Children's home run by Bryn Melyn Care Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC372611 1 SC372611

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Bryn Melyn Care Limited

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This service is owned by a private company. The home is registered to provide care for one child irrespective of gender, aged 10 to 17 years, with social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager’s post is vacant. A manager is in post, and an application to register has been received.

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This monitoring visit

The home was judged declined in effectiveness at the interim inspection on 18 January 2022. This was due to significant concerns regarding the staff’s safeguarding practice and the leadership and management of the home. As a result, compliance notices were issued in relation to the protection of children standard (regulation 12) and the leadership and management standard (regulation 13).

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This monitoring visit

This visit examined the progress made by the home in meeting the two compliance notices. It also considered the eight requirements and one recommendation made at the interim inspection. The inspector found that the compliance notices had been met. However, one requirement under regulation 12 is reissued.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of the monitoring visit, there was one child living at the home. During the interim inspection, senior managers made a request for a voluntary variation to reduce the number of children living at the home to one. The rota is accurate and demonstrates that there are sufficient staff to provide care for one child. This means that the child is cared for by core staff members who are familiar with them.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and senior leaders have developed the staff’s understanding of risk. Staff have attended training in safeguarding and risk management. Following this Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC372611 2 training, the manager and senior leaders have assessed the staff’s competency in these areas, and have identified further actions as needed. As a result, the child is cared for by staff who understand how to keep them safe.

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This monitoring visit

Staff practice has become more child focused. The manager encourages this practice through team meetings. The staff also receive help from the clinical team to encourage reflective practice. This helps staff to consider the needs of the child and understand their behaviours.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has reviewed the child’s risk assessments and plans, to ensure that they are effective. The manager has also created a new behaviour support policy for the home, which is clear and detailed. As a result, staff have clear guidance to follow in order to protect the child they care for.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has oversight of the care that staff provide. She completes daily and weekly checks to aid this oversight and monitor the home. As a result, staff practice and the progress of the child are continually monitored, so that additional help can be provided to help the child progress.

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This monitoring visit

When a child moved out of the home, the manager and staff continued to be involved in their life. The manager visited the child in their new placement and provided an ending letter which was a child-centred celebration of their time in the home. In addition, staff compiled a memory book which captured the child’s experiences. This provided the child with a record of memories that form part of their life story. This in turn contributes to their sense of identity.

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This monitoring visit

Staff actively encourage the child to share their views, wishes and feelings. The importance of these wishes and feelings is recognised by the manager and staff. This includes exploring with the child their experiences of living at the home, as well as considering the future. As a result, the child knows their views are important.

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This monitoring visit

The senior leaders have completed a detailed review of recent incidents. The review is analytical and identifies learning. In response, leaders have created an action plan to develop the staff’s practice. These actions have been completed, which has led to improvements in the staff’s care skills.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and senior leaders respond effectively when allegations are made. Where actions have been recommended following investigations, these have been addressed. However, one allegation remains under investigation. This delay means that children are not always consistently provided with outcomes in a timely manner. Leaders and the manager are aware of this shortfall, and are working to address this as quickly as possible.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has ensured that all of the child’s information is up to date. There is now a clear delegated authority in place for the child. This means that staff understand who is responsible for the decision-making for the child. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC372611 3 The manager and senior leaders have implemented thorough procedures to oversee the safer recruitment of agency staff. Since the interim inspection, agency staff have not been required. However, the inspector viewed other recruitment files that demonstrate the manager understands safer recruitment principles.

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This monitoring visit

A senior leader has provided training in respect of when staff need to notify the regulator about incidents. The manager is proactive in discussing concerns with the regulator to develop their own decision-making about whether to formally notify the regulator or not. Staff competency questionnaires were completed, and these note an improvement in the staff’s knowledge regarding the information the regulator needs to be made aware of.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and senior leaders have taken steps to address the majority of requirements and the recommendation issued at the previous inspection. As a result, the quality of care and the safety of children have improved since the last inspection. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC372611 4

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 18/01/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness 16/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/06/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/10/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC372611 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 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

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must ensure that all allegations are completed, and that children and all relevant people are aware of the outcome. 24 April 2022

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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: SC372611 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bryn Melyn Care Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Melanie Griffin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC372611 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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