Children's home run by Broadwood Residential Limited in Rossendale

Inspection report children’s home: SC448598 1 SC448598 Registered provider: Broadwood Residential Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is run by a private organisation. The home accommodates four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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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 requires improvement to be 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

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: None

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Key findings from this inspection

 Children develop strong relationships with staff.  Children live in a nurturing environment.  Children make improvements in their attendance at school and in their learning. Inspection report children’s home: SC448598 2  Children’s emotional well-being improves as a direct result of the care they are provided with.  Children make improvements in their behaviour towards others, and in their anger management. They build strategies to deal with their problems more effectively.  Children learn to reflect on their mistakes.  Children have begun to reduce their substance misuse and the frequency at which they go missing.  Staff form good working relationships with parents.  Staff work effectively with other professionals in meeting children’s care plans.  There is a competent and committed staff team caring for the children.

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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

 Assessments in relation to the use of sensors on children’s bedroom doors do not show whether there is a safeguarding need to use these.  Routine checks of the building have not been effective in identifying faulty fire doors.  The manager’s monitoring reports do not include the views of stakeholders, and there is little analysis of the quality of the care being provided.  One significant event was not notified to Ofsted.  The admission risk assessments do not cover all known risks or consider whether staff have the right skills, training and experience to manage the needs of every child.  The arrangements for verifying references are not effective.  The location risk assessment has not been updated following the manager receiving updated information about the area.  Not all children’s records are complete or up to date.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/10/2016 Full Good 14/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/07/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC448598 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 may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if— the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)) In particular, ensure that children’s bedroom door sensors are only used if there is a risk assessment carried out in each case that shows there is a valid safeguarding need for these to be used. 26/03/2018

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard 12.—(1) The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure (d) 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. In particular, ensure that the maintenance systems are effective in identifying any adjustments or repair needed to fire safety doors. 26/03/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (‘a quality of care review’) at least once every 6 months. The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(1) and (5)) 26/03/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI of all significant events in the home as defined in the corresponding regulation. (Regulation 40(1)(3)(4)) 26/03/2018 Inspection report children’s home: SC448598 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4) In particular, ensure that decision-making about placements covers comprehensive assessments of the compatibility of the children in all known risk areas and the ability of staff to balance the needs of each child while managing the needs of the group effectively.  The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguard children and minimise potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the

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Recommendations

children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) In particular, ensure that a thorough approach is taken to verifying written references with the writer so that any issues of unsuitability are discussed and can be considered in the appropriate process.  The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. The review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. Providers should refer to the non-statutory advice about the location assessment process: ‘Children’s homes regulation amendments 2014: Advice for children’s homes providers on new duties under regulations that came in to effect in January and April 2014’. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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Recommendations

In particular, revise the assessment if new information about risk is received.  All children’s case records must be kept up to date. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3) In particular, ensure that for each child there is a copy of the current local authority care plan and internal care plans are updated in line with the new care planning arrangements. Additionally, when risks for a child reduce, ensure that behaviour management plans are updated in line with practice and staff know and understand any changes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When referrals are being considered, risk assessments are carried out to establish Inspection report children’s home: SC448598 5 whether the needs of the child being considered clash with those of the children already accommodated. However, not all relevant areas of risk have been assessed in this way. Additionally, there is little consideration about whether staff have the right skills, training and experience to manage the needs of the children individually and collectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are warmly welcomed into the home and settle well. Children develop strong and trusting relationships with staff and a strong sense of belonging. The caring environment forms the basis from which children grow and develop.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most of the children living in the home spend a lot of time with their friends, but they know staff are there for them. Staff listen to children and help them to talk through any worries or issues they have. Where appropriate, staff make sure that children’s expressed wishes and feelings are taken into account in their care planning or in making improvements to the home. This helps children to know that their views are valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most of the children arrange what they want to do in their free time. This is in line with their planning for independence. A recent holiday abroad was enjoyed by two children and provided them with opportunities to experience different customs and practice. One child is learning to drive and has successfully completed part of the theory test. A child who is taking a course in mechanics has a car on the driveway for him to practise repairs on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some children have had success in their learning. Some have gained GCSEs and some have been successful in completing short courses of study. Staff make sure that achievements, however small, are celebrated. Two children are achieving consistently good attendance in their education. A recently placed child is refusing to attend his educational placement and the fourth child is not in education or training, although he has a part-time job. Staff are supporting him to make decisions about what he is going to do in the longer term. Staff have successfully supported previous residents to secure employment while they were living in the home. One worked for a retail store and another as a maintenance worker for the organisation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s routine health needs are met well, for example, through their attendance at regular appointments with the optician or dentist. Staff help children understand the importance of having regular health check-ups. Staff encourage attendance by those children who are reluctant to do so. The home provides children with lots of opportunities to improve their health, for example, through offering them services to help them reduce smoking and substance misuse habits. Some children are making slow but positive progress in reducing their substance misuse and are pleased with their success.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The organisation’s therapy team helps to inform the care planning for children so that their emotional needs are effectively catered for. The therapy team works directly with some children. Children’s engagement in this work is variable. The team also works closely with the staff to support and guide them in meeting children’s emotional needs. Children’s emotional and psychological well-being has improved since they have been living in the home, and this is reflected in their behaviour. For example, children who Inspection report children’s home: SC448598 6 used to refuse to mix with others have developed the confidence to socialise happily with the other children and staff and with their peers in the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

If needed, children and their parents are supported to repair and re-establish their relationships. This is positive, as parents will be one of the main supports to their child as they move into more independent living. A parent said, ‘It is a fantastic home. I feel so welcome. I cannot fault them; they look after me as well.’ If there are restrictions to children seeing their families, staff support all parties to make sure that the time they spend together is as enjoyable and meaningful as possible.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are well supported to develop the practical skills that they will need to live successfully independently. Improvements that children make in their emotional well- being provide them with a better chance of coping with living more independently than they had done previously. Children moving on from the home are well supported by staff to prepare for their move. Children have positive endings to their time in the home and some continue to keep in contact with staff and their peers.

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

Children trust staff and staff give children’s safety the highest priority. A social worker said, ‘Staff are very aware of his safeguarding needs and meet these.’

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

Most risk assessments are sound and kept up to date. However, one risk assessment was not fully updated when risks reduced. Children are involved in planning for them to take more responsibility for their own safety. As children make progress, they are trusted, for example to be out and about in the community. This helps them to develop the ability to make safer choices than they have in the past. This has been successful with one child, who now has more appropriate friendships than he used to have.

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

The frequency of incidences of children not returning home on time has reduced. When children are late home or are missing, staff take action in line with risk assessments, including informing the police. A social worker said of the child she works with that he had made phenomenal improvements including in reducing missing episodes. Missing from home interviews are offered to children who return from being missing, but children rarely take up these opportunities.

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

Each child’s bedroom has a door sensor on the door, which is set overnight. There is also a sensor set on the landing. While the use of these has been subject to risk assessment, these do not identify compelling safeguarding reasons for their use. This is very disproportionate for children, some of whom are in their late teens and about to move on from the home.

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

Positive behaviour is promoted. A professional said, ‘Staff are really good at managing challenging behaviour.’ Staff are good role models for children and provide children with good support to think about how they can deal with their frustrations and worries effectively. A social worker said that the staff provide children with ‘firm boundaries when needed; they get about the right balance so children learn.’ There have been no Inspection report children’s home: SC448598 7 incidents that have needed staff to use physical interventions in over a year. Sanctions used are fair and appropriate to the event.

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

Children are managing their anger better and outbursts have reduced. Children have begun to negotiate with staff, for example about their free time.

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

Safeguarding and other safety concerns are followed up in a timely and appropriate way to make sure that children are safeguarded. All relevant professionals are informed of any concerns about a child, and interagency working is effective.

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

The environment is pleasant and well maintained. However, the monitoring systems failed to identify that there were two fire door closure mechanisms that were faulty. Although this was addressed during the inspection, the health and safety check systems need review to ensure that such defects are picked up immediately.

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

There has been a risk assessment carried out in relation to the safety of the location of the home. This was not updated when new intelligence about the local area came to light.

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

Staff recruitment practice is generally sound. However, the system for verifying references is not sufficiently thorough and has missed opportunities to gather wider relevant information.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There is no registered manager. A newly appointed manager started work in the home but was subsequently found to be unsuitable. There has been no registered manager in charge of the home for over five months. The deputy manager has been appointed to manage the home and is making an application to register with Ofsted; this has not yet been received.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There is a statement of purpose that clearly sets out the aims and objectives and underpins the work in the home. The aims and objectives are being met to a good standard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The monitoring carried out by a person independent from the home is effective in identifying shortfalls, and the manager addresses these. The manager monitors the quality of care being provided and produces a six-monthly report. There is a lack of clarity in the report about how or whether the views and opinions of stakeholders, including children, inform her review, and the report does not provide a clear view about the quality of care that children are provided with. It is, however, clear that there is a strong desire to make sure that children are provided with a high quality of care at all times.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager and staff have a clear understanding about how living in the home has impacted on children. They are aware of whether children are struggling and proactive in providing support in these circumstances. They are also aware of the improvements Inspection report children’s home: SC448598 8 children make and the significance of these for their futures. Some progress that children make may appear to be insignificant but, considering the children’s starting points, it is of substance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager and staff are good advocates for the children. They challenge other services that are not providing an effective service. There are very good working relationships with social workers, professionals and parents. External professionals spoke highly of the quality of care being provided to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

When significant incidents occur, these are usually notified to all required professionals and agencies. On one recent occasion, a notification relating to a serious complaint about a member of staff was not made to Ofsted. The matter was addressed swiftly and effectively, so no child was left at risk of harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

While there are some staff shortages, these are being covered effectively to make sure that there is consistency for the children. The staff are competent, child centred and passionate in their roles. They are clear about their responsibilities and the lines of accountability. Staff are well supported through regular supervision and team meetings. Staff training is kept up to date. Staff use what they have learned in training on a day- to-day basis in their work with the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Children’s records are not all kept up to date. For example, decisions made in statutory reviews had not been transferred to the child’s care plan in one case. Additionally, when plans are updated, it is not clear whether staff have read and understood the changes.

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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: SC448598 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Broadwood Residential Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Keys Attachment Centre, Hurstwood Court, New Hall Hey Road, Rawtenstall, Lancashire BB4 6HR

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Inspector

Rosie Dancer, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC448598 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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