Children's Home run by Reflexion Care Group Limited in Shropshire

Inspection report children‟s home: SC389830 1 SC389830 Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children‟s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person who has emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private company.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 13 to 14 February 2018

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness Inspection report children‟s home: SC389830 2 Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Key findings from this inspection

 Staff encourage young people to consistently engage in hobbies of their choice. This helps them to develop their confidence and social skills.  Young people say that they feel safe as a result of living in this home.  Staff help young people to develop their independence skills.  The registered manager and staff team devise very well-written care plans for young people, in line with the local authority‟s aims and objectives. This means that young people‟s progress is properly monitored.  The registered manager has effective relationships with partner agencies and there is regular communication with them.  Staff encourage young people to share their wishes and feelings, and to have a say about the quality of care that they receive.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children‟s home‟s areas for development:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The registered manager needs to make sure that local authority placement plans are updated and signed by all parties, and that safeguarding referrals are made in a timely manner.  Notifications in relation to serious events must be made to Ofsted within 24 hours.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/10/2016 Full Good 08/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 13/10/2015 Full Outstanding Inspection report children‟s home: SC389830 3

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about current or ongoing abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the home is located. (Regulation 34(2)(b)) 30/03/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; are kept up to date; and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36(1)(a)(b)(c)) 28/04/2018

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. The system should cover the action that should be followed if the event arises at the weekend or on a public holiday. Notification must include details of the action taken by the home‟s staff in response to the event. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 63, paragraph 14.13)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, two young people have moved out of the home and one young person has recently moved in. Efforts are made to meet young people when possible before they arrive, and to arrange for young people to visit and have tea with staff. One young person who has since left the home arrived in secure transport for safety reasons. However, managers and staff worked hard to welcome him. They introduced him to the local area and built up his trust by spending quality time with him so that they could get to know him. Before young people move in, they are able to read the young persons‟ guide. It is well written and user friendly. There is a considerable amount of information for young people about what to expect and how to complain. Staff have assisted one young person in contributing to the guide. The guide helps young people to know what Inspection report children‟s home: SC389830 4 is expected of them, and answers any queries or worries they have. This helps to

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a Grade II listed building and is decorated to a good standard. It is bright, very clean and welcoming. There are photographs of staff and young people throughout the home. The registered manager works hard to make sure that the home is personalised and well maintained. The young person‟s bedroom is well decorated, with posters, a double bed and a television. The young person has use of their own bathroom. There is a games room and comfortable lounge area. Staff ensure that the young person has a say in the furniture that is purchased and the decoration of the home. For example, the young person currently residing at the home has asked for some beanbags to be purchased. The registered manager has a plan in place to further update the home. As a result, young people live in a home that is well cared for and this helps them feel valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager makes sure that the young person‟s file is very well organised. Placement plans are completed to a high standard. The registered manager colour-codes the plans. They outline targets and clearly identify when these have been met or if the young person requires further support. This enables staff to properly review and monitor progress, and assists the young person in celebrating their achievements. Statutory paperwork is up to date and is signed for the current young person living at the home. However, the registered manager did not have a signed and updated placement plan for one young person who has recently left the home. This could mean that the staff were not working with the local authority to meet the young person‟s needs. Staff provide young people with consistent guidance and boundaries. The staff‟s approach is informed by well-written individual behaviour support plans. These plans help young people to

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

understand and improve their behaviours. Staff use nurturing and positive behaviour management based on the secure attachment approach to help young people. Young people are enabled to reflect on their behaviours and to improve their relationships with others.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people receive regular and targeted key-work sessions, which they participate in. The sessions are extensively recorded and well presented. The sessions mirror the aims and objectives set in the young person‟s care plans. Staff focus on including the wishes and feelings of the young person. Staff ensure that clear areas for action and development are discussed/reviewed during the sessions. These key-work sessions are based around the ethos of the home‟s statement of purpose. As a result, young people are enabled to talk about their worries. They are able to learn from the sessions, and make improvements with regard to their behaviour as a result of the input from managers and staff. In addition, the registered manager makes sure that the young person‟s voice is regularly heard. For example, on a weekly basis staff make sure that the young person shares their thoughts and feelings about the care they receive. This

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

enables staff and managers to make changes when necessary and to ensure that the young person feels listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff help young people to improve their education outcomes. Young people who have previously been out of education for long periods are enabled to re- Inspection report children‟s home: SC389830 5 engage. This is because staff are creative and aspirational, making sure that young people return to full-time education as soon as possible. For example, one young person who went missing frequently in other placements and refused to attend education was attending full time before moving from the home. Staff gradually encouraged this by taking him to relevant educational activities in the community, taking him for lessons at the end of the school day, inviting education professionals into the home and giving support with a phased return. The young person currently living at the home attends daily; he enjoys school and attends additional coaching sessions. As a result, young people make considerable progress in their education from their starting points. This

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

means that they are provided with routine, and are enabled to develop their confidence and skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have good relationships with young people, based on warmth and encouragement. Staff use reflective therapeutic interventions to talk to young people about their behaviour when they are violent or behave in a challenging way. Young people receive care from a dedicated and experienced staff team. Since the last inspection, there have been some staff retention issues and some staff have left the home due to the aggressive behaviours of one young person. However, the registered manager and staff cover these shortfalls, which provides stability for young people. An independent reviewing officer told the inspector, „I have absolutely no concerns. I am very impressed. He likes it here, he feels comfortable, he does not want to go back to foster care. This is his house and it is all set up how he wants it. He is responding really well to it and I was not sure how he would.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff offer young people a variety of leisure opportunities, interests and individual hobbies to meet their needs. Young people enjoy walking, visiting local museums and going to the local town. Young people are encouraged to pursue hobbies of their choice. For example, the young person currently living at the home loves reading, has horse riding lessons fortnightly and attends weekly aikido classes. This means that young people experience new opportunities and develop skills in areas of their choice. The young person told the inspector, „I really like living here, yeah, I think it is a good place to live and I have nothing I am worried about at all. I enjoy cooking and spaghetti bolognese is my favourite.‟

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

Young people currently living in the home are safe. This is because the registered manager makes sure that child protection processes are followed. The registered manager shares concerns with the local children‟s services, the young people‟s social workers and the local authority‟s designated officer. Staff receive mandatory safeguarding training, as well as training in e-safety, radicalisation, child sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation. The registered manager is generally very thorough in responding to safeguarding concerns about young people.

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

Safeguarding referrals are well written and the registered manager is confident about asking for advice. However, since the last inspection there has been one occasion when Inspection report children‟s home: SC389830 6 staff did not make a safeguarding referral in a timely enough manner. On another occasion they did not follow up a verbal referral with a written referral. The registered manager has reviewed all incidents and has considered the lessons learned with staff. During this inspection, staff did not raise any safeguarding concerns in relation to the quality of care that young people receive. Several staff members shared in-depth knowledge about dealing with safeguarding concerns, as well as the processes for whistle-blowing. As a result, staff are able to prioritise the safety of young people. Staff recruitment processes are thorough for permanent staff. The home does not use agency staff and when there are staffing issues other staff in the company assist. This means

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

that young people receive care from appropriately skilled and well-checked adults.

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

There have been few missing-from-home incidents since the last inspection. This is because when young people do go missing managers and staff make sure that they follow procedures well. All incidents are thoroughly recorded and the documents include actions taken with detailed chronologies of events. Staff try and prevent young people from going missing; they follow young people, encouraging them to return home, and look for young people when they leave. Subsequently, young people build close relationships with staff and go missing less often. The registered manager requests that independent return home interviews are carried out by the local authority. He challenges the local authority when these are not completed.

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

There has been one complaint from a young person since the last inspection. This was with regard to staff turning off his television when he was asleep. The complaint was well recorded. The young person‟s concern was taken seriously and staff supported him to discuss a solution to the problem. As a result, the issue was promptly resolved and the young person received a formal response. Young people‟s views are important to staff and they help young people to share their concerns appropriately.

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

Managers and staff respond quickly to allegations made by young people, or their parents, about staff. The registered manager prioritises allegations about staff and follows safeguarding procedures thoroughly. The registered manager has a good working relationship with the local safeguarding officer and receives written confirmation of the outcomes of allegations. The organisation has a thorough complaints policy and complaints from parents are swiftly responded to, in line with the policy. Senior managers also make sure that parents receive formal written responses. As a result, matters are quickly resolved.

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

Since the last inspection there has been a considerable amount of physical restraint due to the aggressive and risk-taking behaviours of one young person. Staff use distraction and de-escalation techniques to avoid restraint whenever possible. Records of physical restraint are well recorded and written within the correct timescales. The registered manager makes sure that incidents are reviewed thoroughly to safeguard young people. Reviews include young people contributing feedback after they have been debriefed; one young person regularly completed his own comments as part of this process. This means that young people understand why restraint was used, and are supported by staff to reflect on their behaviour. Inspection report children‟s home: SC389830 7 Well-written individual management plans inform staff practice. Sanctions are appropriate, and help young people to improve their behaviour. Staff encourage young

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

people to talk about their feelings, and help them to manage their behaviours more positively. The therapy team also provides weekly input and regular oversight to assist the staff in managing young people‟s complex behaviour. A social worker told the inspector, „Staff have been very supportive in helping the young person to engage with activities he expresses an interest in, and developing his confidence in social situations. It is lovely to see pictures throughout the home of him with staff enjoying various activities. I have had no safeguarding concerns regarding the placement. Staff have contributed to the multi-agency risk management plan that is in place to keep the young person and others safe.‟

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has been registered with Ofsted since April 2016. He has the necessary experience and management qualifications for the role. The registered manager is very committed and enthusiastic. He is remarkably well organised. He has an ambitious vision and high expectations for any young person who is in his care. The registered manager and staff are focused on making sure that young people achieve and make progress from their starting points. The registered manager holds regular team meetings with staff, which are very well recorded. The registered manager is keen for staff to receive updates about the service so that they can develop their knowledge and share relevant information about policy and practice. For example, the registered manager completes quizzes with staff during team meetings to test the staff‟s knowledge as well as their understanding of information.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

One of the strengths of the service is the registered manager‟s ability to form strong working relationships with partner agencies, including the police, the local area‟s designated officer, teachers and social workers. The manager has formed effective working relationships with in-house therapists, including the psychologist. This means that young people receive a good quality of care. A police constable told the inspector, „We work closely with management and staff at the home; communication is excellent and there are good relationships with the team. Police are welcomed into the home and relationships are positive.‟

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff regularly receive good-quality supervision. Supervision notes are thoroughly recorded. Staff speak very positively about the registered manager. In addition, the registered manager feels that he is well supported by the responsible individual. As a result, young people receive good-quality care from well-supported staff. All staff are up to date with mandatory training. In addition, staff also complete a wide range of specialist and relevant training courses. The registered manager keeps in-depth records of staff training and yearly appraisals capture areas of development for staff. Young people give written feedback about staff that contributes to staff appraisals. The registered manager makes sure that training is individualised. This means that staff have the necessary skills and qualifications to meet the needs of young people. A staff member told the inspector about the registered manager, „I love working with him and

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Inspection report children‟s home: SC389830 8 we have a really good working relationship. He develops people and encourages us to take on new tasks and pushes people. He is very good and I am very happy.‟

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has completed a very thorough and well-evaluated risk assessment of the location of the home. The assessment identifies potential risks in the surrounding area and includes actions to be taken to lessen the risks. This includes the busy main road and local railway track. This helps staff to prioritise the safety of young people. The home‟s statement of purpose sufficiently reflects the aims and objectives of the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the service, and areas for development. For example, the registered manager is very reflective in his approach and completes in-depth reviews of incidents to enable the staff‟s development and learning. However, since the last inspection there have three occasions on which notifications of significant events have not been reported within the correct timescales. The registered manager has completed an evaluation of the quality of care provided and is working on his development plan, which identifies the most significant areas for development.

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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

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: SC389830 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Reflexion Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Reflexion Care Group Ltd, Black Birches, Hadnall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 3DH

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Inspector

Anna Gravelle: social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC389830 10 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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