Children's Home run by Enhanced Young Persons Care Limited in Middlesbrough

Inspection report for children’s home: SC455864 1 SC455864 Registered provider: Enhanced Young Persons Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to eight children with social, emotional and/or mental health difficulties and/or mental disorders, excluding learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2018.

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 1 June 2021 to carry out a monitoring 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good Inspection report for children’s home: SC455864 2

p.1

Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 4 March 2021, Ofsted completed a monitoring visit following concerns with regard to other children’s homes connected to this provider. The inspector found significant shortfalls relating to the leadership and management of the home and the well-being of children. Ofsted issued two compliance notices under regulations 11 and 13.

p.2

Enforcement action since last inspection:

Ofsted carried out a second monitoring visit on 27 April 2021. The inspector found that the compliance notices were not met, and these were reissued.

p.2

Enforcement action since last inspection:

Inspectors carried out a further monitoring visit on 1 June 2021 and judged the steps detailed in the compliance notices to be met. Inspection report for children’s home: SC455864 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/08/2019 Full Good 18/07/2018 Full Good 07/03/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 25/04/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC455864 4

p.3

improvement to be good

Children’s progress is mixed. For some children, their progress has stalled or declined. Staff are working with other professionals to address these concerns and find solutions that better support children’s development. Although staff can articulate the plans for children, the lack of structured written plans prevents them from effectively tracking children’s progress to help them to achieve their personal targets.

p.4

improvement to be good

Not all children engage in education. When children refuse education, staff do not provide them with a structured day. This means that children view education as optional and lack a routine which will support them when returning to education.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children are not able to freely access all rooms in the house. The door to a bathroom and a lounge were locked. Managers and staff could not give a clear rationale for this restriction. Adaptations previously made to the environment, when the property operated as a care home for older people, are still evident. The decor and fixtures do not have a domestic feel. This makes the setting feel institutional and not like a family home.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children build good relationships with staff, who invest time getting to know them. Staff listen to children and respond to their ideas. The home has introduced a new system to gather feedback from the children. This has resulted in the development of a relaxation room which is being led by one of the children. This will benefit all children and complement the therapeutic ethos of the home.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children are welcomed into the home as part of carefully planned introductions. Time is taken to meet the child, and they have visits to the home and overnight stays prior to moving in. The manager completes an assessment when considering their admission. This ensures that their needs can be met by staff, and the manager sources additional training when needed. This creates a positive start to children’s time in the home and helps them feel secure.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff help children to create memory books of their time at the home. These books contain photos of activities, events and experiences they have had, which shows happy times and achievements. This is an important record of their life story and helps children to feel valued.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children are cared for by staff who know their risks and can articulate how they keep children safe on a day-to-day basis. Managers and staff meet with multi- agency partners to make decisions on how to keep children safe and reduce the risk Inspection report for children’s home: SC455864 5 of harm. However, not all risks to children are accurately reflected in their risk assessments and care plans. When managers introduce new plans to meet children’s specific needs, staff are not always aware of where to find these plans. This could result in an inconsistent approach to managing children’s risks.

p.4

improvement to be good

Risk assessments for children are not always up to date. Where risks have decreased, this is not reflected in the risk rating allocated on the assessment. This means that the current risks to children are muted by historical risks which may no longer be of concern. For example, for one child, the risk of exploitation is not recognised or highlighted and means that the wider concerns around these risks are not addressed.

p.5

improvement to be good

Staff do not ensure that records of key-work sessions are available on the children’s files. This means that children do not have an accurate record of their progress and that staff are unable to demonstrate that their work with children is always meaningful and effective.

p.5

improvement to be good

Children benefit from support from the organisation’s therapeutic lead. This support and consultation help staff to improve their understanding of children’s behaviours. Children learn to understand their emotions and develop strategies to manage their own behaviour. When issues do arise, staff use effective de-escalation techniques to ensure that behaviour does not escalate.

p.5

improvement to be good

Staff only use physical restraint as a last resort. When this measure of control is necessary to protect children from the immediate risk of harm, staff ensure that records of these interventions include all necessary information. These records also include children’s views and opinions. This means that the manager is able to thoroughly review these incidents. This helps to keep children safe and ensures that actions taken are both necessary and proportionate.

p.5

good

The manager was not at work at the time of the inspection. The deputy manager has taken charge of the home in the interim period with support from the organisation’s senior management team.

p.5

good

Monitoring systems are ineffective and do not help managers identify practice shortfalls. Information is not up to date and does not help the manager to review children’s progress or assess the quality of care that children receive. This lack of oversight hinders the development of the home.

p.5

good

Children’s case file records do not accurately reflect their care, and staff do not routinely complete paperwork in line with expectations. This prevents the manager from evaluating children’s progress and experiences.

p.5

good

Leaders and managers do not deliver staff supervision in line with the organisation’s policy. For some staff, there are significant gaps in the frequency of formal Inspection report for children’s home: SC455864 6 supervision. This means that not all staff have regular opportunities to reflect on their practice. The manager does not have sufficient oversight of staff’s training needs or how these influence the quality of care that children receive.

p.5

good

Leaders and managers work well with other agencies and professionals, and this is a strength of the service. Feedback from social workers emphasises good communication and effective multi-agency working, and highlight how this approach supports children’s progress. When issues arise, the manager works with other agencies to quickly resolve any complaints and ensure that children remain the focus of practice in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC455864 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iv)) 4 March 2022

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; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that risk assessments include up-to-date information to reflect current risks and that key-work sessions are on children’s files. 4 March 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: SC455864 8 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.7

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)) 4 March 2022

p.8

Requirement Due date

the privacy of children is appropriately protected;

p.8

Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

p.8

Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home;

p.8

Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)) 4 March 2022

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.8

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that this occurs in line with the organisation’s policy. 4 March 2022

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which— 4 March 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: SC455864 9 include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child. (Regulation 36 (1)(a))

p.8

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children’s homes are nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, and that they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

p.9

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 for children’s home: SC455864 10

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Enhanced Young Persons Care Limited

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Fox Street, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE10 0BD

p.10

Inspector

Deb Duffy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC455864 11 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.10

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.11

Inspector

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

p.11

Inspector

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

p.11