Children's home run by Curam Domi Solutions Ltd

Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care and accommodation for up to two young people.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home’s statement of purpose states that the children’s home is for young people who present with challenging behaviours and who are in need of additional support. The home offers short-term and medium- to long-term accommodation.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in April 2019. The current manager started working at the home in September 2020. Ofsted has yet to receive a registered manager’s application.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 7 January 2020

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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:  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. Assurance visit report: 2505172 2

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.

p.2

The care of children

During the pandemic, the home has provided a stable base for children. Staff have helped children to learn more about the children’s own heritage and identity. Children have also become more mature by having the opportunity to further develop their independent living skills.

p.2

The care of children

Children have been encouraged to attend school and participate in online learning and other educational activities at the home. Children have, however, found it hard to engage in formal learning.

p.2

The care of children

Staff have endeavoured to nurture children’s talents and interests. These have included involving children in cooking, baking, gardening, playing board and electronic games, having movie nights and activities involving hair and beauty. A child also enjoyed a young drivers’ event, which was a new experience for them.

p.2

The care of children

Children benefit from positive relationships with staff. Regular key work sessions enable children to have a chance to discuss a wide range of meaningful topics with staff. These conversations have educated children on a range of matters and contributed to their well-being and personal development.

p.2

The care of children

Staff have managed the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic well. This has enabled children to move in and out of the home in a stress-free manner. Children have successfully moved on from the home, for example returning to live with their parent/s.

p.2

The care of children

Children feel able to openly discuss their mental health with staff. Staff ensure that children have access to the professional support that they need. One social worker highlighted how they were ‘impressed’ with the support given to a child during their hospital admission.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff give children clear messages about how to keep themselves safe. The dangers presented by COVID-19 have been discussed with children. Children have also been offered specific online training regarding the virus.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff recognise the negative impact that the pandemic has had on children’s mental health. One child found it difficult during the lockdown period and, on several occasions, they went missing from the home to visit family and friends. Staff have worked consistently with children to help them manage their anxiety. Assurance visit report: 2505172 3 Staff implement an effective system to minimise the risk posed by COVID-19. Procedures include regularly checking the temperatures of all who live and work at the home, frequent hand washing/sanitising and giving masks, gloves and hand gels to children for use when they are leaving the home. Children have even been able to provide masks to their friends to ensure that they can meet safely.

p.2

The safety of children

The home rarely has incidents when children express their emotions in a destructive or challenging way. Staff have not had to physically restrain children, and sanctions are used rarely. Children receive praise and rewards in recognition of their positive behaviour.

p.3

The safety of children

Children are learning to manage their anger and feelings. They have learned to self- regulate, take responsibility for their actions and show remorse. Children are learning to reflect on their behaviour and apologise to staff.

p.3

The safety of children

A risk management system is in place. Safeguarding concerns are appropriately managed. Staff recruitment records, however, do not always include a record of the discussions held regarding gaps in employment or disclosure check results.

p.3

Leaders and managers

During the pandemic, there have been appropriate leadership and management. Feedback from professionals is generally positive. One social worker described staff as ‘very adaptable’. One parent stated that staff did ‘everything to help’ their child.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Children benefit from the effective partnership arrangements with social workers and, where it is appropriate, with parents. Communication concentrates on promoting children’s best interests and keeping all those concerned up to date.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Staff spoken with said that they have felt supported and they have benefited from individual supervisions. There has been an emphasis on the completion of online training. Staff commented that they appreciate the consideration given to their professional development.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The home has a quality assurance system to monitor the quality of care. During the period of lockdown, the monthly visits by an independent person were undertaken remotely. The registered manager also completes a quality of care review; however, this report does not include the views of placing authorities, parents or staff.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Not all the requirements made at the last inspection have been met. Further attention is needed to improve the quality of care reports, staff rotas and staff recruitment records.

p.3

Leaders and managers

This visit also highlighted the need to improve record-keeping. Some records were not dated in full. In addition, children’s weekly summaries and progress reports did not always detail all the meaningful work undertaken. Assurance visit report: 2505172 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 registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.4

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.4

Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.4

Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

p.4

Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32(1)(2)(a)(b)(3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the reason for gaps in employees’ employment and any conversations regarding disclosure check results are recorded. 01/01/2021

p.4

Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home. 01/01/2021 Assurance visit report: 2505172 5 The registered person must—

p.4

Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4;

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date. (Regulation 37(1)(2)(a)(b))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must keep a copy of the actual rosters worked.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (‘a quality of care review’) at least once every 6 months.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

p.5

Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

p.5

Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

p.5

Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (‘the quality of care review report’).

p.5

Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home. 01/01/2021 Assurance visit report: 2505172 6 The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(1)(2)(a)(b)(c)(3)(4)(a)(b)(5))

p.5

Recommendations

 Ensure that where children placed in a home are not participating in education, in the interim the child should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)  Ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful and clear recording (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4). In particular, ensure that weekly summaries and progress reports meaningfully capture all the work undertaken with children. Letters from children and risk assessments should also have the full date and not just the month and year.

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Curam Domi Solutions Ltd

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 86‒90, Paul Street, London, Greater London EC2A 4NE

p.6

Inspector

Sharon Payne, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2505172 7 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.6

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.7

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 http://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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7