Children's home run by mcch

Inspection report children‟s home: 1241564 1 Registered provider: mcch Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A charitable organisation runs this home on behalf of the local authority. It provides residential short breaks for up to 10 children and young people who have learning disabilities and who may also have a physical disability and/or sensory impairment. The service is for children and young people living in the borough, and access to the service is through the local authority‟s disabled children team.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

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

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

None. Inspection report children‟s home: 1241564 2

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people experience positive stays at the home, despite their challenging starting points.  Young people benefit from good partnership working between the staff and families and professionals.  Young people experience positive transitions to and from the service.  Young people build secure and stable relationships with adults at the home.  A stable team of managers and staff provides familiarity and consistency to the young people and their families.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children‟s home‟s areas for development :

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Key findings from this inspection

 The quality of behaviour management plans varies, and the plans do not contain an evaluation of their effectiveness.  The complaint process for young people who have limited verbal ability is not robust.  While the use of restraint is low, the system for recording incidents of restraint is unclear and does not include the young person‟s view.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/03/2017 02/08/2015 30/03/2016 15/12/2015 Interim Full Interim Full Improved effectiveness Requires improvement Sustained effectiveness Requires improvement Inspection report children‟s home: 1241564 3

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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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

12. The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard, (2) the registered person must ensure – (a) that staff: (i) 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; (ii) help each child to understand how to keep safe; (e) that the effectiveness of the home‟s child protection policies is monitored regularly. In particular: ensure that risk assessments are updated and reviewed by managers; ensure that the young people are supported by staff to understand what abuse is. 05/01/2018

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Requirement Due date

11. The positive relationship standard In order to meet the positive relationship standard, (2) the registered person must ensure – (2) that staff: (i) meet each child‟s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child‟s relevant plans; In particular: ensure that each child has a robust behavioural support plan, and that the staff work to those plans. 05/01/2018

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Requirement Due date

Behaviour management policies and records (2) The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (3) The registered person must ensure that – (a) within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline, or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes – 05/01/2018 Inspection report children‟s home: 1241564 4 (iv) a description of the measure and its duration; (v) details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; (vii) the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; (b) within 48 hours, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so – (i) has spoken to the user about the measure; (ii) has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and (c) within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have

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Requirement Due date

spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(2), (3)(a)(b)(c)) In particular: ensure that the recordings of the incidents are clear; ensure that the young people‟s views are recorded and that the managers review the effectiveness of the measure. Appointment of independent person (1) The registered person must appoint, at the registered provider‟s expense, a person (“the independent person”) to visit and report on the children‟s home carried on by the registered provider. (6) The independent person must declare any actual or potential conflict of interest (whether of the type mentioned in paragraph (3) or otherwise) to the registered provider without delay and, if reasonably practicable, before conducting a visit to the home. (Regulation 43(1), (6)) 05/01/2018

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Recommendations

 The home‟s policies and procedures around the protection of children should reflect any requirements of other relevant legislation. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 44, paragraph 9.22)  Ensure that there are suitable arrangements in place to administer any medication. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 35, paragraph 7.15)  Staff should have the skills and confidence to communicate easily and understand the importance of listening to, involving and responding to the children they care for. They should also understand how children might communicate their feelings through their behaviour, or non-verbally especially where the child has a disability which does not allow them to communicate as others might. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 22, paragraph 4.10)

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Recommendations

 Staff should be familiar with the home‟s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recordings. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Inspection report children‟s home: 1241564 5  The registered person is responsible for deciding what each review should focus on, based on the specific circumstances of the home at that particular time and any areas of high risk to the children that the home is designed to care for, such as missing or exploitation. They will also consider what information or data recorded in the home will form part of the evidence base for their analysis and conclusions. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 65, paragraph 15.4)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people experience positive stays and make good progress, given their challenging starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A parent stated that her son „can‟t wait to go‟ to the home and described the service provided as „fantastic‟. She stated that all of his complex needs, including sensory and medical, are well managed by staff and managers who have „got it all down to‟ how they are handled at the family home. Consequently, the young person receives consistent and predictable care from home to home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A social worker stated that her young person looked forward to spending time at the home, leading up to his transition into supported accommodation. The social worker stated that the young person was made to feel welcome, and was supported by staff to make good choices. According to the social worker, the young person „thrived‟ at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A parent, who described her child as „very challenging‟, finds that it is helpful to have regular meetings with the staff and managers to „work out what‟s best‟ for her child. This led to a specialist being assigned to work with the child on his behaviour, which has had a positive impact on the young person.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Parents and carers, who are protective about their children, feel confident about leaving them at the home. This is due to the reassurance that they receive from staff and managers throughout the admission planning process. For example, managers carry out impact assessments, meet with partner agencies and arrange a series of tea visits with the young person and their family. A key worker is assigned to the young person before they start their tea visits. This allows for a smooth transition for the young person as the named worker liases closely with them and their family, providing familiarity and consistency.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Parents and carers have a say in the care of their children. A parent stated that she has opportunities to share her views with the staff and managers. The parent stated that she feels heard, as they „always consider‟ her feedback and resolve any concerns that she may have.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people‟s health needs are well supported by the staff and managers, who are appropriately skilled to care for them. For example, staff and managers ensure that young people who are prone to epileptic seizures receive the care and support that they Inspection report children‟s home: 1241564 6 need in line with their care plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people who have limited verbal abilities are encouraged to communicate with the use of a picture exchange communication system, Makaton signing and other methods. Staff also use visual boards to help young people to understand day-to-day routines and plans for the future. Staff recognise signs of joy or distress in the young people and respond appropriately. Photos of staff and young people are displayed on the wall for young people‟s awareness.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people‟s school attendance and engagement are well supported by the staff. An inclusion manager states that school professionals and staff meet regularly to discuss the young people. She also stated that if something goes well then they share the learning, and the home is „always quite happy to take on board the things that have worked well in school‟. Consequently, young people benefit from the good partnership working between the home and the school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are offered a range of activities, both at the home and out in the community. Young people are encouraged to choose activities so that they have a say in how they spend their time. This helps them to feel heard and empowered. While some parents and professionals have stated that the young people are offered a wide range of activities, others have said that there is room for improvement in the number of activities provided, particularly out in the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are provided with opportunities to interact with their peers and learn from one another. For example, one young person was taught road safety by another young person during an outing to the city centre. This helps young people to experience self- efficacy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people‟s transitions to their new placements are managed effectively. Young people who have moved to adult care homes since the last inspection have benefited from the well-coordinated efforts by the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people experience positive contact with their families. One child looked after resumed visits with his mother, brothers and sisters after many months of no contact. Staff facilitated the contact in a way that was positive for the young person.

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improvement to be good

Some of the young people‟s risk assessments are neither robust nor up to date. Not all risk assessments include the risks associated with sexual exploitation, radicalisation, offending behaviour and substance misuse. There is limited evidence of evaluating the effectiveness of the risk assessments to ascertain whether the risk of harm is being reduced.

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improvement to be good

Behavioural management plans set out strategies for managing difficult behaviour. However, the quality of the plans vary and not all young people have robust plans that Inspection report children‟s home: 1241564 7 promote a reduction in maladaptive behaviours. Furthermore, staff do not always work to the young people‟s behavioural management plans, even when there are clear strategies set out in the plans. Consequently, some of the young people have effective interventions with their challenging behaviour while others do not. Also, it is not clear what evaluations have taken place to assess the substantive impact of the interventions on the young people.

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improvement to be good

While the use of restraint is low, the system in place for recording restraints is weak. The records lack clear descriptions of the incidents and the type of restraints used. They are not always clear about the impact on the young person of the restraint. Although there is some evidence of the managers reviewing the incidents and conveying the learning points to staff, not all of the incidents have the managers‟ review clearly recorded. Also, the young people‟s views are not routinely recorded.

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improvement to be good

The use of sanctions is appropriate. However, there is limited evidence of staff seeking young people‟s views on sanctions. In addition, the managers‟ review of the effectiveness of sanctions is not routinely recorded.

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improvement to be good

The quality of the daily log records is inconsistent. Some are more detailed than others. Young people‟s experiences of the day and the impact of the staff‟s actions are not always clear.

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improvement to be good

Medication is generally organised safely. Staff and managers make sure that they keep young people‟s medication under review and report any effects on their well-being. However, one medication error occurred, with no ill effect on the young person.

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improvement to be good

Young people who have verbal abilities know how to complain. One complaint filed by a young person since the last inspection was resolved in a timely and child-centred way. The complaints policy is easy to understand. The children‟s guide is child focused and contains a reference to the office of the children‟s commissioner. However, the system for supporting young people who have limited verbal abilities to complain is not robust. It is not clear how young people who have complex needs are helped to understand their rights. Neither is there a system in place to support young people to understand what abuse is.

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improvement to be good

The home‟s location risk assessment is comprehensive. It includes the risks from gangs and radicalisation, among other factors. The home‟s safeguarding policy is also comprehensive. However, the policy lacks information on the arrangements set out to protect young people from the risk of child sexual exploitation.

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improvement to be good

The home has a missing person‟s policy in place. No young person has gone missing from the home since the last inspection. Staff are clear about and adhere to the home‟s child protection procedures.

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improvement to be good

While there is room for improvement in how well the young people are helped and protected, there are no widespread failures. Parents state that their children are safe in the home. One parent stated that the staff „call her all the time‟ to keep her informed. Inspection report children‟s home: 1241564 8 The parent stated that the staff know her child, who has limited verbal abilities, „very well‟ and „can anticipate his needs‟. Another parent stated that the staff and managers look after her child well and that her child is comfortable around them.

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improvement to be good

Parents and professionals state that young people are safeguarded at the home. A social worker manager states there are no safeguarding concerns. The local authority designated officer has not received any referrals in relation to the adults working at the home. The designated officer states that he has no concerns about the home‟s safeguarding practice.

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improvement to be good

A social worker described the staff‟s approach to addressing any concerns raised as „proactive‟ and that they have addressed challenges „in a personalised way‟.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a permanent manager who is suitably qualified with a level 5 qualification in leadership for health and social care. The registered manager has ample experience of working with vulnerable children and young people. The registered manager is supported by a deputy manager. The registered manager ensures that safe recruitment practices are in place and that the home is adequately resourced to meet the young people‟s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A parent described the registered manager as „an amazing person‟ who „goes out of her way‟ to ensure that her son‟s complex needs are met. The parent also stated that the manager „genuinely cares and listens to what you‟ve got to say‟.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers ensure that the staff team works in partnership with families and professionals to promote positive experiences for the young people. Managers and staff prioritise getting to know the young people, and learning their likes and dislikes and their strengths and needs in an effort to provide good-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff and managers work diligently to maintain a homely environment. The home is child friendly and its amenities are used to support the young people‟s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision, which they find helpful in supporting them to reflect on and improve their practice. There is evidence of staff being effectively challenged and developed through supervision. Staff have stated that they receive good support from their peers and managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home‟s workforce development plan is comprehensive, and staff are offered training that covers the mandatory and supplementary areas for staff‟s learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager‟s self-evaluation of the home‟s strengths and areas for further improvement is thoughtful and considered. The manager makes accurate assessments of the young people‟s needs, as well as the needs of her workforce. She ensures that the home operates in line with the ethos set out in its statement of purpose. However, while the registered manager‟s written evaluation under regulation 45 is underpinned by the Inspection report children‟s home: 1241564 9 quality standards, it lacks a detailed analysis of data and the impact that the care is having on the young people‟s outcomes. It also lacks a robust action plan that sets out the specific steps and timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent visitor‟s reports are comprehensive. However, for the past few months a senior operational manager from within the organisation has undertaken the visits under the regulation 44 as an interim visitor. Consequently, it is not clear how impartial the assessments are. The registered manager stated that a new independent visitor has been hired to start next month. The registered manager recognises the important function of these reports in informing the quality review of the service, and that they need to be impartial and rigorous assessments of the service.

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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 difference 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: 1241564 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: mcch, One Hermitage Court, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, Kent ME16 9NT

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Inspector

Linda Kim-Newby, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: 1241564 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 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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