Children's Home run by Fairways Care (UK) Limited in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Assurance visit report: SC391708 1 SC391708

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home is operated by a charitable organisation. The charity provides a range of residential, fostering, educational and training services. The home is registered for up to three children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in March 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 22 January 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Sustained 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.

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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. Assurance visit report: SC391708 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

Parents, social workers and an independent reviewing officer spoke well of the care and support the children receive. They say the manager and her team communicate well, are creative with problem-solving and the home the children live in is warm and welcoming. The home’s development plan confirms that further refurbishment work is planned. This includes the replacement of soft furnishings and wall art that will be chosen by the children.

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The care of children

Staff have supported children well during the pandemic to maintain their relationships with family members and friends. As a result of the restrictions imposed by the government, most children stayed in contact with loved ones remotely by using the telephone and video calls. However, one child found this change in contact difficult, despite encouragement and support from staff. Since restrictions have eased, the staff have ensured that, if appropriate to do so, the children have met face to face with family members and friends.

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The care of children

All three children are registered with a school, and their attendance is good. During the COVID-19 lockdown period, the staff made good use of online resources and worksheets provided by the schools in order to support children’s learning. In addition, the staff introduced creative outdoor learning activities, such as scientific experiments, which the children enjoyed.

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The care of children

Children’s views on the care and support they need are sought and included within their outcome-focused care and placement plans. These plans include local authority aims and are reviewed monthly by key workers and the organisation’s therapeutic team. Staff are provided with current and clear guidance about how to meet the children’s needs. Targets to support children’s progression are individualised and age-appropriate. Consequently, children’s progress and achievements are promoted and maximised.

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The care of children

In the main, children’s healthcare needs are identified and met. Those children who need specialist help and support receive it. Medication reviews take place regularly. Despite this good work, the team has not been successful in helping one child to maintain a healthy weight. Menu planning and weekly takeaways do not promote a healthy nutritious diet.

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The safety of children

Since the last inspection, a new child has moved into the home. The manager used the information provided by the placing authority to assess the child’s suitability to live with the two children currently in placement. She spoke with the children and Assurance visit report: SC391708 3 developed a plan to introduce the child into the home. This plan successfully helped the children to adjust to living with each other and helped the new child to settle in her new home. The new child’s independent reviewing officer commented positively about the manager and care team. She said, ‘The staff engagement has been excellent. The staff seem knowledgeable about young people and are motivated to support them. I have been impressed to date.’

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The safety of children

The manager adheres to safer recruitment processes to prioritise the safety and well-being of children. Since the last inspection, the manager has recruited seven new staff. As a result of the COVID-19 restrictions, changes were made to the recruitment procedure. The manager confirmed that all interviews were completed virtually, using social media to support applications. Four of the seven staff recruited have since left employment. The manager has undertaken a review of the recruitment procedures used during the COVID-19 lockdown period and has identified there have been lessons to be learned.

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The safety of children

Children’s behaviour in the main is managed well; incidents resulting in a child being held are rare and only used as a last resort. There have been seven reported physical interventions, and two missing-from-home events since April 2020. Records relating to these incidents are well maintained. Opportunities for the children to discuss the incidents are provided by the local authority and staff in the home. Despite this, to date, neither the child’s social worker nor the staff at the home have been successful in gaining the child’s views about why they went missing.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced to undertake her role. The staff interviewed as part of this assurance visit were full of praise for her. They said, ‘The manager’s support during the COVID-19 lockdown period was excellent.’ They confirmed that a number of core staff had to take extra steps to protect themselves by shielding. This resulted in the manager and deputy covering a lot of shift vacancies themselves, thereby reducing the need for agency staff.

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Leaders and managers

The home’s environment has been redesigned and redecorated. During the COVID- 19 lockdown period, the manager was able to accelerate the development and refurbishment plan, subsequently improving the quality of the environment. The staff who contributed to this assurance visit agreed and said, ‘The improvements have given the children more choices in where they would like to socialise.’ As a result, the home has been able to increase the number of children it can provide care and support for, from two to three children.

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Leaders and managers

The manager utilises formal supervision sessions and team meetings well. Staff are provided with good opportunities to reflect on their practice and celebrate the children’s progress. Training records detail that most staff are compliant with basic mandatory training. Refresher training courses have been prioritised and rescheduled for those staff who were unable to attended refresher training due to COVID-19 restrictions. Assurance visit report: SC391708 4 The manager shares the findings from the independent visitor’s monitoring with the team, and recommendations are taken seriously and implemented. For example, it was noted by the independent visitor that children were given sweet treats as a reward for positive behaviour. This has subsequently been reviewed and a token system introduced.

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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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well- being.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)) 30/11/2020 Assurance visit report: SC391708 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs, and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11). In particular, consider providing updated specialist training in diet and nutrition.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Fairways Care (uk) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fairways Care, Fairways House, Alpha Business Park, Mount Pleasant Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO14 0QB

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Inspector

Sharron Escott, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC391708 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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