Children's home run by Lioncare Ltd Operating as The Lioncare Group in Epping Forest

Inspection report children’s home: SC068067 1 SC068067 Registered provider: Lioncare Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: Requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: None

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged as requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved in effectiveness.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

This inspection examined progress made on meeting the eight requirements and the one recommendation made at the last inspection in May 2017. The inspector also examined how leaders have ensured that practice and care are assessed and monitored and how they have developed the service to improve outcomes for young people.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, it was noted that the young people, especially those not in education or employment, were not positively engaging in the daily structure and routines of the home. Significant efforts have been made by the staff to help the young people to successfully enrol at school and college. This is very good progress and a noteworthy achievement for the young people concerned. However, the young people have not engaged consistently in the programmes devised for them by the staff when they have not been at college or have not had work. The set structures and agreed routines have not been consistently applied or implemented by members of staff. This Inspection report children’s home: SC068067 2 requirement is repeated.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, behaviour management plans are clearer and set out what strategies are to be used to support young people, especially at times of distress. This has helped staff to be more consistent in their approach. Importantly, the young people are involved in developing these plans and so feel that they have an influence on the ways in which they are being cared for. This process of collaborative working, underpinned by warm, caring relationships, has led to a more settled atmosphere in the home.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The local area risk assessment has been updated and is clear about the potential risks posed by nearby hostels, which accommodate adults who have alcohol and substance misuse difficulties. There are longer-term plans to move the home to alternative premises.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The acting manager and her deputies have used external consultants for guidance and advice to ensure that improvements have been made to this service since the last inspection. This has led to the implementation of systems which examine how areas are to be improved when shortfalls are noted. For example, records relating to child protection issues are now clearer, behaviour management plans are more relevant and training for staff has been improved. In addition to this, managers have reflected on the previous mix of young people and examined how to ensure that new admissions to the home do not have a negative impact on the well-being and progress of others. Improvements have been achieved by the use of more thorough impact risk assessments.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, a requirement was raised relating to the training and support of the then acting manager. This acting manager has withdrawn her application to be registered with Ofsted and is now in a deputy manager role. The requirement has been met in that she has received more in-depth training in safeguarding, and has received regular supervision to assess how effective she is being in her role and what support she needs. Consequently, she feels well supported and confident in carrying out her key role in the home.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, it was noted that there was a reliance on the use of agency staff to fill gaps in staffing levels. A requirement was made to ensure that all members of staff had the correct level of qualification to work with the young people. Since the last inspection, there a number of trained staff have been transferred from another home within the organisation. This has meant that seven out of ten staff have a relevant level 3 qualification, and the remaining three members of staff are in training for this. The requirement has now been met.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records relating to allegations of abuse and the action taken in response are now clear and show how the concern has been addressed; the records detail the communication with agencies involved and any decisions made. This demonstrates that concerns are now appropriately shared and that there are no delays in their resolution. Inspection report children’s home: SC068067 3 At the last inspection, a recommendation was made relating to ensuring that records were accurate. The inspector found two examples of the recording completed by members of staff being inaccurate. However, in both these instances, the correct information was found in other records. Therefore, there was no impact on the safety or well-being of the young people due to these shortfalls, but the acting manager agreed that they should have been of better quality. The recommendation is therefore repeated.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has been discharged from the home and another admitted. The reasons for the young person moving on were explored, and the acting manager was able to produce a timeline relating to the negotiations to move him on. This showed that considerable efforts were made to ensure that this was achieved in a timely manner and that the young person was supported.

p.3

and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person admitted to the home at a later date initially failed to settle in well and her behaviour was a source of concern. However, tenacious and resilient care shown by members of staff has enabled the young person to make significant strides and become far more settled. As a result, missing episodes from the home have decreased considerably and the young person is now attending a mainstream school despite a significant gap in her education prior to the placement. This is excellent progress, especially bearing in mind the young person’s starting point.

p.3

and young people since the most recent full inspection

It is clear that there have been significant changes in the management of the home and the staff since the last inspection. Managers also acknowledge that the mix of the young people had led to an unsettled atmosphere and this had compromised the progress young people were making. Managers have used this experience as a learning point and are showing a determination to ensure that the culture of the home is more positive. Consequently, these dynamics have now been addressed and the home is now more stable. This is enabling young people to make progress and engage positively and meaningfully with the staff who care for them.

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/05/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/01/2017 Full Inadequate 20/07/2016 Full Requires improvement 08/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness

p.3

What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

Inspection report children’s home: SC068067 4

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.4

Requirement Due date

6: 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 person must:

p.4

Requirement Due date

6(1)(b) deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that young people out of formal education or employment engage in a meaningful and structured daily routine. 08/01/2018

p.4

Recommendations

 Ensure that children’s case records are kept up to date, to enable the effective monitoring of children’s engagement and progress. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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.4

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.4

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 Inspection report children’s home: SC068067 5 it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’.

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 186 Forest Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 1EG

p.5

Inspector

Paul Taylor, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC068067 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.5

Inspector

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

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

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6