Children's home run by Worcestershire County Council in Worcester

Inspection report children’s home: SC037467 1 SC037467 Registered provider: Worcestershire County Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority ‘immediate response’ children’s home. The service accepts emergency placements and out-of-hours requests on a short-term basis up to a maximum of 16 weeks. It provides care and accommodation for up to five young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home’s statement of purpose indicates that the age range of young people living at the home will be between 10 and 18 years of age. A suitable qualified, experienced registered manager has been in post since 2016.

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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 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: 12 September 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC037467 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/09/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 24/10/2016 Full Good 09/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC037467 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, there have been significant improvements made when children move into the home. Children only stay at the home on a short-term basis rather than the home providing long-term care. The manager has made changes to how the needs of children are assessed before they move into the home. In-depth risk assessments are now completed and the manager ensures that all relevant information is shared beforehand. The registered manager and staff team make the home a fun and welcoming place to live. Staff encourage children to sit at the table for meals and snacks. For example, during this inspection managers, staff and children were observed laughing and talking over a breakfast of bacon sandwiches. The registered manager makes sure that children’s files are well organised, and that records and plans are completed to a very good standard. Since the last inspection, the manager has introduced a new form to monitor young people’s development and

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

successes. Children receive regular and meaningful key-work sessions. As a result, children are helped by staff to improve their self-care skills and reduce their risk-taking behaviours. One child has felt able to talk to staff about past experiences and worries. This is because of their close relationships with staff. Staff have good relationships with children, based on warmth and trust. Staff use a nurturing and attachment-based approach to help children talk about and understand their behaviours. Children learn appropriate behaviours because of the approach and guidance of staff. A child told the inspector, ‘It is fine here, I like it, and there is nothing that bothers me. The staff are really nice.’ Staff offer children a variety of leisure opportunities, and help them to develop individual hobbies and interests. For example, staff have helped one child in gaining an interview for the police cadets, which he is very proud of. During the Easter holidays, the Easter

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

bunny visited with chocolate eggs which the children enjoyed.

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

The registered manager now completes adequate assessments about how children’s behaviours will affect and influence each other. The individual needs of children are well considered. Well-written individual management plans inform staff practice. Robust and accurate risk assessments enable staff to identify triggers. Staff encourage children to make positive choices and talk to children about the consequences of their behaviour. Children are safe. This is because the registered manager and staff ensure that child protection processes are followed. The manager is highly experienced and knowledgeable about safeguarding children. Staff receive enhanced safeguarding training as well as training in topics including e-safety, Prevent, advanced child sexual Inspection report children’s home: SC037467 4 exploitation and equality and diversity. The manager is thorough in challenging professionals if there is a significant concern about a child’s welfare. For example, since

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

the last inspection the manager has worked closely with child and adolescent mental health services to advocate for a young person to receive medical treatment. This resulted in the young person moving from the home and receiving specialist support due to her complex needs. Managers and staff respond quickly to allegations made by children. The registered manager makes sure that incidents are properly evaluated and staff are confident in sharing any concerns. Staff are highly experienced in caring for children when they go missing from home. Since the last inspection, incidents of missing from home have been low because of the skill of the staff team. Physical restraint is used as a last resort. Staff use distraction and de-escalation techniques to avoid restraint whenever possible. The registered manager makes sure that incidents are reviewed thoroughly to safeguard children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is very committed and is passionate about the quality of care provided for children. The registered manager and staff are focused on making sure that children feel relaxed and happy. The manager makes sure that staff regularly receive good-quality supervision. The manager is available to staff whenever needed. Staff speak positively about the manager and describe him as very approachable. The responsible individual frequently visits the home and is passionate about the quality of care that children receive. As a result, children receive good-quality care from well-supported staff. The registered manager has completed a very detailed and well-evaluated risk assessment of the location of the home. The assessment recognises potential risks in the surrounding area and includes actions to be taken to lessen the risks. Managers and staff have monthly team meetings that are focused on the needs of

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

children. Minutes are well recorded with clear actions for development. The registered manager has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the service, and areas for development. For example, a key focus of future development is a large building upgrade that is due to take place.

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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 Inspection report children’s home: SC037467 5 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: SC037467 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Worcester WR5 2NP

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Inspector

Anna Gravelle, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC037467 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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