Children's home run by Potton Homes Limited in Greenwich

Assurance visit report: SC393940 1 SC393940

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides residential care for up to five children aged from eight to 17 who have a diagnosed learning disability.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 15 October 2019

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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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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

Ofsted conducted a monitoring visit on 11 November 2020. Following that visit, Ofsted served two compliance notices. At this visit, the provider’s progress in meeting the compliance notices was monitored. The provider has met the steps that Assurance visit report: SC393940 2 were set out in both compliance notices. The manager and responsible individual have worked hard to address the shortfalls and improve the environment and monitoring systems. Two requirements have been raised following this visit.

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The care of children

There are five children living at the home. Since April 2020, one child has moved into the home for short-term respite care.

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The care of children

The children have a range of complex diagnoses and associated learning difficulties. Most of the children require routine-based care and find transitions and change difficult. The staff have been adept at maintaining the children’s routines throughout the national restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The staff have been creative and proactive in finding outdoor activities that capture the children’s interests. These activities kept the children busy and stimulated during the national lockdown period.

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The care of children

The staff use a range of communication aids and pictures to help the children express their views. A photographic display shows the staff who work at the home. Menus are clearly displayed and photographs of the children and staff enjoying fun times together brighten up the walls. These photographs help the children to remember activities that they have enjoyed.

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The care of children

Four of the children attend school regularly and are making good progress. One child has an alternative learning timetable directed by a tutor and implemented by the staff. All the children have a set routine and benefit from the structure and security that this provides.

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The care of children

Feedback from the children’s families and social workers is unanimously good. The staff are exceptionally flexible and resourceful in supporting the children to see their families. They provide transport and support during family visits. This support is led by the child’s individual needs and behaviours. The staff are unobtrusive and sensitive in supporting families. This has enabled the children to be part of family events and see their families regularly, and it provides reassurance and consistency.

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The safety of children

The staff manage well those incidents that are associated with children’s learning difficulties and autism spectrum disorders. The children are learning to live communally and to respect each other’s routines. Although the children do not always interact socially, they tolerate and accept one another.

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The safety of children

The staff have been successful in reducing the frequency of behavioural incidents for some children. The children’s behaviour management plans are clear and guide the staff well. Records of these incidents demonstrate that the staff follow the plans. The staff use a consistent, scripted response that the children understand and respond to well, which reduces the severity of incidents.

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The safety of children

Risk assessments include most risks and incidents, but not all. One recent incident, during which a child threw sharp items, has not been included in his risk Assurance visit report: SC393940 3 assessment. This could mean that staff are not fully aware of the risks to the child and others.

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The safety of children

The children work towards incentives and targets that help them to manage their behaviours and understand their daily routines. The incentives are linked to children’s interests and tailored to their understanding. At times, the staff use physical interventions. These meet the rationale for keeping the children and the staff safe. The manager oversees the supporting records and provides follow-up discussions with the staff when alternative, less intrusive, methods are considered. This managerial oversight safeguards the children.

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The safety of children

The complaints records include the detail of the complaints and the outcomes. The records show that matters raised by children, parents, social workers and neighbours are investigated and resolved satisfactorily.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is experienced and established. He maintains a strong and positive presence at the home. He knows the children very well and actively contributes to their care. This provides the staff with examples of best practice. The manager leads a motivated and enthusiastic team and is respected by the staff and the children.

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Leaders and managers

The staff benefit from detailed team meetings with a clear focus on children’s routines and any behavioural changes. These meetings help to ensure a consistent approach. Most staff meet regularly with a line manager for supervision and support. However, one member of staff has not had regular meetings and two staff are overdue for their annual appraisal. These delays mean that staff may not have an opportunity to ask for support.

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Leaders and managers

Some training has continued during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the manager has requested specific training following incidents. He reviews the incident records and identifies when staff need support. This equips the staff to manage the children’s complex behaviours.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has quickly implemented a refurbishment programme that has significantly improved the environment. The staff have delegated roles to monitor the house for repairs and maintenance. Consequently, the house is welcoming, clean and nicely furnished and provides a comfortable and well-kept home for the children. Assurance visit report: SC393940 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account 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))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, update children’s risk assessments to include recent incidents. 30 January 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)) 30 January 2021 Assurance visit report: SC393940 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Potton Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Potton Homes, 1 Cresswell Park, Blackheath, London SE3 9RD

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Inspector

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC393940 6 regulates and inspects 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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Inspector

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