Children's Home run by Evoke Care Group Limited in Croydon

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1273719 1

p.1

Evoke Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to three young people. The home’s statement of purpose states that it is a home for young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and display challenging behaviour.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home was registered with Ofsted in June 2018. The registered manager was registered with Ofsted at the same time.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to review the progress made by the provider to address the requirements and recommendations that were made following the inadequate inspection in October.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The home has made efforts to implement a more efficient system for the safer recruitment of staff. The staff’s recruitment records now include the reasons for their employment. New Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks or checks with the DBS update service are undertaken prior to staff being employed. Leaders and managers have also completed risk assessments for all employees.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Despite such progress, staff recruitment practices require further improvement. Leaders and managers do not demonstrate an appropriate safeguarding mindset. For example, gaps in the recording of post-16 education and employment histories for new staff were not identified’. Furthermore, the provider also facilitated online training on the premises for a prospective employee, prior to the prospective employee’s references being obtained.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff receive a structured induction and ongoing training. However, the current system for recording staff training does not clearly identify when training was undertaken. Furthermore, the home’s workforce plan does not include details of any new training or qualifications completed by staff, and fails to confirm how the home Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1273719 2 will meet the staff team’s continuing professional needs.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The registered manager is currently updating the statement of purpose to include the staffing structure and the experience and qualifications of the current staff team. The organisation has an online staffing rota that details which staff were on shift. This rota now includes details of when the responsible individual works on shift. .

p.2

This monitoring visit

Record keeping has improved, but minor shortfalls remain. The registered manager maintains a register of children. Children’s files contain detailed, up-to-date information, as required in regulations’ . Information relating to each child is now stored correctly on their individual files. There was one occasion when the written record of a meeting had an incorrect date, while one other written record, relating to an interaction that took place between a member of staff and a child, was not dated.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Children receive better protection as all staff are now first-aid trained. Children’s risk assessments have been updated to include details of how staff will help and protect them. The incorrect record identified at the last inspection regarding a restraint has now been amended. Children benefit from stability, good staff support and mentoring and there are no behaviour management issues.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Children are making significant progress. Their social workers receive regular reports detailing their achievements, weekly routines and any areas of concern. Care plans are now more detailed and take into account the placing authority’s plan for the child in question. Children also contribute to their care plans, outlining how they would like to be helped. Children’s records now clearly detail their personal journeys and positive outcomes.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/10/2018 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1273719 3

p.2

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.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. (Regulation 32(1))

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the home must record the reasons for gaps in staff post-16 education or employment histories and risk assessments should be completed if staff are training on the premises prior to employment. 30/12/2018

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and where appropriate revise it. (Regulation 16(3)(a)) 30/12/2018

p.3

Recommendations

 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 14.4) In particular, ensure that the written records of meetings and staff interactions with children are dated.  The registered person should have a workforce plan. The plan should be updated to include details of any new training and qualifications completed by staff while working at the home and used to record the ongoing training and continuing professional needs of staff – including the home’s manager. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8) Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1273719 4

p.3

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.

p.4

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1273719 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 82 Manor Road, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 1JB

p.5

Inspector

Sharon Payne, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1273719 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.

p.5

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.6

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6