Children's Home run by United Children's Services Limited in Leicestershire

Inspection report children’s home: SC489970 1 SC489970 Registered provider: United Children’s Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private provider. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The registered manager left in March 2019. A new manager was appointed in July 2019 and has applied to be registered.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 29 October 2019

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: None Inspection report children’s home: SC489970 2

p.1

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has been without a registered manager since March 2019. A manager was appointed in July 2019 but has not been registered. The significant period of time that the home has been without a registered manager is the central reason for the home’s decline in effectiveness. Despite this shortfall, young people receive good-quality care and make good progress. This is because they are cared for by a committed staff team that has high aspirations for young people. Admission procedures are good and ensure that new young people are well supported to settle into the home and build appropriate relationships with existing residents. Detailed referral information helps to inform decision-making about the admission of new young people. Young people are given information about the home and what to expect which helps them to settle in. They are quickly helped by staff to personalise their bedrooms. However, managers have not always ensured

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that they fully explore all areas of need and ensured that staff are clear about how to manage these needs. Complaints are dealt with promptly and feedback is given to young people. However, on occasions, adequate records are not kept about the investigation and the outcome. Managers are proactive in reporting any complaints made by young people about staff conduct to the placing authority. However, such complaints are not always referred to the designated officer for the local authority in line with procedures. Although this has not impacted on the safety of young people, it has the capacity to do so. The management team has made some progress in meeting the previous requirement relating to management monitoring systems. Some new systems have been introduced, but management monitoring is not yet robust enough in identifying shortfalls. This requirement has been repeated. Although the manager completed a review of the quality of care in August 2019, the

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

registered provider did not send a copy of the report to Ofsted as required. There is a commitment to improving the quality of care which includes addressing requirements made at the previous inspection. The management team has addressed the requirement relating to challenging young people’s placing authorities to ensure that young people receive the care that they need. There are numerous examples of staff challenging professionals and advocating for young people, resulting in positive outcomes for them. Inspection report children’s home: SC489970 3 Young people have very good relationships with staff. As a result, they feel safe and valued. All young people make progress in their education and training. Staff give them practical and emotional support to apply for apprenticeships and jobs. Young people have lots of good experiences which help them to develop a range of skills while also having fun. For example, one young person went to France for their

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

holiday last year. Inspection report children’s home: SC489970 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/10/2019 Full Good 26/02/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/10/2017 Full Good 22/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC489970 5

p.4

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.5

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. This is with reference to ensuring that all information received as part of the admission process about children’s needs, is fully explored; and that the child’s care plans and risk assessments give clear details of how to meet their needs. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)) 31/03/2020

p.5

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. (Regulation 39 (3)) 31/03/2020

p.5

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. 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 (1) and (2)(h)) 31/03/2020

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)) 31/03/2020

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (4)(a)) 31/03/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC489970 6

p.5

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.6

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: SC489970 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: United Children’s Services Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Old Coach House, Drinsey Nook, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN1 2JJ

p.7

Inspector

Katarina Djordjevic, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC489970 8 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.7

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 http://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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8