Children's home run by Happy Group (UK) Limited

Information about this children’s home

A private company operates and runs the home. The home provides care and accommodation for children and young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced in residential childcare. She became the registered manager of this home when it opened in March 2018.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 11 February 2020

p.1

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).

p.1

Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

p.1

Information about this visit

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

p.1

Information about this visit

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

p.1

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.

p.1

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: 1270393 2

p.1

The care of children

During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have worked creatively and with enthusiasm to ensure that children and young people have continued with their education. The staff worked hard to replicate a typical school day with a combination of formal learning and outdoor activities. Two of the children and young people have produced portfolios of their work, which demonstrates their commitment to learning.

p.2

The care of children

One young person has excelled in her progress towards independence. The positive relationship she has with staff has enabled her to grow in confidence and maturity. The young person’s independent reviewing officer said, ‘[Name of young person] has goals and aspirations, she is ready for semi-independence and ultimately wants her own business.’

p.2

The care of children

Children and young people participate in a wide variety of activities, including football, skateboarding and film nights. This has helped them to develop relationships in the home. Staff have also safely managed holidays and trips to local places of interest. For some children and young people this has been a first-time experience, which they have enjoyed and benefited from.

p.2

The care of children

Contact with friends and family has continued to be promoted during lockdown through video calling and telephone calls. This emphasis on keeping in touch and maintaining family ties means that reunification back to family has been made possible for one young person.

p.2

The safety of children

Where children and young people exhibit challenging behaviours, the staff respond appropriately. Staff have undergone relevant training, and additional training and support is provided to help staff understand the triggers and how best to respond.

p.2

The safety of children

Physical intervention has been used appropriately when children and young people are at risk of harm to themselves or others. Case records show that minimum intervention methods have been applied, such as prompt and guide. This has seen some success in redirecting the children and young people away from harm or to defuse escalating situations. However, not all de-briefs with children and young people are recorded following a physical intervention. This does not help the children and young people to understand why such intervention was required.

p.2

The safety of children

Risk assessments are regularly updated, and strategies identified have helped to mitigate against the risk of harm. For example, staffing ratios have increased to allow more one-to-one support to children and young people where necessary.

p.2

The safety of children

The manager and her deputy have regular consultations and strategy meetings with the placing authority and agency partners. This ensures the individual needs of children and young people are regularly reviewed. Where children’s and young Assurance visit report: 1270393 3 people’s needs change, their care plans are amended and if needed, alternative placements and support services are sought.

p.2

The safety of children

Where allegations against staff are made, these are responded to appropriately by the management team. However, on at least one occasion, an allegation made by a child was not reported to Ofsted. A failure to share information with all relevant professionals compromises the safety and welfare of children and young people.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The registered manager recently became absent from the home. The responsible individual has taken prompt action to investigate and address this issue to ensure the children, young people and the staff continue to be supported by the deputy manager.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Staff spoken to report that they feel well supported by the leadership team. When the children’s and young people’s behaviour has been challenging, the manager or the deputy have attended the home to offer support. On many occasions, this has helped to settle the children and young people.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Matching between children and young people is not consistently effective. This resulted in an escalation in negative behaviour and a placement disruption.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The manager, her deputy and the staff work proactively and collaboratively within a multi-agency context. There is a sense of shared ownership and accountability with other professionals. As a result, some children and young people have made measurable progress relative to their starting points and time at this home.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The manager and the responsible individual take complaints seriously. Complaints from neighbours relating to the children’s and young people’s behaviour are well managed. Reconciliation with members of the community and restorative discussions with the children and young people has resolved some of the concerns. This approach has given a greater understanding of the needs and expectations of all parties.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Internal and external monitoring reports offer a lot of detail and provide analysis of the quality of care that the children and young people receive. However, there is a lack of consultation to gather the views of the children and young people, relatives and professionals. This does not help leaders to understand whether the quality of care provided by the home results in improved outcomes for the children and young people. Assurance visit report: 1270393 4

p.3

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.

p.4

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—

p.4

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.4

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child.

p.4

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(c)) 30/10/2020

p.4

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.4

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose.

p.4

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)) 30/10/2020 Assurance visit report: 1270393 5 The registered person must ensure that—

p.4

Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

p.5

Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

p.5

Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

p.5

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

p.5

Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

p.5

Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure ("the user"), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

p.5

Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

p.5

Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

p.5

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure.

p.5

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)) 30/10/2020

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— 30/10/2020 Assurance visit report: 1270393 6 a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

p.6

Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny of the home and make best use of information from independent and internal monitoring (including under regulations 44 and 45) to ensure continuous improvement. They should be skilled in anticipating difficulties and reviewing incidents, such as learning from disruptions and placement breakdowns. They are responsible for proactively implementing lessons learned and sustaining good practice. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards, page 55 paragraph 10.24)

p.6

Recommendations

In particular, the independent visitor needs to ensure every effort is made to consult with children, parents and professionals, and use this information to inform on the quality of care. Assurance visit report: 1270393 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Happy Group (UK) Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: West Walk House, 99 Princess Road East, Leicester, Leicestershire LE1 7LF

p.7

Inspector

Cath Sikakana, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 1270393 8 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8