Children's home run by CareTech Community Services Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 1245823 1 Registered provider: CareTech Community Services Limited Full 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 for six young people. The home provides care for young people who have physical and learning disabilities. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since April 2018.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account good

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Overall experiences and progress of

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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Overall experiences and progress of

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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Overall experiences and progress of

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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Overall experiences and progress of

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Overall experiences and progress of

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/03/2019 Full Inadequate 09/08/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 26/04/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 1245823 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home was judged inadequate at the last full inspection due to widespread safeguarding failures. Staff and managers have worked tirelessly to address these shortfalls and subsequently all the requirements and a compliance notice raised at the last full inspection have all been met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The managers’ and care staff’s dedication mean that young people receive a consistently good level of care. As a result, young people make good progress in all aspects of their lives, including their education, health and well-being and enjoyment of positive experiences. Examples of progress include young people becoming more outgoing, more self-aware, making friends and being more independent.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff advocate for young people to spend quality time with close friends and family and staff support young people well to achieve this. As a result, young people enjoy positive relationships with their families and make and sustain friendships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people participate in a variety of activities, which improve their self-esteem and confidence. For example, young people enjoy going to the cinema, swimming, on day trips to the zoo, playing in the sensory room and growing their own vegetables and fruits in the garden.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people develop good independence skills that prepare them well for adulthood. Given the young people’s complex emotional and physical health needs, this is indicative of their good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff manage transition plans more effectively when young people move into and on from the home. Managers have reviewed admissions processes to ensure that only young people who are compatible with those already living at the home are admitted. These improvements will help to increase placement stability and will help to ensure that young people receive continuity of care during their time at the home and beyond.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people participate in weekly young people’s meetings. These meetings give them the opportunity to express their wishes and feelings. Staff and the manager are quick to follow up on young people’s requests. This helps young people to feel valued and to contribute to the day-to-day running of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people now have access to an advocate or an independent visitor, which means that they can be effectively involved in decision making about their care planning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment that the young people live in is delightful. It is maintained to a very high standard and young people enjoy and benefit from playing with a range of sensory equipment that is available throughout the home. Inspection report children’s home: 1245823 3

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

Staff and the manager have received relevant training to help them to better protect young people. As a result, staff and the manager have a good understanding of young people’s risks and vulnerabilities and are now equipped to be able to identify any safeguarding concerns and to report them promptly to the relevant professionals.

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

Staff have implemented individual risk assessments relating to young people’s specific health needs. These risk assessments provide clear guidance to staff and this enables staff to minimise risks to young people and promotes their well-being.

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

Incidents of physical intervention are rare, with only one incident of restraint since the last inspection. Records relating to the incident were detailed and contained all the information required by regulation. Improved recording means that the manager is more able to effectively review incidents that happen.

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

Managers have reviewed staff recruitment records and when necessary they have taken action to ensure that all the required checks have been carried out. Robust safer recruitment practice helps to prevent unsuitable people from working with young people.

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

Young people do not go missing from the home. However, staff know what to do should going missing incidents occur.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have re-evaluated the monitoring and reviewing of the service and have implemented effective tools to ensure that staff provide good-quality care to young people in line with the aims and objectives set out in the home’s statement of purpose.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Improved monitoring means that the managers know the strengths of the service, as well as areas for development. This helps to drive forward improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff understand their roles, responsibilities and accountabilities when completing their daily tasks. They ensure that young people’s needs are well met. This supports young people’s progress and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is well respected by partner agencies and keeps them updated about young people’s progress, including any concerns. Managers effectively challenge professionals who fail to fulfil their obligations to support young people. As a result, young people receive coordinated care, which supports their progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff spoke highly of the manager. They feel supported by her and are receiving good- quality supervision. They feel that they are listened to and have access to good training opportunities, which enables them to carry out their job roles well. Inspection report children’s home: 1245823 4

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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: 1245823 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: CareTech Community Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: CareTech Community Services Limited, 5th Floor Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Rumbi Mangoma: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1245823 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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