Children's home run by Buckinghamshire Council

Inspection report children's home: 2517299 1 Registered provider: Buckinghamshire County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

According to its statement of purpose, ‘the home provides care for children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties’ (social and emotional difficulties). The home is owned and operated by a local authority.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted on 17 March 2021.

p.1

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 carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 2 December 2020 to carry out an assurance visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

For the purposes of this report, those currently living in the home have requested to be referred to as ‘young people’.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 25 September 2019

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Good Inspection report children's home: 2517299 2 Enforcement action since last inspection: None Inspection report children's home: 2517299 3

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 2517299 4

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager’s recent decision to remove the provision of a short-term, emergency facility, known as ‘the welfare bedroom option’, is grounded in the belief that its use risks unnecessary disruption for the young people who already live in the home on a more permanent basis. This decisive approach is considerate of, and values, the experiences of the young people.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are warmly welcomed when they move into the home. Staff take the time needed to build trusting relationships with them to encourage their sense of ownership and belonging of the home. The staff give the young people different options of bedrooms to move into and encourage them to decorate their space to their liking. One young person said that they were happy they could bring their pet budgies with them.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff successfully rekindle the young people’s interest to return to education when there has been a gap. One young person was encouraged to complete their GCSEs following a long period of absence. Consequently, the young person has gained a college placement and has been supported to apply for work experience and attend trial shifts. The encouraging and unwavering support of the staff has helped the young person to gain confidence and a better understanding of employability, therefore increasing their life chances.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some of the young people are not currently in full-time education. The registered manager is working well with social care and education professionals to resolve this as a matter of urgency. Proactive staff are using the time with the young people by setting goals and objectives aimed at developing their vocational skills. For example, one young person is enrolled on an Open University child psychology course and another has recently signed up to a photography course.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff support fun and engaging activities when the young people see their families. The staff listen to the young people’s feelings around seeing their loved ones, and change the frequencies and types of visits to help the young people feel more relaxed and happier with the arrangements. The staff liaise with foster carers and social workers to review the quality of family time to ensure that it is meaningful and enriching for everyone involved.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff meet the young people’s health needs well. Regular appointments are attended, and the young people are making progress with healthy lifestyle choices. For example, one young person continues to make significant progress in using the toilet appropriately, and another young person has changed their outlook on the importance of good dental hygiene practices. The staff’s approach is promoting the young people’s self-esteem and positively shaping their outlook on their lives. Inspection report children's home: 2517299 5 The staff have high aspirations for the young people and use creative key working to explore their areas of need and development with them. The young people are supported to join in with direct sessions at their own pace. Staff listen to the young people, provide appropriate guidance and act on any concerns that arise. One young person said, ‘I like to look back on my key-working sessions, it reminds me of how

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people say that they feel safe and listened to. They are all aware of who they can approach if they have concerns or complaints and say that they appreciate the guidance and advice they receive from the staff. The open culture of the home encourages the young people and staff to discuss behaviours openly. This encourages honesty and an ability in the young people to reflect on how their actions can affect each other.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff demonstrate a good understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities of the young people in their care. They explore healthy relationships with the young people and give them the tools they need to make informed decisions. When things do not go well, the staff approach this with an opportunity for further support and development. This helps the young people to confide in the staff and creates an atmosphere where young people allow the staff to safely parent them.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The young people’s positive behaviour, and ability to change unsafe behaviours, is recognised and rewarded. The young people contribute to their own individual behaviour support plans; they know the strategies which staff use to support their behaviour and they understand why these strategies are needed. This inclusive approach helps the young people to think about their own behaviour and to begin to change this. One young person said, ‘I respond differently now than I used to.’ This has helped the young person to reduce their missing-from-home episodes, therefore increasing their safety.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff encourage the young people to complete independent e-learning on subjects they are interested in, to help with their independence skills and safety awareness. Young people have completed courses on fire safety and food hygiene. One young person has completed a course on adverse childhood experiences and early trauma. Another young person has completed a course on county lines and staying safe online. Young people speak confidently about these courses and the benefits of this learning.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people are becoming safer because of the type and frequency of the support and guidance they receive from the staff. In one example, their encouraging and educative approach has helped a young person to make safer choices and significant progress. Consequently, a deprivation of liberty order for this young person has been removed and replaced by an agreed safety plan.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The overall recruitment process for new staff is generally very good., However, some aspects of shortfall were found at this inspection. A significant gap in the Inspection report children's home: 2517299 6 employment history for one member of staff was identified, as well as the registered manager not following up on a staff member’s employment history. These omissions have not had a direct impact on the quality of the care provided to the young people, but they are missed opportunities to ensure that the young people’s safety is maximised through the strongest possible safer recruitment practice.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has worked hard to implement positive changes, especially in the way the young people’s information is recorded and shared. She has created ‘progress folders’ that the young people take with them when they move on from the home. These well-documented folders capture the young person’s journey and the steps they have taken to build and achieve greater confidence, safety and independence. One young person proudly showed their folder to the inspector and spoke confidently about their journey and the barriers they had overcome. The young person said, ‘The staff are like my family. I couldn’t have done it without them.’

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is insightful and passionate about improving outcomes for the young people. She leads the team culture of being young person-centred, through demonstrating genuine cares about each young person. Details that are meaningful for young people are anticipated by the registered manager. For example, when the courts arranged for secure transport for a young person to move into the home, the registered manager went to the young person’s home address and gave them an alternative option of travelling with her. This practice speaks volumes. Since living in this home, this young person is now considering staying here while making plans to eventually live independently.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff describe the registered manager as ‘approachable, trustworthy, and part of their hard-working team’. One member of staff said, ‘She knows the children inside and out, she spends time with them and is always available to staff when needed.’ There is a clear and open culture in the home, where the staff and the young people are encouraged to voice their concerns. As a result, the previous recommendation has been met.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has taken the time to review the home’s workforce development plan. This is now a live and comprehensive document, that is being used to monitor and review the staff team’s training and continued professional development. As a result of this progress, the previous recommendation has been met. Inspection report children's home: 2517299 7

p.6

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.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.7

Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.7

Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

p.7

Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

p.7

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)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that if an applicant has previously worked in a position involving work with children or vulnerable adults, the role is verified so far as reasonably practicable of the reason why the employment or position ended. The registered manager must also ensure that applicants have a full employment history, together with a satisfactory explanation of any gaps in employment, in writing. 11 December Inspection report children's home: 2517299 8

p.7

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: 2517299 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Buckinghamshire County Council, County Hall, Walton Street Offices, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP20 1UA

p.9

Inspector

Kelly Monniot, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2517299 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.9

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 http://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.10

Inspector

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

p.10

Inspector

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

p.10