Children's Home run by Inspire Care (UK) Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 1 SC487764 Registered provider: Inspire Care (UK) Limited

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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 provides care for up to two children who have experienced trauma which has left them with associated difficulties. The home is privately owned. The manager was registered with Ofsted to manage the home in July 2018.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/10/2018 Full Good 26/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 24/05/2016 Full Good 14/01/2016 Interim Not judged Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 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 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 use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(2)(h)) 27/03/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision.

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Requirement Due date

If a home has a website, the registered person must ensure that a copy of the statement of purpose is published on that website unless the registered person considers that such publication would prejudice the welfare of children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 16(1) (3)(a)(b)(4)(5)) 28/02/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and 29/05/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 4 have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33(4)(a)(b)) The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect; and

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Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect.

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Requirement Due date

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular—

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Requirement Due date

provide for liaison and cooperation with any local authority which are, or may be, making a child protection enquiry in relation to a child accommodated in the home;

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Requirement Due date

provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about current or ongoing abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the home is located;

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Requirement Due date

provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about past abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the alleged abuse or neglect occurred;

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Requirement Due date

provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response;

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Requirement Due date

describe the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect; and

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Requirement Due date

describe how and to whom staff are to report, without delay, any concern about abuse or neglect of a child. (Regulation 34(1)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)) 27/03/2020

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

the name of the child; 27/03/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 5 details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv)) Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date; and

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Requirement Due date

retain the records for at least 15 years from the date of the last entry. (Regulation 37(1)(2)(a)(b)(c)) 28/02/2020

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children. 28/02/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 6 In particular, the procedure must provide that no person who is the subject of a complaint takes any part in its consideration or investigation, except at the informal resolution stage if the registered person considers it appropriate.

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that no child is subject to any reprisal for making a complaint or representation.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI, at HMCI’s request, a statement containing a summary of any complaints made during the preceding twelve months and the action that was taken in response to each complaint. (Regulation 39(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)) The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 28/02/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person— 28/02/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 7 if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44(1)(2)(a)(b)(3)(4)(a)(b)(5)) The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year, taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard).

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Requirement Due date

When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46(1)(2)) 28/02/2020

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Recommendations

 Staff should provide a nurturing and supportive environment that is homely. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  Medicines must be administered in line with a medically approved protocol. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)  As set out in regulations 31–33, the registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 8 supervision and performance management of staff safeguard children and minimise potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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improvement to be good

The experiences of children living at the home since the last inspection have been mixed. Two children left the home in planned ways. One moved to a supported living project and the other moved to a foster placement closer to their family. Another child, who moved into the home as a single placement, has experienced difficulties. Although the child has made some progress, there are a number of shortfalls in staff practice.

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improvement to be good

Medication is stored securely. However, there were two records of the same medication. This was not in line with the organisation’s medication policy. This led to confusion as to how much of the medication was kept in the home. Human error jeopardises systems that are designed to ensure that medication is stored and recorded properly.

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improvement to be good

The home is well appointed throughout. However, the exterior and grounds of the home require attention. The front door would benefit from being painted and there are disused items, rubbish and cigarette butts in the garden. This detracts from what is otherwise a welcoming and nurturing home.

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improvement to be good

Staff understand the importance of education and are working with partner agencies to identify a suitable provider for the child. In the meantime, home tutoring is being provided. Although this is positive, the child’s attendance and engagement were described by the tutor as ‘hit and miss’.

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improvement to be good

Staff gain the child’s views and opinions daily. This is an inclusive approach to involving the child in planning her care.

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improvement to be good

Staff work well with external agencies and feedback from these agencies was positive.

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improvement to be good

Staff de-escalate difficult and challenging behaviours to good effect. There are times when the staff need to physically intervene for safety. These interventions are appropriate. However, the records made of these interventions require attention, as staff and child debriefs have not been recorded following some physical interventions. These reflections following an incident are an important opportunity to reduce the likelihood of another incident happening in future. Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 9 Children are familiar with the home’s complaints procedure. However, on two occasions where children have made allegations against staff, they were dealt with using the complaints procedure instead of the allegations policy. On both occasions, the manager also failed to notify Ofsted of the allegations. Failure to follow policies designed to protect children leaves them at risk. Failure to notify Ofsted of allegations against staff

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improvement to be good

makes monitoring the home difficult for the regulator.

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improvement to be good

The home is in a busy town. The home’s location risk assessment considers some risks in the local area. However, the mitigation of risk is not sufficiently detailed. Local risks posed by busy roads, transport links, waterways and local businesses are not considered. The assessment of local risks to children living in the home is ineffective.

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improvement to be good

There have been several changes in the staff team since the last inspection. The organisation has processes in place for checking potential employees to ensure that they do not pose any risks to the safety and well-being of the children. However, checks were found to be lacking on one staff member’s file. The failure to assess the mental and physical ability of staff for their role could compromise children’s welfare.

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improvement to be good

There is a well-embedded missing-from-home policy, and staff will follow children if they leave the home without permission. Staff look for children in the local area if they are missing from the home.

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improvement to be good

The child benefits from regular key-working sessions, during which important safeguarding topics are discussed openly and honestly with her.

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

The manager was registered with Ofsted in July 2018 and is suitably qualified.

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

The manager ensures that all staff receive regular, practice-led supervisions. However, the manager and at least one other staff member have not yet received an annual appraisal. This does not afford staff the opportunity to reflect on their practice or set targets to drive improvement for the coming year.

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

The home’s independent visitor has changed since the last inspection. There are shortfalls in the monthly reports which the new independent visitor provides after each visit. The independent visitor does not assess whether the children are being safeguarded effectively and whether their well-being is being promoted. The reports rarely contain the opinions of professionals and do not report on all areas of safeguarding. This makes it difficult for Ofsted to monitor the home.

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

There are shortfalls in the home’s statement of purpose. It states that emergency placements are accepted, but they are not. A copy of the statement of purpose is not available on the organisation’s website. This does not allow for all information to be available for placing authorities and families who are looking for somewhere for a child to live. Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 10 The manager has some systems in place for the monitoring and reviewing of the quality of care the home provides. These systems need to be bolstered, as several key areas have been overlooked or missed, which has resulted in a series of shortfalls being found on this inspection. For example, there is information missing from the home’s children’s register.

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

The staff receive training to support them in their roles. They benefit from input and advice from a psychotherapist who attends team meetings to discuss children’s behaviours.

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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 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: SC487764 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Inspire Care (UK) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Keystone Chartered Accountants, 263 Nottingham Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG7 7DA

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Inspector

Ricky D’Arcy: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 12 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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