Children's Home, Residential special school run by MacIntyre Academies in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC489212 1 SC489212 Registered provider: MacIntyre Academies

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is run by a private organisation in partnership with the local authority. The home provides placements for children with disabilities and young people with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder that might result in behaviours of concern. The home provides care for up to six children and young people permanently, and up to six children and young people under short-break arrangements.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since July 2021.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The inspector was aware during this inspection that a whistle-blowing complaint, made since the previous inspection, is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate complaints of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the complaint were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform the inspector’s judgements.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken to address specific concerns received by Ofsted and following a provider-led investigation submitted to Ofsted. The provider’s response raised concerns about management monitoring and oversight of the home.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The requirements made at the full inspection in September 2021 were judged to be met. The condition of the home is now improved and is free from hazards. Several areas of the home have been redecorated, which has made the environment more homely, comfortable and welcoming. However, the children’s bathrooms and the main kitchen need refurbishment. Managers have recognised this and have improvement plans in place. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC489212 2 The systems for administering and recording medication have been reviewed and amended to promote safe practice. Bespoke medication training has been provided to staff to ensure that they are competent in all aspects of the medication administration process. Managers complete daily medication stock checks and monthly medication audits. Changes to medication procedures have reduced the risk of medication errors.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Following an incident of a staff member using their own mobile phone inappropriately, action has been taken by the manager to ban staff from using phones when they are working with children. An unintended consequence is that staff now do not have a means of calling colleagues for help when they are supporting children who are struggling to manage their emotions. Managers have failed to identify a new strategy to ensure that staff have an appropriate means of communication while on shift working with children.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Managers have responded robustly to significant incidents, and they have taken steps to reduce the risk of a recurrence. However, there have been avoidable delays between serious incidents occurring and managers notifying Ofsted. This means the regulator has been unable to monitor and evaluate responses to serious incidents in a timely way and ensure the safety and well-being of children and regulatory compliance.

p.2

This monitoring visit

On one occasion since the last inspection, leaders and managers agreed that the independent person did not need to carry out their monthly visit. As a result, the provider has not demonstrated an understanding of the importance of monthly visits by an independent person to ensure that children’s safety and well-being are being promoted.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff report good support from managers. The manager has effective monitoring systems in place to ensure that staff receive regular, meaningful supervision.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Managers are actively recruiting to fill vacant care staff posts. In the interim, managers fill rota gaps themselves or with staff who know the children well. This ensures there is no impact on the quality of care the children receive.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There is currently no registered manager at the home. The manager in day-to-day charge of the home has been appointed since the last inspection. She is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC489212 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/09/2021 Full Good 05/11/2019 Full Good 13/09/2018 Full Good 03/05/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC489212 4

p.3

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.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b))

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that staff have an appropriate means of communication to call colleagues for support in the event of a serious incident. 22 April 2022

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.4

Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

p.4

Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

p.4

Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

p.4

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

p.4

Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

p.4

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 22 April 2022 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC489212 5 The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

p.4

Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

p.5

Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

p.5

Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person’s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

p.5

Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5)) 22 April 2022

p.5

Recommendation

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

p.5

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.

p.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC489212 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: MacIntyre Academies

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: MacIntyre Care, 602 South Seventh Street, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK9 2JA

p.6

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Michaela Soporova

p.6

Inspector

Helen Simmons, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC489212 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