Children's home run by The Drive Care Homes Ltd in Bexley

Inspection report children’s home: SC040175 1 SC040175 Registered provider: The Drive Care Homes Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This private children’s home can accommodate up to eight young people who have physical and learning disabilities. There is a garden with wheelchair access to the ground floor of the building.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the 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, one young person has joined the home. Leaders and managers carefully considered her needs alongside those already living at the home. She has already began to make progress. Her teacher said, ‘We have seen a remarkable difference, [name] is much more settled now she has consistent routines and boundaries.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people living at this home have made progress. One young person is now more able to use spoken language. She is expressing her needs more clearly. Others are using social stories to help them understand their sometimes complex family histories. Social inclusion is a focus for the young people. One said, ‘I have been able to spend time near my home area. My goal is to stay overnight at my mum’s house, staff are helping me with this.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding concerns were raised regarding the behaviour of one young person at his education placement; this resulted in the placement ending. The seriousness of the Inspection report children’s home: SC040175 2 behaviour led to the education placement being withdrawn. However, the leaders and managers were not able to provide detailed information regarding this during the inspection, despite some months having passed. This indicates that managers have still to learn how to effectively safeguard this young person should a similar situation arise.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, in August 2017, three requirements were made. The requirement regarding young people’s case records being kept, including a record of immunisations, has been met. Each young person’s file now contains their immunisation history. As a result of this, the young people’s health needs can now be effectively monitored.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The second requirement, which related to providing the young people with personalised care, has been met. The registered manager has sought information regarding the young people’s backgrounds in order to meet their identity needs. This information has been made into a social story for one young person, which has helped him to understand his family history. The process of the registered manager seeking this information has also resulted in improved communication with significant family members for the young person.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The third requirement regarding staff training has been met. The staff undertook training in ‘Prevent’ and female genital mutilation between September and December 2017. They now have the knowledge in these areas to enhance their skills in keeping the young people safe.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Maintenance in the home has declined. Grout in a bathroom has not yet been repaired, even though this was noted in the August inspection. In two of the young people’s bedrooms, sinks had been removed. However, the pipes sticking out of the skirting boards had not been boxed in and this presented a significant hazard. Although this was rectified during the inspection, it had not been noted by the leaders or managers prior to the inspection. There was also limited food in the home. Although the children have a preference for daily shopping, there was not enough food in the home that would provide meals for the young people and staff in case of adverse weather or other instances of emergency. The home’s own contingency plans state that there should be stocks of food in the home for this.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The bedrooms of some of the young people are not personalised. While their particular needs may include intolerance for stimulating items in their bedrooms, the rooms lack evidence of their individual identities. An example of this is bare, beige walls with no colour scheme, despite the young person’s colour preferences being known.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has moved to adult services. The registered manager worked effectively with the new placement and the social worker to agree introductions. He also provided good support for the young person and the young person’s family. As a result of this, the time of change went smoothly.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff working at the home feel morale is good. They speak positively about the registered manager. One staff member said, ‘The registered manager is clear about what he wants us to do, we have faith in him because he has done our job and knows Inspection report children’s home: SC040175 3 what needs to be done.’ One staff member has left since the last inspection. The team manager role has been filled through an internal promotion.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/08/2017 Full Good 29/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 06/09/2016 Full Requires improvement 10/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably; ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6(2)(vi)(c)(i)) 26/03/2018

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(vi)(d)) 26/03/2018

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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 Inspection report children’s home: SC040175 4 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: The Drive Care Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Drive Care Homes Ltd, 18 Hatherley Road, Sidcup, Kent DA14 4BG

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Inspector

Sarah Olliver, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC040175 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

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Inspector

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Inspector

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