Children's Home run by Devon and Cornwall Autistic Community Trust (t/a Spectrum) in Cornwall

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1276719 1

p.1

Devon & Cornwall Autistic Community Trust (Spectrum)

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide care for three young people. The provider states within its statement of purpose that it provides long-term placements for up to three children or young people between the ages of 11 and 18, who have autism spectrum disorder and/or associated conditions. The home is owned by a private organisation.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A manager has been in post since October 2020, and has applied to become registered with Ofsted.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken to investigate information received by Ofsted from an independent visitor’s report, regarding the use of restraint.

p.1

This monitoring visit

In respect of COVID-19 (coronavirus), when visitors attend the home, appropriate checks and precautions are undertaken to promote child safety.

p.1

This monitoring visit

One inspector completed a visit to the home to meet with the young person. The other inspector analysed records and undertook interviews remotely.

p.1

This monitoring visit

One young person has lived at this home since early December 2020. Prior to this, young people have not lived at the home since March 2020.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Several positive factors were seen in the care of the young person. There is a comprehensive multi-agency team in place that is closely monitoring and assessing the young person’s needs. The social worker and CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services) worker spoke positively about the team’s commitment and care of the young person. The young person is responding well to having clear boundaries, and is developing important relationships with staff. He is engaged in Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1276719 2 education and enjoys this part of his day. The staff team is committed to meeting the needs of the young person.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The young person living at the home has some very complex care needs that relate to high risk behaviours, including self-harm. At this early stage, staff are learning how to best engage him and keep him safe. Records indicate that significant attempts are made to de-escalate behaviours and distract the young person, prior to the use of restraint and restrictive practice. However, risk assessments and guidance for staff require further detail to ensure that staff have adequate written instruction. A requirement has been made to promote development in these areas.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Since his arrival, the young person has been restrained on 15 occasions. These have included 10 ground holds (supine). The use of a ‘safe space’ has also been assessed by the home and agreed through legal proceedings to be an appropriate approach to supporting the young person to become calm during periods of distress.

p.2

This monitoring visit

External professionals who are involved with this child are aware of the measures and the approach being used to manage his behaviour. They have oversight of the actions being taken. There is a good level of external scrutiny and multi-agency cooperation.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Records indicate that restraints have been used when necessary in order to keep the child safe, and have only been used as a last resort. However, inspectors did not see a clear plan to reduce the use of restraint, door-locking and other restrictions that are being used. The manager conveyed her intention to eradicate these holds as soon as possible. A requirement has been made to ensure that a reduction plan is created swiftly.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Some positive progress has been made, but it is difficult to monitor the overall progress made by the young person. The placement plan lacks clarity regarding goals and aims for the young person and how these will be achieved so that progress can be carefully monitored. A requirement has been made to ensure that this happens.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Notifications of serious incidents have not been sent to Ofsted in relation to the high number and high-level nature of restraints and incidents of restriction of liberty that have taken place. Therefore, a further requirement has been made to reflect the necessity for the use of these to be reduced.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Most staff have not completed the relevant training to meet the specific needs of the young person. Specialist training for the team has been arranged for February. The team does receive weekly advice on therapeutic training from the young person’s CAMHS worker. A requirement has been made to ensure that relevant training is undertaken by all members of the team. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1276719 3 A final requirement has been made to ensure that consideration of the needs, wishes and feelings of the young person forms an intrinsic part of care planning. This includes ensuring that after physical interventions have occurred, the young person’s needs, wishes and feelings are sought, in line with his communication needs.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/11/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 20/05/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/03/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1276719 4

p.3

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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.4

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 29 January 2021

p.4

Requirement Due date

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—

p.4

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;

p.4

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1)(i) (b))

p.4

Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that the young person has a clear plan setting out the approach to behaviour management. This is to ensure that restraint and all restrictive measures are reduced/eradicated as soon as possible. The manager must also review trends and patterns of self-harming behaviours, and make sure that clear support plans are in place to reduce these and to ensure that the young person receives consistently good care. 12 February 2021

p.4

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—

p.4

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to their full potential; and 12 February2021 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1276719 5 ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.4

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(c)(f))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that all staff members are provided with the appropriate training to meet the young person’s needs. In addition, it relates to ensuring that placement plans set out the objectives for the child and how these objectives are to be met, so that the child’s progress can be effectively monitored.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.5

Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

help each child to express views, wishes and feelings. (Regulation 7 (1)(c) (2)(ii)) 12 February 2021

p.5

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.5

Information about this inspection

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

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Devon & Cornwall Autistic Community Trust (Spectrum) Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1276719 6 Registered provider address: Lakeside Offices, The Old Cattle Market, Porthleven Road, Helston, Cornwall TR13 0SR

p.5

Inspectors

Polly Soper, Social Care Inspector Sarah Canto, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1276719 7 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.6

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.7

Inspectors

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

p.7

Inspectors

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

p.7