Children's Home run by Nurture Care Group Ltd in Wolverhampton

Inspection report for children’s home: 2642297 1 Registered provider: Nurture Care Group Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care for up to three children aged between five and 17 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties and associated complex needs.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager is appropriately qualified and is registered with Ofsted.

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

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: not applicable

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2642297 2

p.1

Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2642297 3

p.2

improvement to be good

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home. They have developed positive relationships with some staff. However, there have been allegations that some staff have made derogatory comments about children’s appearance. This has negatively affected children’s self-esteem and confidence. The registered manager has taken appropriate action, and these members of staff are no longer working in the home.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children are supported to make progress in their education. Some children who have previously struggled with attendance are now attending school regularly. Staff work well with schools to promote positive experiences for these children in their education. Staff have escalated concerns and advocated for one child who has experienced difficulties with education, and they have secured an educational placement for them. Consequently, all children are being supported to access formal education provisions.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children access a range of activities in the community and they are encouraged to develop and acquire new skills. Staff encourage children to participate in activities they enjoy. For example, one child is pursuing their interest in ice skating, and they said they wish to make this a professional career when they are older. Children’s ambitions and aspirations are encouraged and developed.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children are supported to spend time with people who are important to them. Their families say that they are kept informed by staff about the children’s progress and staff support them to see their children regularly. Children’s families are consulted, and they say that they feel involved in decisions about the care given to their children. As a result, children are supported to maintain relationships with the people who are important to them.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children are accessing therapeutic support in the home, which is delivered by a skilled clinical team. Children’s psychological assessments identify their needs and there are plans to help them understand their past trauma in a therapeutic way. Children are able to access therapeutic support in the home delivered by a skilled clinical team who know them well.

p.3

improvement to be good

The home is presented well. Children have decorated their bedrooms to suit their individual style and preferences. Consequently, children live in an environment that feels homely and welcoming. Inspection report for children’s home: 2642297 4

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff lack experience in ensuring that children are safeguarded effectively. For example, less experienced staff did not challenge the poor practice of long-standing staff and did not escalate this with the registered manager in a timely manner. As a result, the welfare of children was not prioritised.

p.4

improvement to be good

The registered manager takes appropriate action when children make allegations of harm against staff. However, the registered manager has not informed the designated officer, the social worker and the regulator in a timely manner. This does not ensure that there is appropriate scrutiny of the registered manager’s actions.

p.4

improvement to be good

When appointing new staff, the registered manager has not consistently followed safe recruitment practice. For example, not enough checks are carried out to explore the reasons why a member of staff left their last employment when they had previously worked with children or vulnerable adults. This has the potential to compromise safeguarding measures when recruiting new staff.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff have not managed risks in relation to children who go missing. For example, prior to one child going missing, staff had not conducted regular checks on them and there were inconsistencies about what time the child left the home. Staff’s complacency contributed to the child going missing, but staff actions thereafter were appropriate. Positively, staff have managed recent incidents of children going missing effectively and have shown creativity in managing risks for children who go missing. Staff have taken learning from the previous shortfall to inform risk management plans that are now thorough and more effective in safeguarding children.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff do not consistently ensure that the daily records for children are sufficiently detailed. For example, one child’s care plan states that they should have increased and time-specific monitoring to manage their risks, but staff do not consistently record the times when visual checks have taken place. Consequently, supervision of the child is not monitored effectively.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff ensure that physical restraints of children are used as a last resort to protect them and others from harm. Incidents of restraints are clearly recorded, reviewed and monitored. Children are supported to understand why restraints are used to keep them safe, and staff explore how this felt for them. Consequently, children are helped to reflect on their thoughts and feelings.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff manage incidents of self-injurious behaviour well. There are risk assessments in place to support children who struggle with self-harming and serious incidents have reduced for some children. Staff follow children’s individualised plans and they use the home’s therapeutic approach to support children. As a result, children are adequately supported. Inspection report for children’s home: 2642297 5

p.4

good

The registered manager has a vision for the home and understands the home’s strengths and weaknesses. She knows the children well and advocates for their best interests. For example, concerns have been escalated for one child who was not accessing an education provision. However, the registered manager has not promptly identified poor practice by some staff who were bullying less experienced staff and not providing consistent good-quality care to children. Consequently, staff and children have not always had good experiences of working and living in the home.

p.5

good

The registered manager does not ensure that staff receive regular and effective supervision. Consequently, the registered manager does not consistently review staff practice, monitor their experiences of working in the home or identify if there are any areas that have an impact on the care provided to the children. As a result, concerns about some staff’s poor practice were not raised in a timely manner. Positively, staff now report that they feel supported by the registered manager and additional resources are in place to support staff well-being.

p.5

good

The registered manager has struggled to recruit an experienced and permanent staff team. There is a reliance on agency staff to ensure that children receive continuity of care. However, the same agency staff are used regularly. Recently, these shortfalls have meant the registered manager has often been caring for children and has not able to carry out her role as the registered manager effectively.

p.5

good

The workforce development plan is not sufficiently detailed. It lacks detail about the qualifications of staff and the supervision arrangements for all staff, including the clinical team. Consequently, the registered manager is not able to review and monitor the development of the home and staff effectively.

p.5

good

The registered manager ensures that plans for children are comprehensive. The children’s progress is monitored and the care provided is having a positive impact on the children. Professionals and families say that the registered manager and staff understand the children and actively drive their achievement and progress.

p.5

good

The registered manager ensures that impact risk assessments of children moving into the home are thorough. The registered manager involves social workers and other professionals working with children to help consider if the home is suitable to meet their needs. This ensures that good planning takes place prior to children moving into the home.

p.5

good

Staff and the registered manager ensure that there is good communication with professionals. Social workers are kept up to date about the children. As a result, there is a collaborative approach to supporting and managing risks to children who live in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2642297 6

p.5

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.6

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.6

Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

p.6

Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect; (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager should ensure that staff are supported to gain the experience and confidence to raise any concerns of poor practice by others, in order to promote the ongoing welfare of children.

p.6

18 April 2022

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

18 April 2022

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

p.6

18 April 2022

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.6

18 April 2022

Inspection report for children’s home: 2642297 7 understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.7

18 April 2022

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.7

18 April 2022

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)((v)(vi)(vii))

p.7

18 April 2022

In particular, staff should ensure that they consistently follow the risk assessments for each child and the home’s policies and procedures to safeguard children.

p.7

18 April 2022

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

18 April 2022

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.7

18 April 2022

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

p.7

18 April 2022

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.7

18 April 2022

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.7

18 April 2022

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

p.7

18 April 2022

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(d)(e)(h))

p.7

18 April 2022

In particular, the registered manager should ensure that staff provide high-quality care for all children living in the home. In addition, that the manager recruits a stable and permanent staff team.

p.7

18 April 2022

Inspection report for children’s home: 2642297 8 This also relates to the registered manager ensuring that they are visible and accessible to all staff, to allow them the opportunity to raise any concerns when necessary.

p.8

18 April 2022

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

p.8

18 April 2022

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

p.8

18 April 2022

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,

p.8

18 April 2022

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.8

18 April 2022

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.8

18 April 2022

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

p.8

18 April 2022

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)(d))

p.8

18 April 2022

In particular, the registered manager should ensure that schedule 2 checks are completed in respect of all staff.

p.8

18 April 2022

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.8

18 April 2022

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

p.8

18 April 2022

In particular, the registered manager should ensure that all staff receive regular supervision.

p.8

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the workforce development plan is sufficiently detailed to include process and timescales for supervision of practice Inspection report for children’s home: 2642297 9 for all staff in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)  The registered person should ensure that children’s daily records are sufficiently detailed to reflect their risk management plans. Staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and accurate recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.8

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: 2642297 10

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Nurture Care Group Ltd

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 31 Hollyoak Way, Cannock WS11 1DF

p.10

Inspector

Mazviita Makiyi, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2642297 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