Birch Cottage

Inspection report children’s home: SC421197 1 SC421197 Registered provider: ABC Care and Education Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider and offers care for up to four children.

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Information about this children’s home

An acting manager currently oversees the home, who is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 14 October 2020 to carry out an assurance visit. The report is published on our website.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC421197 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/05/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/08/2018 Full Good 09/05/2017 Full Good 02/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC421197 3

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improvement to be good

Children reside in a spacious, comfortable and homely setting. They like their home and say that they have access to everything they need. Children currently living here are suitably matched.

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improvement to be good

Education is delivered in the home through the organisation’s registered school. The headteacher and staff support children to engage in individualised and achievable timetables. One child has recently completed GCSEs in mathematics, English and science and has good predicted grades. She has also achieved a formal qualification in hairdressing. Another child has improved attendance levels and is completing work that is relevant to her age.

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improvement to be good

Children have access to therapists and external services which support their emotional and mental health needs. Unfortunately, one child does not fully understand all her health needs, particularly her formal diagnoses. Some staff are also unsure and provided the inspector with conflicting information in respect of this. Furthermore, records and information provided by staff relating to medication are contradictory. This demonstrates a lack of clear, consistent and comprehensive knowledge around the child’s individual needs, which affects the available support and information available to her.

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improvement to be good

One child has recently begun her journey to independence. She is budgeting and shopping for food, cooking independently and managing her own weekly allowance. She understands her plan and wishes to remain living in the local area when she is ready to do so. Arrangements have been made with the child’s social worker to review this plan and ensure it meets all of her current needs.

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improvement to be good

Children are given opportunities to expand their experiences and have fun. One child has enjoyed completing arts and crafts and designing her own birthday invitations. She has also begun gardening and growing plants. Over the recent months, she has been to a ‘ninja’ assault park, laser tag, bowling, and on trips to the cinema and several other physical and educational activities. This further promotes her education and physical and emotional well-being.

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improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home and returned to the care of her mother in line with her views and wishes. This move was planned and positive, which shows that children have good experiences of moving on from the home. Inspection report children’s home: SC421197 4

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improvement to be good

There have been occasions where children have been missing from home. Recently, these episodes have reduced. This is due to improved actions taken by staff in response these. The team has been more proactive in searching for children. This had led to increased contact with children and has subsequently improved children’s safety and general well-being.

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improvement to be good

There has been one formal complaint recorded from a child since the previous inspection. This was investigated, steps were taken to address the complaint and an appropriate response was provided. Records held in the home suggest there have been further verbal complaints made by children which are significant or serious in nature. For example, one child complained about staff’s response to an incident of self-harm. This child had further verbalised that she was unhappy about a staff member entering her room. These complaints have not been recorded as such, investigated, or responded to. This means that children, and those with responsibility for them, are not aware of the outcomes or whether their concerns have been taken seriously.

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improvement to be good

Procedures in place to protect children have not been routinely followed. During the inspection, the acting manager referenced some concerns relating to a staff member who no longer works in the home. This related to antagonistic and potentially threatening behaviour towards and in the presence of children. Some action was taken to address this with the member of staff; however, these incidents have not been shared with relevant professionals, such as the child’s social worker, designated officer or Ofsted. This reduces children’s safety and prevents appropriate external review.

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improvement to be good

Incidents of self-harm have reduced in frequency and severity. They have been recorded in detail and demonstrate that staff have taken quick and appropriate action to ensure the child’s safety. Staff have appropriately monitored, responded to, and supported children during times of crisis and have sought appropriate medical attention and advice where necessary. This results in the child feeling safe and well cared for by staff and reduces the chance of harm.

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improvement to be good

Risk assessments and behaviour management plans are clear and comprehensive. They accurately reflect children’s individual behaviours and needs. Detailed strategies and procedures are outlined for staff to follow to prevent and respond to incidents. This helps to reduce the risk of harm arising from unsafe behaviours displayed by children.

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good

There have been some significant changes to staffing since the last visit, including changes to the leadership and management of the home. The new manager has the relevant experience and qualifications to fulfil the role but is not yet registered with Inspection report children’s home: SC421197 5 Ofsted. One child is very settled with the new team members and is building strong, positive relationships, while the other is taking time to adapt and adjust to the changes. While long-standing staff believe these changes are positive, children have not received good continuity of care.

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good

Children were observed to be interacting well with staff in the home. However, one child is not confident with the newer staff members and managers resolving any issues she may have in the home. This is partly due to the close personal relationships the team members share. Perceived barriers to raising concerns or complaints could prevent children from fully expressing themselves or sharing their views, which could potentially impact their safety, well-being, or experiences in the home. Additionally, this child is not familiar with all external agencies available to support her with her views and wishes.

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good

An incident occurred in which a child was admitted to hospital and received treatment due to difficulties breathing. Due to the severity of her condition it was necessary for staff to remain with her overnight. Confusion around policies and procedures by staff and medical professionals resulted in several discussions around the child’s overnight monitoring and support. This led the child to believe staff did not wish to stay with her. This has decreased her confidence in staff and has affected her willingness to build the trusting relationships she deserves and needs.

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good

There are shortfalls in recruitment. Not all the necessary references have been requested for the new manager. A gap in employment history for one member of staff had also not been accounted for. The acting manager has begun to put new systems in place for recruitment, in line with safer recruitment practices, but these shortfalls have not yet been addressed.

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good

The acting manager has utilised her previous experience and skills to identify shortfalls in the home. She has improved the internal monitoring and review systems within the home and has plans in place to develop the staff team. She is keen to increase the quality of care provided to children and has clear areas of focus. Inspection report children’s home: SC421197 6

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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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being.

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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

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding. (Regulation 10 (1)(b) (2)(a)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that information about children’s health is accurate and that staff have a clear and detailed understanding of any diagnoses or required medication relating to children’s care. 23 July 2021

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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

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

In particular, where there are concerns relating to staff practice and/or conduct towards or in the presence of children, these should be shared with relevant professionals and agencies and appropriate action taken. 23 July 2021 Inspection report children’s home: SC421197 7 The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(e))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that children have a stable and consistent staff team. 23 July 2021

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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—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, promote children’s welfare by ensuring that there are no obstacles to them receiving care and support during times of crisis or emergency. 23 July 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home;

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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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 (1) (2)(a) (3)(d)) 23 July 2021 Inspection report children’s home: SC421197 8 Specifically, ensure that all gaps in employment records are accounted for. Furthermore, ensure that references are sought from all roles where staff have worked with children and/or vulnerable others.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that there are effective processes in place to manage all verbal complaints made by children. This relates specifically to complaints that children do not wish to formally pursue but are of a significant or serious nature. 23 July 2021

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home works in partnership with relevant people as appropriate to ensure that each child is provided with support (appropriate to their age and understanding) to communicate their views, wishes and feelings. Specifically, ensure that children are fully aware of all external agencies available to them and that they understand how to contact them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.6)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: SC421197 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: ABC Care and Education Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: International House, 61 Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3HZ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Kennedy

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Inspector

Natalie Bennett, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC421197 10 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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