Children's home run by The Good Support Group Limited

Inspection report children‟s home: 1256364 1 Registered provider: The Good Support Group Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private organisation runs this home on behalf of the local authority. Under the new provider, the home has been operational since July 2017. It provides residential and respite care and accommodation for up to seven children and young people who have physical disabilities and/or learning disabilities and/or sensory impairments.

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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

Date of last inspection: This is the first inspection since the home was registered in July 2017.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people receive meticulous care, support and guidance from a staff team that understands their particular needs.  A stable staff team has high aspirations for children, enabling the children to Inspection report children‟s home: 1256364 2 make steady progress from their starting points.  Records provide good evidence of progress made by each child.  Managers and staff work hard to build collaborative relationships with parents and external professionals. As a result, children improve their school attendance and decrease their challenging behaviour.  Children learn independence skills during their short breaks.  Children benefit from enjoying varied social experiences, including interaction with the community.  Leaders and managers are highly visible in the home and support a committed staff team that places the needs of children first.

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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

 There are shortfalls in leadership and management. However, there is no evidence that these shortfalls have impacted negatively on the quality of care and positive experiences provided for children.  The home‟s policies and procedures are generic; they have not been updated to reflect the new registration, in particular the safeguarding and missing from care policies.  The registered person needs to ensure that the statement of purpose is sent to HMCI every time it is revised.  The home‟s location risk assessment requires revision to reflect all potential risks for young people.  A fully completed workforce development is not in place.  Staff members have not received all appropriate training to meet the care needs of children looked after.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

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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

Inspection report children‟s home: 1256364 3 The registered person must notify HMCI of any revision and send HMCI a copy of the statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this refers to the statement of purpose. 31/04/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children‟s home from abuse or neglect; and sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect.

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Requirement Due date

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular,—

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Requirement Due date

provide for liaison and co-operation with any local authority which are, or may be making a child protection enquiry in relation to a child accommodated in the home;

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Requirement Due date

provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about current or ongoing abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and ,if different, the local authority in whose area the home is located;

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Requirement Due date

describe the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect; and

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Requirement Due date

describe how and to whom staff are to report, without delay, any concern about abuse or neglect of a child.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 34 (1) (a) (b) and (2) (a) (b) (c ) (e) (f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the procedures must make clear to the staff team the role of the designated safeguarding officer. 31/04/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare implement a policy (“the missing child policy”) setting out the steps taken, and to be taken, to prevent children from being absent without permission; and

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Requirement Due date

the procedures to be followed, and the roles and responsibilities of persons working at the home, in relation to a child who is, or has been, so absent.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep under review and, as necessary, revise the home‟s child protection policies. (Regulation 34 (4) (a) (b) (6)) 31/04/2018 Inspection report children‟s home: 1256364 4 In particular, the policy must set out the procedures to be followed that are relevant to the specific care needs of children using the service. The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purpose of the children‟s home at least once in each calendar year, taking into account the requirement of regulation 12 (2) (c) (the protection of children standard).

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Requirement Due date

(2) When conducting the review, the registered person must consult and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46 (1) (2)) 31/04/2018

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Recommendations

 The children‟s home must produce a children‟s guide. The children‟s guide must be made available to all children when their placement in the home is agreed (or on arrival at the home if the placement is made in an emergency) and must be age appropriate, provided in an accessible format and explained to each child to make sure they understand it. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 24, paragraph 4.21) In particular, a children guide must be produced and differentiate between children who receive a short-break service and those children who live at the home on a looked-after basis.

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Recommendations

The children‟s guide should help children to understand: what the day-to-day routines of the home are („what happens in the home‟) and the statement of purpose of the home (the care they can expect to receive while living in the home); how to make a complaint in line with the home‟s complaint‟s procedures; how they can access advocacy support or independent advocacy if eligible; and how to contact the office of the Children‟s Commissioner. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 24, paragraph 4.22)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home‟s safeguarding policy includes detailed information on the arrangements for the safeguarding of young people from radicalisation, female genital mutilation and e-safety. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 44, paragraphs 9.19)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the home has enough suitably trained staff (including some in a management role) on duty to meet the assessed needs of all children in the home. („Guide to the children‟s home regulations including the quality standards‟, page 51, paragraph 10.1) In particular, ensure that appropriate training is available to understand legal frameworks for meeting the care and support needs of children looked after. Inspection report children‟s home: 1256364 5  The registered person should have a workforce plan, which can fulfil the workforce-related requirements of regulation 16 schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20). („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny of the home and best use of information from independent and internal monitoring (including under regulations 44 and 45) to ensure continuous improvement. („Guide to the children‟s home regulations including the quality standards‟, page 55, paragraph 10.24) In particular, quality of care reports must include feedback and the opinions of children, placing authorities and carers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The statement of purpose clearly set of the ethos and objectives of the home and achieves the aims for children as set out. Children who access the service have a variety of care needs. Most stay under short breaks for overnight care, others live permanently in the home and some visit for day care. This flexibility enables children and parents to receive a level of support to meet their individual needs. A parent commented, „The flexibility of the home and the staff team enables my child to move from respite care to full-time when the challenges are severe. This means that l know he is safe while l safeguard the needs of my other children.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress while living in or staying in the home. They all enjoy safe, fun times in the home because of receiving personalised and well-planned care that takes into account children‟s individual welfare needs and wishes and their families‟ views. They are supported to practise their social skills and have other experiences that they may not be able to have at home, for example visits to local community projects, practicing independent skills and participation in group socialisation and activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children‟s individual care plans, behaviour support plans and risk assessments are very detailed and identify all the behaviours which staff must manage. Plans include information on culture, religion and health needs. They take into account information on routines at home and school. As a result, staff have made considerable progress in adjusting sleep patterns, introducing new foods into diets and involving children more in their own personal care. This results in improving the quality of their lives and that of their families. Support plans are reviewed on a regularly basis and provide staff with any new and relevant information for each child These plans also helps to monitor progress, evidence outcomes and identify any areas of concern.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who live in the home make good and sustained progress from their starting points. Effective planning ensures that children are given choice on how and when they interact with children who attend for respite, particularly their participation in activities and the sharing of meals. Children benefit from having individual keyworkers, who work solely with them and have full responsibility for all their care needs. Due to this Inspection report children‟s home: 1256364 6 consistency, children are invested in working with that member of staff, leading to a decrease in anxieties and challenging behaviours and an increase in independence skills and outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend school. They make good progress in line with their education, health and care plans. A child who is living in the home has an average of 98% attendance. According to his school, they have observed signs of changes in behaviour and progress, for example a move away from pictorial forms of communication to use of spoken words to express their wants and needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children health needs are appropriately cared for and supported by staff who are trained and demonstrate competence to carry out medical interventions. Records of children‟s health needs and administration of medications is in place.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers carefully consider the group dynamics, friendships, disabilities and independence when booking a child‟s short break. This ensures that they have as positive an experience as possible, which allows children to form friendships and anxieties are decreased.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A varied range of purposeful, learning and enjoyable activities are accessible to children both in the home and out in the community. These include use of the sensory room, arts and crafts, music and dance. The large and well-equipped garden enables children to take part in a range of fun and sensory play.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff recognise the importance of involving children in the decision-making about the running of the home. Staff use various communication methods to seek children‟s views, many of whom have communication difficulties. A number of children use Picture Exchange Communication System with staff and this helps children to contribute their views on a range of issues. For example, children can contribute to menu planning and activities. As a result, children‟s views are heard and respected. This enables them to feel included and secure in the home.

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

Parents and stakeholders say they are confident in the staff to safeguard children.

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

High levels of supervision by staff helps to ensure that children are not at risk in the community or of going missing. Staff respond well to children showing any signs of challenging behaviour, anxiety or unhappiness. Staff resolve any difficulties immediately. The approach to behaviour management is a strength of the service.

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

Children benefit from clear and consistent routines through effective behaviour support plans that are followed consistently by staff. Recording of incidents and physical interventions evidence a decrease in incidents for children once they settle in the home. For example, a child living in the home for three months has been helped by staff to significantly reduce the times that they have had to be physically restrained. This means that incidents that required staff intervention on a daily basis at the start of their Inspection report children‟s home: 1256364 7 placement have reduced to just six in the past eight weeks.

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

During the inspection, children were observed to interact in ways that demonstrate a trust of those caring for them. This creates an environment in which they are safeguarded and their well-being promoted. A parent commented, „l am so happy to see the good and caring relationship X has with his keyworker and all the staff. I would describe all of them as “fantastic” in helping him and the care and understanding they show me.‟

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

The home provides a well-maintained and nurturing environment for children. Children have individual fire evacuation plans that guide staff in knowing how to keep children safe in the event of fire. All health and safety checks are in place and regularly completed.

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

The location risk assessment adequately assesses levels of crime in the area. However, it lacks specific details on the risks for children in the locality and the strategies to manage these. Further, comprehensive knowledge of the risks of child sexual exploitation and radicalisation within the community is not in place.

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

Policies and procedures for some aspects of promoting the safety of children require improvement. Although staff keep children safe and respond appropriately to any issues, written guidance is not always in place to enable staff to have a comprehensive approach on the procedures to follow in line with requirements. For example, many of the policies and procedures are relevant to the previous local authority registration and are not specific to children who access this new private service.

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

The registered manager has been in post since the new registration in July 2017. She had previously worked as the deputy manager under the local authority registration. The registered manager is in the process of obtaining the level 5 leadership and management qualification.

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

The registered manager has a clear vision for the home‟s development and the service that she wishes to provide, as well as understanding its strengths and areas for improvement. The registered manager accepted that there are a number of improvements needed, predominantly regarding the need to update and improve policies and procedures.

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

The home has a detailed statement of purpose that informs children, parents and key stakeholders about the services provided. It is updated when necessary but the updated versions have not been sent to Ofsted as required.

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

The children‟s guide does not provide enough information for children who live permanently in the home, for example their rights while in care, the home‟s complaints procedures and their rights to advocacy. Inspection report children‟s home: 1256364 8 The home lacks an effective workforce development plan. As a result, there is no central point of reference in the home from which to analyse the skills-set of the staff team.

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

The registered manager promotes a child-centred service through actively seeking feedback from children, stakeholders and the staff team, and maintaining a visual presence in the home.

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

The registered manager is committed to developing a culture of improved outcomes and good quality care for all children who use the service. She describes her staff team as „enablers‟, who aspire for and enable children to be the best they possibly can.

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

All staff receive reflective supervision; this encourages staff to reflect on their individual performance and supports them to identify areas for improvement focused on children‟s experiences during their short breaks and for those living in the home. This benefits children as it puts them at the centre of the supervision process. All staff spoken to during the inspection describe the manager typically as, „Transparent, supportive, practically and give clear indications of her expectations of staff in supporting children.‟ A newly inducted member of staff said, „Much of my progression and development is due to the positive and committed team spirit generated by the manager.‟

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

Positive feedback and observations was received and evidenced from children, professionals and the staff team during the inspection. They reported good engagement and consultations with managers where their views and opinions are sought. However, these views have not been evident in the home‟s quality of care reports.

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

Reports from the independent visitor give good scrutiny of the service and play an important role in its future development.

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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: 1256364 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Good Support Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 200 Chargeable Lane, London E13 8DW

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Inspector

Juanita Mayers, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: 1256364 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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