Children's home run by Searchlight Care Services Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report children’s home: SC362170 1 SC362170 Registered provider: Searchlight Care Services Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this home. It provides care and accommodation for up to three children who have experienced childhood instability, resulting in trauma and associated complex behaviours. The current manager has been in post since July 2019. He has obtained his level 5 qualification in leadership and management. He has also submitted his application to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection the home was ‘not judged’.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been changes within the management of the home since the last inspection. The registered manager resigned in April 2019. The deputy manager was in day-to-day charge of the home. The current manager started his role in July 2019 and has submitted his registration to Ofsted. The home has not provided accommodation to children since 17 September 2019. The most recent placement for a child was for a period of seven days. As a result, it was not possible to form a judgement about children’s experiences and progress. Inspection report children’s home: SC362170 2 This inspection focused on whether the registration requirements continue to be met, which include management arrangements and suitability to accommodate children. The home is well presented and maintained. There is some work to be undertaken in one of the unoccupied children’s bedrooms. Managers have a plan in place for this to be completed before any children move into the home.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff employed to work in the home have been moved temporarily to other homes within the organisation. This means that staff are continuing to be provided with opportunities to gain skills and knowledge. Recruitment activity is underway to fill staff vacancies. At present, the home does not have enough staff to care for children. Furthermore, since the last inspection managers have failed to ensure that suitable recruitment checks are undertaken on staff. As a result, potentially unsuitable adults may be allowed to work in the home. The manager visits the home regularly, while it is unoccupied, to undertake health and safety tasks, which include fire checks. This ensures that the home environment remains safe and free from hazards. The manager has systems in place to review and monitor the quality of the service. An independent visitor continues to visit the home on a monthly basis. This ensures that

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

the provider is receiving external feedback and scrutiny in respect of the suitability of the home. Ofsted, in agreement with the provider, has placed a condition on the home’s registration. This requires the provider to notify Ofsted before it admits children to the home. This will allow the provider time to recruit staff and complete outstanding redecoration work prior to admitting children. Ofsted will review the provider’s readiness to open in due course

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/03/2019 Full Good 22/08/2017 Full Good 01/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 23/11/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC362170 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. The requirements are that full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32(1)(3)(d)) 30/01/2020

p.3

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.3

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.

p.3

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: SC362170 4

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Searchlight Care Services Ltd

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Marcus House, Parkhall Road, Longton, Stoke on Trent ST3 5XA

p.4

Inspector

Sarah Junor-Fitzpatrick, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC362170 5 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.4

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.5

Inspector

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

p.5

Inspector

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

p.5