Children's home run by Potton Homes Limited in Greenwich

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC393940 1 SC393940 Potton Homes Limited

p.1

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides residential care for up to five children, aged eight to 17, who have a diagnosed learning disability. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2013.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The monitoring inspection was undertaken to check the provider’s adherence to the restriction of admissions notice and to monitor the progress that the provider has made in meeting the two compliance notices that were served following the interim inspection in January 2019. This monitoring inspection found that, although the provider has not fully addressed the steps in the two compliance notices, sufficient action has been taken. However, further shortfalls were identified at this visit that have potentially placed children at risk. No children have been admitted to the home since the last inspection. The provider has made some progress in ensuring that children consistently access medical attention when required. Improvements to medication recording ensure that all staff are aware of when children have received their medication. However, medication that is to be returned to the pharmacy or collected from the pharmacy

p.1

This monitoring visit

has not been safely stored. The consequence of this shortfall was that a child was enabled to access the medication. The provider sought immediate medical attention for the child, made changes to the security of the medication room and implemented a new storage system. Despite these actions, the storage system is not secure because the returned and recently collected medication can be removed from the medication room. This potentially continues to place children at risk. This has resulted in enforcement action in this area. The internal investigation into concerns about the practice of the registered manager and the care provided by some staff members is ongoing. The responsible individual has agreed to provide Ofsted with the investigation outcome when it has been Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC393940 2 finalised. The interim manager has made substantial positive changes to the quality of care

p.1

This monitoring visit

provided to the children. He has worked at the home tirelessly to ensure that children are safe and that their needs are met. However, concerns remain about the staff’s skills and experience and their ability to implement the home’s statement of purpose, policies and individual children’s risk assessments and strategies. On occasions, significant incidents have taken place in the absence of the manager that could have placed children at harm. The manager is currently investigating these practice concerns. In addition, not all of the children’s care plans and individual risk assessments include all identified risks, recent incidents and clear guidance for staff to keep children safe and provide effective care. The provider has updated the fire risk assessment. All of the staff have signed to confirm that they have read the risk assessment. However, shortfalls in the fire risk assessment have not been identified. These shortfalls include some fire

p.2

This monitoring visit

extinguishers not located as detailed and a fire door to a child’s bedroom failing to self-close. The external closed-circuit television is identified as a system to reduce risk to children and staff. However, it is not working. These shortfalls could put children at risk in the event of a fire. The provider has delivered training to staff in autism awareness and managing self- harm. Although all of the permanent staff have accessed the training and reported that it was informative, some bank and agency staff have not received this necessary training. Due to the home’s reliance on bank and agency staff to provide sufficient staff to care for the children, it is important that all staff access the training to enable them to meet children’s needs effectively. Due to the children’s needs and vulnerability, additional monitoring through door alarms has been assessed as required to keep the children safe. In addition, the

p.2

This monitoring visit

front door lock requires staff to open it if children want to leave the home. Although this is in keeping with the children’s current needs, the manager has not reviewed these arrangements regularly to ensure that the level of monitoring continues to be appropriate for each child. The provider has made some progress since the last monitoring inspection. The home now provides a consistently warm, safe and welcoming environment for the children. Bedrooms are beautifully individualised and provide the children with a relaxing space. New flooring in the kitchen reduces the risk of injury if the children fall, and a new shower tray provides a cleaner environment for children to shower and attend to personal hygiene. The manager has ensured that all staff receive supervision, enabling opportunities to reflect on their practice, discuss any concerns formally and to consider their development. All staff spoken to recognised and appreciated the support and

p.2

This monitoring visit

guidance that the new management arrangements have brought. Staff appeared more confident with the children and are developing positive relationships with Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC393940 3 them. Records of incidents and physical interventions are much improved. Clear and detailed records document the action that staff have taken in response to some challenging situations. The review that has been undertaken by managers identifies areas in which practice can improve and the further actions required. The statement of purpose has been updated and sent to Ofsted. This updated document provides current information about the aims and objectives of the service to placing authorities, children and other interested parties. The location risk assessment has been updated and now includes all known potential risks to children and staff. Therefore, staff are informed of potential risks and the

p.2

This monitoring visit

actions required to reduce them. Monitoring at the home has improved. Although shortfalls remain, the home has made sufficient progress within the short timescales since the last inspection. The management team is aware that further improvements are required to meet all of the children’s needs. The children are making sufficient progress. The daily routine now ensures that children attend school, are provided with a structure, go out on activities and have their basic needs met. Children spoke positively about the changes that have been made to the home. Their confidence and self-esteem continue to grow. In order to enable a period of stability, particularly as further shortfalls have been identified, the provider has reduced number of children that the home is registered to care for to three. Ofsted is taking further enforcement action and will continue to monitor the home.

p.3

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/01/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 09/05/2018 Full Good 04/10/2017 Full Good 30/01/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC393940 4

p.3

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.

p.4

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. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)) 30/04/2019

p.4

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 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. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(c)(d)) In particular, ensure that all staff receive training in autism awareness and managing self-harm. 31/05/2019

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. In particular, the registered person must ensure that— medicines kept in the home are stored in a secure place so as to prevent any child from having unsupervised access to them. (Regulation 23 (1)(2)(a))* 30/04/2019 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC393940 5 The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if— the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(d)) This is with regard to regularly reviewing the need for internal monitoring devices (bedroom door alarms). 30/04/2019

p.4

Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(a) applies to the home— the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b)) In particular, ensure that the management and staff understand, implement and keep under review the fire risk assessment. 26/04/2019

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must operate a disciplinary procedure which, in particular— provides for the suspension from work of an employee if necessary in the interests of the safety or welfare of children; and provides that the failure on the part of an employee to report an incident of abuse, or suspected abuse, whether past or present, in relation to a child to the appropriate person is a ground on which disciplinary proceedings may be instituted. (Regulation 33 (2)(a)(b)) This is with particular regard to the implementation of the disciplinary procedure. 31/05/2019

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child which— are kept up to date. Regulation 36 (1)(b)) 30/04/2019

p.5

Requirement Due date

*This requirement is subject to a compliance notice.

p.5

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.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC393940 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Potton Homes Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Potton Homes, 1 Cresswell Park, Blackheath, London SE3 9RD

p.6

Inspectors

Natalie Burton, social care inspector Mark Jackson, social care compliance inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC393940 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.6

Inspectors

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 http://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.7

Inspectors

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

p.7

Inspectors

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

p.7