Children's Home run by Platinum Services for Children (Residential Care) Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC378187 1 SC378187 Registered provider: Platinum Services For Children (Residential Care) Ltd

p.1

Full inspection 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 two young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Inadequate

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: None Inspection report children’s home: SC378187 2

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

 The young person enjoys being at the home and has built up some positive relationships with the staff.  The young person has improved her school attendance and she has made academic progress.  Staff encourage the young person to keep healthy and support her to attend health appointments.  The young person feels safe.  The number of missing from home incidents has reduced.  Staff encourage the young person to reflect on her behaviour, and this has led her to make positive changes.  Staff ensure that placement planning is good and centred on the needs and wishes of the young person.  The manager supports staff well and provides the staff with regular supervision.  Professionals said that staff communicate with them well.  Professionals involved with the young person are pleased with her progress and development.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development:

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Ensure that the manager signs and dates behaviour management records, when she has reviewed them.  Ensure that staff familiarise themselves with updates made to young people’s risk assessments.  Complete the workforce development plan to show how managers support staff development and training needs.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/08/2017 Full Inadequate 26/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/09/2016 Full Good 16/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC378187 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

Ensure that within 48 hours of the use of a measure of control or discipline in relation to a child in the home, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (‘the authorised person’) has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(b)(c)) 31/01/2018

p.3

Recommendations

 Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Where there are safeguarding concerns for a child, their placement plan, agreed between the home and their placing authority, must include details of the steps the home will take to manage any assessed risks on a day to day basis. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5) In particular, ensure that when risk assessments are updated, staff familiarise themselves with the information contained in these documents.  The registered person should have a workforce plan which can fulfil the workforce related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1, paragraphs 19 and 20. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8) Inspection report children’s home: SC378187 4

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One young person has lived at the home since the last full inspection in August 2017. The young person has settled well, and made improvements in different aspects of her development. She has formed positive relationships with the staff team and has made friends in the community. The young person benefits from consistent care and clear boundaries. This helps her to build trusting relationships and know what is expected of her. Staff provide the young person with positive role models. The young person told the inspector, ‘I get on with all the staff really.’

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff provide a wide range of activities and encourage the young person to develop appropriate friendships outside of the home. For example, the young person is looking forward to going on a planned go-karting activity. Such opportunities enable her to experience new things. This helps her to build her confidence and develop her social skills.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young person enjoys well-organised contact with her family. Staff support her and help to make sure that visits are a positive and safe experience. The staff keep key family members up to date with the young person’s progress. This enables family members to celebrate the young person’s achievements.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage the young person to stay fit and healthy. They support the young person to attend routine health appointments. Staff store and administer medication safely and this promotes the young person’s safety and well-being.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young person has made significant improvements in her school attendance. This has increased from just over 50% before the summer, to over 90% in the winter term. Improved school attendance supports the young person’s learning. Better engagement has led to the young person’s predicted grades being higher than expected. She has completed work experience in a local hotel and a career in catering is planned, including a college course. Participating in work experience enabled the young person to learn about the world of work and to develop her self-confidence within a work environment.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a pleasant and comfortable environment for young people to live in. Photos on display show the positive experiences that young people have had. Repairs are responded to swiftly, and this shows that the young person lives in a home that is well cared for. This helps young people to feel valued.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff spend time talking to the young person about her progress and any issues of concern. Staff encourage the young person to take part in all meetings relating to her, and to give her views about her care. New individualised care planning documentation makes sure that young people’s views are captured in their written plans. This helps to keep the young person informed about what is happening. The young person knows how to complain. She can identify a trusted adult whom she can talk to if she is unhappy or wants to raise a concern. Inspection report children’s home: SC378187 5 Staff talk to the young person about the possibility of another young person moving into the home. This helps her to prepare for any changes and gives her the opportunity to be consulted.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The young person feels safe living in the home. The manager regularly reviews the young person’s risk assessment. It is not clear how staff ensure that they familiarise themselves with any new information contained in the plan. This may lead to information being missed by staff. Although this has not had any direct impact on young people to date, staff not familiarising themselves with relevant information has the potential to compromise children’s safety and welfare. A recommendation is raised to address this shortfall.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Managers and staff provide a safe environment for young people to live in. They make sure that regular health and safety checks are carried out. Furthermore, all the staff and the young person have completed certified training in fire safety. This helps them to understand what to do in the event of such an emergency. A good location risk assessment informs the staff about potential concerns in the local area that could impact on young people. The risk assessment is informative and enables staff to be vigilant to protect young people from possible harm.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff know what to do should a young person go missing from the home. There has been a significant reduction in missing from home incidents since the last full inspection. This reflects how much more settled the young person is and the progress she is making. Furthermore, staff work well with the young person to help her to understand the dangers in the community and online, and how she can keep herself safe. The police make regular visits to the home to become aware of any issues that may trigger future missing incidents and to make themselves known to the young person.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff implement clear boundaries to help the young person understand what is expected of her. They use praise and reward to promote positive behaviour. This works well. The vast majority of rewards are either monetary or food based, and the manager will review whether the type of rewards need to be more diverse. The staff use a restorative approach to help the young person to recognise her behaviour and the need to take ownership of her actions. Although records of sanctions have improved since the last full inspection, they do not clearly show that the manager has reviewed these records. As a result, the manager cannot assure herself that the use of sanctions is proportionate and effective. Staff successfully de-escalate potentially challenging situations. Consequently, no restraints have been necessary at the home for over a year.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The organisation has reviewed some of its systems for recruitment. The registered manager now ensures that more rigorous checks are made with previous employers. Shortfalls identified at the last inspection have been rectified. By following safer recruitment procedures, managers prevent unsuitable people from caring for young people. Inspection report children’s home: SC378187 6

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified with a level 5 diploma in leadership and management. She is experienced and provides good leadership to an enthusiastic and caring staff team.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although the manager has started the workforce development plan, and this contains some good elements, it is not finished. A recommendation is raised to ensure that the manager completes this plan so that staff can fully benefit from the different training and development opportunities on offer.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is monitored by an independent visitor who identifies any strengths or weaknesses in the quality of care provided to young people. The staff team responds well to areas of improvement raised by the visitor. Further monitoring is undertaken by the manager. Good monitoring supports improvement. A service development plan outlines areas for further development, and the registered manager is committed to maintaining good standards of care.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works well with other professionals. A social worker is pleased with the level of information shared, stating, ‘Communication is good. The staff keep me up to date with everything that is going on.’ Collaborative working supports young people’s progress and welfare.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Care planning for the young person is detailed and in line with the placing authority’s expectations, as highlighted at a recent review. The manager understands the young person’s progress and areas where she needs ongoing support.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and her deputy support staff well. Staff receive an annual appraisal, which highlights areas of development and possible further training. The appraisal also includes a self-assessment of the staff member’s individual skills and gives them time to reflect on their performance. Effective supervision also enables staff to review and improve their practice.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a full complement of staff, who are consistent in their approach to the care of the young person. Some staff are suitably qualified and hold a level 3 diploma or national vocational qualification in caring for children and young people. Those members of staff who are working towards the qualification are expected to complete it in the required timescales. The organisation has changed its training provider since the last inspection. This has led to improvements in the quality of training that staff receive. Staff said that they now feel more equipped to respond to the challenges that young people can bring. A new training matrix shows that all staff have completed training in mandatory courses and these are updated regularly.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager notifies relevant people when a significant event occurs. As a result, relevant people can monitor the home and ensure that, when necessary, managers and staff take appropriate action to manage and reduce risks to young people. Inspection report children’s home: SC378187 7

p.6

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.7

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: SC378187 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Platinum Services For Children (Residential Care) Ltd

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 Sheriffs Orchard, Coventry, West Midlands CV1 3PP

p.8

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Leonard Pattinson

p.8

Inspector

Andrew Hewston, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC378187 9 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.8

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9