Children's Home run by Staffordshire County Council in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC028905 1 SC028905

p.1

Staffordshire County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority-owned children’s home. It is registered to care for up to five children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural needs. The home provides care for up to five young people aged between 12 and 17 years on a short- term basis. Young people can come to live at the home in an emergency. Young people normally stay no longer than four weeks, during which time staff support them to return home or to move on to appropriate long-term placements.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in 2008.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged as declined effectiveness at an interim inspection on 16 November 2018. Following the interim inspection, two compliance notices were issued. In addition, a notice of restriction was issued on 20 November 2018 to prevent any further young people from being admitted to the home.

p.1

This monitoring visit

At the monitoring visit on 20 December 2018, the inspector found that progress in meeting the compliance notices was slow and that not all the required steps had been taken to meet the actions outlined in the compliance notices. Consequently, the compliance notices were reissued. In addition, two new requirements were raised.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this inspection was to review the action taken to meet the two compliance notices and the requirements. The provider has complied with the restriction notice, as no further young people have been admitted to the home. The one young person who was living in the home has moved to a long-term placement.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The registered manager and staff have made good progress in addressing both the steps in the compliance notices and the requirements. In particular, progress has Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC028905 2 been made to improve care planning both at the point of admission to the home and as the young person moves towards the end of their short placement. There are now protocols in place, which have been agreed by senior managers and which identify the decision-making process for admissions, and a new impact risk assessment which provides a clear, written assessment of compatibility. The registered manager has ensured that staff have been trained in the use of this new assessment tool. Consequently, the registered manager and staff feel an increased confidence in considering new admissions to the home. As the home provides short- term placements, the registered manager has also identified that the processes

p.1

This monitoring visit

regarding young people’s transitions to their next placement were not sufficiently robust and has strengthened this process with support from senior managers.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered manager has reviewed and updated risk assessments and behaviour management plans. These now provide clear guidance and support to staff in understanding risk and the steps to take to reduce specific behaviours. The registered manager has evaluated the documents used in the home and revised them to ensure that they are focused on improving the quality of care provided. For example, key-work sessions are to be planned and undertaken by the key worker. Documentation prompts staff to plan and carry out these sessions. An education timetable is also now in place for young people who do not have an identified educational placement. This means that young people can engage with education from the first day of admission. The effectiveness of these new processes will be considered at the next inspection.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered manager and staff have challenged the local authority and police regarding the needs and risks of the young person who was living in the home, and this has led to positive improvements in working practices. There are now improved systems in place for communication with the police at the time when a new young person joins the home and in terms of regular meetings and visits to the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The significant progress made in addressing the identified shortfalls can be effectively evaluated only once young people are living in the home. No further requirements were made as a result of this inspection, and the restriction of accommodation has been lifted.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/11/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness 04/07/2018 Full Good 26/04/2017 Full Good 18/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC028905 3

p.2

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.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Staffordshire County Council

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Wedgwood Buildings, Tipping Street, Stafford, Staffordshire ST16 2DH

p.3

Inspector(s)

Rebecca Quested, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC028905 4 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.3

Inspector(s)

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 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.4

Inspector(s)

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

p.4

Inspector(s)

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

p.4