Children's home run by Educare Adolescent Services Limited in Cannock Chase

Inspection report children's home: SC050418 1 SC050418 Registered provider: Educare Adolescent 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 owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people aged Eight to 17, who have social and emotional difficulties. The registered manager resigned in April 2018. The new manager came into post in January 2019. He is suitably qualified and has applied to be the registered manager.

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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

Dedicated staff continue to provide children, who have highly complex needs, with stable placements that support their emotional wellbeing and enable them to focus on their own needs. Children benefit from warm and trusting relationships with staff, valuable routines and boundaries. They are settled, and they get on well with staff and each other.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

When children are admitted to the home, sensitive staff ensure that their transition is well planned, and child focused. This reduces their anxiety and helps them to feel secure and settled. Children say that they are happy here. Inspection report children's home: SC050418 2 Children benefit from a welcoming comfortable home and age appropriate toys and activities which they enjoy with staff and together. Staff listen to children and consult with them. Children communicate their views wishes and feelings with confidence and know how to make a complaint. One child has damaged his bedroom and has asked for the room to be repaired and redecorated.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children who have previously experienced multiple placements, settle and make good progress in, education attendance and engagement, family contact and forming positive relationships. All children attend school and key work is regular and relevant to the child.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff keep children safe and children, their parents and social workers say that they are safe. Highly trained staff successfully manage incidents, based on them being vigilant and knowing each child well. Physical intervention is minimal and only used as a last resort. Staff respond quickly and appropriately when children go missing, following policy and procedures. Staff teach children how to keep themselves safe.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been a period of instability regarding management and staffing, but staff have worked very effectively as a team and ensured that the care of children has not been compromised. The new, child focused manager is experienced and has applied to be the registered manager. He has brought staff supervision up to date, demonstrates clear understanding of the strengths and areas for development in the team and has plans and strategies in place to drive up standards. Staff training is up to date and ensures that staff understand and can meet each child's needs.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager responded well to the requirement and the recommendation from last inspection leading to better recording and reflection on rewards and sanctions, and all children accessing education.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff shortages had led to increased use of agency staff, which is now reducing. High use of agency staff could compromise the consistency of care provided to children. Some agency staff are not trained in the PACE model of care, which supports the aims of the service set out in the statement on purpose. These are areas for improvement.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/04/2018 Full Good 05/12/2016 Full Outstanding 09/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/05/2015 Full Outstanding Inspection report children's home: SC050418 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

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 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; (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

With regard to agency staff lacking training in the PACE model of care. 30/04/2019

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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 potential; and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard requires the registered person to ensure that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child; (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(e))

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Requirement Due date

With regard to the level of use of agency workers 30/04/2019

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Recommendations

 Many children placed in homes may undergo a difficult transition and what should be simple aspects of their care take on a substantial significance in this context. Staff should provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming, supportive, and which provides appropriate boundaries in relation to their behaviour. Homes must also meet children's basic day to day needs and physical necessities. Staff should seek to meet the child's basic needs in the way that a good parent would, recognising that many children in residential care have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met – doing so is an important aspect of demonstrating that the staff care for the child and value them as an individual. Inspection report children's home: SC050418 4 Many children placed in homes may undergo a difficult transition and what should be simple aspects of their care take on a substantial significance in this context.

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Recommendations

Staff should provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming, supportive, and which provides appropriate boundaries in relation to their behaviour. Homes must also meet children's basic day to day needs and physical necessities. Staff should seek to meet the child's basic needs in the way that a good parent would, recognising that many children in residential care have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met – doing so is an important aspect of demonstrating that the staff care for the child and value them as an individual. (Guide to the children's home's regulations including the quality standards page 15 paragraph 3.7

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Recommendations

with particular reference to repairing and redecorating a child’s bedroom.

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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.

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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: Educare Adolescent Services Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Venture House, 12 Prospect Business Park, Longford Road, CANNOCK, Staffordshire, WS11 0LG Inspection report children's home: SC050418 5 Responsible individual: Denise Knowles

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Inspector

Louise Whittle, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC050418 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 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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