Children's Home run by Sunflower Children Care Services in Leicestershire

Assurance visit report: SC449099 1 SC449099

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately-owned children’s home. It accommodates three children and young people. The home offers care and accommodation to children and young people who display challenging behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 12 February 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Improved effectiveness

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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 identified no serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC449099 2

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The care of children

Children continue to develop and make progress. Education arrangements support academic progress. Staff understand and respond well to children’s health needs. These factors have provided a basis of stability.

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The care of children

Staff have ensured that children take part in a range of fun and stimulating activities. Despite the pandemic restrictions, children have enjoyed the summer holidays. Activities and free time are risk assessed. This means staff and children are clear about boundaries, expectations and how to keep safe.

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The care of children

Children enjoy family contact. All contact arrangements are in line with care plans and monitored by social workers. This has meant that children can maintain and develop relationships with family members.

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The care of children

Staff have endeavoured to manage a child’s particularly complex, self-injurious and suicidal behaviours. These behaviours escalated in recent months. Due to the pandemic, limited mental health services were available to meet the child’s therapeutic needs. Staff do not have the necessary depth of therapeutic training to confidently address these behaviours. Managers and the staff team collaborated effectively with the placing authority. This ensured that the child moved to a suitable therapeutic home.

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The care of children

The interior of the home is undergoing a programme of improvement. One child said: ‘I love my new bedroom.’ However, bedroom door alarms are used for all children. This is not always necessary or proportionate.

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The safety of children

Children are safe in this home and say they feel safe. For some children, risk-taking behaviours have significantly reduced. There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home. This is positive in reducing the risk of children being exploited.

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The safety of children

The new manager identified isolated incidents of poor staff safeguarding practice. She notified the designated safeguarding officer and appropriate safeguarding practitioners. Staff members were immediately suspended, pending investigations. These actions demonstrate a strong safeguarding culture and ensure that children receive care from skilled residential staff.

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The safety of children

Staff have a comprehensive package of training. Training ensures that staff understand individual safeguarding needs. Staff have the skills and knowledge to provide safe care for children.

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The safety of children

Strong partnership work with the police has underpinned children’s safety. Staff communicate clear expectations of children’s behaviours. This means that children do not put themselves at risk. Effective practice minimises the risk of criminal or sexual exploitation. Assurance visit report: SC449099 3 When children have raised safeguarding concerns, managers have responded appropriately. They have followed all local safeguarding procedures and communicated effectively with the designated safeguarding officer. Investigations are rigorous and detailed.

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Leaders and managers

Leadership and management arrangements have changed since the last inspection.

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Leaders and managers

A new manager and responsible individual are in post. The manager has applied for registration with Ofsted. This is likely to provide sound managerial oversight to improve the operation of the home.

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Leaders and managers

The management team uses a range of monitoring systems to promote continual improvement. Extensive internal monitoring highlights areas of strength and potential improvement.

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Leaders and managers

The independent visitor provides a rigorous analysis of the home and its effectiveness. Their monthly reports demonstrate objectivity and clarity about areas that could be improved.

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Leaders and managers

There have been several staffing changes since the last inspection. The newly configured staff and management team has a shared vision to ensure all children benefit from the best possible care.

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Leaders and managers

Partnership arrangements with professionals are largely very positive. Social care professionals report high levels of satisfaction with the quality of care. However, failures to communicate effectively with one stakeholder resulted in concerns.

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Leaders and managers

The exterior of the home requires some upgrading. This was raised in a recommendation at the full inspection in April 2019. The home would benefit from work to ensure a safe entrance path. In addition, the mature trees and extensive garden require attention to ensure a safe environment for children.

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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. Assurance visit report: SC449099 4

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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

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health.

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Requirement Due date

With particular reference to the unsafe paving/approach to the front door and the maintenance of the trees and garden areas. 02/10/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

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Requirement Due date

the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance;

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Requirement Due date

so far as reasonably practicable in the light of the child’s age and understanding, the child is informed in advance of the intention to do the monitoring or surveillance; and

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d)) 02/10/2020

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Recommendations

 Registered persons have a key role in seeking to develop the home’s effective working relationships with each child’s placing authority and with other relevant persons which may include services, individuals (including parents), agencies, organisations and establishments that work with children in the local community, e.g. education providers (regulation 5 – engaging with the wider system to ensure children’s needs are met). These working relationships will also be key to success in delivering the care planning standard (regulation 14). (Guide to the Regulations including the Quality Standards, page 52, paragraph 10.3) Assurance visit report: SC449099 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Quantum Care UK Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fifth Floor, 80 Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UD

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Inspector

Amanda Ellis, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC449099 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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Inspector

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