Children's Home run by SureCare Residential Ltd in Hertfordshire

Interim inspection report children’s home: SC470645 1 SC470645 Registered provider: Surecare Residential Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for up to four children who have experienced significant trauma in their lives. It is one of a small group run by an independent provider. A psychologist offers direct psychological support to the children alongside consultation for the staff. The provider also operates a school.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in February 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements and one recommendation were set at the last inspection. One requirement has been met and one will be repeated. The recommendation has been partly met. One additional requirement has been raised.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has been in post since December 2017. She is undertaking a relevant level 5 qualification.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no admissions or discharges since the last inspection. This has contributed to stability at the home. Interim inspection report children’s home: SC470645 2 Children continue to make good progress. They have good trusting relationships with a consistent staff team that knows and understands their individual needs.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have excellent school attendance. Staff see education as an important part of the children’s day and support them to attend. Communication with education providers is good. This contributes to the children’s progress in education.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the importance of recognising and celebrating children’s achievements. These achievements are recorded, and children can comment on the records. The children understand that staff recognise when they have done something well.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Sanctions are fair and proportionate. Staff discuss these with the child concerned. One child has discussed the consequences of his behaviour and decided his own sanction. This shows that staff involve the children in understanding their behaviours and the consequences of their actions.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no incidents of children going missing since the last inspection. Suitable protocols are in place for staff to follow should this happen.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of physical intervention have decreased since the last inspection. This is due to staff monitoring incidents through patterns and trends and putting plans in place to support children to manage behaviours before they escalate.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager monitors care practice effectively and uses the feedback from the monthly visits by the independent person to drive improvement.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the importance of family relationships for children and the impact that these relationships can have on children before and after contact. Staff use key-work sessions to work through issues.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one complaint from a child since the last inspection. This was dealt with in a timely way. The child was informed of the outcome and had the opportunity to comment. The staff understand the importance of listening to children’s concerns and acting on them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have ensured that the children have the opportunity to have an advocate when needed. The manager challenges other professionals appropriately if she feels that plans are not in the best interest of the child.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the importance of children developing their independence skills in accordance with their age, understanding and ability, and in consultation with the social worker. Children have progressed well with developing their independence. One child confidently uses their free time and public transport.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have the opportunity to read and comment on their placement plans, so that they can understand their plans and put forward their views. However, these plans vary in quality and do not always have the latest information or direct staff effectively to find Interim inspection report children’s home: SC470645 3 the information.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive regular, good-quality recorded supervision. Staff have undertaken all of their mandatory training. However, one member of staff has not achieved a relevant level 3 qualification in the required timescale.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have been involved in choosing new furniture for the home. The children’s bedrooms are well personalised. However, two children need to have their wardrobes replaced. There is some mould in one of the showers. The hall, stairs and landing look tired and are in need of redecorating.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/07/2018 Full Good 05/03/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 03/05/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/02/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ─ 28/03/2019 Interim inspection report children’s home: SC470645 4 ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to ─

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the home is maintained to a good standard throughout. For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (‘the Level 3 Diploma’); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b)(5)(a)(b) and (6)(a)(b)) 28/03/2019

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all children’s case records are kept up to date and signed and dated by the author of each entry. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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Recommendations

In particular, ensure that placement plans are updated with current information.

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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. Interim inspection report children’s home: SC470645 5 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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Surecare Residential Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Spirare Limited, Mey House, Bridport Road, Poundbury, Dorset DT1 3QY

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Inspector

Trish Palmer: social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: SC470645 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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