Children's Home run by Investing in Children CIC in Sunderland

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2522240 1

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Investing in Children CIC

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children and/or young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural issues. The home was registered in May 2019. There is a manager in post, but they are not yet registered. The home is operated by a private provider.

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This monitoring visit

An interim inspection was carried out on 10 February 2020. Following this inspection, a restriction of accommodation notice and two compliance notices were served under regulations 12 and 13 to address significant shortfalls. Issues identified include a lack of suitable measures in place to maintain safe living conditions for children and young people. Risk assessments did not sufficiently identify known vulnerabilities or actions for staff to take to mitigate these risks. Gaps in training records for staff were identified, and this led to a concern that the home is not being effectively managed.

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This monitoring visit

To evaluate the progress made, a monitoring visit was undertaken on 24 March 2020. As a consequence of this visit, the restriction of accommodation order has been lifted, and the two compliance notices are assessed to have been met.

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This monitoring visit

The home is very well presented and has benefited from being updated with new furnishings. Photographs are displayed of the children and young people, which adds a warm feel to their home.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has developed and implemented a system of daily checks and measures for her staff to complete, which includes the upkeep of children and young people’s bedrooms. She monitors whether this takes place, using supervision and Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2522240 2 team meetings to send the message that this is an essential aspect of the daily tasks. Records demonstrate that this practice has become routine and that staff take appropriate action when they identify issues. This shows children and young people that they are important, which helps them to feel valued.

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This monitoring visit

One young person is in the process of moving out of the home. Members of staff have assisted them to access health and financial services prior to their move, so that they have a supportive network in place to assist a smooth transition.

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This monitoring visit

Previously, certain risk assessments lacked detailed information and read as generic. These have been developed so that they are individualised and provide steps for staff to take to reduce risk to children and young people.

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This monitoring visit

A system has been developed to record the training needs of staff that identifies where there are gaps. Specific training has either been completed or arranged so that staff develop the skills and understanding needed to meet each child or young person’s individual needs.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is supported by a deputy. Together, they have established effective auditing systems to monitor the care that children and young people receive. Records and documents are signed and dated, which shows that there is accountability for each entry that is made. The deputy manager leads a daily handover conversation with the staff team that incorporates any key findings of the management team, to raise the quality of care provided to children and young people.

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This monitoring visit

At the previous inspection, additional requirements were raised that were not considered during this inspection. For this reason, they are re-issued.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/02/2020 Interim Declined in effectiveness 20/08/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2522240 3

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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 children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who— develop positive relationships with them; engage with them; and take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c)) 27/04/2020

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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— meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans. understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(ix)) 27/04/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must— keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b)) 27/04/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2522240 4 The registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (‘a quality of care review’) at least once every 6 months. In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating— the quality of care provided for children; the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (‘the quality of care review report’). The registered person must— supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report

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Requirement Due date

within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home. The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c)(3)(4)(a)(b)(5)) 27/04/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2522240 5

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Information about this inspection

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that Covid-19 is currently posing to those we regulate. During this visit, the inspector took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of Coronavirus by the home. This has included the effect these have had on staffing.

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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.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Investing in Children CIC

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sjovoll Centre, Front Street, Pity Me, Durham DH1 5BZ

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Inspector

Paula Kelly, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2522240 6 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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