Children's home run by Chartwell Care Services Ltd in Islington

Inspection report children’s home: SC468315 1 SC468315 Registered provider: Chartwell Care Services Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home is registered to provide care for up to four children who have a learning disability. Children have varying needs which may include an autistic spectrum disorder, attachment issues, and/or communication difficulties. All the children may present specific challenges in terms of difficult behaviours, whether diagnosis related or learned. The manager started working at the home in November 2017 and was registered with Ofsted in March 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: Requires improvement to be good

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

A monitoring visit was undertaken on 9 August 2018.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness. Children thrive in this home. There has been a significant improvement in children’s social skills and emotional well-being. Children are calmer and appear happier, and there has been a marked decrease in incidents in the home. In their interactions, children are more socially appropriate and responsive to instructions. Around the home, children are more helpful to staff and their independent living skills are increasing. Children engage in a wide range of activities in the home and in the wider community. The high staffing ratios enable children to enjoy fun activities which are meaningful to them. Staff are ambitious for children, encouraging them to consider new challenges. Inspection report children’s home: SC468315 2 Children are able to participate in a national citizenship scheme, which focuses on

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

personal development and making a positive contribution to society. There is a good-quality assurance system, which includes constructive independent monthly monitoring. The registered manager has completed a comprehensive review of the quality of care. This report covers the quality standards and provides realistic plans for further improvement. Leaders and managers have addressed the majority of the requirements and recommendations from the inspection and monitoring visits. The registered manager is now analysing restraints and there has been a significant decrease in the need to restrain children. When restraints occur, these are well managed and children use emojis to express their feelings regarding these physical interventions. Staff are usually debriefed following each restraint. However, on one occasion there was no record of this conversation. Safeguarding arrangements have improved. Staff receive clear guidance from updated

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

procedures regarding whistle-blowing and managing child protection allegations. Staff also know where they can raise concerns externally. Flowcharts in the staff office demonstrate the safeguarding culture of the home. Staff understand what they need to do if they find other staff misusing or abusing their position to the detriment of children. Staff benefit from increased support, which enables them to undertake their work effectively. New staff have written evidence of a good structured induction. Staff benefit from regular supervision and have the opportunity to discuss and understand their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children. Staff performance appraisals are also in progress. The recommendation involving the safer recruitment policy has not been met. Although the policy has been updated, it does not include the most up-to-date guidance. The file for a newly appointed staff member also does not include the reason for their

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

appointment. The police investigation regarding an inappropriate restraint is ongoing and two members of staff are still suspended. The recommendation which relates to a child’s risk assessment has not been met. Staff have not updated this risk assessment to include the susceptibility to bruising during physical interventions. The registered manager, however, highlighted that photographs will now be taken if a child sustains an injury during a restraint. Children’s voices are being prioritised in care planning. Care plans are now seen as ‘living documents’. This person-centred approach details children’s care needs in children’s own words. Staff are also working in partnership with other agencies to provide consistent behavioural strategies and protocols. There is good continuity of care in the home. Long-standing agency staff cover staff shortages. A deputy manager has been appointed. The registered manager hopes that

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

this appointment will enable her to have a more strategic oversight of the home. The registered manager is endeavouring to consider research and developments in an effort to improve children’s outcomes, which was a requirement from the last inspection. Efforts have been made to improve record-keeping. The complaint book now includes Inspection report children’s home: SC468315 3 the outcomes of all complaint investigations. Staff have addressed the inaccurate information on children’s files. However, there is a need to record bodily functions and continence in a more sensitive and empowering manner. Children benefit from a safer and more pleasant living environment. Doors now have fitting intumescent fire strips and staff no longer store an excessive level of combustible materials in the basement. Bathrooms now smell fresher and the refurbishment of the home is ongoing. There are currently only heavy curtains on the downstairs front

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

windows, which do not give children adequate privacy. Paintwork throughout the building is also chipped.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/07/2017 Full Good 07/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 20/10/2016 Full Good

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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

35: Behaviour management policies and records The registered person must ensure that within 48 hours of a restraint the registered person or a person who is authorised by the registered person has spoken to the user about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(b)) 01/01/2019

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Recommendations

 The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment safeguards children and minimises potential risks. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) In particular, personnel files must detail the reason for Inspection report children’s home: SC468315 4 employment. The safer recruitment procedure must also include up-to-date guidance.  Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5) In particular, risk assessments must include all susceptibility to bruising during physical interventions.  Ensure staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph

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Recommendations

14.4) In particular, ensure that sensitive and empowering language is used to describe children’s difficulties.  Ensure that, for children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) In particular, put up appropriate window coverings and repaint chipped woodwork.

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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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC468315 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Chartwell Care Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 12 Helmet Row, London EC1V 3QJ

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Inspector

Sharon Payne, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC468315 6 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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