Children's Home run by Nurture Childcare Services Ltd in Lancashire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1238043 1

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Nurture Childcare Services Ltd

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private provider. It is registered to care for up to five children who are unable to live at home due to emotional and behavioural needs.

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This monitoring visit

This home was judged as inadequate at the full inspection on 21 and 22 September 2021. Compliance notices were issued in relation to safeguarding, risk management and leadership. As a result, a further monitoring visit was carried out on 11 November 2021.

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This monitoring visit

During this visit, a significant shortfall was identified that indicated children were still at risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

Staff did not follow their internal child protection procedures when a child made a serious allegation to a staff member against a senior member of staff. The allegation was not alerted to either the manager or outside agencies at the time.

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This monitoring visit

The child was subsequently allowed to be left alone with the member of staff who the child had made an allegation against on a car journey. No staff at this point had reported matters to management and it was the child who alerted her allocated social worker to the event. Furthermore, the manager did not pick up on these concerns when highlighted by the inspector reviewing the information. The manager, therefore, did not undertake a robust internal investigation in addressing all matters arising from the allegations.

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This monitoring visit

However, risk assessments contain detailed information with clear strategies for staff to follow. All staff spoken to were able to articulate the presenting risks for children and the strategies to manage those risks. For example, regarding a child Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1238043 2 with high risk of self-harm, staff were clear that when she presents in low mood, welfare checks should be undertaken frequently.

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This monitoring visit

New referrals to external agencies for children have been made to reflect their current needs. A new in-depth education planner for one child contained educational activities. As a result, the child has obtained several certificates to evidence her learning, and her hours of education have now increased.

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This monitoring visit

Direct work has taken place following any incidents. These are detailed and reflective in nature.

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This monitoring visit

The home conditions are now much improved. The children’s bedrooms were observed to be clean, safe and tidy. New furniture has been bought for the living room, hallway and landing. The walls in the living room, hall, kitchen and landing are freshy painted. New carpets have been bought for rooms, and locks on the downstairs doors have now been removed.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are now clear about the expectation of the required standards for children’s bedrooms. Staff check children’s bedrooms daily. Children were proud to show their rooms to the inspector. Children told the inspector that staff support them to clean their rooms and help them make their beds and clean up.

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This monitoring visit

The quality of management oversight and monitoring has, overall, improved. The previous registered manager resigned with immediate effect following the last full inspection. A new interim manager has been appointed to the home. The interim manager has made a number of significant changes to reporting and reviewing systems. Staff told the inspector that they feel the culture has changed in the home and that they are clear on their roles and responsibilities. Feedback from external professionals say that the interim manager is organised and efficient. The provider has ensured that all staff have received additional training to equip them with the skills they need to undertake their roles. This has included training about mental health and understanding self-harm. One member of staff said, ‘I found the training very useful. It helped us to reflect on our practice and it gave me ideas of how I could support the child differently.’

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This monitoring visit

The interim manager has introduced new and more detailed care planning documentation. Care plans are clear about the children’s needs and the level of support and supervision they require. The care plan is supplemented by a comprehensive individual behaviour management plan. Therefore, Ofsted found that the compliance notice under Regulation 13 has been met.

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This monitoring visit

However, it is Ofsted’s view that the response to the safeguarding allegation was not effective and leaves children at risk of harm. As a result, Ofsted has issued an Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1238043 3 additional compliance notice under Regulation 12 to ensure that children are provided with safe, effective care. We will continue to monitor the provider closely.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/09/2021 Full Inadequate 11/03/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/06/2018 Full Good 22/06/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1238043 4

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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 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

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;

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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)(i)(vii)) 09 January 2022

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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

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

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)) 09 January 2022

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1238043 5

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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.

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Information about this inspection

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

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Nurture Childcare Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 71 Edge End Lane, Great Harwood, Blackburn, BB6 7QD

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Inspector

Rachel Springford, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1238043 6 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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