Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Inspection report children’s home: SC370703 1 SC370703 Registered provider: Surrey County Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This service is owned and run by the local authority, providing care and accommodation for up to 20 young people for either long stay and/or short breaks for young people who have learning disabilities.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection, a significant incident occurred which was reported to Ofsted and other external professionals. A decision was made by Ofsted to complete a focused interim inspection to examine the implantation of the provider’s action plan since that event.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following this significant incident, an investigation has taken place by a professional external to the children’s home. Following this, the registered manager also undertook internal investigations and further highlighted areas needing improvement. Recommendations were made. The manager has taken appropriate action and made changes to practice to ensure that this does not happen again. Inspection report children’s home: SC370703 2 The incident occurred between young people while they were unsupervised. There is no evidence to suggest that the event could have been predicted and staff and professionals described being ‘shocked’ at what happened. Although risk assessments were undertaken to determine if suspension of staff was required following the incident, there have been no further risk assessments to identify strategies and support required when the practice of staff has been questioned. When young people access short

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

breaks, which had been the case when the incident occurred, staff discuss the compatibility of the young people staying concurrently. Although an impact risk assessment format has been developed by senior staff for completion prior to young people’s placements, this is only for the young people who live at the children’s home and not for the young people accessing short breaks. This does mean that there is no record of the evaluation of the compatibility of the young people on short breaks. In addition, risk assessments that are in operation for the young people who live in the children’s home are not being reviewed at regular intervals or if young people move between flats within the home. This fails to demonstrate how safe decisions are made, taking into account the unique needs of young people who are placed or may come to stay.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff were able to describe the progress young people make in placement and observations demonstrated this also. Young people who previously were unable to sit at a table are now happy to do this. Others now eat a more varied diet and interact purposefully with individual staff. The manager is introducing a new profile for each child to be able to set targets and record the progress made. This has yet to be fully implemented; therefore this recommendation is repeated. Audits of all young people’s files are about to commence. This has yet to be completed and the manager is aware that some of the young people’s risk assessments and care planning may require review. This requirement is repeated.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work in partnership with parents and professionals to assess young people’s needs prior to them coming to the home. Young people are welcomed into the home through an induction process that involves initial visits, longer stays and then overnight stays, if and when young people and their families are ready. There have been emergency admissions since the last inspection. These have been managed well with staff and managers constantly reviewing the suitability of the placements with all professionals involved. Young people have had successful moves on to adult provisions with positive feedback from parents. Comments include, ‘He came to you as a boy and is leaving as a young man with many skills and real potential to be as independent as is possible in the future, thanks to all your skills and teaching and care and friendship.’

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The relationships between staff and young people continue to be a strength. The staff group is able to communicate effectively with young people, providing them with choice in their daily lives and many opportunities to do things that they enjoy doing. Managers have introduced best practice champions. Staff are able to gain this responsibility and this has empowered staff to take action when they feel that practice could be improved and also to use their knowledge to further strengthen the staff team. Since the last inspection, recruitment has been underway and the home has filled the vacant senior positions; this has resulted in a full complement of senior staff. However, there are now Inspection report children’s home: SC370703 3 three flats being used for children living in the home and permanent staffing levels have not been increased to accommodate this. The managers rely on the consistent use of a

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

small number of bank and agency staff. The reduced number of permanent staff on shift could affect the continuity of care being provided to these young people.

p.3

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are skilled at promoting a nurturing environment where young people feel safe and well cared for. The staff team is consistent in its approach and effectively engages with young people to promote positive behaviour. As a result, the home has only used three sanctions. These were all with one young person who staff deemed had the ability to understand the consequences put in place. Three physical interventions have occurred. There has been clear management oversight of these restraints and actions taken to prevent re-occurrence.

p.3

and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been progress made in the level of supervision provided to all staff. The managers have introduced a responsive supervision form which captures developmental conversations that weren’t previously recorded. The service is subject to regular internal auditing by the manager and external scrutiny by a newly appointed independent visitor. The independent visitor provides challenge and the manager feels that this scrutiny is helpful in further improving the quality of care. However, these reports have not been received into Ofsted, although they are available at the home.

p.3

and young people since the most recent full inspection

In the last few months, following the significant incident, the management team has had to put all its efforts and focus into ensuring that all young people are safe. There is a child-centred approach to how the staff and managers work. The managers clearly lead by example and there is effective role modelling. The whole team has clearly learned from the incident and has put efforts in place to use this knowledge and further improve practice.

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/05/2017 Full Good 16/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 18/10/2016 Full Good 01/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC370703 4

p.3

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, the 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.4

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans and to make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(i))

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff are working to up-to-date individual risk assessments and that these detail all risks. 22/12/2017

p.4

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— (a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and (b) have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— arrangements are in place to manage and review the placement of each child in the home. (Regulation14(b)(ii))

p.4

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that impact risk assessments are completed and reviewed and each child is suitable for the placement. 22/12/2017

p.4

Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to HMCI. (Regulation 44(7)(a)) 22/12/2017

p.4

Recommendations

 Ensure that staff engage proactively to contribute fully to the relevant plans for the child’s care on an ongoing basis. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.3) In particular, ensure that targets for children are specific and progress is demonstrated.  Ensure the employment of any temporary staff will not prevent children from Inspection report children’s home: SC370703 5 receiving the continuity of care they need. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 51, paragraph 10.1)  Ensure the performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular, risk assessments are undertaken on staff following significant incidents. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

p.4

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.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.5

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’.

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Quadrant Court, 35 Guildford Road, Woking GU22 7QQ

p.5

Inspector(s)

Emeline Evans, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC370703 6 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.

p.5

Inspector(s)

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.6

Inspector(s)

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

p.6

Inspector(s)

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

p.6