Children's home run by Sherico Care Services Limited in Westminster

Inspection report children‟s home: SC010700 1 SC010700 Registered provider: Sherico Care Services Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children‟s home is one of a number of homes owned by a private organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for no more than three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

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

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The children‟s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

Enforcement action since last inspection:

None Inspection report children‟s home: SC010700 2

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

This children‟s home requires improvement to be good because:

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 The home has had no registered manager since April 2017.  The management and leadership of the home are weak.  The home‟s internal and external monitoring systems are ineffective.  Children do not make significant progress while living in the home.  The home‟s premises are not homely.  Staff records are often unclear and inaccurate.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Children share a good relationship with the staff team.  Staff protect children from harm and abuse.  Staff work in partnership with other professionals.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/05/2017 Full Good 06/03/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 29/11/2016 Full Requires improvement 14/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children‟s home: SC010700 3

p.2

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.3

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered provider must:

p.3

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(2)(h)). In particular, to ensure staff‟s recording of information is accurate, comprehensive and clear. 01/03/2018

p.3

Requirement Due date

44.—(1) The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children‟s home at least once each month. (Regulation 44(1)) 01/03/2018

p.3

Requirement Due date

The independent person produce a report about a visit (“the independent person‟s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person‟s opinion as to whether:

p.3

Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded and

p.3

Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children‟s well-being. (Regulation 44(4)(a)&(b)) 01/03/2018

p.3

Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person‟s report to: HMCI. (Regulation 44(7)(a)) 01/03/2018

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must: maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4. (Regulation 37(2)(a)). In particular, a copy of the staff duty roster of persons working at the home, and a record of the actual rosters worked. 01/03/2018

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must: maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4. 01/03/2018 Inspection report children‟s home: SC010700 4 1. A record in the form of a register showing in respect of each child:

p.3

Requirement Due date

(a) the date of the child‟s admission to the children‟s home;

p.4

Requirement Due date

(b) the date on which the child ceased to be accommodated in the home;

p.4

Requirement Due date

(c) the child‟s address immediately before being accommodated in the home;

p.4

Requirement Due date

(d) the child‟s address on leaving the home;

p.4

Requirement Due date

(f) the statutory provision (if any) under which the child is accommodated.

p.4

Requirement Due date

5. A record of all visitors to the home, and to children, including the names of visitors and the reasons for the visit. (Regulation 37(1)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)&(5)) Employment of staff

p.4

Requirement Due date

(4) The registered person must ensure that all employees:

p.4

Requirement Due date

(a) undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33(4)(a)). In particular, that staff achieve the relevant NVQ award at level 3. 01/03/2018

p.4

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard

p.4

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered provider must ensure:

p.4

Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. (Regulation 6(2)(b)(vii)). In particular that the provider redecorate the first floor landing area, clean or replace stained carpets, and ensure all bedrooms have appropriate curtains and lampshades. For the torn curtains in the lounge and missing bedroom floorboards to be replaced. 01/03/2018

p.4

Requirement Due date

The children‟s views, wishes and feelings standard

p.4

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the children‟s views, wishes and feelings standard, the registered provider must: 01/03/2018 Inspection report children‟s home: SC010700 5 (c) keep the children‟s guide and the home‟s complaints procedure under review and seek children‟s comments before revising either document. (Regulation 7(2)(c)). In particular, to ensure the contact details of the home‟s complaints officer and that of Ofsted are correct.

p.4

Recommendations

 Ensure staff comply with relevant health and safety legislations. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 15, paragraph 3.9) In particular, that fire doors are kept closed and that there is a fire extinguisher available in the kitchen area.  The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child‟s assessed needs as recorded in the child‟s placement plan. Managers are to consider this in cases where a therapeutic environment is identified as a child‟s need. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 56, paragraph 11.4.)

p.5

improvement to be good

The inadequate rating for leadership and management has significantly influenced the judgement for this outcome area. The lack of a registered manager for in excess of 26 weeks contributes to the judgement decision.

p.5

improvement to be good

Children do not make significant progress from their starting points and their experiences at the home are merely fair. The quality of care that staff provide does not make a significant difference to the lives of children.

p.5

improvement to be good

Children‟s educational outcomes are not promising. Some children refuse to engage at all in educational activities available to them, while others only sporadically participate in their home-tutoring sessions. Children‟s healthcare outcomes are also variable. Children register with and have access to primary care services, but generally do not take responsibility for living healthy lifestyles. For example, some continue to misuse substances, despite staff‟s encouragement for them to cease doing so.

p.5

improvement to be good

Children have the opportunity to participate in leisure activities arranged by the staff team. Staff regularly encourage them to identify the activities that they enjoy. Occasionally, children choose to participate. For example, they recently enjoyed a trip to an amusement park. However, children largely prefer to socialise with their friends and Inspection report children‟s home: SC010700 6 families, and do not routinely take part in the home‟s activities.

p.5

improvement to be good

Children do not benefit from the home‟s care planning processes. Referrals indicate that for some children a therapeutic environment is required. The home accepts a number of these referrals despite not providing a therapeutic model of care. As a result, the home is unable to meet some children‟s placement goals as identified by placing authorities. This is not in children‟s best interests.

p.6

improvement to be good

Children keep in touch with their families and friends, and they are welcome to have visitors at the home. However, staff must record and confirm the identity of visitors. This is to help minimise any potential risks posed to children.

p.6

improvement to be good

Children have the opportunity to develop practical living skills with the support and supervision of staff. However, children largely do not participate in the home‟s semi- independence programme. Staff do not make good use of recording tools that help chart children‟s progress in preparing for adulthood.

p.6

improvement to be good

Children generally share a positive relationship with the staff team, and staff enjoy working with them. Children know how to make a complaint if they are unhappy. Since the last inspection, there has been only one complaint made by a child. Managers dealt with this promptly and appropriately. Children have the opportunity to share their views and opinions about the service; staff enquire about their views in residents‟ meetings and individual key-work sessions.

p.6

improvement to be good

The staff team meets the identity needs of children satisfactorily. This is particularly the case for children who have learning difficulties. Staff are mindful of the impact that disabilities have on children‟s behaviour and communication.

p.6

improvement to be good

Staff protect children from harm and abuse. Children benefit from staff‟s knowledge and training in safeguarding and the home‟s child protection procedures. These feature in the induction process of new staff, while long-serving staff receive „refresher‟ child protection training.

p.6

improvement to be good

Children‟s risk assessments identify known and anticipated risks. Staff keep these documents current. However, strategies in place to combat risks are sometimes vague or irrelevant and so are ineffective in curbing children‟s risk-taking behaviour. Some details of risk assessments appear not to relate to the child in question. As a result, these documents, in part, are not helpful in reducing children‟s risky behaviour.

p.6

improvement to be good

The home‟s premises are generally safe and secure. The previous inspection raised concerns for the home‟s fire prevention measures. Staff have now replaced the missing fire blanket in the kitchen, but have since removed fire extinguishers. The kitchen, office and lounge fire doors remain propped open. This does not help to protect children and Inspection report children‟s home: SC010700 7 others in the event of a fire. A broken window restrictor seen in one child‟s bedroom needs to be replaced to ensure the safe opening of the window.

p.6

improvement to be good

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of action to take in the event of a child making an allegation against another staff member. Since the last inspection, there has been one such incident. Managers dealt with the disclosure appropriately and in accordance with the home‟s child protection procedures. Staff‟s communication with the designated officer was appropriate.

p.7

improvement to be good

Staff have good awareness of policies and procedures that relate to children who are missing from the home. The frequency of such incidents is high; however, staff take consistent action to ensure the safe return of children. Records of missing episodes show improvement and staff‟s communication with local police teams is good. Managers request strategy meetings with local authority social workers and the police to devise plans to help reduce the number of missing episodes. However, these plans have been largely unsuccessful.

p.7

improvement to be good

Staff make appropriate use of incentives and sanctions to discourage poor behaviour. Staff now make better use of restorative approaches to care. For example, children are required to pay for any damage to property that they deliberately cause. Key-work sessions focus on encouraging children to reflect on their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions.

p.7

improvement to be good

Staff encourage children to adhere to house rules and boundaries in place that help to keep them safe. All staff receive training in de-escalation techniques, and the staff team generally manages children‟s challenging behaviour well. Since the last inspection, there have been few critical incidents, and no instances of staff restraining children.

p.7

improvement to be good

The home‟s staff vetting practices are in line with safe staff recruitment procedures. This confirms that staff are suitable to work with vulnerable children.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There are significant weaknesses in the leadership and management of the home. This has a negative impact on the provider‟s efforts to ensure that the home‟s quality of care is of a high standard and that children‟s progress and experiences are positive.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home has had no registered manager since April 2017. The home‟s previous manager withdrew her application to become the registered manager. The new manager is currently absent from the home; the deputy manager is responsible for the home‟s day-to-day management. This arrangement is unsatisfactory, and management oversight of the home is weak. A number of shortfalls raised at the last inspection remain unresolved and are repeated at this inspection.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home‟s monitoring systems are poor and do not highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the service. The home‟s internal quality assurance systems are not effective. For example, managers‟ auditing of files does not result in clear, relevant Inspection report children‟s home: SC010700 8 records of care plans, risk assessments or behavioural management plans. Records of children‟s semi-independence programmes are blank. Some documents seen are mere duplications of information seen on other children‟s files. Children are therefore not receiving personalised care that meets their specific needs.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The provider continues to fail to ensure that independent monthly monitoring visits take place and that subsequent reports are forwarded to Ofsted. Those received are of a poor quality. Reports do not comply with the regulations and do not help to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the home.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Improvements are required in the maintenance and redecoration of the building. This is to make it more homely. In particular, the area around the first floor landing needs attention. There is exposed plastering around bedroom door locks, walls are grubby in appearance and the carpet is stained. Not all bedrooms have light-bulbs, lampshades or net and heavy curtains. There is no television in the lounge and the lounge curtains are dirty and torn. A section of floorboarding is missing in one bedroom. The home is not a homely environment and some areas are unpleasant in appearance.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home‟s staffing levels are appropriate to meet the needs of children. The previous inspection highlighted concerns for the accuracy of staffing rotas. This remains an issue as discrepancies in staffing records continue.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff feel well supported by the organisation. One staff member comments, „It‟s more professional than the other homes. Support here is good. Managers take time to show you what you need to know.‟ Staff receive regular, formal supervision and annual appraisals. These are to assess and enhance staff care practices.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff training opportunities have improved since the last inspection. For example, staff now receive training in child protection, missing persons, de-escalation techniques, and attachment, loss and trauma. However, not all staff have formal national vocational qualification training as required. This is required to ensure that they have appropriate knowledge and skills to meet the needs of children.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff‟s partnership working with external partners is good. Staff liaise with local authority social workers, the police and educational professionals as required. This supports the effective coordination of children‟s care.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home‟s statement of purpose is a detailed document that outlines the aims and objectives of the service. The children‟s guide requires revision as it does not contain accurate contact details for the organisation‟s complaints officer or the correct contact details for Ofsted.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The leadership and management of the home are weak. These require significant improvement if the service is to have a positive effect on the experience, progress and protection of children. Inspection report children‟s home: SC010700 9

p.8

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.9

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: SC010700 10

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sherico Care Services Limited

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sherico Care Homes Ltd, 2-4 Balmoral Road, London E10 5ND

p.10

Inspectors

Sandra Jacobs-Walls, social care inspector Patrick Sullivan, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC010700 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.10

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.11

Inspectors

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

p.11

Inspectors

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

p.11