Children's home run by Rushcliffe Specialist Schools (Mickleover) Ltd in Nottingham

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC463386 1 SC463386

p.1

Rushcliffe Specialist Schools (Mickleover) Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned residential special school is registered as a children’s home. This is because it provides care and accommodation to children and young people for over 295 days per year. It is registered to provide care for up to 24 children and young people who have learning disabilities. At the time of this monitoring visit, eight young people were on roll. Children and young people receive education and care on the same site and care is provided in two lodges.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit is to assess the progress made since the last monitoring visit on 13 November 2017. It is also to ascertain whether the requirements made at the last monitoring visit have been met.

p.1

This monitoring visit

As a result of the visit on 13 November 2017, eight requirements were made and one recommendation. Shortfalls identified related to the following:

p.1

This monitoring visit

 poor leadership and management  lack of monitoring of quality of care  no clear actions from parental consultation meetings  lack of recruitment information about agency staff  no consultation with young people about moving between lodges  no consultation with a young person, or any interested party, at the end of the young person’s placement  poor food hygiene  inappropriate staff behaviour  poor adherence to fire regulations  lack of availability of important records.

p.1

This monitoring visit

At this visit, seven of the eight requirements, and the one recommendation, are met. One requirement is repeated. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC463386 2 Since the last visit, there have been further changes in the management structure. The previous interim manager has left and a new manager has been appointed. The new manager had been in post for three weeks at the time of this monitoring visit. He has submitted his application to register with Ofsted.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have better strategic oversight of the functioning of the home. They are able to reflect on why there was a deterioration in the quality of care provided and reflect on the impact of this on young people and staff over the last six months. Meeting seven of the eight requirements made at the last visit demonstrates that leaders and managers have the capacity to make improvements. They are actively working to improve young people’s day-to-day care. The staffing situation is beginning to stabilise, and staff report that morale is improving.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Since the last visit, a consultation meeting with parents and carers has been held. For parents or carers who could not attend, the manager contacted them directly by telephone. Parents and carers who spoke to the inspector during the monitoring visit were positive about the changes taking place, but there are still areas for improvement. They are reassured by the attitude and the vision of the new manager, but he has not had enough time to make an impact. Communication with parents and carers is still an area for improvement. For example, two of the parents the inspector consulted with had not seen the report from the last monitoring visit, and did not know how to access it. By making this information freely available to parents and carers, the provider would promote greater transparency.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The process of employing agency staff has improved, with additional recruitment information for agency members of staff being sought. Identification checks for regular agency staff are now held on file, and the manager seeks additional references. This helps to ensure that young people are only looked after by suitable people. The manager demonstrates a good understanding of the principles of safer recruitment practice. He is determined to promote better continuity of care for young people by reducing the use of agency staff.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Prior to the last monitoring visit, one young person’s placement had been ended with no consultation, and two young people were moved from one lodge to another without consultation. This was very poor practice, and had a detrimental emotional impact on the young people involved. There have been no further instances of unplanned moves. Methods for consulting with young people are improving. The manager and staff consult daily with young people, responding to their requests, likes and dislikes. In addition, the manager is meeting with all the young people individually, and is promoting young people’s meetings. A young person told the inspector that the last house meeting he was involved in was productive, and useful in airing some issues that young people had.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Day-to-day organisation within the lodges is improving. Staff have undertaken additional training in food hygiene. Correct food storage principles were observed in one of the kitchens as part of the inspection. A new rota for daily checks is being Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC463386 3 implemented to ensure that basic housekeeping is adhered to. These measures will help to ensure that young people are not at risk of illness from poor food hygiene practice.

p.2

This monitoring visit

A poster attached to a young person’s door, which was inappropriate in its content, has been removed. Staff now have a greater understanding of the difference between playful and inappropriate behaviour towards young people.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Fire safety systems have improved. The kitchen door in one lodge is no longer propped open. This means that, in the event of a fire, the door will help prevent spread of smoke and flames.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Important records, such as the staff rota, are now more easily accessible for staff, and for independent visitors and inspectors. Parents report that they would like to see a copy of the staff rota in advance.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Graffiti seen at the last monitoring visit was not seen at this visit.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The quality of care report, due to be supplied to Ofsted for the period of April 2017 to September 2017, has not been received. Therefore, the requirement made in this respect is repeated. The manager has agreed to submit the report to Ofsted by mid- January 2018.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Since the last visit, there have been several significant incidents involving young people. Ofsted has been notified of these incidents within the appropriate timescales. Scrutiny of information relating to these incidents demonstrates that appropriate action was taken to prevent a further reoccurrence. For example, on one occasion a young person missed a dose of their prescribed medication as there were no medication-trained staff on duty. This had the potential to have a significant impact on the young person’s health. This situation has not occurred again as key members of staff have received medication training. Staff have been assessed as competent to safely administer medication, helping to ensure that young people receive their medication as prescribed.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Overall, the functioning of the home is slowly improving. The provider has a realistic view of the current functioning of the home, and is developing a strategic plan to ensure that progress continues in the long term. Young people consulted with during the visit voiced their satisfaction with the care they receive. One young person referred to the home as being ‘relatively stable’. Another young person said: ‘I’m alright with things here.’

p.3

This monitoring visit

Members of staff say that the new manager has made a good start, but it is still early days. Parents have commented on there being green shoots of recovery, but state that the manager and provider now have to demonstrate, through positive action, that they are committed to improving the functioning of the home and the care their children receive. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC463386 4 In the period since the last monitoring visit, a meeting has taken place between leaders and managers and Ofsted. In this meeting, leaders and managers provided further details on how they intend to improve the functioning of the home. Leaders and managers agreed to provide Ofsted with a strategic development plan, detailing a short-term and long-term plan for the home, which Ofsted expects to receive imminently.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The new manager has a positive vision for the home. He is aware of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. He states that consultation, and positive communication with young people, parents, carers and staff, is at the heart of how he intends to make improvements. He is prioritising staff recruitment and has taken immediate steps to reduce the number of agency members of staff used to care for young people. This will help to improve consistency and continuity of care for young people, something that is greatly needed.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

27/06/2017 Full Good 08/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 21/06/2016 Full Good 15/10/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC463386 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 complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff.

p.5

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 45 (4)(a)(5)) 19/01/2018 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC463386 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Rushcliffe Specialist Schools (Mickleover) Ltd

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3rd Floor Butt Dyke House, 33 Park Row, Nottingham NG1 6EE

p.6

Inspector(s)

Catherine Honey, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC463386 7 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.6

Inspector(s)

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.7

Inspector(s)

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

p.7

Inspector(s)

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

p.7