Children's Home run by Inspire Care (UK) Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 1 SC487764 Registered provider: Inspire Care (UK) Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a privately owned company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The current manager was registered with Ofsted in March 2021. The manager is working towards the level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Ofsted last visited this home on 21 and 22 October 2020 to carry out an assurance visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

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

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

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.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 14 January 2020

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/01/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/10/2018 Full Good 26/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 24/05/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 3

p.2

improvement to be good

This is the home’s first full inspection since January 2020. The home received an assurance visit in October 2020. Since the assurance visit, two children have moved into the home and one child has left. At the time of this inspection, one child lived at the home.

p.3

improvement to be good

Managers and staff have failed to help one child to keep his bedroom clean and tidy. During the inspection, the inspector found discarded food, wrappers and an empty alcohol can on the floor. The same bedroom also has hazards because the window restrictor is broken. Staff have highlighted this during their weekly health safety checks. However, this has not been actioned for over one month. This lack of prompt action by staff does not help children to strengthen their sense of security and belonging and have pride in their bedroom.

p.3

improvement to be good

Managers fail to ensure that children receive care from a stable and consistent staff team. Between May and June 2021, 80% of the staff team left the organisation and this led to changes having to be made to this staff team, which is unsettling for children. Recent improvements to the stability of the core staff team have resulted in the child beginning to develop positive relationships with regular staff who work at the home.

p.3

improvement to be good

When staff carry out direct work with children, this does not link to children’s conflicts and behaviours. In addition, it is not clear what impact this work has had on children’s progress.

p.3

improvement to be good

Despite shortfalls found during this inspection, children do make some progress. One child has improved his school attainment and is attending regularly. Children are encouraged to develop skills in cooking and budgeting in preparation for adult life.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff help children to maintain positive relationships with the people who are most important to them. One child’s time with family has increased and he enjoys regular overnight stays at the family home. Children see staff and family working together and this enables children to receive coordinated care.

p.3

improvement to be good

There are no incidents of restraint in the home. However, there is no clear guidance of how appropriate behaviour is to be encouraged. Staff have a mixed approach to managing behaviours, which sometimes means that inappropriate behaviour is not challenged. A child’s behaviour in the garden has resulted in complaints from neighbours. Staff have access to a behaviour management plan, yet large parts of Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 4 his document are incomplete. Because of this, staff do not have clear guidance and lack a consistent approach to support children with their behaviour.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff do not always act upon concerns when children go missing from home. For example, when one child returned from a period of missing from the home wearing different clothing, staff lacked professional curiosity and did not question where the child had been or who with, despite him having little knowledge of the area. This lack of response means that staff and children are unclear of the potential risk children may be faced with in the community.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children do receive a coordinated multi-team approach at times. For example, one child repeatedly returned home appearing to be under the influence of cannabis. Staff were quick to include health professionals and make referrals to the local substance misuse team. This multi-team approach ensures that children’s health needs are effectively promoted.

p.4

improvement to be good

The registered manager does not always make sure that safer recruitment practices are followed. The employment history of new staff has not been established and when there are issues with references, managers have not shown professional curiosity to follow these up to seek clarity. This has the potential to result in staff working in the home who are not suitable to do so.

p.4

improvement to be good

Risk assessments are clear and include the relevant information. Staff regularly review these documents and update them. This means that there is clear and effective guidance for staff on matters of concern about children’s safety.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children know how to make a complaint. Staff and managers respond swiftly when children raise an issue. Staff are provided with the tools to manage allegations effectively. This good support enables staff to understand the impact of abuse and neglect and how to respond to keep children safe and protected.

p.4

good

Management arrangements at the home have not always been effective. Not all requirements raised at the previous inspection have been met. For example, the registered manager’s monitoring systems have not identified that staff do not routinely complete their daily health and safety monitoring tasks. As a result, the registered manager does not have complete oversight of the home and shortfalls are not effectively acted upon.

p.4

good

Staff develop good working relationships with partner agencies. However, when one placing authority failed to take the necessary steps to ensure a child had access to education, the registered manager’s challenge was not sufficient. This meant that one child received no formal education for a period of four months.

p.4

good

The home’s statement of purpose has been reviewed and updated to include changes to the management and staffing structure. However, managers have not Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 5 provided updated versions of the statement of purpose to Ofsted or published these on the organisation’s website. This does not ensure that Ofsted has a good overview of the home and those wanting to know about the service do not have access to up- to-date information.

p.4

good

There has been some damage in the home. The registered manager has not ensured that that the damage is quickly repaired. This delay leaves the home in a less than suitable condition and is not conducive to creating a homely environment where children feel valued.

p.5

good

Staff receive regular training to make sure that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the diverse needs of the children who they care for. There are systems in place to make sure that training is regularly updated or refreshed. New staff undergo a thorough induction programme, and staff who are through their probationary period are qualified or are working towards the required level 3 diploma in residential childcare.

p.5

good

Staff report that they find supervision helpful and supportive. Annual appraisals are used to ensure that staff are provided with appropriate development opportunities. Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 6

p.5

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.6

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.6

Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to damage to the environment in the home. 24 September

p.6

Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

p.6

Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5(c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to staff and managers challenging the placing authority with regards to a child’s educational needs. 24 September

p.6

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on— 24 September Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 7 mutual respect and trust;

p.6

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

p.7

Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

p.7

Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v))

p.7

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to staff communicating with children about appropriate behaviours.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe; 24 September Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 8 have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.7

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.8

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

p.8

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to staff and managers using professional curiosity to act upon concerns highlighted by children.

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(d))

p.8

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the health and safety in one child’s bedroom. 24 September

p.8

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.8

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h)) 24 September Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 9 This specifically relates to the registered manager using effective monitoring and review systems to identify potential shortfalls in the home.

p.8

Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision.

p.9

Requirement Due date

If a home has a website, the registered person must ensure that a copy of the statement of purpose is published on that website unless the registered person considers that such publication would prejudice the welfare of children in the home. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b) (4))

p.9

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to providing Ofsted with updated versions of the statement of purpose and publishing it on the organisation’s website. 24 September

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

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) (3)(d))

p.9

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the safer recruitment checks that are required to be completed for staff in relation to obtaining a full employment history and references from their most recent employer. 24 September

p.9

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

p.9

Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. 24 September Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 10 The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b) (2))

p.9

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to implementing a full and completed behaviour management policy that staff can follow effectively.

p.10

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: SC487764 11

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Inspire Care (UK) Limited

p.11

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 263 Nottingham Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG7 7DA

p.11

Inspector

Kev Brammer, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC487764 12 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.11

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.12

Inspector

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

p.12

Inspector

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

p.12