Children's home run by Portsmouth City Council

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC037762 1 SC037762

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Portsmouth City Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The local authority operates this home. The home is now registered to care for up to five children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The aim of the home is to provide stable and consistent care to children in need of medium- to long-term placements.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2011.

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This monitoring visit

This home was inspected in September 2020. Serious and widespread concerns were identified, and a compliance notice was issued. This was in relation to how the risk of harm was managed in the home. The purpose of this monitoring visit was to ascertain whether the compliance notice, and other requirements from the inspection, had been met.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager is currently not working in the home. An interim manager is in place and has implemented positive changes. Some of these changes are not yet fully embedded. However, appropriate actions have been taken to meet the requirements from the last inspection. For example, there is a better focus on children’s health, and support is given to children who may need support in accessing specialist healthcare provision. Medication processes have improved and there are better systems in place to monitor and manage the administration of medicines. Regular checks by managers highlight any issues or concerns. There has been one medication incident since the last inspection which was swiftly responded to and appropriate actions were taken.

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This monitoring visit

Risk management plans are now clearer and identify all known risks for children. These plans are reviewed at least monthly with updates clearly recorded. Staff are clear in how to provide safe care to children. Regular team meetings focus on identifying and responding to risk factors. Additional training has been put in place Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC037762 2 for the staff team. The responsible individual and children’s social workers have agreed the content of risk management plans. The compliance notice has been met. However, the manager has not yet considered seeking the views of other professionals. This needs to be developed to ensure that all professionals are involved in identifying risk factors for children.

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This monitoring visit

There has been progress since the last inspection. For instance, the frequency of incidents is reducing and input from senior managers and the interim manager has started to take effect. Staffing levels are consistent and any incidents of children going missing are responded to quickly and effectively. Improvements have been made to the six-monthly manager’s reports, although this report has not yet been fully completed or sent to Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

Although there has been progress, some areas still require attention. Staff training records show that most of the required training is up to date. However, the manager was unable to confirm which staff are in date with their behaviour management training. This means that there is the potential that staff have not had their skills and knowledge refreshed or reviewed and that this, in turn, may have an impact on their ability to provide consistent care to children. Some areas of the home are institutionalised, and a child’s bedroom has offensive graffiti on the wall.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 11/03/2020 Full Inadequate 03/01/2019 Full Good 19/10/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 06/06/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC037762 3

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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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(c)) 15/01/2021

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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. In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating— the quality of care provided for children; the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. 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"). The registered person must— supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report

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Requirement Due date

within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and 15/01/2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC037762 4 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. The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c)(3)(4)(a)(b)(5))

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Recommendations

 Beyond local authorities, there are other people, bodies and organisations that have responsibilities towards children in children’s homes. Many of these are referenced specifically in the Regulations and Guide. They might include health and education services, Local Safeguarding Children Boards, leaving care services, IROs, voluntary agencies, the police and youth offending teams. This list is not exhaustive. The important thing is that homes take the initiative in identifying others who must play a part for their children and engage with those relevant people proactively, advocating for the children in their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulation including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.7)  For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety

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Recommendations

legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulation including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC037762 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Portsmouth City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Portsmouth City Council, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth PO1 2EA

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Inspectors

Pete Hylton, regulatory inspection manager Jill Sephton-Wright, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC037762 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

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

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