Children's Home run by Institute of Integrated Systemic Therapy in Kent

Inspection report children’s home: SC454294 1 SC454294 Registered provider: Institute of Integrated Systemic Therapy Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a charitable organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to eight children. The statement of purpose says that the home is a specialist residential therapeutic community which provides therapeutic care and treatment along with family support to psychologically traumatised children.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home has not had a registered manager since 1 December 2021.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC454294 2

p.1

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements and recommendations from the full inspection have been met.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff provide a nurturing atmosphere and engage positively with children. Children were observed to be happy, relaxed and enjoying spending time with staff and each other. Children are developing their skills with regards to independence and living together. For example, one child cooked a meal for all the staff and children.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recent changes in management structure have had a positive impact on improving the service. Senior managers are aware of strengths and weaknesses and what is needed to further develop the service. The manager has been recently appointed and is in the process of registering with Ofsted. She has a good vision of how to improve the therapeutic culture of the home and some initial positive changes have been made. The focus on the welfare and well-being of the children is a priority. This is demonstrated by referrals not being accepted until the current children have settled.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are well prepared for new children moving into the home during community meetings and follow-up conversations. A document outlining the child’s needs includes input from the professional team and the wider professional network. However, a discussion about the potential impact on the children living at the home and any conflicting vulnerabilities was brief. This a missed opportunity to give staff the necessary guidance from the start.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Several children have moved out of the home, generally in a planned way. Plans to assist children to move out of the home reflect their circumstances well. One child moved to supported lodging during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The staff settled her in and ensured that she had all the essential items she needed. Another child enjoyed a community holiday prior to his move to foster care. Visits to new homes and regular follow-up calls assist the children to retain appropriate levels of contact with the staff at the home while building up relationships with their new carers.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Physical interventions with children are used as a last resort. Antecedents and de- escalation techniques are clearly recorded. Managers analyse and evaluate records to identify trends and implement strategies to reduce the need for such measures. These strategies are shared with staff during debriefs and at team meetings. Staff seek children’s views, and, generally, they respond positively. However, while social workers are informed of incidents, there are delays in sending the reports. This Inspection report children’s home: SC454294 3 compromises the social workers’ ability to review the incidents and act on any concerns.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff follow safeguarding procedures and liaise with other agencies to investigate concerns. For example, the manager liaised with the professional network and shared findings from a staff performance issue. This demonstrates that effective action was taken to address potential concerns.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All staff have now had appraisals of their performance which acknowledge their strengths and areas for further development. However, not all staff have regular supervision discussions. There are opportunities to share information in other meetings but not all staff have regular face-to-face meetings to reflect on their practice.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home environment has significantly improved. The children’s bedrooms have been decorated and any damage is repaired without delay. The manager monitors the environment to ensure that it is safe, and any damage is addressed immediately.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ofsted is informed of serious incidents in a timely manner. This improvement has enabled Ofsted to monitor the home effectively in-between inspections. A concern shared with Ofsted was thoroughly investigated and the findings shared with the inspector. Inspection report children’s home: SC454294 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/02/2020 Full Outstanding 09/01/2019 Full Outstanding 14/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC454294 5

p.4

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.5

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the staff have the necessary guidance on the potential impact for the child and the children living in the home. 31 March 2022

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home works in close partnership with all the those who play a role in protecting and caring for the child. In particular, ensure that written records are shared promptly with the child’s social worker. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 11, paragraph 2.3)  The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

p.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.5

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: SC454294 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Institute of Integrated Systemic Therapy, 210 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JX

p.6

Inspector

Suzy Lemmy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC454294 7 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.6

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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7