Children's Home run by Bryn Melyn Care Limited in Shropshire

Assurance visit report: SC372661 1 SC372661

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person who has a variety of challenging behaviours and complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a registered manager in post who is also managing another home. The registered manager holds a level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

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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:  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: SC372661 2

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The care of children

Since the last inspection, one child has lived in this home and successfully completed a planned move to family before moving into her own home. Another child moved into this home during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Inspectors found that children have extremely positive experiences moving in and out of this home.

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The care of children

A social worker described to inspectors how carers went above and beyond to facilitate a successful transition process for a child. This child learned skills including budgeting and meal planning. Carers transported the child to her home area and stayed locally to provide additional support, if required, while she visited her family. Carers were instrumental in helping family relationships develop. This has been crucial for continuing support now that the child is living independently. The inspectors spoke to this child, who states that she is missing carers but confirmed that she is happy living on her own. She maintains regular telephone contact with carers, who continue to give her the confidence and encouragement to succeed.

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The care of children

A new child has moved into the home and her social worker reports progress in terms of her behaviour and education attendance. Despite COVID-19 localised restrictions on face-to-face contact remaining, the child rings her mother weekly. Her mother told inspectors that her daughter plays her keyboard for her during their phone calls, which she loves to hear. Other plans for video calls have not yet been implemented.

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The care of children

Children develop good relationships with carers, who they trust. The inspectors observed carers reassuring a child after school and positive interactions with children who have previously lived, and currently live, in this home.

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The care of children

Children living in this home have been able to keep a pet and participate in a range of hobbies and days out. This helps children to settle and enjoy continuing to participate in activities that they take pleasure in, as well as having new experiences which help them to grow in confidence.

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The care of children

Children attend a school operated by the provider, and they are supported in the classroom by carers if necessary. Children continued to attend school during COVID- 19 restrictions. The child living in this home told inspectors that she loves school. She has made friends, who she is planning, with carers, to invite home for tea. This child is making significant progress as she previously found the structure of school days difficult to manage.

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The care of children

Carers ensure that children have access to a doctor, dentist and optician. They also seek further specialist support to address children’s physical and emotional health. This has included seeking COVID-19 advice when carers have been concerned about a child who was unwell.

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The care of children

Carers make positive memories for children. The child who has left was delighted with the album of photos she received. She will be able to reflect and remember her achievements while living at the home. Photos of walks getting to know the local Assurance visit report: SC372661 3 area during COVID-19 lockdown, and days out to the beach when restrictions were lifted, provide further memories of how a child has successfully managed moving into this home during a challenging time.

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The safety of children

At the last inspection, inspectors raised shortfalls in children engaging in activities away from the home which were not risk assessed. The registered manager now provides clear guidance to carers, who are familiar with risk assessments for activities away from the home, such as horse riding.

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The safety of children

Carers were also not following individual behaviour support plans. The inspectors were satisfied that the registered manager has addressed this shortfall. Children living in this home have behaviour support plans which are unique to their needs. One child has told carers about her fears at night, and the registered manager has made specific adaptations to meet her needs. This ensures that the child feels safe and able to sleep. When talking to carers, the inspectors felt reassured that carers knew children’s plans and how to implement them.

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The safety of children

At the last inspection, inspectors found that carers were using holds which were not proportionate and approved within the restraint model used. During this assurance visit, the inspectors found that carers have not used any physical interventions. The registered manager promotes a therapeutic ethos within the home, and carers support children to use strategies such as a self-soothe box when they feel upset. The COVID-19 restrictions have provided an opportunity for carers to receive bespoke, rather than provider-wide, refresher training. This has helped carers to discuss more specific responses which have increased their confidence in helping children to de-escalate safely when they are angry and upset.

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The safety of children

Children living in this home seldom place themselves at risk of harm. This demonstrates that they feel settled and secure. There have been a small number of occasions when children have self-harmed. Children have access to psychological support, and carers receive clinical guidance. This external overview helps to assess children and their care needs in order to keep them safe. Carers monitor children closely and update their risk assessments.

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The safety of children

Carers use natural consequences on the rare occasions that children display inappropriate behaviour. Carers regularly praise children and write positive comments about how they have managed specific situations in a daily praise book. This is an example of how the carers communicate to reinforce children’s achievements. One child displayed symptoms associated with COVID-19 and staff supported her while she was tested. Children feel reassured and know that carers act in their best interests to keep them safe and well. Assurance visit report: SC372661 4

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Leaders and managers

At the last inspection, inspectors found shortfalls in management oversight, training, responding to complaints or feedback from children, and continuity of care. Inspectors found that all of the requirements made have been met.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager provides excellent promotion of the ethos of the home to carers. She delivers clear guidance and supports her staff by reviewing and updating individual care plans and risk assessments. The registered manager also completes regular audits to oversee the operation of the home.

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Leaders and managers

Carers receive high-quality supervisions and annual appraisals which include opportunities for reflection and professional growth. Carers spoke to the inspectors about feeling valued in their roles. They have clear guidance and work together to plan care in advance of a shift. This promotes children having structure to their day and planned positive experiences.

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Leaders and managers

Children receive consistent and stable care. There is a vacancy for a carer in this home, and the COVID-19 restrictions have delayed recruitment. However, carers have worked additional shifts, and occasional relief has been provided by the same member of staff from the registered manager’s other home. Limiting changes in care provision helps children to develop more significant relationships and trust in carers.

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Leaders and managers

There have been no complaints during this period. The registered manager collects regular feedback from children, their families and stakeholders. This enables the registered manager to include the child’s voice within individual care plans, quality of service review reports and in the development of the home.

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Leaders and managers

Carers are appropriately qualified and trained to meet the needs of children that they care for. A psychologist and clinical team provide therapeutic guidance which further increases the understanding and skills of carers to meet the needs of children living in this home. The registered manager oversees the implementation of this guidance to ensure that care provided follows the ethos of the home and that children are safe and well cared for.

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Recommendations

 Appropriate forms of contact should be promoted and facilitated for each child, including where appropriate visits to the child in the home; visits by the child to relatives and/or friends; letters, emails and texts; use of social media and other forms of contact via the internet. (Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards paragraph 11.18, page 58) Assurance visit report: SC372661 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bryn Melyn Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Bryn Melyn House, 3 Hawksworth Road, Central Park, Telford, Shropshire TF2 9TU

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Inspectors

Joanna Warburton, Social Care Inspector Jodie Lewis, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC372661 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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