Children's home run by Broadwood Residential Limited in Rossendale

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC448598 1 SC448598

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Broadwood Residential Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A limited company owns the home. Its statement of purpose specifies that it will provide care and accommodation for up to four children who have social and/or emotional difficulties. The home is part of a cross-regional project which is commissioned by six local authorities and includes other homes and a school.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has not had a registered manager since August 2017. The current manager has made an application to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 19 to 20 November 2018, and three compliance notices were served. These were in respect of the protection of children standard, the leadership and management standard and fire precautions.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out on 3 January 2019 to assess the provider’s compliance and progress with these notices.

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(Regulation 12(1)(2)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(d)(e))

Leaders and managers were required to provide evidence that they have reviewed, improved and developed their systems, process and staff knowledge and practice to manage safeguarding concerns. Records need to contain a clear evidence trail from instigation to outcome of any concern, a trail that could withstand robust challenge and review. Managers need to complete a documented internal investigation and review of the allegation which was referred to the designated officer in August 2018, and ascertain if amendments to practice are required or if lessons could be learned. Managers must also review and record all risk assessments that staff follow to assist Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC448598 2 them in managing and minimising known risk factors. Staff should collectively review the home’s aims and objectives, ethos, culture, education and approaches applied to manage risk. Specifically, staff knowledge should be updated regarding fire and

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(Regulation 12(1)(2)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(d)(e))

health and safety management in the home.

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(Regulation 12(1)(2)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(d)(e))

There have been no safeguarding concerns that have arisen in the home since the previous inspection. Managers and senior leaders have reviewed the information available about the previous concern and have updated and improved records. The records now provide a clear evidence trail that would withstand robust challenge and review.

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(Regulation 12(1)(2)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(d)(e))

Managers completed an internal review of the incident which was referred to the designated officer in August 2018. Lessons have been learned and managers identified aspects of practice that required updating and development. Training has been provided to improve the staff team’s knowledge and understanding of the process to follow when a concern arises.

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(Regulation 12(1)(2)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(d)(e))

Managers have reviewed risk assessments and they now contain relevant up-to-date information and guidance that directs staff and provides practical advice to manage and minimise risk.

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(Regulation 12(1)(2)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(d)(e))

The home’s location risk assessment has been updated and reviewed and now provides a wealth of useful information that supports and advises staff in their decision-making processes.

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(Regulation 12(1)(2)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(d)(e))

All staff attended refresher safeguarding training. A visual reminder of the process and policy is on display in the staff office. Prior to the training, staff completed a safeguarding quiz which informed the session and its content. This ensured that the training was focused on gaps in knowledge and practice.

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(Regulation 12(1)(2)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(d)(e))

The home’s manager has improved her knowledge of local processes and referral systems for concerns and allegations. Key contact information and process details are displayed in the office. The manager is enrolled on managing allegations training that is facilitated by the local children’s safeguarding board.

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(Regulation 12(1)(2)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(d)(e))

Leaders and managers held whole-staff training days and reviewed the home’s ethos, aims and objectives. The home’s statement of purpose and the children’s guide have been updated to reflect the aims and objectives of the home. Staff have positively embraced these aims, and this was apparent through conversations with staff. Managers and staff have reviewed and updated the home’s rules for staff and young people to ensure that they reflect the home’s ethos and aspirations.

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(Regulation 12(1)(2)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(d)(e))

Leaders, managers and staff have attended training to update and refresh staff knowledge regarding their roles and responsibilities about fire and health and safety management. Managers have implemented new systems that provide daily and weekly guidance to staff about tasks and actions to manage the environment safely. A new escalation process and policy have been created to support staff in swiftly Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC448598 3 raising and addressing damage in areas that are in need of repair, to maintain the environment to a good standard.

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(Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(f))

Leaders and managers were required to review, develop and improve systems that monitor and evaluate the quality of care provided in the home. They were required to develop effective systems and tools that support continuous improvements to be made, and to establish a process that assesses young people’s progress and raises concerns when needs are not being met.

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(Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(f))

Leaders and managers have developed formal systems that support and guide daily, weekly, monthly and annual reviews and audits of the home. They have been in place for a month and an assessment of their impact will need to be made at the next inspection of the home. Initial records show that areas of weakness identified are swiftly addressed. All visits to the home by senior leaders and other specialist advisers have clear aims and objectives, with reports detailing findings.

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(Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(f))

The home requested the attendance of an alternative independent visitor to provide an additional view of the home and an extra layer of critical scrutiny.

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(Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(f))

Leaders and managers have embraced the findings of the recent inspection. They have implemented many actions to improve and address the areas of weakness identified, but they are also realistic regarding aspects of change that need to embed and be sustained.

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(Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(f))

The home’s development plan now details areas for improvement and development and sets clear deadlines for actions to be completed by. Managers regularly review and update this document.

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(Regulation 25(2)(a)(b))

The compliance notice required leaders and managers to complete a full review of the fire risk management systems, processes and equipment in the home. Leaders and managers are required to provide evidence that an approved person rectifies deficient aspects, and to ensure that staff receive appropriate training, review policies and procedures and implement systems that regularly monitor and review all fire management systems and processes.

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(Regulation 25(2)(a)(b))

During the visit, visual examination and records reviewed showed that all shortfalls had been rectified by an approved person. Two fire risk assessments have been completed since the previous inspection. The most recent assessment showed that the home was 100% compliant with the expected standard. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC448598 4 All staff have accessed refresher training on their fire risk management roles and responsibilities. Documents detailing staff roles and responsibilities have also been updated.

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(Regulation 25(2)(a)(b))

Senior leaders and managers have updated the policy, procedure and process regarding fire risk assessment and improvement work to ensure that all future works are completed and signed off by an approved, competent person.

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(Regulation 25(2)(a)(b))

A new system for monitoring and reviewing all matters pertinent to fire risk management and health and safety has been developed. The new guidance and task sheets are explicit about the expectations about the content and frequency of necessary checks, and provide clear, practical guidance for staff.

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(Regulation 25(2)(a)(b))

The provider has demonstrated a commitment to meeting the compliance notices served, and each has been met in full.

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(Regulation 25(2)(a)(b))

In addition to the compliance notices served, regulations were breached at the previous inspection. These have not been assessed as the due date has not yet lapsed. These will be considered at the home’s next inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/11/2018 Full Inadequate 06/02/2018 Full Good 27/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/10/2016 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC448598 5

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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 education standard The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment; promote opportunities for each child to learn informally; help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment; help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 8(1)(2)(a)(iv)(v)(ix)(x)) 01/02/2019

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on— mutual respect and trust; an understanding about acceptable behaviour. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone; help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful; 01/02/2019 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC448598 6 de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children; understand and communicate to children that bullying is unacceptable; and have the skills to recognise incidents or indications of

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Requirement Due date

bullying and how to deal with them. (Regulation 11(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(iv)(vi)(xi)(xii)(xiii)) 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— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 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; ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child; demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of

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Requirement Due date

children are best met; and use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(c)(e)(g)(i)(h)) 01/02/2019

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— 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; that the child’s placing authority is contacted, and a review 01/02/2019 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC448598 7 of that child’s relevant plans is requested, if— the registered person considers that the child is at risk of harm or has concerns that the care provided for the child is inadequate to meet the child’s needs; the child is, or has been, persistently absent from the home without permission. (Regulation 14(2)(a)(e)(i)(ii)) Review of premises The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each

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Requirement Due date

calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard). When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46(1)(2)) 01/02/2019

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Recommendations

 The children’s guide should help children to understand: what the day to day routines of the home are (‘what happens in the home’). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.22)

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Recommendations

 Expectations of standards of behaviour should be high for all staff and children in the home. These standards should be clear and unambiguous. Children should be supported to develop understanding and empathy towards each other. Positive behaviour and relationships should be reinforced, praised and encouraged; poor behaviour should be challenged and discussed. The development of safe, stable and secure relationships with staff in the home should be central to the ethos of the home and support the development of secure attachments that, where appropriate, persist over time. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.11)

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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: SC448598 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Broadwood Residential Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, 2nd Floor, Queensway, Halesowen, Worcestershire B63 4AH

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Inspector

Amanda Maxwell, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC448598 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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