Children's home run by Five Rivers Child Care Limited in Wiltshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC025938 1 SC025938 Registered provider: Five Rivers Child Care Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home specialises in providing short-term crisis or emergency placements.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: Declined in effectiveness

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 21 November 2017

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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

The home has been temporarily closed since August 2017. The home has not been operational for over six months. A child was admitted a few days before this inspection. Due to the limited information available, an interim inspection was undertaken. The inspection focuses on the care practices and whether the registration requirements continue to be met. The provider has effectively addressed the three requirements and four recommendations from the last inspection. These relate to improving documentation, record-keeping, staff arrangements and buying kitchenware. Staff appropriately maintain the children’s register and there have been no restraints. There are now clear lines of accountability, which ensures effective management. The introduction of team leaders and senior positions strengthens the management Inspection report children’s home: SC025938 2 structure. The organisation is currently recruiting a permanent manager. It is a

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

requirement that a suitably experienced and qualified manager is appointed. The home has an experienced interim manager, who is the registered manager of another children’s home. Plans to help staff develop good working relationships with other agencies and professionals are in progress. An example of this is the role modelling provided by the interim manager. The workforce development plan and the training matrix outline staff training. There is adequate consideration of the training required for staff to deliver the statement of purpose. During the home’s closure, staff have enhanced their knowledge and expertise through training and working at other homes within the organisation. Staff have utilised their creative and practical skills through redecorating the home, purchasing soft furnishings, artwork and accessories. The premises are colour-coordinated, providing a pleasant and comfortable environment for children. Bedrooms are modern and individually decorated

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

and personalised. A sufficient supply of new crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils is available to enable children and staff to enjoy mealtimes together. Staff are now familiar with and positively use the home’s whistle-blowing procedure. They appropriately raised concerns internally and directly to Ofsted regarding waking night arrangements, staffing issues, the lack of oversight, direction and supervision, and feeling disrespected. The senior management team took these issues seriously, resulting in prompt action to alleviate staff members’ concerns. An example of this was the organisation’s chief executive officer taking the time to visit and reassure staff. The interim manager has instilled confidence in the staff team. This is commendable as staff morale has significantly increased. A staff member described the interim manager as ‘amazing’. There is clear direction and leadership, and staff are aware of the

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

organisational expectations. Supervision is in progress for the staff team. The organisation is ensuring that senior staff receive appropriate supervision training to equip them for their supervisory role. The waking night team remains with the support of sleeping-in staff. At the time of the inspection, the home had a high number of staff for one child. There are plans to slowly introduce additional children and continue providing high staffing levels to ensure placement stability. The introduction of a peer support system strengthens the leadership and management arrangements. This provides cover by another registered manager during periods of absence. Staff have put the perceived relational issues between them and senior managers behind them. The new interim manager has a good relationship with senior managers, which enables effective communication. A staff member describes feeling ‘more optimistic’,

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

praising their ‘very supportive’ staff team. A member of staff proudly stated that they are ‘here for the children’. Staff highlight their shared values and commitment to working practices, which promote positive outcomes for children. The team welcomed their first child a few days before the inspection, after the long closure period. This child is settling into the home and interacts amiably with the staff team. The child stated it was ‘okay here’. The child’s crisis management plan demonstrates a good understanding of their presenting needs. Inspection report children’s home: SC025938 3 The child has been supported to buy new clothing and to visit her mother on Mother’s Day. Staff have also helped the child with managing her anxiety by going out for walks and drives. Staff appropriately challenge swearing and socially unacceptable behaviour. They endeavour to instil appropriate boundaries, good manners and a positive self-

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

identity. It was noted that there were no female members of staff on duty. The child stated that she was ‘not bothered’ by this. Discussions with staff evidence that they are insightful and aware of their personal impact, an example being males working with a young female. Male staff highlighted the need for more female staff. Throughout the home’s closure, an independent person has continued to undertake monthly monitoring visits. Reports from these visits provide leaders and managers with a constructive evaluation of the service. The last report was very positive and this contributes to the home’s capacity to improve. Staff are enthusiastic, competent and the majority of them have relevant experience. The appointment of a suitable permanent manager is in progress, which is essential for the future development of the home.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/11/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 02/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 20/06/2016 Full Good 03/02/2016 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 person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home. (Regulation 27(1)) 01/05/2018

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Recommendations

 Ensure that, whenever possible, staff in day-to-day contact with children should include staff from the different gender groups. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.22) Inspection report children’s home: SC025938 4

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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

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

Registered provider: Five Rivers Child Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Five Rivers Childcare, 47 Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT

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Inspector

Sharon Payne, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC025938 5 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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