Children's home run by East Midlands Care Matters Limited in Amber Valley

Inspection report children’s home: SC381522 1 SC381522 Registered provider: East Midlands Care Matters Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It provides care and accommodation to young people aged up to 19. Young people may have a range of emotional and behavioural needs. They may also have a learning disability or a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post for 12 years.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: Good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: None Inspection report children’s home: SC381522 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/10/2018 Full Good 19/09/2017 Full Good 23/11/2016 Full Good 15/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC381522 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a very family-orientated, nurturing environment. Young people make good progress in their personal hygiene, self-care, confidence, health, education and relationships. Carers work closely with families and schools, sharing their strategies and skills. This helps to ensure a consistent approach to the care of the young people.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people have very good relationships with carers. Carers really know and understand each young person’s needs. Carers manage behaviour well because they recognise and respond quickly to young people’s verbal and non-verbal cues. Good interpersonal skills enable carers to ascertain the views, wishes and feelings of the young people.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people move on from the home in a well-planned way. Some have returned to the care of their family. Carers often remain in contact with the young people and their families, offering continuing support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager always gives the existing residents appropriate information about any new young people who are moving in. This helps everyone cope with the change and settle as swiftly as possible. Carers are excellent at researching the needs and behaviour of any potential new young people and use a variety of creative techniques to ensure that they are made very welcome.

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

Carer’s knowledge of young people and their ability to recognise signs of distress, both verbal and non-verbal, helps keep young people safe. Carers prevent rather than react to incidents because they have a thorough understanding of risk management. Proactive safeguarding has contributed to the fact that young people have not gone missing from the home.

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

Carers understand whistle-blowing procedures and know how to respond well to allegations or disclosures of abuse. As a result, they are equipped to keep young people safe. Carers undertake a range of safeguarding training, and the manager uses additional research to ensure that their knowledge of current issues is up to date.

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

Physical intervention is rarely used. When it has been necessary, it has been used appropriately and for a limited time. The impact of self-harmful behaviours is minimised because staff are able to pre-empt young people’s behaviour through careful observation.

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

Carers took swift action after a medication error, and there has been no harm caused to young people. A recommendation is made to ensure that carers record all Inspection report children’s home: SC381522 4 information and advice given to them by medical professionals when an error has occurred. This will ensure that similar errors are not repeated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a very experienced and skilled manager. She is developing the team, ensuring that senior staff have the skills to succeed her in the future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager encourages reflective practice in supervision and in team meetings. This enables carers to develop consistent strategies for supporting young people. Carers have a wealth of varied experience and a range of qualifications. About half the team members have the level 3 qualification. All the other staff are undertaking the award or have appropriate alternative qualifications.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

This is a learning organisation. A high priority is given to carers’ learning and development. A range of training, complemented by a large collection of resources, ensures that carers understand the complex needs of each young person.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works well in partnership with other agencies. She has identified key agencies and professionals that work with the young people and has utilised their skills and experience, persuading them to deliver training and attend carers’ meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager monitors the progress, care and safety of young people well. Her regular management reports include feedback from young people, families and professionals. The report from the independent visitor is less detailed and fails to provide a statement regarding the safety of young people. A requirement is made to ensure that these reports fully meet regulations. Inspection report children’s home: SC381522 5

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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 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 (4)(a)(b)(5)) 30/04/2020

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Recommendations

 Any advice or information given following a medication error should be recorded. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)

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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: SC381522 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: East Midlands Care Matters Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 58 Brackendale Road, Swanwick, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 1DX

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Inspectors

Judith Longden, Social Care Inspector Corrinne Barker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC381522 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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