Children's home run by Educare Adolescent Services Limited in Cannock Chase

Inspection report children’s home: SC440170 1 SC440170 Registered provider: Educare Adolescent Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to care for up to three children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and are aged between 10 and 18.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: None

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the registered manager, who started in February 2017, left in December. She was also the registered manager of another home owned by this provider, and she struggled to manage both homes effectively. Consequently, standards dropped during this period and this home has declined in effectiveness. One ongoing issue has been poor record-keeping by staff, resulting in a lack of crucial information, such as health appointments, on young people’s files. In addition, the registered manager failed to ensure that staff rotas were maintained and that actions taken in response to complaints by young people were recorded. There is a lack of evidence that the registered manager reviewed incident records. Staff also experienced a very challenging time with a young person who was violent to staff and was eventually Inspection report children’s home: SC440170 2 moved, as the home could not meet his needs. Young people’s meetings have not been

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

held on a regular basis, thereby reducing the opportunities that young people have to express their views, wishes and feelings and contribute positively to the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new manager came into post on 5 December 2017 and has applied to become the registered manager, solely for this home. The new manager is very experienced and has recently left her post as the deputy manager at an outstanding home. She immediately identified the shortfalls and has taken effective and swift action to address them. Because of her actions, no regulatory requirements have been made as a result of this inspection. Young people’s files are now orderly and accessible, and staff training needs have been identified. Complaints are now being addressed efficiently and effectively. Recording is a strong focus for the new manager, who is working with staff to ensure that they understand the importance of clear and accurate records for young people and the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been a number of staff changes, and the new manager is in the process of getting to know her staff and establishing a new and cohesive team. The new manager is very child focused, has advocated for one young person to attend a mainstream school and has referred another young person for anger management support. Staff now involve young people in their own plans. The new manager has actively engaged young people in contributing to decisions about the decoration and furnishing in the home. One young person is particularly appreciative of this. Staff and young people have already noted positive changes in the home. They feel included and supported by the new manager.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite the difficulties experienced since the last inspection, young people are happy and settled. They have warm relationships with staff. They have fun with staff, are relaxed with them, and feel that staff care about them and listen to them. Young people have made progress in their education, family relationships and independence. One young person, who moved to independence following a period of disengagement with the home and staff, now calls the home for advice and support, which staff provide. Staff worked hard to ensure that one young person had very successful family contact for the first time, over the Christmas period. A family member commented, ‘The staff were brilliant at dealing with this. Contact started being organised at the end of November. The home was very efficient and quick at sorting it out.’ Staff work well with family members and a range of professionals including from education, health and the

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

in-house therapeutic team. The registered manager ensured that the requirement from the previous inspection was met, resulting in improved communication with placing authorities and Ofsted when serious incidents occur.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are kept safe. When they go missing, staff look for them and work with the police and placing authorities to find them and return them safely. Key work sessions address how young people can keep themselves safe. Unfortunately, much of this work was not previously fully recorded. The frequency of key work sessions has increased. The new manager has prioritised reviewing and updating detailed and effective risk assessments. The home is safe and well maintained. Inspection report children’s home: SC440170 3 The new manager is a key strength for the home. She is excited about her new role and has a clear vision for the home. She is being very proactive and is already working hard to provide stability and to drive up standards for the benefit of the young people.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/05/2017 Full Good 31/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 04/07/2016 Full Requires improvement 23/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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.

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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.

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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: SC440170 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Educare Adolescent Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Venture House, 12 Prospect Business Park, Longford Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 0LG

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Inspector

Louise Whittle, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC440170 5 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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