Children's Home run by Osei Minkah Care Ltd in Wolverhampton

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1277449 1

p.1

Osei Minkah Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children with learning difficulties and/or mental health difficulties. The home is dual registered with the Care Quality Commission.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left in October 2020. Two deputy managers are in post. The provider has appointed a new manager who will apply to register with Ofsted.

p.1

This monitoring visit

At an assurance visit on 23 and 24 September 2020, serious and widespread concerns were identified in relation to the care and protection of children. As a result of this inspection, and in response to the serious failings found in respect of safeguarding children and the leadership and management of the home, the home’s registration was suspended on 25 September 2020. Eight requirements were raised, five of which were the subject of compliance notices.

p.1

This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit on 3 November 2020 found that managers had complied with the suspension notice. However, managers had not prioritised making the necessary improvements. Consequently, progress was slow and none of the compliance notices or requirements had been met. Eight requirements were raised again.

p.1

This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit on 15 December 2020 found that managers had complied with the suspension notice. However, serious and repeated shortfalls in respect of the leadership and management arrangements for the home continued to be evident. The registration of the home was suspended on 17 December 2020 for a further 12- week period, subject to review at six weeks.

p.1

This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit on 26 January 2021 found that managers had complied with the suspension notice. However, managers had not made sufficient progress in remedying the shortfalls that were identified in previous inspections and which led to Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1277449 2 the registration of the home being suspended. Consequently, the home’s registration remained suspended.

p.1

This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit on 8 March 2021 found that managers had complied with the suspension notice. However, insufficient progress had been made in bringing about improvement in order to ensure that children would be likely to receive safe and effective care. Serious and repeated shortfalls in respect of the leadership and management arrangements for the home remained evident. The registration of the home was suspended on 11 March 2021 for a further 12-week period, subject to review at six weeks.

p.2

This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit on 21 April 2021 found that managers had complied with the suspension notice. However, slow progress and new and repeated shortfalls did not assure the regulator that improvement was sufficient to ensure safe and effective care for children. Consequently, the home’s registration remained suspended.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the provider’s adherence to the suspension notice, to review any progress made in addressing the shortfalls that have resulted in the continued suspension of the home’s registration, and to consider whether it would be safe for children to live at the home. In addition, given the length of time the home has been non-operational, inspectors reviewed health and safety information relating to the environment, staffing and staff training.

p.2

This monitoring visit

At this visit, inspectors found that managers have continued to comply with the suspension notice. No children have lived at the home since September 2020.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Progress to develop a quality assurance system is minimal. The consultant who had been appointed to support managers in developing an agreed quality assurance system is no longer providing this support. Managers remain unable to demonstrate that they have developed and can implement an effective monitoring system to ensure the necessary oversight of the care and safety of children. A manager confirmed to inspectors that the quality assurance system remains a ‘work in progress’. Additionally, the range of shortfalls identified during the inspection demonstrates that monitoring remains weak. Continued failings to ensure that an effective quality assurance system is in place raises concerns about the competence and abilities of managers to oversee and lead the safe care of children.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers do not have an effective system for monitoring staff training. Consequently, managers are unable to evidence that staff have undertaken all basic training to support them in their role should the home become operational. For example, only three members of staff have undertaken reporting and recording training in 2021. This is despite significant concerns being raised previously about the quality of incident recording and records kept at the home. Only six out of 12 staff have completed training relating to the model of physical intervention operated by the home. From records reviewed, only five out of 12 staff have a certificate to show that they have completed first-aid training. Not all staff have received training in the safe administration of medication. The deputy managers have not undertaken Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1277449 3 training in the supervision of staff. This shows that there has not been a proactive

p.2

This monitoring visit

approach to staff training in readiness to reopen the home. As a result, staff do not have all the relevant basic training to safely meet the needs of children.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Managers have reviewed the behaviour management policy. However, the policy lacks key information about the approach to behaviour management. For example, the policy is not clear about the techniques that staff would use if they needed to physically hold a child for safety. The policy lacks information about how staff would move from the least restrictive intervention to the most intrusive. When asked, managers were unable to provide this information. Consequently, Ofsted is not assured that managers fully understand the model of restraint and that they have the understanding necessary to review its safe operation in practice.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Shortfalls remain in safer recruitment practice. The responsible individual told the regulatory inspection manager that an existing employee has been appointed as the new manager for the home. On reviewing this recruitment record, it is unclear how managers have satisfied themselves that the employee meets the requirements for the role of registered manager as set out in regulation. In addition, references provided when the employee commenced employment at the home are not satisfactory and reasons for leaving a previous employment relevant to working with children have not been verified. Despite there being reoccurring shortfalls in respect of safer recruitment, managers have failed to review recruitment records for existing staff, including those who have taken up new positions at the home, to ensure that they are satisfied that they meet the requirements of regulation and that all employees are suitable and safe to work with children and young people.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Since September 2020, inspectors have asked how learning and recommendations from an investigation into an allegation of harm against staff have been implemented. To date, no evidence has been provided by the responsible individual to demonstrate that she is aware of the detail of this management investigation and that she has ensured that all of the actions have been implemented. This raises concerns about managers’ abilities to keep clear records and ensure that safeguarding concerns are fully acted upon. In addition, it is not clear that lessons have been learned.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Inspectors identified shortfalls in fire safety arrangements. While the fire alarm and emergency lighting were found to be in working order, some self-closing doors to the ground floor do not close properly when the alarm is activated. Managers had not identified these serious shortfalls as part of their own monitoring of the environment.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The fire risk assessment does not set out clear procedures for evacuating the premises from the first floor, in the event that this is needed. It is also not clear whether the fire risk assessment is for this setting. In addition, managers were unable to demonstrate that they have received training and are competent to undertake and complete a fire risk assessment for the home. Managers are ineffective in their monitoring of the environment and have failed to identify the shortfalls themselves. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1277449 4 The review of the suitability of the premises continues to lack attention to detail. For example, the crime statistics are not current. Since the last visit, emails have been sent to the police by staff to enquire about risks in the local area. However, managers have been slow to follow this up when no response has been received. This demonstrates a lack of urgency on the part of managers to assure themselves

p.3

This monitoring visit

that information key to supporting children’s safety is up to date and meets regulatory requirements.

p.4

This monitoring visit

A new safeguarding policy was shown to inspectors. When read alongside the whistle-blowing policy and the allegations policy, regulatory requirements relating to policies concerning the protection of children are broadly met. Since the last visit, managers have met with staff and discussed the safeguarding policy and the guidance about notifying significant events.

p.4

This monitoring visit

Documents proposed for the induction of new staff were found to be comprehensive. Managers told inspectors that it was their intention that existing staff would be taken through the induction booklet.

p.4

This monitoring visit

In response to continued serious failings found in respect of the leadership and management of the home and the impact of these on children’s safety, the home’s registration was suspended on 3 June 2021.

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2019 Full Inadequate 27/08/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1277449 5

p.4

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. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1277449 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Osei Minkah Care Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Trilogy Suite, 9 Church Street, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire WV11 1SR

p.6

Inspectors

Alison Cooper, Social Care Inspector James Tallis, Social Care Inspector Jackie Line, Social Care Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1277449 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