Children's home run by Care Afloat Ltd in West Lancashire

Inspection report children’s home: SC005751 1 SC005751 Registered provider: Doncaster Deaf Trust

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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 privately run children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person, aged between 11and17, who has emotional, social and 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

Date of last inspection: 11 October 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC005751 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/10/2017 Full Good 20/12/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 28/06/2016 Full Good 01/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC005751 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation (1)(2)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, address the maintenance issue in relation to the dining room ceiling. 14/05/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to HMCI. (Regulation 44 (1)(7)(a)) 26/07/2018

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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.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review ("the quality of care review report").

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1)(3)(4)(a)) 26/07/2018 Inspection report children’s home: SC005751 4

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Recommendations

 Ensure that there are clear arrangements in place to maintain effective management when the registered manager is absent, off duty or on leave. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child living in this home is making good progress in all aspects of his development. Staff know him well and have developed positive relationships with him. Consistent care has helped him to develop his self-confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff enable him to influence his day-to-day care experiences. They listen to him, and give him opportunities to talk about his care, such as recreational activities and food choices. He particularly enjoys helping staff to prepare the evening meal. He is learning skills and techniques that will benefit him in his adult life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education attendance is 100%. Staff find out the barriers to learning. They work with education staff and devise plans that include the child’s interests. This has enhanced his experiences, making education goals fun and achievable. Staff are proud of his achievements in woodwork and display his work throughout the home. A social worker said, ‘He has done amazingly well with his education.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide a nurturing environment. They recognise that routine and boundaries provide stability and security. This has been vital in helping the child to manage his anxieties and frustrations in a calmer way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have supported the child to engage in community activities. He has joined the library and has learned to swim at the leisure centre. These experiences have given him a sense of belonging in the community and have helped to increase his self-confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who move on from the home settle quickly into their new placements. The transition plan is gradual, with opportunities to stay for an evening meal and/or overnight visits. This provides the child with an opportunity to build relationships with the staff who will be caring for them, and meet the other young people who already live in their new home. Inspection report children’s home: SC005751 5

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

The child has not gone missing from the home. Staff keep him busy, supporting him to pursue his interests and hobbies. They follow his care plan and supervise him in the community. They teach him how to keep safe and support him to use the internet safely.

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

Physical intervention has not been necessary. Risk assessments and behaviour management strategies are well planned. Staff know what to do when he gets angry and frustrated. They provide consistent care and encourage him to talk about his emotions.

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

Staff have enabled the child to feel safe and secure in the home. He has built trusting relationships with his staff and talks to them about his past experiences. This helps him to build his emotional resilience.

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

The manager and staff have a good understanding of the child’s emotional needs. They work with therapists and social workers to provide the right level of care.

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

Staff files have the required information to provide good recruitment and selection processes. This enables a safe and competent workforce.

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

The dining room ceiling is damaged. This needs repairing to ensure that the child, staff and visitors to the home are safe.

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

The manager was registered in October 2017. She oversees two homes within the organisation. A team coordinator was intended to support her with management tasks. However, this arrangement is not working because the team coordinator is busy working shifts. This shortfall compromises management oversight of both homes.

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

The required monthly independent visitor’s reports and the quality of care report have not been sent to the regulator. This is a breach in the children’s homes regulations.

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

The manager identifies the strengths of the home and the areas for development. She is able to show the good progress the child has made from his starting point. She is aware of the management shortfalls and is keen to make the necessary improvements.

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

The manager has addressed the requirements raised at the last inspection. The staff rota contains the hours when staff are on shift. Risk assessments and placement plans are up to date. The manager reviews the independent visitor’s report and checks for factual errors. The radiators, worn carpets and broken bathroom tiles have been replaced.

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

The manager is well thought of by her staff team. Staff describe her as ‘approachable’. They say that the training they receive is ‘good’ and specific to the child’s needs. Inspection report children’s home: SC005751 6 The manager works well with other professionals involved with the child. A social worker spoke highly of the manager’s communication, which results in all parties feeling well informed of the child’s needs and progress.

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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: SC005751 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Doncaster Deaf Trust

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Doncaster College & School for the Deaf, Leger Way, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN2 6AY

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Michael Fletcher

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Inspector

Jo Hornby, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC005751 8 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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