Children's home run by Active Ark Limited

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children or young people, irrespective of gender, who have social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home’s registered manager resigned her position in August 2020. A new manager has been recruited and is currently being checked and vetted before starting work in the home. It is anticipated that the manager will then apply to register with Ofsted.

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. Assurance visit report: 1263126 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

Currently, there is still only one young person living at this home. For her, this has been a very positive placement and her longest to date. Her social worker commented, ‘Overall, the placement has had periods of stability, then some deterioration. However, those stability periods are becoming much longer.’

p.2

The care of children

Despite the young person’s placing authority initially seeking a secure placement to meet her needs, she has successfully found stability at this home and made some positive relationships with staff.

p.2

The care of children

The young person’s social worker commented, ‘Staff show her unconditional positive regard. They have never rejected her despite the threats she makes against them and the damage she sometimes causes to the home.’

p.2

The care of children

Staff eagerly support the young person’s learning and those opportunities for her to gain more independence. Prior to the national lockdown, the young person showed her skill and creative talents during a work placement with a florist. This was a very positive experience and increased her self-confidence and self-worth.

p.2

The care of children

Staff have persisted in trying to promote formal education. However, the young person has struggled in a classroom setting. Staff have exhausted all alternative provision, but now have the young person engaged with a local career management and personal development organisation to provide support for her through to independence. The young person’s social worker commented, ‘I can’t fault the staff. They have really tried to encourage her education and learning.’

p.2

The care of children

The young person has been able to resume and enjoy visits home to see her parents and siblings. During national lockdown, these visits were replaced with frequent telephone and video calls. Although recognising that being isolated from family and friends was difficult, the young person coped with this quite well.

p.2

The care of children

Staff ensured that the young person was kept well informed about COVID-19. She was kept up-to-date daily with government advice and restrictions as they were announced. Sharing this information sensitively ensured that the seriousness of the situation was understood, without causing unnecessary anxiety.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff understand how to manage risk and keep young people safe. Comprehensive risk assessment practice and planning ensure that the young person’s safety is suitably prioritised. Assurance visit report: 1263126 3 The young person has a clear grasp of the issues and concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Regular discussions with staff, and media coverage, have helped the young person understand the risks to herself, staff and family. She understands how the virus is transmitted and the risks for those more vulnerable.

p.2

The safety of children

Prior to coming to the home, the young person had a substantial history of going missing from care. Since her move to the home, incidents of her being missing, and the associated risks when missing, have significantly declined.

p.3

The safety of children

During the national lockdown, there were some incidents of challenging behaviour and damage caused to the home. Staff appreciated the young person’s frustration with spending much of her time indoors. Staff provided creative activities, such as baking and redecorating her bedroom, to reduce the boredom.

p.3

The safety of children

Staff favour the use of incentives to encourage positive behaviour. Sanctions have been proved to staff to have limited effect with this young person. Restraint practice has not been deemed necessary. Staff view this practice as detrimental to their relationships with the young person but would use it as a last resort. Staff have instead used their skill in de-escalating situations consistently to avoid the need for restraint, which could cause someone to be injured.

p.3

The safety of children

Good hygiene practice and the use of social distancing is evident in this home to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 virus transmission.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The registered manager unexpectedly resigned from this home in August 2020. However, the company has made interim arrangements to cover the manager’s post and has recruited a new manager who is yet to start.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Current interim management arrangements are working well. A registered manager from a sister home close by is providing management support to the home, in conjunction with the responsible individual. A member of staff, acting as deputy manager, is overseeing day-to-day arrangements in the home and reporting to the interim manager and responsible individual.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Staff say they feel well supported but are naturally looking forward to the new manager’s arrival. Currently their supervision is being provided by the responsible individual and interim manager. Staff say they have been able to keep up with online training and all have completed essential training on infection control and COVID-19- related stress management.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Managers have plans constantly under review, to take account of the changing circumstances and government advice concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff safety remains a key concern for senior management. As a contingency, the company has enough casual staff over and above core teams to cover any sickness. Assurance visit report: 1263126 4 At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic those staff with underlying health concerns were identified and able to shield at home. They had access to the company online computer system which enabled them to keep up to date with the young person’s progress. One staff member explained that this was important to her and made returning to work so much easier, especially after months at home.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been met. However, monthly visits from the home’s independent person, despite the availability of electronic means, have not been maintained and reports have not reached Ofsted within the required timescale. In addition, the manager’s six-monthly review report was completed but not sent to Ofsted. This reduces transparency between the home and Ofsted. Accordingly, requirements are made to deal with these shortfalls.

p.4

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 ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether— children are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

p.4

Requirement Due date

If the independent person becomes aware of a potential conflict of interest (whether under regulation 43(3) or otherwise) after a visit to the home, the independent person must include in the independent person’s report— details of the conflict of interest; and the reasons why the independent person did not notify the registered provider of the conflict of interest before the visit.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to— HMCI; upon request, the local authority for the area in which the home is located; the placing authorities of children; the registered provider and, if applicable, the registered manager; and 14/12/2020 Assurance visit report: 1263126 5 the responsible individual (if one is nominated). (Regulation 44 (1)(4)(a)(b)(6)(a)(b)(7)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e))

p.4

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. The registered person must— 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 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. (Regulation 45 (1)(4)(a)(b)) 14/12/2020

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Active Ark, Unit E, Baron Way, Kingmoor Business Park, Carlisle CA6 4SJ

p.5

Inspector

Gillian Walters, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 1263126 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.

p.5

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.6

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.6

Inspector

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

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6