Children's Home run by Cornwall Council in Cornwall

Inspection report children’s home: SC040491 1 SC040491 Registered provider: Cornwall 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

This registered children’s home operates as a short-break service and is run by the local authority. It provides care and accommodation for up to five children who have learning difficulties. In total, there are 13 children who visit this home.

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Information about this children’s home

A suitably qualified registered manager is in post.

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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 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: 12 February 2019

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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: SC040491 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/02/2019 Full Good 06/06/2017 Full Good 26/04/2017 Full Inadequate 23/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC040491 3

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Recommendations

 As set out in regulations 31-33, the registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that supervision of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular, provide formal supervision to staff on a regular basis. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This home provides a warm and welcoming environment for children. Despite its large size it offers a homely feel. Bedrooms provide a home-from-home environment for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Promoting the ability of children to make choices and to share their needs, wishes and feelings is core to practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to enjoy varied experiences, both at the home and in the community. Examples include crafts, cooking, shopping, and trips to local attractions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the previous inspection, very few stays for children have been cancelled. This provides important structure for both children and their families.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Several children have made considerable progress since coming to stay at the home. For example, one child is now able to use the toilet with minimal support from staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff use creative approaches to help children enjoy their time at the home. For example, they have placed a mat in the corridor for a child who needs the sensory pressure of landing on his knees. This has ensured that the child can jump on to his knees safely.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and parents are provided with small files which are updated after each stay. These files include lovely pictures of children’s experiences. Parents commented how much they enjoy seeing these.

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

Safeguarding practice is of a good standard. Since the previous inspection, there have been no medication errors, and there has been minimal use of physical interventions. On the two occasions when physical interventions were required their use was appropriate Inspection report children’s home: SC040491 4 and well documented.

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

The requirement made at the last inspection regarding the need to improve fire safety has been met in full.

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

Support to help children communicate is of a good standard. Staff use creative practices to meet the individual needs of each child. For example, a wide selection of Velcro symbols can be attached by children to a separate to help them make food choices.

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

The general assistant has made several items to meet the sensory needs of children. Examples include a light switch which is attached to a small board. This has helped one child significantly by taking their focus away from active light switches.

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

Care planning documents are not always explicit regarding what staff need to do to meet the needs of children and keep them safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Interim arrangements that are in place while the registered manager undertakes a further qualification are working well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recruitment practice is of a good standard. Staff are thoroughly vetted within recruitment processes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision of staff is happening on a regular basis, although the quality of this supervision is not standardised. Some sessions are recorded in brief notes whereas other records are detailed and typed professional documents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff training is monitored and there are no staff out of date in respect of the relevant level 3 qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Internal management investigations are of a good standard. Any concerns regarding staff conduct are well managed and comprehensively explored.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Care planning overall is clear and up to date. There is also clear consideration of children’s voices, needs, wishes and feelings within planning.

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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 Inspection report children’s home: SC040491 5 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: SC040491 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Accounts Payable, PO Box 727, Truro TR1 9GP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Tony Phillips-Jones

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Inspector(s)

Polly Soper, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC040491 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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