Children's home run by Rubicon Children and Family Services Ltd in Lewes

Interim inspection report children’s home: SC403905 1 SC403905 Registered provider: Rubicon Children’s Homes Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who live in the home are making progress as a result of their placements. Two have remained in placement since the last inspection, with one living in the home for over two years. Two have moved on since the last inspection, and have done so in as planned a manner as possible. Where this has been only partially planned, it has been because of the lack of a suitable next placement, in particular because a young person’s mental health required specialist in-patient care.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has moved into the home since the last inspection. Pre-placement planning is sound, and the managers seek to gain as much information as possible, to determine if they are able to meet the young people’s needs. The responsible individual and operations director are challenging one local authority for their poor pre-placement information, which led to them admitting a young person whose needs they are not able to meet within the current group. Information regarding the level of aggression and Interim inspection report children’s home: SC403905 2 offending behaviour presented had not been made clear to the home until after the young person had moved in. This lack of information regarding the young person includes not being made aware of an impending court appearance for assaulting staff in a previous home, and the young person being subject to court-imposed electronic monitoring. However, staff are trying to develop positive relationships with the young

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

person, despite the challenges. Another young person thoughtfully commented that they did not feel scared of the young person’s outbursts, but felt he was trying to see where he fits within the house.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people attend education as planned, and the staff have formed some excellent links with school staff to ensure positive communication. Young people are able to meet with friends from school, including staying overnight. Young people spoken to were positive about the home, and said they had staff to go to if they are worried or upset. Staff noted that both the young people who have been in placement longer have shown great development in being able to express their emotions and recognise what they are feeling.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are comfortable and confident in their surroundings. Any issues or concerns are reported to social workers, and when necessary to the local authority designated officer (LADO). Staff are confident in their roles in protecting young people and have recently had online training in safeguarding, including specific areas such as child sexual exploitation and radicalisation. However, managers do not currently check what staff have absorbed as a result of online training.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one safeguarding concern reported to the LADO since the last inspection. This was part of particularly strong practice, where a young person also formally commented on the incident and subsequent report. This meant that the young person was able to understand what staff saw, and work through his own feelings. The concern was reported on as the young person did not feel fairly represented in the report. Additionally, staff reported to the LADO again when the young person felt that the investigation was not fair. This allowed the young person to feel that she had been heard.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management of the home has changed since the last inspection. The registered manager resigned on 31 August 2017. There has been a delay in completing the voluntary cancellation form, however this is, in part, because the responsible individual was provided with the wrong procedure to follow by Ofsted. The responsible individual will request that the former manager complete a voluntary cancellation form with immediate effect. The manager in post is currently in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team has worked to ensure that all requirements and recommendations set at the last inspection have been met. Young people’s plans have been revised and formulated to ensure that young people’s views are properly incorporated into them. One young person went through her plan with the inspector, which included her ideas about which areas she needs help with and how staff can support her when she is upset. In addition, it included photographs and was printed on Interim inspection report children’s home: SC403905 3 pink paper – her choice. She explained that staff sat with her and helped her with the areas where they thought she might need extra help or guidance. There is also a pen picture and comprehensive risk assessments for all aspects of her care. To reduce repetition, risk assessments act as a joint care plan and guide for how to support the young person in various aspects of their life and care, including how best to minimise

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Physical intervention records have improved and now contain all the information required. The use of restraint is monitored, and while the new manager would like to move away from the use of restraint, the needs of the young people have meant that it has still been required on occasion. Reports are clear, and all incidents are now recorded with a separate chronology. This allows for easier linking of events and greater oversight, enabling managers to use data effectively to link any trends or patterns.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s manager has worked hard to try to build the staff’s skills and confidence, while helping them form as a team. An increase in the frequency of team meetings and practice-led sessions with a psychotherapist are helping the team to become more child focused, as well as reducing tensions in the team. A plan of monthly workshops is also providing staff with better skills, including report writing and working with young people’s specific needs. Engaging staff in formulating the programme has helped them to feel that they are listened to.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring of the home has improved since the appointment of a new independent visitor in line with regulation 44. Reports are now thorough, evaluative and challenging. The management team finds the process much more useful and has welcomed the professional challenge. The fabric of the building is warm and homely. Recent damage is in the process of being repaired.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/06/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/02/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 08/06/2016 Full Good 15/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

 Staff need the knowledge and skills to recognise and be alert for any signs that Interim inspection report children’s home: SC403905 4 might indicate a child is in any way at risk of harm. The registered person should ensure that skills in safeguarding are gained, refreshed and recorded in the homes workforce plan. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.12) Specifically, test staff’s comprehension and knowledge after online training.

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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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Rubicon Children’s Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 St. Andrews Place, Southover Road, LEWES, East Sussex BN7 1UP

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Inspector(s)

Jennie Christopher, social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: SC403905 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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