Children's home run by Ronanda Limited in Canterbury

Inspection report children‟s home: SC427331 1 SC427331 Registered provider: Ronanda Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned. It is registered to accommodate four children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A therapeutic approach is taken in working with the children, with the aim of enabling them to move on to family placements, or to return to their birth families where appropriate.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted on 10 December 2015.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and/or widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded, and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: 12 December 2017

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children‟s home: SC427331 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/12/2017 Full Good 18/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/06/2016 Full Good 04/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children‟s home: SC427331 3

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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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff— if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority‟s or a relevant person‟s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child‟s needs are met in accordance with the child‟s relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (c)) 28/04/2019

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— understand the children‟s home‟s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; use this understanding to deliver care that meets children‟s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to— meet the needs of each child; and enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(i)(ii)) 28/04/2019

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Requirement Due date

The children‟s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who— ensure that an explanation is given to each child as soon as reasonably practicable after the child‟s arrival about— what advocacy support or services are available to the child, how the child may access that support or those services and any entitlement the child may have to independent advocacy provision. (Regulation 7 (1)(d)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

This is with specific reference to children being made aware of the role of advocacy and their right to access an advocate. 28/04/2019

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that— the health and well-being needs of children are met; children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to 28/04/2019 Inspection report children‟s home: SC427331 4 ensure— that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

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; and positive responses to other children and adults. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— meet each child‟s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child‟s relevant plans; help each child to develop socially aware behaviour; encourage each child to take responsibility for the child‟s behaviour, in accordance with the child‟s age and understanding; help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone; communicate to each child expectations about the child‟s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child‟s age and understanding. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v))

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child‟s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child‟s welfare; and are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home‟s child protection policies; that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child‟s health. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(v)(vi)(vii)*) and (d))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that when a child makes an allegation against a member of staff, this is reported to safeguarding professionals and records are kept of conversations and the outcome. 28/04/2019

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Requirement Due date

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 28/04/2019 Inspection report children‟s home: SC427331 5 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; use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (2)(c)(h)* and (1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a))

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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. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that arrangements are in place to— manage and review the placement of each child in the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b)(2)(b)(ii)) 28/04/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children‟s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. The registered person must— keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1)(3)(a)(b)) 28/04/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— children can access all appropriate areas of the children‟s home‟s premises. (Regulation 21 (b)) Specifically, ensure that children can freely access laundry facilities. 28/04/2019

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Requirement Due date

The requirements are that— full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (3)(d)) 28/04/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees— undertake appropriate continuing professional development; receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c)) 28/04/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes— the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; 28/04/2019 Inspection report children‟s home: SC427331 6 within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)— has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(vii)(b)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children have experienced care from multiple care givers, some of whom have lacked relevant experience, skills and training. There are three staff members with whom children have a more solid relationship. However, the high levels of staff turnover have had a significant negative impact on the consistency and quality of care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The home is in a poor state of repair. One child‟s room was stark, curtains were frayed, and it was lit by a bare bulb. The only furniture was a bed; therefore, his personal belongings were stored on the floor. This is totally unacceptable and does not provide the child with a homely and safe environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Leaders and managers explained to the inspector that children have made good progress from their starting points. However, records viewed did not capture this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children‟s basic health needs are met. However, the manager failed to challenge a delay in the provision of urgent mental health support. Consequently, a child has been waiting for specialist intervention since June 2018. In addition, leaders and managers failed to identify the need for staff to receive training in self-harm to respond to this risk.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff offer effective support promoting education, resulting in good attendance levels and progress. As a result, a child‟s placement has been extended, supporting them to complete their GSCE course before moving on. Another child‟s timetable has been changed to help reduce their anxiety, with positive effect.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children are not assisted to develop life skills. They do not have free access to usual household items such as cutlery, a washing machine or kettle. This risk-averse practice is a missed opportunity for the children to develop skills for independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children are currently using the staff bathroom. However, the manager has failed to notice that the window is a risk, due to the known behaviours of a child who has climbed out of windows. This has compromised the safety of the child. Inspection report children‟s home: SC427331 7

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Children are not protected from harm. The manager was unable to confirm that specific allegations made during restraints have been reported to social workers or referred to external safeguarding professionals. Consequently, allegations have not been adequately managed.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Staff lack the necessary skills and understanding to recognise triggers and to respond effectively to children‟s behaviour. Managers and staff do not demonstrate safe working practice or an understanding of the roles and responsibilities assigned to them, in accordance with the organisation‟s child protection policies.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Risks assessments are weak. Those sampled fail to provide strategies to guide staff to respond to the emotional needs of the child. For example, one child, who was presenting serious self-harming behaviour, was placed in a lengthy restrictive hold causing further distress. There is disparity between day-to-day care practice and the ethos of therapeutic support as described in the home‟s statement of purpose. Staff are not being supported to develop and gain the skills they require to attune to the emotional needs of the children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

On one occasion, a child was held for one hour. This practice was not challenged by the manager. Staff are not consistently debriefed, therefore opportunities to learn and support reflective practice are missed. As a result, children are not receiving consistent help from staff to understand their behaviour and develop skills to manage their emotions.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Children are involved in reviewing their behavioural targets each month. There is a strong focus on these being met, with rewards and consequences being given to promote positive behaviour. Sanction records show that children are consulted. However, nine out of 25 records have not been evaluated by the manager for their effectiveness.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Children are not aware of their rights to advocacy, and information on how to access support was not displayed or available in the children‟s guide. While the manager had explored advocacy support with one placing authority, this has not been discussed with the current group of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Managers and leaders have not been effective. Over the last year, the home has experienced a period of instability, with high staff turnover. New starters are not effectively prepared or supported to deliver care in line with the home‟s ethos and objectives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There are serious shortfalls in staff training. Staff have not received training to assist them to meet children‟s specific needs. Gaps in training include: first aid, health and Inspection report children‟s home: SC427331 8 safety, fire safety, food hygiene, self-harm, bullying and autism spectrum disorder.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Consequently, staff do not have the skills and knowledge required to provide well- informed and safe care. Furthermore, leaders and managers were unable to confirm that there is always a designated first aider or fire safety trained staff member on duty. This does not ensure safe practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Managerial monitoring is ineffective. Leaders and managers have not identified shortfalls in the day-to-day running of the home. The health and safety risk assessment has not been reviewed since December 2014. Despite the home being in a chronic state of disrepair, there were lengthy gaps between health and safety checks being undertaken. Managers have failed to ensure that the independent reports provide a robust and rigorous assessment of the day-to-day running of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Safer recruitment practices are completed in line with regulation. However, on one occasion, insufficient scrutiny of an application failed to identify significant gaps in employment history which subsequently have not been explored. Induction processes are not adequate in preparing staff. The quality and frequency of supervisions is inconsistent and has failed to provide enough support to new starters.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers are not currently delivering a service in line with the home‟s statement of purpose. There is a difference between the care practice and the ethos of therapeutic support they describe, and staff are not attuned to children‟s needs. Leaders and managers have not shown the level of motivation and drive needed to improve and develop the service.

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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

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‟. Inspection report children‟s home: SC427331 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 87 Millstrood Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QB

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Inspector

Joe Davys, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC427331 10 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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