Children's Home run by DMR Services Ltd in Derbyshire

Inspection report children’s home: 1245390 1 Registered provider: Dmr Services Ltd

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and support for up to five children and young people who have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned by a private provider.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 11 to 12 September 2019

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

Good

How well children and young people are helped and protected Good

p.1

Good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers Good

p.1

Good

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

p.1

Good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Inadequate

p.1

Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following an inadequate judgement at the last full inspection on 18 June 2019, Ofsted issued a restriction notice. This prevented the provider from accepting any new admissions until 13 September 2019. Ofsted undertook a monitoring visit on 31 July 2019. This monitoring visit identified that the provider was complying with the restriction notice. Inspection report children’s home: 1245390 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/06/2019 Full Inadequate 13/03/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 18/04/2018 Full Good 19/10/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: 1245390 3

p.2

What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

 A deprivation of liberty may occur where a child is both under continuous supervision and control and is not free to leave the home. A children’s home cannot routinely deprive a child of their liberty without a court order, such as a section 25 order to place a child in a licensed secure children’s home, or, in the case of young people aged over 16 who lack mental capacity, a deprivation of liberty may be authorised by the Court of Protection following an application under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 50, paragraph 9.63)  Staff should have the skills and confidence to communicate easily and understand the importance of listening to, involving and responding to the children they care for. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.10)

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has accommodated three long-term residents since the last inspection. All young people confirm that considerable improvement has taken place in the home. They say that they feel valued, happy and safe. Young people have a range of complex needs. The staff receive child-specific training that enables them to understand the underlying reasons why children display particular behaviours. This means that staff are able to provide effective interventions and support. Young people make good progress overall. Care plans recognise that young people will progress at different rates and that young people will develop their own unique coping mechanisms. One social worker said: ‘They have got to know not only the young person, but her family. This has supported her care plan.’ In some cases, progress is so positive that young people can move back to the care of their families. Young people confirm that they are consulted with on an individual and group basis. This

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

means that they are actively contributing to their care plans. However, young people do not always get a response when they put forward their ideas and suggestions for the home. Young people attend tailored education and training programmes. One young person has been successful in moving from school to a vocational apprenticeship. Young people who have been non-school attenders are supported by the staff team to begin education programmes. This support promotes improved outcomes.

p.3

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

Safeguarding concerns have significantly reduced since the last full inspection. This is confirmed by social workers. Police have not been required to respond to serious Inspection report children’s home: 1245390 4 incidents. This is because the dynamics between young people are more positive. Young people are more settled and focus on more positive activities. Young people confirm that they do not experience bullying. Staff and young people have benefited from attending a bullying workshop. This has raised awareness about recognising, responding to and preventing bullying. Physical interventions have been used to prevent young people placing themselves at risk of serious harm. Records show that interventions were necessary, proportionate and effective. Incidents of young people going missing from the home have been managed effectively. Some risk-taking behaviours, relating to one of the young people, led to the provider

p.3

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

locking the door and gates for a limited period of time. The young person’s behaviours were stabilised, and she remained safe. However, this practice restricts the liberty of young people. The provider and the placing authority are reviewing the young person’s care plan, to ensure a lawful approach to risk management.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have the right qualifications and experience to provide care which improves young people’s outcomes. They have been effective in addressing shortfalls and driving improvement. The management team has successfully met all of the requirements set at the full inspection. The improvements include:  A programme of building and maintenance work that has provided a high-quality, comfortable and safe environment.  A comprehensive programme of staff training that has equipped staff with improved knowledge of safeguarding and behaviour management.  Admission and care planning arrangements have been reviewed to ensure compatibility of residents.  Managers have worked with staff to ensure that there is a cohesive and effective staff team.  New quality assurance arrangements that ensure a rigorous analysis of the operation of the home.  Better recruitment practice that ensures the safe recruitment of both temporary

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

and permanent staff. Since the last full inspection, Ofsted has received complaints about the operation of the home. This inspection identified that the issues within the complaints have been addressed. Staff feel supported in their role. Regular supervision and annual appraisals ensure that managers understand the developmental needs of staff. The quality of relationships between managers, staff and external professionals is good. One social worker said: ‘I cannot fault the communication and partnership working of all Inspection report children’s home: 1245390 5 the staff, especially the managers.’ Effective multi-agency working means that care plans are carefully reviewed and care needs are addressed. The leadership and management team has reflected on previous inspections. Better monitoring systems enable the team to analyse the effectiveness of the home and the outcomes achieved. The team has clear plans in place to sustain good standards and

p.4

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.

p.5

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: 1245390 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: D M R Services, 102 Queslett Road East, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham B74 2EZ

p.6

Inspector

Amanda Ellis, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1245390 7 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

Inspector

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

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7