Children's Home run by Osei Minkah Care Ltd in Wolverhampton

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1277449 1

p.1

Osei Minkah Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This provider is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children with learning and/or mental disorders. The home is dual registered with the Care Quality Commission.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left in October 2020 and the provider is in the process of recruiting a new manager.

p.1

This monitoring visit

At an assurance visit on 23 and 24 September 2020, serious and widespread concerns were identified in relation to the care and protection of children. As a result of this inspection, and in response to the serious failings found in respect of safeguarding children and the leadership and management of the home, the home’s registration was suspended on 25 September 2020. Eight requirements were raised, five of which were the subject of compliance notices.

p.1

This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit on 3 November 2020 found that managers had complied with the suspension notice. However, managers had not prioritised making the necessary improvements. Consequently, progress was slow and none of the compliance notices or requirements had been met. Eight requirements were remade.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this inspection is to monitor the home’s compliance with the suspension notice and to evaluate progress in meeting the requirements issued at the previous inspection.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Managers have continued to comply with the suspension notice. However, serious and repeated shortfalls in respect of the leadership and management arrangements for the home continue to be evident. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1277449 2 Weak leadership and management mean that there has been a lack of progress in developing, implementing and demonstrating an agreed system for the effective oversight of the quality of care. As a result, there has been insufficient progress in making the required improvements. Inspectors found that six of the eight requirements raised at the previous inspection have not been met.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Inspectors found continued and unnecessary delay by managers in ensuring that allegations made by a young person in September 2020 were reported to the local authority designated officer. Despite being advised of the procedure by the local authority safeguarding team on 6 November 2020, managers failed to make a referral to the local authority designated officer until 9 December 2020. Failure to follow safeguarding procedures in a timely way shows a disregard for the safety of children and continues to place children at risk of abuse from persons in a position of trust.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Managers told inspectors that there was documentation to show that recommendations arising from a management investigation into the poor practice of staff had been actioned. However, evidence of this was not provided during the monitoring visit.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Arrangements for the administration of medication to children remain unsafe. For example, inspectors found managers had differing explanations about arrangements for recording ‘as needed’ medication. Repeated failure to recognise and take action to address vulnerabilities in the system for safe administration of medication poses a risk to children’s.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Managers told the inspectors that an independent visit to the home had taken place in November 2020. However, Ofsted has not received a copy of the report for the November visit. Continued shortfalls in ensuring that the arrangements for independent visits comply with regulation significantly compromise the external oversight of the conduct of the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

No progress has been made in ensuring that records of physical intervention meet regulatory requirements. As a result, it is not clear that managers and staff know how to correctly record restraint incidents.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Managers did not demonstrate that they have taken any action to ensure that there is a clear system in place for staff and managers to notify significant incidents to Ofsted. This does not give the regulator assurance that the necessary arrangements are in place to support external oversight of the safety and welfare of children.

p.2

This monitoring visit

A new shortfall was identified in that managers have failed to follow safer recruitment procedures in recruiting a new member of staff. Managers were unable to evidence an accurate written explanation for all gaps in the person’s employment history. In addition, the responsible individual did not demonstrate that, so far as reasonably practical, the reasons why the person left all previous posts where they were working with children or vulnerable adults had been verified with the employer. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1277449 3 This means that managers have not assured themselves that the person is suitable to work with children. This raises serious concerns about the ability of managers to recruit staff effectively and safeguard children from the risk of harm.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Managers have made improvements to the physical condition of the home. There has been significant redecoration and the home has a warmer and more welcoming feel.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Managers have now completed work to improve their processes to assess the suitability of children to live with each other.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Previous requirements in relation to regulation 12, regulation 13, regulation 23, regulation 35, regulation 40 and regulation 44 were not met. A new shortfall in relation to regulation 32 was identified.

p.3

This monitoring visit

In response to the serious failings found in respect of the leadership and management of the home and the impact of this on children’s safety, the home’s registration was suspended on 17 December 2020.

p.3

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 03/12/2019 Full Inadequate 27/08/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1277449 4

p.3

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.

p.4

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Osei Minkah Care Ltd

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Trilogy Suite, 9 Church Street, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire WV11 1SR

p.4

Inspectors

Alison Cooper, Social Care Inspector James Tallis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1277449 5 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.4

Inspectors

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 . 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.5

Inspectors

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

p.5

Inspectors

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

p.5