Children's Home run by Strode Park Foundation for People with Disabilities in Kent

Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC425786 1 SC425786

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Strode Park Foundation for People with Disabilities

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home provides care and accommodation for seven young people and adults who live in the home, and for a further three children who stay under short- break arrangements. Facilities are in place to meet the needs of children and young people who have learning and/or physical disabilities. The children’s home is operated by a local charitable foundation. The children’s home is also registered with the Care Quality Commission.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 4 February 2011.

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This monitoring visit

The home was judged inadequate in September 2019. Four compliance notices were subsequently issued. The purpose of this monitoring visit was to establish if the steps of these notices had been complied with.

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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.

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taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if

Every child has an assessment in place and staff are in the process of reviewing each of these assessments. The aim is to complete this by 2 November 2019. Some have not previously been reviewed for up to 17 months and contain inconsistencies in the guidance for how many staff are needed to supervise a child at a particular time. Sampled revised assessments showed that some did not fully reflect current practice, such as staff supervision of an activity. Managers rectified these omissions during the inspection.

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taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if

The manager does not routinely obtain an occupational therapy assessment for the use of high-sided beds, but relies on the fact that as the beds come with the Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC425786 2 children when they are admitted to the home, guidance is already in place.

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taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if

Regulation 12(2)(a)(i): Ensure that risk assessments are completed and

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reviewed to reflect the child’s presenting risks, including following any

The manager and staff understand the need to revise risk assessments following incidents, and gave examples. When such a revision occurs, there is a process in place for alerting team members, who are then required to sign to indicate they have read the updated document. The manager has taken action to reduce risks in the light of events, including seeking and acting on the advice of an occupational therapist.

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reviewed to reflect the child’s presenting risks, including following any

The provider has taken sufficient actions to meet the two steps in the compliance notice for regulation 12.

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reviewed to reflect the child’s presenting risks, including following any

Regulation 13(1)(a)(b): Ensure that the registered person enables, inspires

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and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that helps children

aspire to fulfil their potential and promotes their welfare.

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and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that helps children

The manager has introduced an ‘Achievement Report’, intended to be produced every three months, to collate and celebrate children’s achievements. Inspectors read a draft for one child. It is lively and informative, describing her progress and developments since she arrived at the home. Staff are actively considering how best to celebrate achievements, as certificates and reward charts are not always meaningful for all of the children.

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and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that helps children

Targets set for children are often broadly defined, such as for a child ‘to continue to work on physiotherapy regimes and increase the strength in his legs’. It is therefore difficult to measure success. Staff make records in daily logs when work is done with children on their targets, but these are not evaluated so that progress has to be judged by general impressions.

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and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that helps children

Regulation 13(2)(h): Undertake a written review of current monitoring and

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what actions are being taken/have been taken to make the required

improvements to monitoring and oversight in the children’s home.

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what actions are being taken/have been taken to make the required

The manager’s report addresses how the service’s response to the compliance notices is being monitored and reviewed. It details the actions and plans that leaders and managers are implementing in order to address the shortfalls identified. Changes introduced include staff with responsibility for specific areas, such as cleaning and maintenance, producing weekly reports for the manager. The manager’s own auditing of the home is now taking place weekly rather than monthly. This allows for more effective responses to any identified issues. Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC425786 3 However, the manager’s report did not review monitoring processes required by the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, specifically those under regulations 44, 45 and 46. The review of the quality of care does not provide the views of children or set out actions to improve their care. The review is not clearly

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what actions are being taken/have been taken to make the required

Although steps have been taken to address the steps in the compliance notice, there are shortfalls in how the children’s views are captured and how the manager monitors the home in line with regulation 45.

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what actions are being taken/have been taken to make the required

Regulation 23(1) : Ensure that arrangements for the handling, recording,

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safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into

Managers responded immediately and comprehensively to address weaknesses in medication administration. This included arranging for a registered nurse to oversee and comment on staff members’ practice for five days, and training for staff on the specific errors inspectors identified at the last inspection. A weekly audit of medication is now in place and has proved to be effective in identifying an issue with stock control.

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safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into

However, inspectors found that on two consecutive days a member of staff did not sign for the delivery of medication to school and the collection of medication from school. There was no impact on the child and it was highly likely that the new monitoring arrangements would have identified the recording omission .

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safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into

Regulation 23(1)(b): Ensure that medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered.

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safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into

The monitoring of competency and of medication training have addressed these issues. Inspectors’ sampling of records did not identify that there have been any administration errors since the last inspection.

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safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into

The provider has taken sufficient action to meet the steps in the compliance notice.

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safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into

Regulation 33(4)(b) : Ensure that all staff members receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience.

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safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into

Two senior staff members who have significant experience have been delegated responsibility for supervising members of the team. The manager is sourcing training for them. This has increased the capacity to complete the supervision that the staff require. In addition, the manager has planned weekly team meetings, starting in November 2019, that will focus on children’s needs, targets and progress to increase opportunities for staff to reflect on practice. Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC425786 4 The home’s supervision log shows an improvement in the number of staff having sessions during October 2019, compared to September 2019. One session was for a new worker, who, although experienced, had not had formal supervision for a period of 10 weeks prior to this session.

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safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into

However, a decision to set the frequency of supervision to between six and 12 weeks was not based on an assessment of the needs of staff or the circumstances of the home. Although the manager regularly uses the same agency workers to ensure consistency of care, these staff only receive supervision when it is thought that this is required, rather than when they have worked a particular number of shifts. The manager is reviewing these matters.

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safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into

Staff reported that leaders and managers support them well, including through induction, training, supervision and appraisal processes.

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safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into

However, there are agency staff working in the home who do not receive supervision at the frequency of the other staff working in the home. This was acknowledged by leaders and managers. The step in the compliance notice is therefore not met.

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Conclusion

The provider has met three of the four compliance notices and has demonstrated some progress since the last full inspection. The unmet notice, which relates to the supervision of agency staff, is repeated. The remaining requirements from the September 2019 full inspection have not been reviewed at this monitoring inspection.

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Conclusion

A further two requirements have been made as a result of this monitoring inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/09/2019 Full Inadequate 18/10/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/01/2018 Full Good 09/11/2016 Full Good Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC425786 5

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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 children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who— develop positive relationships with them; engage with them; and take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives. (Regulation 7(1)(a)(b)(c)) 05/01/2020

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that— the health and well-being needs of children are met; children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles (Regulation 10(1)(a)(b)(c)) 27/10/2019

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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 take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(vi)(2)(b)) 27/10/2019

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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.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(c)) 27/10/2019

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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 27/10/2019 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC425786 6 it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25(2)(b)) The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33(4)(b))* 05/01/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the following items, which may be kept in electronic form, are kept in an accessible manner— children’s case records (see regulation 36). (Regulation 38(i)) 27/10/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint, at the registered provider’s expense, a person (“th e independent person”) ) to visit and report on the children’s home carried on by the registered provider.

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider carries on more than one home, the registered provider may appoint the same person as the independent person for all or any of those homes.

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), the registered provider may not appoint the following as an independent person— a person who has, or has had, a connection with— the registered person. (Regulation 43(1)(2)(3)(g)(i)) 27/10/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ( “a quality of care review”) at ) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(1)(5)) 05/01/2020

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice. Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC425786 7

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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.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC425786 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Strode Park Foundation for People with Disabilities

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Strode Park Foundation, Strode Park House, Lower Herne Road, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 7NE

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Inspectors

Chris Peel, social care inspector Stephen Collett, social care inspector Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC425786 9 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.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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