Children's Home run by Nurture Childcare Services Ltd in Lancashire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2591479 1

p.1

Nurture Childcare Services Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately owned and registered to care for up to three children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2020

p.1

This monitoring visit

This children’s home registered with Ofsted in August 2020. Since registration, Ofsted has received several notifications of significant events that have occurred in the home. Information in the notifications raised concerns regarding the management of a child’s behaviour and risks to their safety and well-being. As a result, a monitoring visit was carried out on 10 November 2020.

p.1

This monitoring visit

During that monitoring visit, evidence was found of breaches of regulations relating to care planning, safeguarding and risk management. Two compliance notices were issued in relation to Regulation 12, the protection of children standard and Regulation 14, the care planning standard. The provider decided to temporarily close the home and agreed for Ofsted to impose a condition on the registration of the home. This required the provider to give three months’ notice of their intention to re-open the home.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit on 7 January 2021 to consider the action the provider had taken to meet the steps in the two compliance notices.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Due to the government guidelines in place regarding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the visit took place using remote inspection methodology. At the time of the visit, there were no children living at the home. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2591479 2 The registered provider has taken steps to meet the compliance notice under Regulation 12. Risk management documentation has been updated and contains clear and detailed guidance for staff to follow. This means that staff have the information they need to respond effectively and to reduce risks for children.

p.1

This monitoring visit

A dynamic risk assessment tool for community activities has also been developed. This is intended to support staff to determine whether an activity is suitable and to aid safe decision making.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Since the last monitoring visit, the staff team has been redeployed to other homes within the provider’s organisation. This has given them the opportunity to gain additional experience of working with vulnerable children. Staff said that they valued this experience. One member of staff said, ‘I feel I have learned a lot about safeguarding in relation to child sexual exploitation and managing missing from home incidents more effectively. I have adapted my practice and learned new ways of engaging with young people.’

p.2

This monitoring visit

All staff have benefitted from regular supervision which helps them to reflect on their practice. The manager has also ensured that all staff have individual development plans which will help to support continuous professional development.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The provider has ensured that all staff have received additional training to equip them with the skills they need to undertake their roles. This has included training on positive behaviour management and understanding self-harm. One member of staff said, ‘I found the training very useful. It helped us reflect on our practice and it gave me ideas of how I could deal with behaviours differently.’

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered manager has introduced new and more detailed care planning documentation. Care plans are clear about the children’s needs and the level of support and supervision they require. The care plan is supplemented by a comprehensive individual behaviour management plan.

p.2

This monitoring visit

As a result of the shortfalls identified at the previous monitoring visit in relation to the admissions process, the provider has made changes to the process to secure future improvement. For example, pre-admission checks are in place to ensure that the manager has enough information to make an informed decision.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Therefore, Ofsted found that the compliance notices under Regulation 12 and Regulation 14 have been met. The condition placed on the registration of the home has been lifted. A requirement made at the previous monitoring visit was not considered, so is repeated for consideration at the next routine inspection.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Ofsted will continue to monitor the provider closely to ensure that the improvements are sustained. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2591479 3

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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.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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.3

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(e)) 06/01/2021 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2591479 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: Nurture Childcare Services Ltd

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 71 Edge End Lane, Great Harwood, Blackburn, Lancashire BB6 7QD

p.4

Inspector

Sophie Thomson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2591479 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

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 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

Inspector

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

p.5

Inspector

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

p.5