Children's home run by Medway Council

Inspection report children’s home: 2571557 1 Registered provider: Medway Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This local authority home’s statement of purpose states that the home provides short breaks for up to five children, aged from five to 18, with a diagnosed learning disability or a learning disability with physical disability.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since 16 June 2021.

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

Inspection date: 28 March 2022

Date of last inspection: 9 November 2021

p.1

Inspection date: 28 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 28 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2571557 2

p.1

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has declined in effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a new manager in post. She has applied for registration with Ofsted and her application is in progress.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A dedicated staff team provides nurturing care to the children. However, the newly appointed manager has not addressed most of the requirements made in the last full inspection. This has affected the care provided to children.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use their skills and knowledge to complete assessments for children before they commence visits to this home. During the transition process, children and their families visit the home, and children are then invited for afternoon tea and overnight stays. This process enables children to feel welcome and to anticipate future visits from the outset.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use insufficient means of communication to obtain children’s views and wishes. Staff use verbal communication and limited signing to communicate with children with limited or no verbal communication abilities. The manager has implemented a picture exchange communication system to promote effective dialogue between children and staff. However, there is limited material for children and staff to use and most staff have not received relevant training to support them to use this system effectively. This is an ongoing shortfall from the last inspection. The requirement has therefore been repeated.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children live in a home that is well decorated and maintained. Children visiting this home can choose the bedrooms they wish to use during their stay. The bedrooms are well decorated with child-friendly themes and characters. Some rooms are fitted with equipment that enables staff to provide the required care to children.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no physical interventions. Children are supported and redirected through verbal de-escalation techniques. Staff support children by giving them a choice of activities and space to calm down if needed. However, some risk assessments are not reviewed regularly and do not indicate progress made by the children and how staff are to support them currently. This is a shortfall that was raised at the last inspection and remains unresolved.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and leaders do not follow safer recruitment processes. For example, clearance checks for new members of staff are not obtained. Historical investigations, disciplinary processes and identity checks are not provided before Inspection report children’s home: 2571557 3 individuals commence employment. This limits the full scrutiny of staff and jeopardises the safety of children.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Regular health and safety checks are completed in the home. However, actions from previous fire risk assessments have not been addressed. Children have individual personal emergency evacuation plans in line with their health and care needs. These do not provide clear guidance on how staff are to support children who may struggle during an evacuation process. Thus, compromising the fire risk management processes in place to keep children and staff safe while ensuring that security of the home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has implemented new systems to monitor allegations and complaints. The manager uses information gathered from the independent visitor to monitor progress and address shortfalls in the care given to children. However, this process continues to fail to gather feedback or monitor engagement between children and staff because visits occur in the absence of children or the independent visitor makes limited effort to obtain feedback.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have not received regular supervisions. As a result, there has been limited opportunity for staff to reflect formally on their well-being, practice issues and training and developmental needs, and to obtain feedback on areas where they have improved in their practice. This has negatively affected staff morale. Inspection report children’s home: 2571557 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: 2571557 5

p.4

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.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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)(c)(d)) 20 May 2022

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if 20 May 2022 Inspection report children’s home: 2571557 6 necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.5

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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.6

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.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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.6

Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. 20 May 2022 Inspection report children’s home: 2571557 7 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))

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.7

Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c)) 20 May 2022

p.7

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—

p.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must ensure that all actions and recommendations from external contractors such as fire and water agencies are dealt with appropriately and managed effectively. 20 May 2022

p.7

Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that persons working at the home and, so far as reasonably practicable, children are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire. (Regulation 25 (1)(d)) 20 May 2022

p.7

Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that 20 May 2022 Inspection report children’s home: 2571557 8 children receive care from staff who—

p.7

Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

p.8

Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager is to ensure that children have access to their communication aids, methods and devices at all times and in accordance with their relevant plans.

p.8

Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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 children’s home: 2571557 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Medway ME4 4TR

p.9

Inspector

Alphie Khumalo, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2571557 10 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.9

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.10

Inspector

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

p.10

Inspector

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

p.10