Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Inspection report children’s home: SC068827 1 SC068827 Registered provider: Surrey County Council

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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 operated by a local authority. It provides care and accommodation for up to five children. The provider states in the home’s statement of purpose that children placed here will often have experienced serious trauma, breakdown in family relationships, disruption in their lives and multiple placement breakdowns.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager at the home since 30 July 2018. A new manager was appointed in August 2018 and is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 25 October 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC068827 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/10/2018 Full Good 26/03/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 04/10/2017 Full Good 04/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC068827 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff—

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that internal investigations into allegations against staff are completed in a timely manner. 22/10/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) 22/10/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home; and

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Requirement Due date

is not, or does not intend to be, in day-to-day charge of the home. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager appointed must apply for registration as soon as possible. 22/10/2019 Inspection report children’s home: SC068827 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff deliver individualised care within a nurturing environment where the young people develop, have opportunities to learn to manage their emotions more appropriately and keep themselves safe. The young people experience warmth and attentiveness from the staff and develop trusting relationships, knowing the staff will meet their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young people have a strong voice in the home. They confidently express their views, appreciating that staff will listen and value their opinions. They are aware of the complaints procedure and use it as a way of making their views known. Individual sessions with staff help young people acquire alternative ways of thinking about difficult issues and give them opportunities to raise any matters concerning them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Close monitoring of the young people’s physical and emotional health ensures that their specific needs are identified and met. Young people benefit from the support and treatment they need to stay healthy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

As young people approach young adulthood, the staff acknowledge their changing needs. Structured work with young people and specific plans to promote their independence help to build their confidence as they move to the next stage of their lives.

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

Staff have a clear understanding of young people’s needs. Individualised plans guide staff to protect young people and help them to develop. Knowing the young people well, staff are aware of the risks associated with young person’s behaviour, and they implement supportive and protective measures. Careful thought and consideration of risk management enable staff to reduce the risk of harm.

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

Staff help young people understand risk and how to stay safe. They recognise that young people need to take appropriate risks to promote their independence as they develop decision-making skills. Staff use one-to-one sessions with young people effectively to help them understand how to protect themselves.

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

When incidents occur, staff record these in detail and share them, as necessary, with the placing authority. The manager carefully reviews all incidents and helps staff reflect on any learning points. Staff are trained in behaviour management techniques, and they employ these skilfully to reduce the potential for harm. Managers are proactive in working with external professionals to protect young people.

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

Managers and staff implement policies for protecting children appropriately. However, when internal investigations have been agreed with the local authority designated officer, Inspection report children’s home: SC068827 5 these are not completed promptly.

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

Warm and trusting relationships are at the heart of staff practice. Staff are responsive and consistent in their support. Young people gradually learn how to manage their anxieties, worries and behaviour. When this is not the case, managers work with determination, collaborating effectively with the local authority to ensure that young people are appropriately placed to meet their complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager has been in post since July 2018. She has applied for registration with Ofsted, but her application has not been submitted in a timely way. However, this has not had a negative impact on young people’s experience of living in the home. She is currently undertaking a level 5 leadership and management qualification, which is required for the role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Managers have responded to the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection. In particular, the quality and consistency of young people’s plans and risk assessments have improved. These now provide clear guidance for staff on how to meet young people’s needs and help protect them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Managers and staff understand the needs of the young people. They are passionate advocates for young people, challenging other professionals to ensure that plans and decisions are made in young people’s best interests.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff training is regular and appropriate. They receive regular supervision, which provides opportunities for reflection on their practice and discussion about safeguarding young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Through positive and meaningful relationships between the staff and the young people, issues that arise are resolved informally. On occasions, when this is not the case, young people use the complaints procedure appropriately. However, records do not show that the young person is satisfied with the response to their complaint.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Effective systems are in place to monitor the quality of care provided in the home. A detailed and child-focused development plan targets areas for improvement in a drive to achieve the best outcomes for the young people.

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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. Inspection report children’s home: SC068827 6 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: SC068827 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Quadrant Court, 35 Guildford Road, Woking, Surrey GU22 7QQ

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Inspector

Jan Hunnam, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC068827 8 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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