Children's Home run by Options Autism (5) Limited in Shropshire

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC361167 1 SC361167 Registered provider: Options Autism (5) Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This service provides care for children with autism spectrum disorder. The children may also have additional medical and/or complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

This setting is an independent residential special school registered as a children’s home. It is owned and operated by a private company. The service offers specialised education and care for up to eight children at present.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager was appointed in December 2021. She is suitably experienced and is working towards the level 5 qualification in management. She intends to apply to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

On 13 December 2021, Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit at this home. Following this visit, a compliance notice was raised in respect of issues relating to medication management. This monitoring visit was made to review the progress managers and staff have made in meeting the steps outlined in the compliance notice. In addition, inspectors reviewed progress made by the provider in addressing requirements identified at the full inspection in relation to the protection of children, enjoyment and achievement, leadership and management, staff supervision and safer recruitment practice.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of this inspection, eight children lived at the home. Since the last inspection, no children have moved out and one child who used to live at the home has returned following a well-planned transition.

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This monitoring visit

There have been continued improvements to the home environment and the refurbishment of a second house has now commenced. Sensitive and well-thought- Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC361167 2 out arrangements have been made to minimise disruption to children while the works continue. No new health and safety concerns were identified during this visit. A new maintenance team has been employed to ensure that the site remains safe and functional for children. However, delays due to COVID-19 and supply issues mean that work to replace the fencing remains ongoing.

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This monitoring visit

The arrangements for medication management have been reviewed and overhauled. Robust monitoring systems have been implemented by managers, giving enhanced oversight and accountability for the safe administration of medicines. All senior staff have undergone competency training. Medication arrangements have been reviewed and medicines are now safely stored where children live. As a result, medicines are now administered to children at the times prescribed. On the rare occasion when errors have been identified, managers have acted immediately to address these and take the appropriate action to safeguard children. Medication records, while improved, do not always provide clarity on when certain medication should not be taken in conjunction with other types of medication.

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This monitoring visit

Shortfalls identified at the last inspection in relation to safer recruitment have now been addressed. More robust recruitment checks help to ensure that suitable people care for children.

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This monitoring visit

When concerns are raised about staff practice, managers respond promptly and take action to safeguard children and staff while investigations are undertaken. They report issues to partner agencies as required. At the time of the inspection, some investigations were ongoing. Where investigations had concluded, there was evidence that managers had acted on recommendations raised to bring about improvements.

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This monitoring visit

Some children can access the community and experience trips to local leisure attractions. For other children, this remains a challenge and progress is slow. This is a missed opportunity to enable all children to overcome their fears and experience life in the local and wider community.

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This monitoring visit

There are challenges in the recruitment and retention of staff. This has meant that, at times, children have not received the staffing levels as set out in their plans. In addition, children have sometimes been unable to undertake leisure activities. While managers have taken some steps to mitigate risk, they have not reviewed the arrangements to understand the impact on children of operating the service at reduced staffing levels. As a result, this is an area of vulnerability that has the potential to compromise children’s welfare and progress. In addition, some children receive funding so that they can access additional staff support. There is a lack of clarity about this and what the additional support is for, which indicates a shortfall in care planning for children.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have started to consider the approach to staff supervision. Some staff receive single-subject supervision to address issues. However, staff still do not Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC361167 3 routinely receive supervision and not all staff have had an annual appraisal. This is hindering staff development and further improvements being made in the quality of care being provided to children.

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This monitoring visit

Team meetings are taking place and overall communication between managers and staff is better. As a result, staff are kept up to date and are receiving more direction about what is expected of them as a team.

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This monitoring visit

It is not always clear from staff rotas and records which home staff are working in and so which children they are caring for. This is not good practice and means that information is not readily available to review now or if needed in the future. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC361167 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/08/2021 Full Inadequate 22/10/2019 Full Good 27/06/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC361167 5

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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 enjoyment and achievement standard is that children take part in and benefit from a variety of activities that meet their needs and develop and reflect their creative, cultural, intellectual, physical and social interests and skills.

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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

make a positive contribution to the home and the wider community; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to a range of activities that enable the child to pursue the child’s interests and hobbies. (Regulation 9 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all children are supported to access the community, and that plans are progressed and implemented without delay.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is repeated. 20 March 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— 1 March 2022 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC361167 6 ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(d)(f))

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that there is a clear understanding about what any additional support is for and that this is clearly documented in children’s plans, followed and reviewed. 1 March 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that staff receive regular supervision and an annual appraisal.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is repeated. 20 March 2022 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC361167 7 The registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date; and

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Requirement Due date

retain records for at least 15 years from the date of the last entry. (Regulation 37 (2)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that clear records are maintained about when and where staff work at the home. 1 March 2022

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Recommendation

 Care must be taken to ensure that prescribed medicines are only administered to the individual for whom they are prescribed. Medicines must be administered in line with a medically approved protocol. Specifically, that the medication record reflects when certain medication should not be taken in conjunction with other types of medication, as outlined in advice notes. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 35, paragraph 7.15)

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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. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC361167 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Options Autism (5) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG

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Inspectors

James Tallis, Social Care Inspector Jackie Line, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC361167 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.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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