Children's Home run by Higher Hopes Limited in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2531620 1

p.1

Higher Hopes Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for four children aged between eight and 18 who have experienced childhood trauma and/or emotional and behavioural difficulties, and who may be at risk of child exploitation.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since the home opened in June 2019.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The home was judged as good, following inspection on 8 January 2020. An assurance visit was undertaken on 15 December 2020. During that visit, concerns were identified that the staff had provided some of the children with tobacco to reduce the risk of more serious behaviours. Subsequently, information was shared with Ofsted to suggest that this practice has continued. Further concerns were raised that not all aspects of the children’s risk assessments are being followed and that safer recruitment policies are not fully in place.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to establish whether the provider is meeting the regulatory requirements and providing safe care for children. The visit was undertaken on site. No immediate safety or safeguarding issues have been found. However, one previous requirement has been reinstated and some further shortfalls have been identified.

p.1

This monitoring visit

As at the last visit, four children are living at the home. The responsible individual and staff said that the practice of supplying some of the children with tobacco has completely stopped. The responsible individual has met with the staff to ensure that they understand their responsibilities to act as positive role models in promoting the children’s health. The staff have revisited the rules of smoking at the home in key- work sessions. The children said that staff are vigilant in ensuring that no tobacco is given or shared by anyone at the home. Consequently, the children’s smoking has significantly reduced. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2531620 2 The responsible individual has struggled to manage the staffing capacity due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Although he continues to undertake the day-to-day management of the home, there are no formal arrangements for his supervision.

p.1

This monitoring visit

It is therefore not clear as to the level of support and guidance he has received during such challenging times.

p.2

This monitoring visit

At the time of the visit, the staff were reviewing the children’s relevant records and risk assessments. The staff were not easily able to find information on request. Further to this, not all staff were clear about where to record information. This meant that important information needed and guidance for staff was not easily accessible.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The staff and the responsible individual continue to nurture inclusive and transparent relationships with the children. They have ensured that the children are supported in key-work sessions to understand some of the risks around their behaviours. This helps the children to consider the effect of their behaviours on others and how they can behave differently. However, the staff have not always followed the children’s support plans diligently. For instance, there were some gaps in the recording of the children’s social media use. This limits the staff’s ability to review patterns and therefore take any necessary safeguarding actions.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Recruitment processes do not comply with safe recruitment requirements. References are not routinely verified to assess suitability and why previous employment positions have ended. Not all staff have received job descriptions. The lack of a thorough process therefore limits assurance of the suitability of new staff and their understanding of their role.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 08/01/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2531620 3

p.2

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.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.3

Requirement Due date

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

p.3

Requirement Due date

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) (2)(b))

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff record relevant information such as social media use, in the children’s risk assessments and support plans. 8 March 2021

p.3

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.3

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

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

p.3

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h)

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all plans relating to children contain accurate, up-to-date information, clearly located that provides clear guidance to staff. 8 March 2021

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. 8 March 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2531620 4 The requirements are that—

p.3

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (3)(d))

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, verify references and the reasons that an applicant’s previous employment involving children or vulnerable adults has ended.

p.4

Requirement Due date

provide each employee with a job description outlining the employee’s responsibilities. (Regulation 33 (1)(c)) 8 March 2021

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.4

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that arrangements for cover of the registered manager’s role includes supervision arrangements. 8 March 2021

p.4

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to establish whether the provider is meeting regulatory requirements following concerns being raised to Ofsted.

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: Higher Hopes Limited

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 49 Musley Lane, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 7EW

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered manager: Nicola Gooden Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2531620 5

p.4

Inspector

Leemya McKeown, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2531620 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 children for 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 . 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 http://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