Children's home run by The Place Young People’s Company in Rushcliffe

Inspection report children’s home: SC480655 1 SC480655 Registered provider: The Place Young People’s Company Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care and accommodation for up to four children/young people who have a range of emotional and behavioural needs.

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Information about this children’s home

There is an acting manager in post. He has submitted his application for registration.

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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: 21 November 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC480655 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/11/2018 Full Outstanding 31/05/2017 Full Good 25/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 28/06/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC480655 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress and have positive, life-enhancing experiences in this home. They receive nurturing care and support from staff who understand their complex needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff not only support children well, they also support parents and family members. One parent said: ‘They are like an extension of our family. They are amazing, and I cannot fault them.’ Children get to see and keep in touch with people who matter to them. The staff team enabled one child to spend Christmas Day with a family member by providing a venue and food. This demonstrates the excellent relationships staff have formed with both children and those important to them. Staff regularly transport children to see family and friends, both locally and across the country. Children feel valued and respected as a result.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A team of therapists supports the staff team and works with children. Therapists also offer support to family members. Over time, children develop better emotional health. Health plans do not currently provide full or clear details of the medical history of each child. For example, one child requires specialist dental support. The health records do not clearly state how the child’s reluctance to engage is being considered or addressed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education provision is in place for all children. Most are currently receiving tutor support pending school placements being secured. Managers have made representations to the placing authorities and education services about the lack of full-time school provision. Further challenge is needed to ensure that the reason for ending one child’s school placement is clarified and that an education, health and care plan is urgently provided for another child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children feel fully involved in their care plans and the running of the home. Staff seek children’s wishes, views and feelings, and act on them. Records from meetings with children do not, however, clearly reflect how the manager has responded to any requests they make. Clearer feedback following each meeting would provide children with a better sense of how their requests have been responded to. Children know who they can speak to if they have concerns.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children learn new skills and grow in confidence. They go on holidays regularly with staff. They join local groups and clubs. Their independence skills improve. They leave this home well prepared for adult life. Staff also ensure that any specific religious, dietary or cultural needs are well considered and supported.

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

Children say that they feel safe and protected. Their family members and placing social workers also report high levels of satisfaction at the improved safety of Inspection report children’s home: SC480655 4 children. There have been no missing from care incidents since the last inspection. However, staff demonstrate a good understanding of missing protocols.

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

Children understand and accept the need for boundaries and rules. Staff celebrate the positive behaviours of children. Photograph albums and record of achievement books provide a lovely account of what children have done during their time at the home.

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

Recruitment processes for new staff are robust and prevent unsuitable adults from working with children. Staff receive mandatory safeguarding training and display a clear understanding of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities.

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

Allegations against staff have been responded to quickly and appropriately. Managers have referred any concerns to the designated officer. They have supported both children and staff during the process. One placing social worker praised managers for their response to allegations and noted how well they kept the local authority updated.

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

Staff understand the risks posed to and from children well. They assess risks and review them regularly. They are not averse to encouraging children to take age- appropriate risks. They understand the need to provide children with opportunities so that they can take personal responsibility for their actions.

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

The use of sanctions is minimal and appropriate. However, two records relating to sanctions imposed were not clear or specific. One referred to the removal of a mobile phone ‘until further notice’. The other referred to repayment of money for damage caused to property but was unclear on timescales. These records were not written in a way that would be helpful to the children involved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The current manager was previously the deputy manager in this home. He has many years’ experience of working in residential care. He has submitted his application to Ofsted to register. He is ambitious for the children in his care and wants them to have positive outcomes. This view is shared by the staff team. The staff team also demonstrates a real passion and commitment to improving outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff understand the progress children make and their specific areas of need. They act as strong advocates, seeking out services to support children’s complex needs. They challenge other agencies and professionals where shortfalls have been identified.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A range of monitoring and tracking systems enable managers and staff to understand the progress children make. These include feedback from the in-house therapists and specific assessment tools being used. Managers have a clear and detailed developmental plan in place. They have recently introduced a development plan for children. This sets out each child’s specific views about the home and improvements they would like to see. The plan does not set timescales for Inspection report children’s home: SC480655 5 completion of identified actions. This would provide children with a clear sense of whether/how and when their requests will be met and by who.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The location/safer area risk assessment for the home and surrounding areas is detailed and clear. It includes information relating to which staff and children can swim. This reflects the existence of ponds, canals and rivers in the locality. Managers have also purchased buoyancy aids for staff to use, in the event of a child being at risk near water. This is a positive and proactive response to potential risks in the area.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The statement of purpose for the home is clear and detailed. Staff and managers work to the stated aims and objectives. Children also receive a highly personalised guide when they move into the home. This includes photos and personal profiles of each staff member and managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has ensured that the religious, dietary and cultural needs of children are met. This includes the provision of a separate fridge/freezer for halal foods. Staff support children to attend their chosen place of worship. They demonstrate respect and insight into children’s specific needs and ensure that they are met. Inspection report children’s home: SC480655 6

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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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or relevant person to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (c)) 31/03/2020

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(iii)) 31/03/2020

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Recommendations

 The health of looked-after children must be assessed at regular intervals and the child’s care plan must include an individual health plan setting out the approach that the placing authority will follow, and the desired outcomes required to meet the child’s needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.4) Inspection report children’s home: SC480655 7  Staff should understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about a child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Recommendations

 Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standard’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC480655 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Place Young People’s Company Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Belvoir Farm, Woolsthorpe Road, Redmile, Nottingham, Leicestershire NG13 0GN

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Alexander Astill

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Inspector

Tracy Murty, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC480655 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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