Children's home run by Five Rivers Child Care Limited in Wiltshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC025938 1 SC025938 Registered provider: Five Rivers Child Care Limited Interim inspection 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 provide care and accommodation for up to six children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 2 February 2017

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has been temporarily closed since August 2017. No children have been accommodated since this time, which is over three months. The registered provider has indicated that the home will not be operational until the end of the year. The inspection focuses on whether the registration requirements continue to be met, including appropriate management arrangements so that the home is suitable to accommodate children. The inspection also takes into account any changes that the provider has made to improve the quality of the care provided.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The provider commendably decided to voluntarily close the home due to serious issues with the management of the home. This closure would enable staff to regroup, receive relevant training and institute an action plan for the future. This staff team has undergone particular challenges, poor inductions, low morale, perceived bullying and a Inspection report children’s home: SC025938 2 lack of support and direction. The induction process does not make staff aware of the organisation’s whistle-blowing procedure. An awareness of this information will enable staff to report any concerns they may have.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The relatively new staff team has limited experience of working in a home where emergency placements are accepted. Staff are continuing to receive ongoing training to equip them for this work. The staff development plan details the wide range of training that staff receive. However, an up-to-date workforce development plan is not available. This should include the ongoing training that staff will require to deliver the type of care outlined in the statement of purpose.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is awaiting the imminent arrival of the new manager. Although there is a competent deputy manager, the structure is not strengthened by senior support staff or shift leaders. When the deputy manager is not at the home, there are no clear lines of accountability to maintain effective management. It is recognised that senior managers have been providing oversight and some level of direction. Staff highlight the difficulty in not having day-to-day leadership, targets and objectives.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff confirm that they are receiving monthly supervision, although these records could not be examined during the inspection, as they were locked away for confidentiality purposes. Staff have the opportunity to express their feelings collectively in team meetings. An issue highlighted in team meetings and during the inspection is the need for staff to have greater professionalism. An example was a staff member who joked that team meetings were ‘boring’.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A sample of regulatory documents was examined. The recordings within the children’s register and the restraint log do not comply with regulations. The children’s register did not consistently detail the child’s address on leaving the home. It also did not include the correct statutory provision under which the child is accommodated. In addition, the restraint log on one occasion did not have the duration of the physical intervention.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are good health and safety arrangements. Relevant certificates and documents confirm the safety of the premises.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The resourceful staff team has spent time redecorating the home. A talented staff member has also made new curtains. This contributes towards making the environment more homely. The home is registered for six children. However, only five bedrooms are available. Some rooms did not have bedding. There was also limited crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils suitable for the number of children and staff that could live and work in the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The provider has effectively addressed the two recommendations from the last inspection. The service benefits from constructive independent monthly monitoring reports in accordance with regulation 44. This report provides a rigorous assessment of the home’s arrangement for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children. There is an improvement in the Ofsted notification process: notifications now include details of the action taken by the staff. Inspection report children’s home: SC025938 3 The home is in a state of transition. It is noted that staff are generally enthusiastic and keen to build on their skills. A staff member praised the training for providing ‘more clarity’. Staff appreciate having the opportunity to ‘bond as a team’. Training and support are effectively addressing their personal resilience and self-confidence. The staff team benefits from bespoke training. Alongside organisational and procedural training, staff

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

are making progress with their accredited vocational training. They also have the opportunity to work at other homes within the organisation. There is recognition that the team needs a capable, experienced manager on site to drive forward improvements and embed good practice.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Feedback was seen from children from the Ofsted survey and a compliment. A child confirmed that they had felt safe and supported while living at the home. Another child thanked staff for helping them, stating: ‘Your words of wisdom go a long way.’ Staff express pride in their work. A staff member confirmed that they find it ‘rewarding’. Another staff member highlighted the importance of ‘going the extra mile’ for children.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 20/06/2016 Full Good 03/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 16/11/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC025938 4

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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, 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.

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Requirement Due date

Engaging with the wider system to ensure that children’s needs are met

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff –

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Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate. (Regulation 5(d)) 01/01/2018

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Requirement Due date

Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes its duration. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(iii)) 01/01/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain a register of children. In particular, the child’s address on leaving the home and the statutory provision under which the child is accommodated. (Regulation 37(2)) 01/01/2018

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Recommendations

 Ensure that there are clear lines of accountability. Each home must have clear arrangements in place to maintain effective management. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)  Ensure that there is an up-to-date workforce development plan to include any further training required for staff to deliver the statement of purpose. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)  Ensure that homes provide a homely domestic environment. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) This relates to bedding, appropriate cutlery and crockery. Inspection report children’s home: SC025938 5  Ensure that staff are made familiar with the home’s internal whistle-blowing procedures through the induction process. (‘Guide to the children’s homes

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Recommendations

regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.9)

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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 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.

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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.

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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: SC025938 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Five Rivers Child Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 47 Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT

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Inspector

Sharon Payne, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC025938 7 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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