Children's Home run by PCT Care Services Limited in Norfolk

Interim inspection report children’s home: SC471856 1 SC471856 Registered provider: PCT Care Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private organisation. It provides accommodation for up to six children, aged between eight and 17, who may have experienced difficulties that relate to their emotional, behavioural and learning needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager resigned in August 2018. A new manager has been appointed and is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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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 requires improvement to be 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

Children enjoy trusting and meaningful relationships with the staff. Staff know the children well and work out the best ways to engage with them. Staff are patient. They understand how difficult it may be for children to learn to trust adults. The staff realise that some children may need time and space to get to know new people and to feel comfortable around them. Children receive strong messages that staff care about them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children show great insight into their past difficulties. They recognise the progress that they have made since coming to live at the home. One child said, ‘I wasn’t in a good place before I came here. I struggled to talk about things, but I can talk to staff here. They are decent people. This is the only home that would take me on. It’s much better Inspection report children’s home: SC471856 2 than anywhere else I’ve ever lived. My behaviour has really improved.’ Another child said, ‘I love it here.’ A social worker said, ‘Staff are good. They have kept [the child] longer than any other placement has ever done. They are very committed to [the child].’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff advocate strongly for children. Staff have high expectations that, with support, children will fulfil their potential. The staff and manager continually challenge placing authorities when services, such as education provision, are not in place for children.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children access community resources and have opportunities to take part in a range of activities at and outside the home. These activities include visits to local attractions such as a dinosaur park, a theme park, playing Quasar and going swimming. One child said that he loves football, and, with the support of staff, he is a member of the local football team.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has recently been decorated, and work continues. The children are encouraged to choose the decor and have helped to paint parts of their home, including their bedrooms. Children develop skills to help them to become as independent as possible in preparation for adulthood.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children contribute to their care plans, which are individualised and underpin the care provided. Together, children, carers and professionals measure progress and celebrate success, however small. Some children present with challenging behaviour, particularly at times of anxiety, such as transition points during the day or when visitors come to the home. Staff demonstrate good skills in reducing anxiety and diverting potentially harmful behaviour.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use physical restraint to manage behaviour as a last resort to ensure children’s safety. The number of these incidents has reduced significantly since the last inspection. There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home. Sanctions are used infrequently and are proportionate and fair. Each child has a comprehensive risk assessment that reflects their individual needs and vulnerabilities. Staff utilise risk assessments effectively, ensuring that children are cared for as safely as possible.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and deputy manager are striving to create a positive and supportive environment in which staff feel valued. Staff spoke highly of the support that they receive. They have access to a broad range of training opportunities. However, some staff have not received supervision regularly in line with the organisation’s policy. This does not enable all staff to fully reflect on practice and concerns.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring systems enable managers and staff to oversee and evaluate the quality of care provided. The independent visitor’s reports are of a satisfactory standard. However, these reports have not been sent to Ofsted. Consequently, Ofsted does not have a regular, current view of the practice at the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers are continuing to develop systems, change paperwork and revisit how information is managed. Inspection report children’s home: SC471856 3 A recent safeguarding incident was managed appropriately. However, the manager failed to notify Ofsted.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is in the process of registering with Ofsted. He has good insight into the challenges of his current role. He understands how to develop an effective team and support children to progress well from their starting points.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met five of the six requirements and the two recommendations that were raised at the last inspection to good effect.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/01/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 06/06/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/10/2016 Full Requires improvement

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or 31/03/2019 Inspection report children’s home: SC471856 4 there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation—

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Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter;

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Requirement Due date

must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)(5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b)) The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to—

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Requirement Due date

HMCI. (Regulation 44 (1)(7)(a)) 31/03/2019

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Recommendations

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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. Inspection report children’s home: SC471856 5 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: PCT Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Old Hall Farm, Silfield Road, Silfield, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 9NH

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Inspector

Cathy Russell, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC471856 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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