Children's Home run by ROC Northwest Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483688 1 SC483688

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Roc Northwest Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to seven children or young people who may have a range of learning, emotional and/or physical needs.

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This monitoring visit

Concerns were raised with Ofsted about some aspects of the home’s management, staff care practice and the care of a particular young person. As a result of this information, a monitoring visit was carried out to assess potential breaches of regulations. Evidence was found that one young person’s support has not been consistently provided in line with his assessed needs. This young person has complex emotional needs and experiences difficulty in building relationships with adults. Recent changes in staff roles and a decision to remove the key-worker system at the home has significantly impacted on the young person. Evidence showed that there had not been sufficient consideration about how this young person could be supported to manage these changes. The young person also experiences significant anxiety, particularly in relation to engaging with adult males. His care plan contains clear guidance about how the

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This monitoring visit

young person should be supported and the approach required by staff. It was evidenced during this visit that the approach of some staff members towards the young person was not always in line with this guidance. The young person reported that this caused him to feel anxious and unhappy. These findings demonstrate a failure to provide personalised care to the young person. A requirement is raised in relation to this matter. Despite concerns being raised, by the young person and others, about the approach of some staff members, this has been viewed as ‘personalities clashing’. The registered manager has failed to carry out any formal work with the staff members who did not work well with the young person, such as how their approach could be Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483688 2 improved in line with the young person’s needs. This is a failure to ensure that young people receive care and support from staff who develop positive relationships

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This monitoring visit

with them. A requirement is raised in relation to this matter. It was found that there has been failure to formally address performance issues with some staff members. The registered manager described the concerns identified about specific staff and also confirmed that there were some concerns about how some staff members worked together. However, the staff members’ supervision records did not contain any reference to these issues. It was confirmed that the registered manager did not consistently follow the organisation’s policy regarding the frequency of supervision for staff in their probation period. The registered manager was unable to produce a record of a supervision for one staff member, during which some concerns had been raised. Despite the record being signed, it had been either lost or destroyed, which does not support open and transparent working. A requirement has been raised as a result of

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This monitoring visit

these findings in relation to leadership and management of the home. Some shortfalls in relation to the use of safeguarding procedures were identified during this inspection. A recent safeguarding concern was raised by a staff member, which has been appropriately managed and referred to the relevant agencies. However, evidence showed that, during the investigation of this matter, further safeguarding concerns were raised. These were not effectively managed. In another example, it was found that a staff member had raised a concern regarding the failure to record a restrictive physical intervention. This concern had been passed up through the management team, but no record had been made. There was no action taken as a result of this concern. Failure to identify and manage potential safeguarding concerns means that young people are not protected and that opportunities to learn and develop practice are lost. A requirement is raised in

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/01/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/04/2017 Full Outstanding 24/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 20/09/2016 Full Requires improvement Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483688 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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— ensure that staff— provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background; (Regulation 6(2)(b)(iv)) 15/06/2018

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Requirement Due date

7: The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who— develop positive relationships with them; (Regulation 7(1)(a)) 15/06/2018

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; (Regulation 12(2)(a)(v1)(vii)) 15/06/2018

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard The leadership and management standard is that the registered person— enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each 15/06/2018 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483688 4 child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; (Regulation 13 (1)(b)&(2)(f)

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Recommendations

 Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Specifically by means of ensuring that risk assessment information is up to date and contains all relevant information. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should actively make best use of information to ensure continuous improvement. They should be skilled in anticipating difficulties and reviewing complaints, in a manner that identifies themes or trends. They are responsible for proactively implementing lessons learned and sustaining good practice. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24)  The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their

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Recommendations

use is fair and the above principles as set out in 9.35 are respected. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483688 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: R O C Northwest Ltd, Ward Green Lane, Ribchester, Preston, Lancashire PR3 3YB

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Inspectors

Marie Cordingley, social care inspector Ms Williams, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483688 6 to 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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