Children's home run by All Round Care Limited

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person irrespective of gender. The home specialises in caring for young people who have been or who are experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: Not previously inspected

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Not previously inspected

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: 2575432 2

p.1

Findings from the visit

We identified the following serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit:  Risk-taking behaviours are not effectively minimised to keep the young person safe from harm. The young person continues to go missing from care and there are ongoing concerns in regard to sexual exploitation.  The young person’s progress in education and health is significantly compromised, due to continued risk-taking behaviour and a lack of engagement in the care plan.  The young person’s placement move has been significantly delayed, despite the manager and staff accepting that the placement is inappropriate and unsafe for the young person.

p.2

The care of children

An urgent on-site visit took place on 25 August 2020 in response to a notification received by Ofsted that indicated potential concerns about staff actions in response to a serious incident of the young person going missing from care and being at risk of sexual exploitation. Requirements were made following this visit to improve risk management plans in the home.

p.2

The care of children

This visit found that despite improvements to risk management plans and strategies to increase the staffing levels, risks around the young person remain high.

p.2

The care of children

The young person’s progress is significantly compromised by her frequent risk-taking behaviour and her unwillingness to engage with her care plan. The young person is not attending education. Staff have tried to encourage this, however, a lack of daily routine, going missing incidents and fluctuating sleep pattern mean that the young person often stays in bed during the day. This does not support a return or re- engagement with education. Consequently, her future learning, training and employment opportunities may be affected.

p.2

The care of children

Despite staff efforts, the young person’s health outcomes are not achieved. For example, a poor diet, alcohol misuse, irregular sleep pattern and refusal to attend health appointments all contribute to unknown and poor health outcomes. Staff have completed direct work with the young person around areas of health and well- being such as healthy relationships, nutrition and alcohol misuse. This has not had a great effect in changing negative and damaging behaviours.

p.2

The care of children

Staff provide the young person with a welcoming home and nurturing care. They have tried hard to build a positive relationship with the young person and support her to try a wide range of activities. This approach has some success, but the staff are struggling to consistently positively influence the young person’s behaviour. Assurance visit report: 2575432 3 Staff have encouraged the young person to personalise her bedroom and make choices with regard to her daily care. Staff listen to the young person’s views and opinions. From observations by the inspector, it is clear that she is relaxed and comfortable in the home environment.

p.2

The safety of children

The young person regularly goes missing from the home and is at risk of sexual exploitation. Alcohol misuse is also a key factor in risk-taking behaviour. Despite staff efforts to combat this, the risks remain constant. Risk management plans have been strengthened and staffing levels have been increased. However, these measures have not been successful in reducing the risk of harm to the young person.

p.3

The safety of children

Staff are proactive and search the local area and build up information to share with the appropriate professionals to locate the young person when she is missing from care. Staff also try different strategies to disrupt damaging relationships, such as taking the young person away from the area on holiday. Multi-agency professionals, including the police, are complimentary of the efforts of staff during these incidents.

p.3

The safety of children

Independent return home interviews are undertaken by the local authority. Information provided by such interviews is appropriately shared with the staff to inform future planning.

p.3

The safety of children

There have been no incidents of restrictive physical intervention. Staff have a system of positive reinforcement and incentives to moderate behaviour. The staff are trained in a recognised method of restraint should it be necessary to hold young people to keep them safe.

p.3

The safety of children

The provider has made the decision that they are unable to keep the young person safe and notice is served on the placement. The young person was informed that her placement was ending and she was taken to visit a new placement. However, this plan was then not progressed by the local authority. This has created uncertainty and anxieties for the young person.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The registered manager is suitably qualified. She has managed the home since it was registered with Ofsted in April 2020. The manager is available and accessible to both the young person and the staff team. Staff report that they feel supported and can approach the manager for advice and guidance.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Staff benefit from regular supervision and team meetings. There are sufficient numbers of staff working in the home. Staff are suitably qualified or working towards a recognised qualification. Also, staff have attended training specific to young people’s needs. This enhances their knowledge and skills.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Care planning has not been effective in meeting the needs of the young person. Risk-taking behaviours, such as going missing from care and sexual exploitation, Assurance visit report: 2575432 4 have continued. The manager has raised concerns with the placing authority about the safety of the young person. However, this has not progressed any further.

p.3

Leaders and managers

External independent monitoring continues to review the welfare of young people to drive improvements. Management audits are regularly undertaken and provide an overview of care practice. The manager continues to review young people’s care plans, considering the COVID-19 outbreak and the changing restrictions. Staff understand these plans and implement them appropriately.

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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff—

p.4

Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)) 30 December 2020

p.4

Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that— the health and well-being needs of children are met;

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff help each child to—

p.4

Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)) 30 December 2020 Assurance visit report: 2575432 5 The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff—

p.5

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, considering information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)) 30 December 2020

p.5

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.5

Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)) 30 December 2020

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6 Renwick Square, Ashton-In-Makerfield, Wigan, Lancashire WN4 9NF

p.5

Inspector

Caroline Jones, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2575432 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