Children's Home run by Cornerstone Children’s Homes Limited in Stockport

Interim inspection report children’s home: SC394478 1 SC394478 Registered provider: Cornerstone Children’s Homes Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run children’s home offering care and accommodation for up to three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

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.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home is run by an experienced and qualified registered manager who came into post in September 2016. The registered manager is also registered to manage another of the organisation’s homes, which is in close proximity to this home. She is supported by an experienced deputy manager, senior care staff and a consistent care staff team.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection in June 2017, three young people have moved on from the home. Two young people have returned to their placing authority, and one young person has moved to a placement better suited to meet his complex needs and risk-taking behaviours. There are two new admissions to the home.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people are currently attending individual educational placements best suited to meet their complex needs and their attendance, on the whole, has been good. However, a new referral to the home was unable to commence school due to a lack of information provided by the placing authority. The registered manager took suitable action to escalate this concern and provided the young person with in-house educational support Interim inspection report children’s home: SC394478 2 during this time. Nevertheless, the registered manager must ensure that all essential educational information is provided by the placing authority at the time of admission, to avoid delays in young people accessing education. A recommendation is made to address this matter. School reports detail good progress and highlight young people’s continued growing commitment to achieving their best potential. Young people like their school. A social worker said, ‘My young person is so much happier than he used to be.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

He tells me he is enjoying school and has made plans for his future. He is a different child than when he first came to live at this home.’

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recreational activities are well supported. Young people are encouraged to take part in community sports, including boxing, trampolining, football and the gym. Likewise, as a group, young people join staff to go fishing, go-karting and take long walks and hikes. The accommodation provides space for young people to have time alone in the sensory room or chill-out room or to take part in activities such as baking or arts and crafts. After a period of disruption, young people have resumed good relationships with the neighbours. On a regular basis, young people invite the neighbours for coffee and homemade cake and occasionally neighbours return the invite to staff and young people. This enables young people to feel part of their community and to develop a sense of belonging.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported to have appropriate contact with family and friends. Contact plans are in place and are regularly updated to include contact summaries, progress and concerns. A social worker said, ‘My young person’s family have seen such a difference. They can see he is settled and always remark about how he is always smiling. This helps contact a great deal. It is much more positive and productive than it used to be.’ A young person said, ‘It’s all good. Don’t change anything, it’s working out just fine.’

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection in June 2017, the home has been through a period of disruption. This occurred as a result of the admission of one young person coupled with the onset of the six-week annual school holidays. Consequently, during the period of August to September 2017 there was a rise in young people presenting as missing, damage to the home, theft from the home, restraint and allegations made against staff.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records of incidents are maintained and are up to date. However, on occasion, there have been shortfalls in practice when managing challenging situations. For example, on one occasion, decisions made by senior staff to leave less experienced staff to manage a young person who was in crisis served only to prolong his distress. This is because the staff on duty did not have the confidence to follow the agreed protocol of de-escalation or physical intervention and consequently, this resulted in excessive damage to the home. A requirement and a recommendation are made to address this shortfall.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people have attachment difficulties. They receive consistent help from the organisation’s psychiatrist, the child and adolescent mental health services and regular key-work sessions with staff. Each young person has a dedicated risk assessment. Assessments detail triggers for behaviour, include details of particular behaviours and some de-escalation techniques. In addition, risk assessments clearly detail the physical intervention protocol for each young person. On the whole, matters are managed Interim inspection report children’s home: SC394478 3 effectively. However, for the period of disruption, records fail to consistently highlight the antecedents leading to a physical intervention or the de-escalation strategies employed prior to the intervention, in accordance with the home’s agreed risk assessments and protocol. This means that some records do not provide the essential detail to enable staff to suitably review episodes of physical intervention, to check for

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

appropriateness and patterns or trends. A requirement and a recommendation are made to address this shortfall.

p.3

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records of room searches are held within the home. On the whole, these are managed sensitively with young people being made aware of any pending search, thus providing the young person with an opportunity to hand in any items which should not be in their possession. However, in some circumstances, where a discussion with the young person was not possible, records fail to identify the rationale for the room search. This information is essential because young people need to feel that their bedroom is their safe place and their privacy is respected, while also understanding the safeguarding procedures within the home.

p.3

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been five instances where young people have been reported as absent from the home. On each occasion, staff responded quickly and appropriately in order to secure young people’s safe return. There have been no further absences since September 2017.

p.3

and young people since the most recent full inspection

During the period of disruption, young people made a number of allegations against staff. Although young people regularly retract their statements, each allegation is taken seriously and is quickly reported to the designated officer and placing social worker. The designated officer said, ‘The home works well with the safeguarding unit. We receive detailed information and this helps in any investigation process. I have no concerns about this home.’ A social worker said, ‘Some young people have a history of making false allegations. Nonetheless, I am satisfied that staff take effective action to deal with any allegation through the most appropriate channels.’

p.3

and young people since the most recent full inspection

External monitoring takes place in order to evaluate the care provided in the home. However, this is an area for further development. Reports are descriptive and fail to provide a clear analysis of the care provided in the home. For example, reports do not consistently review the safety of each placement with regard to disruptive or risk-taking behaviours. Furthermore, the failure to consult regularly with stakeholders, parents and young people means that there is no holistic evaluation of how the home operates. As a result, a recommendation is made to address this matter.

p.3

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people live in a home which is maintained to a good standard. Young people have ample space, including a sensory room, chill-out room and large living room on the ground floor. Bedrooms are individualised and reflect the personalities of each young person. There is a relaxed and happy atmosphere in the home, with laughter and banter evident between young people and staff.

p.3

and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last full inspection, one requirement and two recommendations were made to further improve practice. These are judged to have been met. Records are up to date Interim inspection report children’s home: SC394478 4 and regularly reviewed. The home has been fully redecorated and all damage has been rectified. Risk assessments are continually updated to include current concerns and risks.

p.3

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The matters that require further development and improvement are detailed above. As a result of this inspection, two requirements and five recommendations are made to further improve practice.

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/07/2017 Full Good 27/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 21/11/2016 Full Requires improvement 10/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

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.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person may only— (a) employ an individual to work at the children’s home; if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3). (3) The requirements are that— (b) the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform. (Regulation 32 (2) (a ) (3) (b)) 06/03/2018

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— (a) within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes— (ii) details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure. (Regulation 35 (3) ( a) (ii)) 06/03/2018 Interim inspection report children’s home: SC394478 5

p.4

Recommendations

 Records of restraint must be kept and should enable the registered person and staff to review the use of control, discipline and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure it meets the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59) With specific reference to recording the de-escalation techniques used prior to any intervention.  Any registered manager placed in charge of a children’s home or staff member in a deputy or supervisory role such as ‘shift leader’ should have substantial relevant experience of working in a children’s home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.21)  A child’s bedroom should not generally be entered without their permission,

p.5

Recommendations

though it may be necessary to establish routines to allow for rooms to be cleaned regularly. Usually, rooms should only be searched if the child has been informed or asked for their permission. Immediate searching may be necessary where there are reasonable grounds for believing that there is a risk to the child’s or another person’s safety or well-being. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.20)  Any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards, page 65, paragraph 15.5)  When commissioning a placement in a children’s home the placing authority must establish how the home will support the child’s educational needs. (‘Guide to the

p.5

Recommendations

children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 27, paragraph 5.7)

p.5

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.

p.5

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. Interim inspection report children’s home: SC394478 6 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’.

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider : Cornerstone Children’s Homes Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 53 King Street, Manchester M2 4LQ

p.6

Inspector

Maria McGranaghan, social care regulatory inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: SC394478 7 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.6

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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7