Children's Home, Residential special school run by MacIntyre Care in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC043994 1 SC043994 Registered provider: MacIntyre Care Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This service is a residential special school that is registered as a children’s home for young people who have severe learning disabilities. It is run by a large independent organisation. The school accommodates up to 40 young people in seven separate houses, usually on the basis of a 52-week placement.

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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. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager and staff have worked to address the requirements and recommendations that were made. Not all of these have been fully addressed.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The legal status of each child is still not documented on every child’s file. In one case, the template that has been developed to document each child’s legal status referred to another child. It is important that staff know the legal status of each child so that, for example, they are aware if there are any restrictions on a parent’s involvement in their child’s life.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

During this inspection it was found that an agency member of staff, who was caring for Inspection report children’s home: SC043994 2 a child on a regular basis, was not trained or competent in using the restraint techniques that were detailed for the child. There was no guidance for this staff member about what they must do should a restraint become necessary. This would compromise the care and safety of the child and the staff member in the event of such a situation occurring.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff have made improvements in some areas of children’s care plans. These are updated in a timely way and include details about the children’s culture and religion and how these will be promoted. Plans also include how children will learn about other people’s cultures and faiths. Staff are now working with children more effectively to support them to meet their targets. This helps children to develop their skills.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One complaint has been made by a child since the last inspection. The child was supported very well by staff to express their views. The child’s views were listened to and the complaint was addressed. However, the record-keeping of how the complaint was progressed was incomplete.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Shortfalls remain in the quality and frequency of supervision for permanent staff. This means that staff do not always have regular opportunities to reflect on their practice, discuss their performance or raise any issues that they may have. However, managers have made improvements in the support provided to agency members of staff; this includes the introduction of a group supervision arrangement. During these meetings, managers share important information with agency staff, who, in turn, raise any issues they are not sure about.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This example demonstrates the broad range of tasks and responsibilities held by the registered manager, including her need to frequently re-evaluate and juggle her priorities. In recognition of this significant and wide-ranging role, a review of the registered manager’s job description is currently underway by the senior leadership team.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A requirement made at the previous inspection about all relevant staff having a level 3 qualification has not been met. This requirement has been repeated.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There continue to be staff shortages. However, wherever possible, agency staff who are known to the children are used to fill gaps in rotas. This ensures that the children experience an adequate level of consistency. To aid staff recruitment, senior leaders have recently introduced an enhancement of the terms and conditions for care staff. Early signs are that this has had some success in attracting new staff to the role.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have taken a more rigorous approach in challenging a placing authority or professional when their response or actions in planning or working with a child have not been good enough. The registered manager and staff are strong advocates for the children.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, children have continued to grow, develop and thrive. One child, whose life was at risk on her admission, due to a failure to thrive, has made remarkable Inspection report children’s home: SC043994 3 progress in all areas of her life. Her health has improved significantly, and she is beginning to live, and love, life to the full.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The leadership and management have ensured that the support provided to another child, who is in crisis, has been well thought through. The leaders and managers are highly flexible in trying to meet the child’s changing and complex needs, ensuring close and effective working with the other agencies and professionals who are involved in the child’s care. The work has, in the main, involved containment of the child. However, the child has been kept safe from significant harm within an environment that he knows. A more appropriate placement is being sought for him.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The arrangements for children to move into the home continue to be of a good quality and ensure that children settle well and that their needs are met effectively. When children move on, care and attention is taken to make sure that the move goes smoothly for the child. The new provider is provided with all the information required to care for the child effectively.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the complaints process has been made more accessible to children through the use of a ‘signs and symbols’ folder for staff to use to help children to share their thoughts. Children and staff enjoy good-quality time together. Comfortable and trusting relationships were demonstrated throughout this inspection. For example, one child was enjoying a member of staff playing with her hair, pulling it into bunches, brushing it through and undoing it repeatedly. The child was very relaxed and looked like she might fall asleep. Every time the staff member stopped, the child grinned and tapped the staff member’s hand to prompt her to continue. When the staff member carried on, the child chuckled happily.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/06/2017 Full Good 24/11/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/05/2016 Full Requires improvement 17/11/2015 Interim Sustained 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 Inspection report children’s home: SC043994 4 person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person is required to: ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (2)(e)) In particular, ensure that staff working with a child are qualified and competent in the use of the physical intervention techniques identified in the child’s plans. 30/03/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an individual who works in the home in a care role has the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) or equivalent by the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working or, in the case of an individual who was working in a home on 1 April 2014, 1 April 2016. (Regulation 32 (4)(5)) 25/05/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) 30/03/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees— receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) In particular, ensure that staff receive supervision at the expected frequency and that it enables them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. 30/03/2018

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Recommendations

 Each child’s placement plan should set out the permissions that their placing authority has delegated to the registered person. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.2) In particular, plans should identify the legal status of young people.

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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 Inspection report children’s home: SC043994 5 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

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: MacIntyre Care, 602 South Seventh Street, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK9 2JA

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Inspectors:

Rosie Dancer, social care inspector Sophie Wood, regulatory inspection manager Inspection report children’s home: SC043994 6 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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Inspectors:

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Inspectors:

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Inspectors:

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