Children's home run by The Vine Residential Services (TVRS) Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2532471 1

p.1

The Vine Residential Services (TVRS) Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A private company operates this home for up to four children. The statement of purpose states that the home provides care for children who have a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder and/or learning difficulties, and associated emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home was registered with Ofsted in October 2019. The registered manager was registered with Ofsted at the same time.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Ofsted was informed anonymously about several concerning issues. These related to insufficient staffing, the use of agency staff, staff morale, lone working, the deputy manager arrangements and the new finance system.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This visit involved the inspector examining the staffing rota, induction records for agency staff and the personnel documentation for the new deputy manager.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The inspector held individual discussions with six of the staff members on duty, including two agency staff members. A group discussion was also undertaken with the senior management team, including the responsible individual and the safeguarding lead for the home. A telephone discussion was also held with the social worker of one child who had unsupervised contact with their family.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers admitted that staffing has been an issue. Several staff members have left. This, along with staff ill health and Christmas leave, has resulted in staff shortages.

p.1

This monitoring visit

There has been a greater reliance on agency staff and managers have also assisted with covering staff shortages. Insufficient staffing has occasionally impacted on the children’s ability to access the local community, where two-to-one staffing is needed. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2532471 2 There was an occasion where one member of staff was on duty at the home. This occurred when only one child was at the home. Staffing was sufficient at the time, but in the event of an emergency or crisis, this would be insufficient. This child requires two staff members during an emergency situation or crisis.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The staff team is working hard to care for children who have very challenging needs. Children benefit from good continuity of care which is provided by consistent agency staff, who work regular shifts. There is a satisfactory induction programme for agency staff, which includes familiarisation with children’s care plans, behaviour support plans and risk assessments.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Agency staff have access to the home’s computerised recording system, which enables them to keep children’s records up to date. Agency staff additionally benefit from ongoing training, which further develops their practice and knowledge.

p.2

This monitoring visit

During the Christmas holidays it was particularly hard for the staff, as all of the children were at the home. All staff interviewed admitted that the work is challenging, and some said that they do not feel valued. The senior managers, however, stated that they regularly praise staff. The organisation has an ‘employee of the month’ scheme and staff enjoyed a Christmas event and received gifts during the festive period.

p.2

This monitoring visit

A new financial management system has been implemented, in response to a review of the petty cash system. Children receive their monies on a weekly basis and records and receipts ensure that all monies are clearly accounted for.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Despite the loss of two deputy managers, the current management arrangements are satisfactory. The new deputy manager is suitably experienced and qualified to work with the children who are living at the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The senior management team is endeavouring to improve practice in the home. Safeguarding issues have been effectively addressed and staff are appropriately disciplined for practice issues or for failing to safeguard children. There are no current safeguarding concerns.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement N/A Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2532471 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.3

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

p.3

Requirement Due date

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

p.3

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child.

p.3

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(d)) 01/03/2020

p.3

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.

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2532471 4

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Vine Residential Services (TVRS) Ltd

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Granary, Studio 4, 1st Floor, 80 Abbey Road, Barking, Essex IG11 7BT

p.4

Inspector

Sharon Payne, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2532471 5 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.

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 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: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.5