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Social care · Children's home inspection (SCCIF)

Children's home run by Salford City Council in Salford

Inspected 3 Jul 2018 · URN SC064858

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Summary

No overall grade in this framework

Maria McGranaghan

What we read, and from where

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  • Group verified

    Salford City Council

  • Inspection date verified

    3 Jul 2018

  • Inspectorssingle source

    Maria McGranaghan

  • Name on report verified

    SC064858

  • URN verified

    SC064858

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

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Tone of the report

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+8Mostly positivemore positive than 38% of reports of this type
OutstandingGoodRIInadequate

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Praisepositiveeffectivelysafeengagingseriouseffectiveconsistentaccurate
Criticismharmat riskconcern

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FindingsAbout the inspectionWhat needs to improve positive critical
  • Findings21w0
  • What needs to improve972w+8

Strengths

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No standout praise found.

Concerns

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No strong criticism found.

Next steps

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Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
9
Words of findings
993
shorter than usual (typical 1387)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 40, typical 50
Average sentence
30 words
Next steps
3
typical 4
Hedged sentences
0%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 1%What needs to improve 46%About the inspection 53%

Full report text

Inspection report for children‟s home - monitoring visit: SC064858 1 SC064858

p.1

Salford City Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or learning difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a short-term reception home provided by a local authority.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home will provide a Police and Criminal Evidence bed for young people irrespective of gender, and aged from 10 to 17 years. Greater Manchester Police should provide staff with information regarding the nature of the offence committed, and any known risks, as outlined in the home‟s statement of purpose document.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2007.

p.1

This monitoring visit

A full inspection was carried out on 9 and 10 May 2018. The home was judged inadequate, due to serious shortfalls in safeguarding practice within the home. Young people‟s challenging and risk-taking behaviours and vulnerabilities were not adequately recognised or assessed in order to address and minimise significant harm. There was a failure to carry out robust risk assessments and behaviour management plans, resulting in an escalation of unmanaged dangerous and harmful behaviour.

p.1

This monitoring visit

At the full inspection the inspector found that staff had not been provided with sufficient guidance in managing such behaviour. Consequently, young people‟s safety within the home was deemed to be significantly compromised. As a result, a compliance notice was issued on 18 May 2018, in relation to regulation 12, the protection of children and young people. Inspection report for children‟s home - monitoring visit: SC064858 2 An unannounced monitoring visit took place on 3 July 2018, to monitor compliance with the notice. Since the last full inspection, one young person has been discharged to an outside authority placement and one young person has been admitted to the home. At the time of this monitoring inspection, four young people were accommodated.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This visit found that sufficient steps have been taken to address the shortfalls in safeguarding practice. A complete review of risk assessment and risk management processes has been undertaken. Each young person now has an individual risk assessment that details specific risks, the level of risk and the actions to be taken to reduce risk. A newly formed management panel reviews risk and risk management monthly.

p.2

This monitoring visit

A more robust routine, including in-house boundaries and individual behaviour management plans, is now in place and is reviewed regularly by the registered manager and service manager. This has been assisted by the redeployment of experienced staff, from another of the authority‟s homes, to this home. This means young people‟s behaviour is appropriately challenged and managed with more consistency. Consequently, young people are more settled in the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Strategies for the safe management of young people using substances is now developed. Staff now have specific guidance on the actions to take should a young person consume an illicit substance. Furthermore, young people and staff now receive support from external substance misuse organisations. This provides young people and staff with the knowledge and understanding of the risks associated with the consumption of unknown substances.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The use of cannabis has reduced. This is because access to additional finances through individual incentives has ceased. Likewise, young people presenting as being under the influence of cannabis are now automatically placed on supervised finances.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Incidents of young people being missing from the home have reduced. Missing from home risk assessments and action plans have been reviewed and further developed. Staff now contact known friends, family and associates and liaise with them when a young person is away from home. This enables staff to monitor young people‟s whereabouts and safety. Furthermore, the practice of supplying young people with travel passes has been reviewed. Travel passes are now only provided in accordance with the young person‟s placement plan arrangements.

p.2

This monitoring visit

At the last full inspection, 12 incidents of serious bullying were reviewed. At this monitoring inspection, the number of bullying incidents has reduced. The provider‟s review of the risk management strategies highlighted concerns within the group dynamics. Consequently, one young person has been discharged; another young person is now only resident one day per week. Likewise, the presence of additional experienced staff, including two-night wake staff, mean that young people are Inspection report for children‟s home - monitoring visit: SC064858 3 monitored more closely and incidents of potential bullying identified quickly. Although the registered manager and staff have taken suitable action to address bullying within the home, this remains an area for continuous monitoring, review and development.

p.2

This monitoring visit

In order to help young people engage with staff to address behaviours including, but not limited to, substance misuse, bullying and being missing from home, young people now receive individual time with the local authority accredited trainer. This means young people have the opportunity to work within the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) to achieve a range of certificates to add to their curriculum vitae. In conjunction with key-work sessions, this provides young people with an incentive to engage with staff during their stay at the home.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The provider has taken suitable action to address the actions raised in the compliance notice served on 18 May 2018.

p.3

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 09/05/2018 Full Inadequate 14/02/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 15/06/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children‟s home - monitoring visit: SC064858 4

p.3

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.4

Requirement Due date

(a) mutual respect and trust; (b) an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and (c) positive responses to other children and adults.

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

(i) meet each child‟s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child‟s relevant plans; (ii) help each child to develop socially aware behaviour.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the home should ensure that children are helped to understand the impact of their behaviour on themselves and on the safety and well-being of others. (Regulation 11(1)(a)(b)(c) and (2)(a)(i)(ii)) 29/06/2018

p.4

Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (a) that staff— (iv) help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment; (vi) maintain regular contact with each child‟s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child‟s education and training and to maximise the child‟s achievement; (viii) help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8(1) and (2)(a)(iv)(vi)(vii)) 29/06/2018 Inspection report for children‟s home - monitoring visit: SC064858 5

p.4

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

(a) that staff— (i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child‟s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; (ii) help each child to understand how to keep safe; (iv) manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other; (v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child‟s welfare; and (b) 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 12(1) and (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iv)(v)(b)). 29/06/2018

p.5

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children‟s home that—

p.5

Requirement Due date

(a) helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and (b) promotes their welfare.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

(a) lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home‟s statement of purpose; (b) ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate; (d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child; (e) ensure that the home‟s workforce provides continuity of care to each child; (f) understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 29/06/2018 Inspection report for children‟s home - monitoring visit: SC064858 6 (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b) and (2)(a)(b)(d)(e)(f)(h)) The care planning standard is that children— (a) receive effectively planned care in or through the

p.5

Requirement Due date

children‟s home; and (b) have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (a) that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home‟s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14(1)(a)(b) and (2)(a)) 29/06/2018

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 16(5)) 29/06/2018

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”) has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(vii)(b)(i)(ii) and (c)) 29/06/2018

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39(3)) 29/06/2018

p.6

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

Requirement Due date

(a) understand the children‟s home‟s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; (b) use this understanding to deliver care that meets children‟s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. (Regulation (6)(1)(a)(b)) 29/06/2018

p.6

Information about this inspection

Inspection report for children‟s home - monitoring visit: SC064858 7 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.

p.7

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children‟s home - monitoring visit: SC064858 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Salford City Council

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton, Manchester M27 5DA

p.8

Inspector

Maria McGranaghan, social care inspector Inspection report for children‟s home - monitoring visit: SC064858 9 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

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Inspector

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

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