Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report children’s home: SC032083 1 SC032083 Registered provider: Castle Homes Care Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately run and provides care for up to three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There were no children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Inspection date: 13 February 2020

Judgement at last full inspection: inadequate

p.1

Inspection date: 13 February 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: A notice of restriction of accommodation is in place. Inspection report children’s home: SC032083 2

p.1

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged inadequate at the last full inspection. At this inspection the home was ‘not judged’ as there are no resident children.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last full inspection on 11 November 2019, several requirements were made. Following a case review, two compliance notices were served under regulation 12, the protection of children standard, and regulation 14, the care planning standard.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

On 3 January 2020, a monitoring visit took place. No children were living at the home. The manager and several members of the staff team had left. Remaining staff were working in other homes run by the provider. Further shortfalls had been identified since the full inspection, which the deputy manager immediately addressed prior to leaving the company. The provider had not demonstrated sufficient progress to meet the compliance notices. After a further case review, Ofsted imposed a restriction on further admissions to the home until the regulator is satisfied that children could be accommodated safely.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The responsible individual and other managers within the organisation have completed a thorough review and developed an action plan. The provider is committed to making the necessary improvements. Managers continue to liaise with external safeguarding agencies about ongoing safeguarding investigations.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ongoing progress is evident to address the shortfalls previously identified. Additional management monitoring systems are in place. Documents are being improved but are currently work in progress. Therefore, the inspector was unable to review the final versions. There are no children living at the home to test whether the improvements can robustly safeguard and promote children’s well-being and progress.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new manager and deputy manager have been appointed, subject to satisfactory safer recruitment checks. One additional member of staff has been employed, and the provider continues to recruit for a full staff team. The provider is committed to ensuring that the new staff team is fully trained, confident and competent to deliver good-quality care for children.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ofsted will continue to monitor the home. Inspection report children’s home: SC032083 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/01/2020 Monitoring Not judged 06/11/2019 Full Inadequate 12/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 27/06/2018 Full Good 25/07/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: SC032083 4

p.3

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.4

Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that— the health and well-being needs of children are met; children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10(1)(a)(b)(2)(c)) Specifically, that provision is sought to support young people’s mental health needs. 20/12/2019

p.4

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on— mutual respect and trust; an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and positive responses to other children and adults. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship; understand and communicate to children that bullying is unacceptable; and have the skills to recognise incidents or indications of bullying and how to deal with them. (Regulation 11(1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(vii)(xii)(xiii)) Young people should consistently be supported to understand when their behaviour is not acceptable and helped to find ways to adhere to boundaries. Direct work should support young people’s understanding of criminally exploitative relationships. Any incidents of bullying should be

p.4

Requirement Due date

clearly addressed and challenged. 20/12/2019

p.4

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. 02/01/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC032083 5 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; help each child to understand how to keep safe; have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other; understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s

p.4

Requirement Due date

child protection policies; that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)) Specifically, any emerging risks, including those of potential radicalisation, should be recognised and appropriately referred to other safeguarding agencies to ensure that all young people living in the home receive appropriate support and protection. The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— promotes children’s welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13(1)(b)(2)(c)) 20/12/2019

p.5

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that arrangements are in place to— ensure the effective induction of each child into the home; 02/01/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC032083 6 manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority; that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14(1)(a)(b)(2)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(c)) Specifically, careful and robust consideration of each young person’s needs should be assessed to ensure compatibility prior to admission to the home. Any emerging change in

p.5

Requirement Due date

young people’s behaviour should be monitored and support provided. Arrangements should be made to ensure that young people receive the services required, as set out in local authority plans. A person may only manage a children’s home if— having regard to the size of the home, its statement of purpose, and the number and needs (including any needs arising from any disability) of the children— the person has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of children. For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(i), a person has the appropriate experience and qualification if the person has— within the last 5 years, worked for at least 2 years in a position relevant to the residential care of children. (Regulation 28(1)(b)(i)(2)(a)) 20/12/2019

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person may only— employ an individual to work at the children’s home; if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.6

Requirement Due date

The requirements are that— the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform. For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained— the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”). (Regulation 32(3)(b)(4)(a)) 20/12/2019

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— there is any incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)(e)) 20/12/2019 Inspection report children’s home: SC032083 7

p.6

Recommendations

 It is good practice for a note of the content and/or outcomes of supervision sessions to be kept and to ensure that both the person giving the supervision and staff member have a copy of the record. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.4) Specifically, records should be detailed, particularly in relation to meeting young people’s needs. Prompt action should be taken in response to any staff members’ concerns.  Under regulation 46, the registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. The review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1) In particular, the registered person should seek information from external

p.7

Recommendations

safeguarding professionals when considering referrals to ensure that any risks are identified as part of pre-admission assessments. Where any risks are identified, including outdoor sports equipment, the review should clearly identify any actions taken to mitigate them.

p.7

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.7

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: SC032083 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Castle Homes Care Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fifth Floor, 80 Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UD

p.8

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Anthony Armstrong

p.8

Inspector

Karen Willson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC032083 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.

p.8

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9