Children's Home run by Fairfield Residential Limited in Trafford

Assurance visit report: SC387148 1 SC387148

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to five children who may have physical and/or learning disabilities. The home is run by a private company and provides education on site at a registered school.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has a registered manager in place.

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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: SC387148 2

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The care of children

This home provides permanent and shared care for young people who have complex needs and disabilities. A consistent staff team is in place and they understand each young person’s individual needs. This has led to young people and their families developing trusting relationships with staff. A parent said, ‘I am happy with it, my son has come on so much.’

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The care of children

Young people continue to keep in touch with their families. Staff have been creative during lockdown periods in the use of technology and face-to-face contact in open spaces. This has helped to maintain these important relationships for young people.

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The care of children

Young people attend the company school and have continued their education. Staff and teachers work together to ensure that all young people learn and make progress in their education. Outdoor and indoor activities are varied and well planned. Photographs show young people having fun and enjoying themselves.

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The care of children

Young people’s views are gained through various methods of communication and from staff understanding each young person’s gestures and mannerisms. For example, choices of clothing, food, activities, likes and dislikes are well captured. However, a young person’s legal right to have an independent person and befriender has not been championed by staff.

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The care of children

Care planning is much improved as young people’s healthcare needs are better identified and understood by staff. Also, a speech and language therapist provides support and advice when necessary.

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The safety of children

Clear and detailed risk assessments are in place and staff receive regular safeguarding training to enhance their understanding of their duties in protecting young people with disabilities.

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The safety of children

Safeguarding policies and procedures are understood by staff. However, on one occasion, the allegations management process was not followed correctly. Key professionals were not informed of an allegation this was addressed by the manager during the inspection.

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The safety of children

Behaviour management plans are improved and guide staff in managing any challenging behaviour consistently. As a result, behaviour is managed successfully and there are very few physical restraints. Staff are trained in a recognised method of restraint should it be necessary to hold young people to keep them safe.

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The safety of children

Fire safety measures are improved following the requirement from the last inspection. A fire safety assessment has been completed and no further concerns are identified. Health and safety arrangements are, on the whole, effective. However, a bathroom drain cover needs replacing and a bed is awaiting removal Assurance visit report: SC387148 3 from the first-floor landing. These are health and safety hazards to young people and staff. Despite staff’s efforts to address this, the hazards remain.

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The safety of children

A further requirement has been met. Namely, effective safer recruitment practices now help to check that all staff are suitable to work with children. Checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service and obtaining references from employers abroad are part of this process.

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Leaders and managers

This home is managed by an experienced and qualified registered manager. She is supported by a service manager and two senior staff. Together, they have implemented and reviewed young people’s care plans, carefully considering the COVID-19 outbreak and the changing restrictions. Staff clearly understand these plans and implement them appropriately.

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Leaders and managers

A development plan is in place to further improve the standard of care provided. Management audits are regularly undertaken and provide an overview of care practice. However, a serious incident was not notified to professionals, including Ofsted. This was addressed by the manager during the inspection.

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Leaders and managers

External independent visits continue to monitor the progress and well-being of young people and raise actions for improvement. Visits were carried out monthly via video link, which ensured consistent independent oversight during lockdown. The visitor has recently returned to on-site visits.

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Leaders and managers

Relationships with young people’s families are effective. All professionals contacted spoke positively about the staff, the communication with them and the progress that young people make. During restrictions, all meetings with professionals continued in the best interest of young people through video link and telephone calls.

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Leaders and managers

A core team of regular staff provides consistent care for young people. They are working together effectively to maintain this stability during the COVID-19 pandemic. This continuity provided predictability and reassurance to young people and their families.

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Leaders and managers

Staff are suitably qualified or working towards a recognised qualification. They also have regular training, supervision and hands-on support from the manager to keep them up to date on emerging information.

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Leaders and managers

All requirements from the last inspection have been met. A further two are made alongside a recommendation to improve practice further. Assurance visit report: SC387148 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 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

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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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. (Regulation 12 (2)(a)(v) and (d)) 25/10/2020

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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

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 — is instigated; or

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Requirement Due date

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. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 25/10/2020 Assurance visit report: SC387148 5

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff take the initiative in identifying other bodies and organisations that must play a part for children and engage with those relevant bodies proactively, advocating for the children in their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.7). In particular, to gaining the services of an independent visitor.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Fairfield Residential Limited

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Inspectors

Caroline Jones, Social Care Inspector Caroline Bertram, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC387148 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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