates. These include the exact details of the home’s conditions of registration as detailed in the certificate. This updated statement has been submitted to Ofsted.

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revise it. (Regulation 16 (1)(3)(a))

A requirement was made under Regulation 12:

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The protection of children standard is that children are protected from

harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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policies. (Regulation 12 (2)(a)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii))

Following the last inspection, the registered manager and the staff team met to critically reflect on the poor safeguarding practices identified at the inspection. Safeguarding training has been delivered in team meetings and elsewhere by the policy and development team. The training focused on improving staff members’ knowledge and understanding, specifically their individual responsibility to share and report concerns. In addition, staff have received a bespoke course adapted to address current concerns within the staff team. Following this training, all staff, including the registered manager, have undergone competency testing. This enabled the registered manager to identify individual staff members requiring additional support, which has been given. Safeguarding is now a set agenda item at all team meetings and daily handovers. Staff supervision sessions are used to discuss scenarios to assess the impact of the training that staff have received. Staff are clear

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policies. (Regulation 12 (2)(a)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii))

about the actions that the registered manager and the organisation will take if there are any further occurrences of information not being shared in a timely manner.

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policies. (Regulation 12 (2)(a)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii))

No children were accommodated at this service until four days prior to this visit. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1250194 3 Currently, one young person is placed. Therefore, the inspector is unable to comment on how the training received has impacted on the staff’s ability to manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other.

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policies. (Regulation 12 (2)(a)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii))

This requirement is met subject to further review at the next inspection.

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policies. (Regulation 12 (2)(a)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii))

A requirement was made under Regulation 13:

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that—

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in

the quality of care provided in the home.

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(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(c)(f)(h))

The registered manager and senior managers in the organisation put in place an action plan to address the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. Senior managers and the directors are regularly reviewing the action plan to ensure progress. The registered manager has regular supervision with a senior manager to make sure that he is competently managing the home.

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(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(c)(f)(h))

The registered manager has reviewed the staff team’s skills, qualifications and experience. Three of the six staff members have gained a level 3 qualification in children and young people, with three having almost completed the qualification. Staff training has been reviewed, and additional training is being provided, including drug and alcohol awareness and a refresher in physical intervention. Supervision sessions for staff have improved. They are now reflective and focus on current practices, safeguarding and training needs. Staff rotas have been revised to ensure a good mix of gender and experience, taking the needs of the current young person into account. The organisation’s therapeutic advisors have provided guidance on staffing rotas and staff dynamics.

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(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(c)(f)(h))

The registered manager has used monitoring and reviewing processes to assist in identifying areas to be improved and developed. This has enabled him to understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home has on the experiences and Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1250194 4 progress of children. He has been very honest in his reflection and analysis of what occurred during the first seven weeks of the operation of the home that led to the judgement of inadequate. The amended monitoring, reviewing and reflection have informed the improvement in the quality of care provided in the home.

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(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(c)(f)(h))

In addition, the registered manager has ensured that monthly Regulation 44 visits occur and that he responds to any recommendations made.

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(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(c)(f)(h))

A requirement was made under Regulation 14:

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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.

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the effective induction of each child into the home;

manage and review the placement of each child in the home.

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(Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(ii))

There has been clear improvement in the referral and admission process. The registered manager and staff at the home have taken time to make sure that the correct decision is made. Referrals are looked at by the whole staff team, with more detailed information and discussion sought prior to making a decision. The plan is for future team meetings to be used to consider referrals.

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(Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(ii))

Staff supervision sessions have been used to reflect on the young people placed at this home previously and how they could have been supported differently. Once a new child is placed in the home, sessions will focus on how each staff member is meeting the needs of the child.

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(Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(ii))

The organisation has consulted its therapeutic advisors when considering referrals and planning the package of care. The therapists will provide additional support and training to staff in relation to behaviour management techniques.

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(Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(ii))

The home’s manager and senior managers have reviewed the experiences of children placed at this home and reflected on what could have been done differently for these children. Changes will be made in the pacing of admissions, the collation of information before a decision is made, and by seeking more involvement from the staff team and children already living in the home. The organisation has consulted with the placing authorities to review why the placements broke down.

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(Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(ii))

This requirement is met subject to further review at the next inspection .

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(Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(ii))

A requirement was made under Regulation 39:

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The registered person must establish a procedure for considering

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1250194 5 complaints made by or on behalf of children.

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The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint

the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation.

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(Regulation 39(3))

In particular, ensure that action taken is recorded.

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(Regulation 39(3))

Investigations into poor staff practice identified at the last inspection have been completed and include signed outcomes. Reports have been prepared for the safeguarding agencies, as well as internal investigation reports.

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(Regulation 39(3))

Staff have attended training on complaints and whistleblowing and now have an improved knowledge of good practice in this area. Staff supervisions are used to discuss the importance of recording concerns and issues. A newly introduced ‘cause for concern’ form has been introduced; when staff record a behaviour or conversation, senior managers are alerted immediately and are able to review to ensure that the correct action has been taken.

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(Regulation 39(3))

A requirement was made under Regulation 44:

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children’s home at least once a month. (Regulation 44 (1))

The registered manager acknowledges that the long period of time before the home’s first Regulation 44 visit took place was an oversight. Since the last inspection, a further three visits have taken place, in line with the regulations.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 31 August 2017 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1250194 6

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What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

No requirements or recommendations have been set.

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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: 1250194 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: My Choice Children’s Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 3a, Mill Green Business Estate, Mill Green Road, Haywards Heath RH16 1XQ

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Inspector

Liz Driver, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1250194 8 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

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Inspector

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Inspector

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