Children's Home run by Suffolk County Council in Suffolk

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC037256 1 SC037256

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Suffolk County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home provides care for up to seven children aged between 11 and 18. The children may have experienced neglect and emotional abuse or had traumatic experiences that have left them vulnerable.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left the post on 1 February 2020. There is an acting manager in post who is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 19 and 20 February 2020. The purpose of monitoring the home is to assess the progress made against the steps set out in the compliance notice that was served on 24 February 2020. This monitoring visit found that the compliance notice is met.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring inspection was undertaken remotely due to the challenges that Covid-19 is currently posing to Ofsted inspecting services.

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This monitoring visit

The requirements that were raised at the last full inspection have not been fully reviewed at this monitoring inspection and will be evaluated at the next inspection. However, progress against these requirements has been made.

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This monitoring visit

There have been no further admissions to the home. Two children have moved on in a planned way. One child has returned to their family, and another child has moved to semi-independent provision due to her age and ability to manage increased levels Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC037256 2 of independence. This has reduced the number of children to five and significantly improved the group dynamics.

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This monitoring visit

Bullying incidents have reduced in number and severity. The staff recognise and record potential bullying and coercion early on. Clear records and early recognition provide a protective factor. The staff are reflecting on incidents and recognising triggers and unhealthy relationship dynamics. They have adopted a more vigilant approach that looks beyond each incident and reviews the intention of the child. The staff discuss each incident with the children, encouraging them to understand the effect that their behaviours can have on others. These strategies have reduced tensions and protected the more vulnerable children.

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This monitoring visit

The staff have successfully reduced children’s substance misuse, particularly inside the home. The children have no access to money due to the potential risk of buying substances. On one occasion, two children returned to the home under the influence of cannabis. However, there is a significant reduction in suspected cannabis use. The staff have sought substance misuse agency support, but, due to the current social distancing measures, these agencies cannot presently visit the home.

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This monitoring visit

The first-floor flat is no longer in use. The manager will consider the future use of the flat at a later date. The flat will not be used for the foreseeable future. The bedroom has been allocated as the staff sleep-in room. Therefore, this no longer poses any risk to the children living at the home.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has detailed plans for a weekly meeting to provide the staff with an allocated day on which to discuss any feedback from reviews and changes to care plans. The meetings cannot be implemented during the social distancing measures and the linked staff shortages. In the interim period, the staff are sharing information using email and discussions. Recent changes have been agreed with the children, their allocated professionals and parents and shared among the staff team members.

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This monitoring visit

There has been a decrease in the number of incidents. Risk assessments are amended and updated following any incidents. The manager has sourced external input and oversight using a psychologist to guide the staff’s responses to incidents. This helps the staff to have a better understanding and take a more informed approach to negative behaviours. Generally, children’s relationships have improved, and the behavioural incidents are decreasing; therefore, the home is safer and calmer.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff team have improved the group dynamics. This is despite the challenges posed by Covid-19 in getting the children to practise social distancing. The changes to the group of children and the consistent staff responses have reduced the number of serious incidents and the associated risks to children. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC037256 3 The systems to monitor the incidents at the home are not fully effective. The monitoring systems are undeveloped, and, at times, the manager is not aware of some incidents. Therefore, the manager does not have a true picture of the current risks that children are taking and whether the strategies to reduce these are working. Despite this, there are noted improvements in the quality of care provided, and the children are safer.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/02/2020 Full Inadequate 28/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/09/2018 Full Good 08/03/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC037256 4

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; and

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(ii)(iv)) 17/04/2020

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 17/04/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC037256 5 ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6(1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(i)) The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8(1)(2)(a)(viii)) 17/04/2020

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)) 17/04/2020

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and 30/06/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC037256 6 promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(h))

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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: Suffolk County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suffolk County Council, Endeavour House, Russell Road, Ipswich IP1 2BX

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Inspector

Deirdra Keating, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC037256 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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