Children's Home run by Leeward Care Ltd in Isle of Wight

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2510324 1

p.1

Leeward Care Ltd

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 up to four children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager’s position has been vacant since 1 February 2021.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This children’s home was found to have serious and widespread concerns at a previous monitoring visit which took place on 11 March 2021. Three compliance notices were served, along with a restriction of accommodation. A further monitoring visit took place on 20 April 2021. None of the compliance notices were judged to have been met. The restriction of accommodation remained in place as a result. A further requirement, relating to the quality of leadership and management, was made.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place to ensure that the three compliance notices had been met and to review the restriction of accommodation. The manager has left the home and the previous registered manager is now in day-to-day charge.

p.1

This monitoring visit

All risk assessments have been reviewed and the format for recording how risk will be managed has been overhauled. This has resulted in children’s risks being better identified and managed in both the home and the community. The review of risk assessments has also ensured that there is better linking across all relevant plans for children. For example, children who are preparing for adulthood have clearly defined risk plans for living more independently. These in turn link to pathway plans and statutory review documents. Staff are now more confident and involved in the implementation and review of children’s risk assessments. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2510324 2 Currently, there is one child living at the home, who states that they are happy and have no concerns about the care they receive and relationships with the staff. The risks of COVID-19 (coronavirus) have been appropriately managed through effective

p.1

This monitoring visit

procedures in the home. This helps to safeguard the health and well-being of everyone. However, staff have not been as proactive in following up requests for specialist healthcare support. This has led to some avoidable delay in advice and services being provided.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There have been improvements in the training that is available to and taken up by staff. These include health and safety, behaviour support and management, medication training, fire safety and self-harm awareness. There are improved systems in place for managing staff training needs. Links with a local college have also ensured that further training opportunities have been provided for staff. This has resulted in staff being better skilled in providing care that is specific to the needs of children.

p.2

This monitoring visit

No children have come to live at the home since the restriction notice was served. The provider has reviewed and improved procedures for admitting children to the home. There is now a better understanding of pre-placement risk matching and how the needs of the existing children are considered in relation to meeting the needs of any new child. The management team has also identified improvements that can be made in how it seeks information from placing local authorities.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There are now better systems in place for monitoring and reviewing the home. The provider recognises its previous failures in meeting compliance notices. As a result, there are now improved systems in place and more regular checks of key areas of practice.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The restriction of accommodation was put in place due to the risk of harm should any further children be placed in the home. These risks have now reduced because the provider has improved risk management, staff training and admissions processes. As a result, the notice restricting accommodation has been removed.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/03/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/10/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2510324 3

p.2

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff take the initiative in identifying others who must play a part in for the children and engage with those relevant people proactively, advocating for the children in their care. This specifically refers to ensuring that health services are arranged without delay. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 12 paragraph 2.7)

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.3

Information about this inspection

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

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Langley Court, Pyle Street, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1LA

p.3

Inspector

Pete Hylton, Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2510324 4 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.3

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.4

Inspector

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

p.4

Inspector

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

p.4