Children's Home run by Wiltshire in Wiltshire

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2572121 1

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Wiltshire Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is attached to a local authority outreach service. The home provides emergency and short-term accommodation for up to three children with emotional and/or social difficulties. The aim of the home is to provide short interventions that will allow for family breakdowns to be repaired or alternative care arrangements to be found.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken off site. It was carried out to evaluate the progress of the service since it was first registered in March 2020, and to investigate information received by Ofsted, through notifications and the independent visitor’s reports, regarding the use of restraint.

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This monitoring visit

Ten children have stayed at this home since it was registered in March 2020, and three of these children have had two stays. Most periods of accommodation have been for an average of two to three days, in line with the statement of purpose. One child lived at this home for seven weeks, eventually moving to another care setting in December 2020. At the time of this visit, a young person was living at the home. He reported that this home is ‘alright’, and he could think of nothing he would like to see changed.

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This monitoring visit

The child who stayed for seven weeks was restrained on numerous occasions. Records indicate that restraints were used when necessary in order to keep the child and others safe, and were only used as a last resort. After one incident the child made an allegation to staff about being injured by the person who had restrained him. While leaders and managers reviewed this incident and informed the child’s social worker, the allegation was not discussed with the designated officer as required. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2572121 2 The child who stayed at this home for seven weeks has complex care needs. At times staff were unable to manage these needs without involving the police. An agreement was reached on the use of police intervention, particularly when incidents occurred in the community. Police involvement was high at times. However, due to successful collaboration, the child has not been criminalised. Leaders and managers

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This monitoring visit

failed to notify Ofsted of every occasion when the police were involved.

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This monitoring visit

External professionals and senior leaders in the local authority all contributed to the behaviour support plan, risk assessment and care plan for the above-mentioned child with complex needs. A clinical psychologist provided significant support for the staff team, which enabled them to provide structured care and support. This multi- agency approach ensured a that there was a good level of oversight of the measures used to support and manage behaviour.

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This monitoring visit

There are several positive aspects of the care provided at this home. Generally, the period of care is a successful intervention to enable children to return home, or move to alternative care or supported accommodation. For the child who lived here longer, the staff did not give up on him, and showed him love and care and highlighted his strengths. Records indicate that in between the serious incidents there is a sense of fun and plenty of laughter at the home. Due to the restrictions in respect of COVID-19, activity options are reduced. However, the staff are creative in providing bedtime stories, music, dancing and imaginary play. These are just some of the activities that children have enjoyed.

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This monitoring visit

Most of the children have previously experienced breakdowns in their care, often ending in a crisis. This home prepares children well for a successful move onward. Memories are captured and compiled in a beautiful photo book, with messages of love and support from the staff team.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers reflect on the practice in the home and have reviewed the extended period of care that involved the use of restraint. Team meetings, training and debriefs are welcomed by the staff, who reported that they are supported well by managers. The registered manager completed a review of the quality care for the first seven months of this home being operational. The report contains good analysis, yet fails to identify any actions that need to be taken, so that they can be included in the home’s development plan.

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Recent inspection history

This was the first visit since registration. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2572121 3

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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

that staff are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to referring all allegations of harm to the designated officer. 28 January 2021

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)) 28 January 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the review of quality of care clearly identifies any actions required for the next six months of delivery within the home and how those actions will be addressed. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.4)

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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.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2572121 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8JN

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Inspector

Clare Davies, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2572121 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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