Children's Home, Residential special school run by Amberleigh Care Limited in Shropshire

Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC448209 1 SC448209

p.1

Amberleigh Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children‘s home for up to 12 young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This children‘s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 4 and 5 October 2017.

p.1

This monitoring visit

As part of the full inspection on 4 and 5 October, 16 requirements and two recommendations were raised.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring inspection was to review the progress made by managers and staff with regard to improving the standard of care provided for young people. This inspection showed that some improvements have been made. However, other areas require further development.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff are more vigilant to bullying behaviours. Staff now respond promptly and effectively when incidents occur. Young people have watched a video with staff about bullying. In addition, staff have had meetings with young people to help them to understand why bullying is not acceptable, and how this behaviour can affect other people. These interventions promote young people‘s welfare and safety.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Many areas of the home have now been decorated. As a result, the physical environment in which young people live is improving. This helps the young people to feel valued. Building work continues on the home‘s site. Staff have spoken with the young people about the potential dangers of this. As a result, there have been no further incidents in which young people have gained access to areas where they may have been put at risk of harm. Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC448209 2 Managers and staff have responded well to the one safeguarding matter that has arisen since the last inspection. This shows that managers and staff have improved their practice. Following safeguarding procedures helps to keep young people safe.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staffing levels are currently appropriate. Following the last inspection, there was a short period where more agency staff were employed than permanent staff. This has now been resolved. Although some staff continue to work long shifts, this is mutually agreed between individual staff and managers. The team members are working well together to provide greater consistency for young people. A new manager and deputy manager are in place, which strengthens the leadership of the home. The new manager has plans to examine the way that staffing is used within the home to fully meet the needs of young people.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Some aspects of recording have improved. Monthly reports contain a useful summary of young people‘s progress and these reports can be used to keep young people‘s social workers up to date.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager regularly reviews the use of consequences. As a result, when young people receive consequences for their behaviour, these are more appropriate and effective. They help young people to understand the impact of their behaviour on themselves and other people. There has been a reduction in the use of restraint since the last inspection. The manager has a good awareness of her role in monitoring such incidents and this protects young people.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Managers have revised the way that budgets are managed. As a result, young people are no longer expected to pay the staff from their weekly activity money when they require supervision and support on activities. This change enables young people to be involved in more activities with staff, which helps to develop relationships and create positive memories.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The previous inspection highlighted concerns that young people were not being sufficiently consulted about the home and their care. Managers have appointed a new independent visitor who carries out monthly quality assurance visits to the home. The most recent visit to the home has shown that the visitor talks to young people to gain their views about where they live. This provides young people with the opportunity to have their say. Some young people have enough individual time with their key workers. However, some do not. Furthermore, the records of young people‘s meetings are confusing, so it is not always clear when such meetings have taken place and what issues have been discussed.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There has been an increase in the amount of information contained in some young people‘s case files. However, this is not yet consistent in respect of all young people‘s files. For example, information regarding therapeutic work with young people is now more detailed. Individual care plans and behaviour management plans Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC448209 3 are in the process of being rewritten, but have yet to be completed for all young people. Not all young people‘s files include a personal education plan. The quality of some education records is variable. This limits the staff‘s understanding of and hinders their ability to monitor all aspects of young people‘s educational progress.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Individual risk assessments continue to need updating and some contain gaps. Some documents do not contain information that reflects each young person‘s individual needs. As a result, staff continue to have a lack of clear guidance to follow so that they can minimise and manage all known risks.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Of the young people‘s files examined, none contain an impact assessment. As a result, there remains a lack of clarity regarding how managers have assessed that the home is suitable for individual young people, and how they have judged that it can meet the needs of each young person alongside those of the other young people living in the home.

p.3

This monitoring visit

One significant incident that has taken place since the last inspection has not been notified to Ofsted as required. This means that managers and staff are still not informing all of the relevant people when serious incidents occur.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Some records were not available to review during this inspection. Although staff reported that recommendations from the fire risk assessment have been actioned, this could not be verified fully. Furthermore, recruitment records were not available to view during this inspection visit. As a result, these two requirements are repeated, and will be examined at the next inspection.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The home‘s manager has completed the six-monthly review of the home. This is a sufficiently detailed report and it shows the improvements that have been made which are benefiting young people. The quality of care review report also examines some areas of development that are necessary in order to continue the trajectory of improvement.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The provider is still within the timescale for updating the home‘s statement of purpose and this document needs to be forwarded to Ofsted by 30 November.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Eight requirements are raised following this inspection. Two recommendations raised at the last full inspection will be reviewed at the next full inspection. Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC448209 4

p.3

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/10/2017 Full Inadequate 01/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 07/12/2016 Full Good 22/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC448209 5

p.4

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.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that each child is enabled to provide feedback to, and raise issues with, a relevant person about the support and services the child receives (Regulation 7(2)(b)). In particular, that young people have the opportunity to talk to their key workers and other staff about their progress and any issues of concern. 12/01/2018

p.5

Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so (Regulation 8(1)(2)(a)(i)). In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff help each child to achieve the child‘s education and training targets, as recorded in the child‘s relevant plans. 12/01/2018

p.5

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, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(i)) 12/01/2018

p.5

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children receive effectively planned care in or through the children‘s home (Regulation 14(1)(a)). Specifically in relation to assessing the impact of new young people on existing residents. 12/01/2018

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16(3)(a)(b)) 30/11/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children‘s safety. Specifically, the registered person must ensure that full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. 12/01/2018 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC448209 6 (Regulation 32(1)(3)(d)) The registered person must maintain records (―case records‖) for each child, which include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child. (Regulation 36(1)(a)) 12/01/2018

p.5

Requirement Due date

Ensure the registered person notifies HMCI and each other relevant person without delay of all events outlined within this regulation, without delay. (Regulation 40(4)(b)(c)(d)(e)) 12/01/2018

p.6

Recommendations

 Ensure the registered person reviews the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. The review should inc the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home‘s locati and strategies for managing these. (‗Guide to the children‘s homes regulations including the quality standards‘, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

p.6

Recommendations

 When a child is found after being missing from home, they must be offered an independent return home interview. Independent return interviews provide an opportunity to uncover information that can protect children from the risk of go missing again, from risks they may have been exposed to while missing or from risk factors in their home. (‗Statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care‘, page 14, paragraph 32)

p.6

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.

p.6

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC448209 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Amberleigh Care Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Amberleigh Care Ltd, Golfa Hall, Golfa, Welshpool, Powys SY21 9AF

p.7

Inspectors

Andrew Hewston, social care inspector Tracey Coglan Greig Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC448209 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.

p.7

Inspectors

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.8

Inspectors

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

p.8

Inspectors

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

p.8