Children's home run by Potensial Limited

Assurance visit report: SC489820 1 SC489820

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is operated by an independent national company. The home is registered for up to four young people who may have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted to manage this home in February 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 15 January 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:  children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership. 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. Assurance visit report: SC489820 2

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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.

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The care of children

Children are well cared for at this home. Children say that they like living here and that they like the staff. At the time of this assurance visit, the inspector observed warm and nurturing care and support. Children say that they feel listened to and that they would speak to the staff if they had any worries or concerns.

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The care of children

During the lockdown period, a child moved into the home. Leaders and managers ensured that an effective and robust process was followed. As a result of this, the child experienced a sensitive and well-planned move. The child has settled in very well and is enjoying living here.

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The care of children

Throughout the lockdown period, staff continued to support and help children to appropriately and safely spend time with their family members. This included the use of video calls and face-to-face meetings.

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The care of children

Some children found the lockdown period difficult and frustrating. However, staff provided children with a wide range of activities in the home and in the local community, while adhering to government guidelines. This included visits to attraction parks and the beach, picnics and garden activities.

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The care of children

Staff provide children with effective support and encouragement to continue to attend school. When children find school challenging, staff work in partnership with the child’s school and placing authority to ensure positive outcomes for the child.

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The safety of children

Children are kept safe at this home and the children told the inspector that they feel safe. This is echoed by the children’s social workers, who have not raised any concerns about the children’s safety and well-being. Children have a good awareness and understanding of matters relating to COVID-19 and the importance of handwashing, social distancing and the wearing of masks.

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The safety of children

Staff have the skills to support children to manage their emotions and feelings. However, during the lockdown period incidents in the home increased. Staff responded effectively to these and Ofsted was notified of significant incidents. More recently, there has been a significant reduction of incidents. The registered manager continues to monitor and evaluate these effectively.

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The safety of children

Restraint is used as a last resort to keep children safe. The vast majority of interventions are low-level. Generally, the records relating to incidents and the use of restraint are detailed and well recorded. However, not all incidents of restraint include the actual time and duration of the intervention used. In addition, records Assurance visit report: SC489820 3 are not kept of the discussions that are held with children and staff following an incident, or the use of restraint. This does not demonstrate that children’s views of the incident have been taken into account, and whether staff have learned lessons in order to improve their practice. The use of restraint has reduced in recent weeks.

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The safety of children

Staff are provided with risk assessments that provide them with detailed information about how to identify, manage and lessen risks. Staff have a good awareness and understanding of the risks and take effective action to keep children safe. Social workers say that they are informed and regularly updated about incidents in the home.

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The safety of children

Children have not been missing from the home and there have not been any referrals made to the designated officer or children’s services. Staff have a good understanding of child protection procedures.

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Leaders and managers

This home is managed effectively by a permanent and well-qualified registered manager. He has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses and responds effectively to recommendations made by the independent visitor.

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Leaders and managers

Staff place the children at the centre of their care. Staff spoken to as part of the assurance visit spoke highly of the support that they receive from the registered manager. In addition, they say that they feel valued and listened to.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager responds sensitively and effectively when children express a wish to live somewhere else. He acts in the best interests of the child and ensures that the child’s voice is heard, and works in partnership with the child’s placing authority to explore alternatives.

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Leaders and managers

Feedback from social workers about the quality of care is positive. Social workers say that they are regularly updated and that the communication with the staff is good.

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Leaders and managers

Staff are provided with detailed support plans that give clear guidance on how the children’s needs are to be met. These are regularly reviewed and updated. Staff have a thorough understanding of the children’s needs.

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Leaders and managers

The recommendation that was made at the interim inspection has been met. As a result of this, the registered manager now keeps an accessible record relating to the use of consequences in the home. Assurance visit report: SC489820 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

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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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—

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Requirement Due date

the time of the measure and its duration;

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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”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure;

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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. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(iii)(iv)(b)(i) and (c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that discussions that are held with children and staff following an incident or the use of restraint are recorded. 30/11/2020 Assurance visit report: SC489820 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Potens, 68 Grange Road West, Birkenhead CH41 4DB

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Bettina Jeppesen

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Inspector

David Kidner, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC489820 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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