Children's Home run by Bromley Healthcare Community Interest Company in Bromley

Assurance visit report: SC474543 1 SC474543

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a healthcare organisation and provides short breaks for up to 12 children at a time, aged from five to 18 years. In its statement of purpose, the provider states that care is provided for children who have a variety of needs, including complex health care needs, autism, physical and/or learning disabilities and/or challenging behaviour.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in October 2006. The current manager started working at the home in October 2020. Ofsted is awaiting a completed registered manager’s application.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 14 August 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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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:

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Information about this visit

 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: SC474543 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

The home has been closed for short breaks since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite not being able to offer overnight stays, children benefited from the creative bespoke day-care options. A local authority senior manager highlighted that although it has been a very challenging period for families, they are appreciative that outreach support has been provided.

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The care of children

Children have enjoyed day care in the building since 27 October 2020. During the assurance visit children were observed to be very comfortable in their surroundings. They enjoyed trips out in the community and they were also engaged in individual activities within the home.

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The care of children

Parents and senior managers highlight how invaluable the service is for families. There is a desperate need for the service to reopen for overnight breaks. Parents praise the care given to their children and they also appreciate the emotional support staff provide to them.

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The care of children

Children benefit from positive relationships with staff. Children enjoy a range of activities within the home and out in the community. A parent and a staff member highlight the need for some new toys to be purchased for children.

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The care of children

Children benefit from the improved care planning. Their individual plans are written with an emphasis on their voice. These plans clearly outline how children wish to be cared for and the targets they wish to work on.

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The care of children

Leaders and managers understand the importance of ensuring the service is making a positive difference to children’s lives. A new format has been introduced to measure children’s progress on their identified goals. Staff also have clear guidance on how to deliver personal care which promotes children’s welfare and protects their privacy.

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The safety of children

During the closure of the service there has been a determined effort to ensure the building is safe to provide overnight breaks. This health and safety work is ongoing. It is hoped fire safety works will be completed by mid-November.

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The safety of children

Parents confirm that they feel their children are safe at the home. Staff have an effective system to minimise the risk posed to children by COVID-19. Procedures include checking temperatures, frequent handwashing/sanitising and the wearing of personal protective equipment. Assurance visit report: SC474543 3 There have been improvements in health and safety practices. For example, plastic gloves are no longer easily accessible to children. Restraint records are appropriately maintained. Staff have appropriate training, which enables them to safely care for and safeguard children.

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The safety of children

A risk management system is in place. The updating of policies also helps staff positively manage children’s behaviour. Staff also have a policy regarding covertly administering medication.

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The safety of children

Guidance confirms that relationships between staff and children must be based on mutual respect, understanding and clear professional and personal boundaries. Staff are trained in positive behavioural strategies, which are designed to reduce anxiety, risk and the need for physical interventions.

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Leaders and managers

During the ongoing pandemic, there has been appropriate leadership and management. Leaders and managers have demonstrated creativity in providing a day-care service for children. Parents describe the service as ‘a life saver’ and ‘a blessing’.

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Leaders and managers

The service has recently employed a highly experienced and qualified nurse to manage the service. An assistant manager post has also been introduced to further strengthen the management arrangements. Both individuals demonstrate a passion to improve the service children receive.

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Leaders and managers

Staff spoken with said that they feel supported. Leaders and managers have ensured that the mental health of staff is appropriately considered. Staff benefit from access to a counselling service and specific support related to their individual circumstances.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers commend the resilience and flexibility of staff. Prior to the provision of day care, staff were redeployed. There has also been an emphasis on the completion of online mandatory training.

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Leaders and managers

As the short-break service is currently suspended, the independent person has not been conducting monthly monitoring visits. The responsible individual has, however, provided Ofsted with an update regarding the service.

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Leaders and managers

The majority of the requirements made at the last inspection have been met. Further attention is needed to ensure the statement of purpose reflects current safeguarding guidance. The home’s quality of care review does not yet include the views of children, parents, staff or placing authorities. Assurance visit report: SC474543 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

The registered person must— keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b)) In particular, the statement of purpose must refer to the latest version of ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’. 01/02/2021

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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.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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’). 01/02/2021 Assurance visit report: SC474543 5 The registered person must—

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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

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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.

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Requirement Due date

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))

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure appropriate opportunities are available for each child to have fun, relative to their stage of development and individual needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 32, paragraph 6.10) In particular, provide a greater range of new toys.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bromley Healthcare Community Interest Company

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Central Court, 1 Knoll Rise, Orpington BR6 0JA

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Inspector

Sharon Payne, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC474543 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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