Children's Home run by Compass Children’s Homes Ltd in Surrey

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 1

p.1

Compass Children’s Homes Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company and was registered in September 2020. The statement of purpose says that the home provides the highest quality care and substitute parenting for up to four children who experience emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in September 2020.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place to monitor the provider’s progress against the compliance notices issued on 13 May 2021. These notices related to the protection of children and leadership and management. The visit also reviewed the restriction of accommodation notice that was served following the inspection of 4 May 2021.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The responsible individual and registered manager were present throughout this monitoring visit. A tour of the home revealed that it was clean and well presented. The children’s rooms were suitably personalised. The admissions log was sampled, and there is no evidence to suggest that any admissions have taken place since the last monitoring visit. The provider has complied with the restriction of accommodation notice.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The responsible individual has investigated the action taken in response to a child making an allegation of sexual harm. The provider has complained to the placing local authority because they failed to respond effectively to the concerns raised by the child. Changes in practice have been made, which include that staff will report any allegations to the police, as well as to the placing authority. The provider is in the process of recruiting a qualified social worker to oversee allegations and to strengthen the safeguarding practice at the home. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 2 The responsible individual has investigated the potentially harmful relationship that had developed between two children. The provider recognises that additional scrutiny is required when matching the children in placement. Changes in practice have included requesting a full chronology from placing authorities at the point of

p.1

This monitoring visit

referral. The staff conduct guide has been updated to include detail about managing relationships between the children. A group supervision took place with the staff to disseminate the learning from this.

p.2

This monitoring visit

All the children’s risk assessments have been reviewed and updated. They now provide the staff with strategies to follow if risky behaviour occurs. Future plans include the qualified social worker overseeing the quality of risk assessments to provide an additional layer of scrutiny.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Lessons learned from the review of risk assessments include staff observations to feed into the assessment of risk. A new mapping tool provides a comparison of the children’s behaviours each month. This is being used to highlight the potential for risky behaviours between the children.

p.2

This monitoring visit

All staff safeguarding competencies have been assessed, using a combination of questions and scenarios. The registered manager has arranged for the designated officer to visit the home. This is planned to empower the staff to understand the designated officer’s role in safeguarding children, and their own responsibilities in reporting any allegations to the designated officer.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff interviewed during this monitoring visit demonstrated that they were aware of the recent changes in practice and could speak confidently about the strategies used to reduce risk to the children. Relationships observed between the staff and children were warm and nurturing. One staff member described the strategies that she had used to return a child to the home who had left without permission that morning. Her interventions encouraged the child to return to the home with her.

p.2

This monitoring visit

New staff spoke positively about their induction and training. However, they were unclear about the supervision they had received. They did acknowledge that they had felt well supported and had opportunities for debriefs with the registered manager.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The responsible individual has reviewed the managerial monitoring. The provider recognised that staff departures had affected the capacity of the managers. Both managers were working to fill staffing gaps, which hampered their ability to focus on their managerial tasks.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The deputy manager has left. In the interim, an experienced deputy from another home in the organisation is offering support while a new deputy is recruited. In addition, the responsible individual is basing herself in this home to support the registered manager. Both the registered manager and responsible individual have an external coach who is working with them to improve their practice and offer Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 3 coaching and guidance. In addition to this the registered manager has an internal mentor with a proven track record within the organisation.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The provider reviewed the independent reports. They identified that they did not offer enough scrutiny and challenge and did not reveal the concerns that led to the compliance notices being issued. A new independent visitor has been instructed, who will begin in July 2021.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Key-work sessions are variable in quality. A further independent visitor has been commissioned to work three days per week to improve the quality of recording and reporting through coaching the staff.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The provider has commissioned an independent report to fully examine the safeguarding practice at the home. The provider will make this available to Ofsted once it is completed.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The provider has made progress against their action plan in response to the compliance notices. Most actions are complete; however, some, such as the recruitment of the social worker and the work they plan to undertake, are not yet fully embedded.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Ofsted deems the compliance notices served to have been met. The restriction of accommodation notice has been lifted. Progress against the remaining requirements will be further tested at the next inspection.

p.3

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/05/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 4

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.4

Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

p.4

Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

p.4

Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(iii)(v)(viii))

p.4

Requirement Due date

This is with specific reference to ensuring that children who do not attend school have a planned, structured day, which seeks to engage then in educational activities. 13 June 2021

p.4

Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

p.4

Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c))

p.4

Requirement Due date

This is with specific reference to ensuring that the strategies in healthcare risk assessments are followed. 13 June 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 5 The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.4

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship;

p.5

Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(vii)(x))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This is with specific reference to ensuring that staff do not verbally abuse children. Staff should support children to withdraw from or gain help with harmful peer relationships. New staff should receive appropriate levels of support to manage their own emotional responses to meeting the needs of children. 13 June 2021

p.5

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.5

Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other; 13 June 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 6 understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.5

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii)(b)(d)(e))

p.6

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.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)) 13 June 2021

p.6

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.6

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This is with specific reference to ensuring that impact risk assessments consider the likely impact of a new admission on all children who live at the home. 13 June 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 7 After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

p.6

Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that persons working at the home and, so far as reasonably practicable, children are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire. (Regulation 25 (1)(a)(d))

p.7

Requirement Due date

This is with specific reference to ensuring that the fire evacuation plan is followed and children are supported to evacuate the building when the fire alarm is activated. 13 June 2021

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which—

p.7

Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular—

p.7

Requirement Due date

provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response;

p.7

Requirement Due date

describe the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect. (Regulation 34 (1)(b) (2)(d)(e))

p.7

Requirement Due date

This is with particular reference to ensuring that the policy relating to allegations made against staff is implemented in practice and all records pertaining to safeguarding matters contain details of actions taken and decisions made. 13 June 2021

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e))

p.7

Requirement Due date

This is with particular reference to notifying Ofsted when a child is demonstrating behaviours that indicate a serious intent to harm themselves. 13 June 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 8

p.7

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.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Childrens Homes Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Mountfields House, Epinal Way, Off Squirrel Way, Loughborough LE11 3GE

p.8

Inspector

Sarah Olliver, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 9 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.8

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9