Children's Home, Residential special school run by MacIntyre Care in Buckinghamshire

Assurance visit report: SC043994 1 SC043994

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is part of an independent school for children who have an autism spectrum disorder and/or severe learning disabilities. The home provides 20 placements in six houses. At the time of the inspection, there were 17 children living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered in December 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 21 October 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC043994 2

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The care of children

Children were observed to be happy, engaged in purposeful activities and motivated by the enthusiastic staff team. In one house, the staff made the most of the sunshine and organised a water-based play activity where children had lots of fun exploring the different sensory activities. However, in another house, a child was observed to be unoccupied for a small period. This was despite the fact that the child’s daily plan had specific specialist activities for them to engage in.

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The care of children

Children’s care is, for the most part, well planned and regularly reviewed. Behaviour support plans make clear the likely triggers and flashpoints for children and provide staff with clear guidelines about how to manage children’s behaviour. Similarly, children’s personal care routines are clearly defined in care and placement plans. However, some care plans lack appropriate detail about children’s religious needs. For example, some plans direct staff to support a child who may be interested in exploring their religion, but give no guidance on how this will be delivered. This is a missed opportunity to work with parents, where appropriate, to ensure that the child’s cultural needs are fully considered and met.

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The care of children

All children attend the on-site school and have continued to make progress during recent months. Care staff ensure that information regarding children’s progress is shared with education staff and vice versa. Children are enjoying new sensory experiences which have been designed with input from occupational therapists. These are enabling children to explore new movements and activities, and further promote active and healthy lifestyles. The new sensory experiences have been implemented to reduce the impact on children of spending more time on the premises, as opposed to trips out, during the period of lockdown. Children are also making progress in developing their independence skills. A parent commented that her child will ‘now go into the kitchen and can help prepare food and sometimes bakes. They have made so much progress in the recognising and regulating of her emotions, it is amazing, and this has been noticeable there and when at home.’

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The care of children

Records show that on a monthly basis all children take part in house meetings. These provide regular opportunities for children to share their views about topics such as activities and food. One meeting focused on gathering children’s feelings about their experiences during the lockdown period. Children indicated that they had missed seeing family and friends, but that they had also enjoyed ‘less rushing’ and more time with staff. Children learned about the importance of washing their hands and made rainbow pictures to thank the NHS and key workers.

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The care of children

Records show children taking part in a wide range of off-site activities prior to the lockdown period. These include visits to trampoline parks, going out to eat, visiting soft-play areas, and trying small amusement rides. These trips provide children with opportunities to access their local community and try new experiences.

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The care of children

Photographs that are kept, demonstrate that children are supported to learn about different world and religious celebrations. These have included Eid and VE Day 2020. Assurance visit report: SC043994 3 Children take part in parties and make decorations to adorn the house and garden areas with.

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The care of children

Children live in well maintained and brightly decorated accommodation. Staff members know the individual communication needs of children well, and support children to make choices in their daily lives.

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The safety of children

Allegations and concerns about adults working in the home are, overall, managed appropriately. On one occasion, an allegation about a member of staff was not notified to Ofsted as required, although all other actions were taken to safeguard the child. This means that the regulator has not been able to review this incident until the inspection.

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The safety of children

The home is a safe environment, with children encouraged to enjoy the indoor and outdoor spaces. During the periods of lockdown, staff carefully planned activities for children to ensure that appropriate distances were observed, and children were still able to enjoy variety and choice. Parents were supported to maintain contact with children to ensure that these familial bonds remained in place and supported the children’s emotional security during unsettled times over the summer.

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The safety of children

Systems for the disposal of medication have been reviewed. The new procedure means that medication is now returned to a pharmacy in a timely manner. This reduces the risk of any confusion between current medications and any that may be expired or no longer in use.

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The safety of children

There have been three external complaints since the previous inspection. These have been formally acknowledged and logged. Appropriate actions have been taken by the registered manager and senior leaders to swiftly resolve the matters raised. Since the previous inspection changes have been made to how children are supported to make complaints. Children have used the new system, which has a Makaton form as its basis. Their feedback and feelings have been taken seriously and appropriately responded to.

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Leaders and managers

There has been considerable improvement since the last inspection. This can be attributed to the registered manager who has worked hard to identify, and implement, positive change. Similarly, the staff team is motivated and committed to providing good-quality care to children. Staff recognise the impact of their hard work and how their changes are influencing the care provided to children. As a result, staff are enthusiastic, and morale is high. A parent commented that, ‘We are always impressed by the way staff go above and beyond to create a happy and safe environment.’

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Leaders and managers

There remain some areas to improve. The independent person’s reports lack meaningful insight or consultation with children. This means that the management Assurance visit report: SC043994 4 team is unable to use these reports as an additional layer of quality assurance. Similarly, the registered manager’s own six-monthly reporting lacks detailed evaluation of the views of children.

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Leaders and managers

Professional working between residential staff and educational colleagues was strengthened through the lockdown period, when house bubbles were formed. Some children have benefited from the home-schooling period, when residential and education staff worked creatively to provide structured routines and support for the children.

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Leaders and managers

Since the last inspection, the provider has reduced the number of children who can live in the home. This has had a positive effect on staffing levels. During lockdown, any staffing shortages have been well managed, and the use of temporary staff has been minimal. Staff recruitment, where it has taken place, has been thorough and all required checks have been made. Staff continue to be supported and supervised in their roles and the management team is committed to making further improvements. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way the school and home operate, managers and staff have worked hard to provide stability, familiarity and routine to children during some uncertain times.

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

is instigated; or 30/11/2020 Assurance visit report: SC043994 5 concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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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.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 44 (1)(2)(a)(b)(3)(4)(a)(b)(5)) 30/11/2020

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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.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating— 30/11/2020 Assurance visit report: SC043994 6 the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Recommendations

 Children should be able to maintain and develop their cultural or religious beliefs as far as practicable and where appropriate, through participation and instruction, and by observing religious requirements including dress and diet. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.22)  Children with disabilities or illnesses may have physical or emotional difficulties which mean that participation in leisure or cultural activities in the community is difficult to achieve. The registered person, in conjunction with any relevant person (such as a parent or school) should assess what would be safe, achievable and reasonable for each child, in line with their relevant plans, and ensure appropriate opportunities are available for each child to have fun, form friendships and enjoy life, relative to their stage of development and individual needs. (‘Guide

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Recommendations

to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.10)

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 602 South Seventh Street, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK9 2JA

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Inspectors

Kelly Marchmont, Social Care Inspector (lead) Anna Williams, Social Care Compliance Inspector Pete Hylton, Regulatory Inspection Manager Assurance visit report: SC043994 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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Inspectors

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