Children's home run by CareTech Community Services Limited in Hertsmere

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC407326 1 SC407326

p.1

CareTech Community Services Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A private organisation operates this setting. The on-site school provides education for children up to 16 years of age.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to review the progress made by the provider in meeting the compliance notice issued following the interim inspection on 24 January 2018. This notice related to the failure to comply with the regulations in respect of leadership and management.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit has found that the compliance notice has been met. However, the monitoring visits also identified breaches of regulations. As a result, two statutory requirements have been made. A third statutory requirement made at the last inspection has not been monitored at this visit. This is restated and will be followed up at the next inspection.

p.1

This monitoring visit

 The previous manager has left the service and an interim manager has begun the process of applying for registration. The staff team reported improvements to the management of the home. The staff feel guided and supported.  The interim manager and the deputy manager have begun to review all the recording systems used at the home. They have simplified recording processes and undertaken dedicated team meetings to ensure that the staff understand how the recording systems should be used. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC407326 2  The location risk assessment, children’s individual risk assessments and children’s individual missing-from-home protocols are now consistent with one another. This lessens the likelihood that staff will be confused about what action to take should a child go missing. However, the location risk assessment has not been fully reviewed or updated. The location risk

p.1

This monitoring visit

assessment contains inaccurate and out-of-date information. The interim manager recognises the need to undertake a review of this document and has plans to do so.  The location risk assessment is unclear about what to do should a child go missing in the hours of darkness. This information is not included in the individual missing-from-home protocols either. Not all of the staff are aware of the grab bag or the whereabouts of the torch that staff should take if a child goes missing from the home. Although the management team is adamant that this information has been shared with the staff, further work is necessary to ensure that expectations are clear in the documentation and that staff understand what is expected of them.  Additional staff have been recruited. As a result, the staff team continues to include many new members. On three of the shifts planned for March 2018, all of the staff on rota were still in the probationary stage of their

p.2

This monitoring visit

employment. The risk this poses was mitigated by the high staffing levels, broader experience of the staff and the fact that all shifts included a qualified member of staff.  The interim manager has undertaken an impact risk assessment for a new child. This impact risk assessment fails to adequately assess the impact or identify the risks associated with the placement. Although the interim manager is able to articulate her rationale in discussion, this is not reflected in the risk assessment and therefore there is no comprehensive recorded picture of potential risks and impact when making placement decisions.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/01/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness 22/06/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/07/2016 Full Inadequate 17/05/2016 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC407326 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children and use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to 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(1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(i))

p.3

Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that repairs are carried out within reasonable timescales and that the decor is maintained to provide a well-kept and homely environment. 02/04/2018

p.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child, and that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(i)(b))

p.3

Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that impact risk assessments are clear, identify the potential impact and risks and identify how these will be managed. 02/04/2018

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard). 02/04/2018 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC407326 4 When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46(1)(2))

p.3

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.4

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: CareTech Community Services Limited

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: CareTech Community Services Limited, 5th Floor Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

p.4

Inspector

Ashley Hinson, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC407326 5 to 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.

p.4

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.5