Children's Home run by Solace Care Redbridge Limited in Redbridge

Inspection report for children’s home: 2613806 1 Registered provider: Solace Care Redbridge Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care for up to four children. The provider states in its statement of purpose that it provides care for children with social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in December 2020. The home has not had a registered manager since April 2021. The current manager has begun the process to register with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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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.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 11 January 2022

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2613806 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2613806 3

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improvement to be good

There were two children living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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improvement to be good

Management oversight of the home is not effective. Four interim managers have been in post since the last inspection. This, along with a shortage of experienced staff and lack of management guidance, has contributed to instability for children and staff.

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improvement to be good

Staff practice has not respected children’s rights and promoted their dignity. Staff were ‘putting down’ a child if the child returned past their curfew. Staff have conducted daily room searches despite no significant safeguarding concerns to warrant this. The new manager has stopped this practice.

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improvement to be good

There have been two complaints made by children. These were acknowledged by the responsible individual. However, there was no follow-up letter sent to the children and no evidence that the children were happy with the outcome.

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improvement to be good

Children’s placement plans are not always clear, and staff have cut and pasted from other children’s plans. Placement plans are not regularly updated and do not reflect the progress that children make. This does not ensure that staff are following the most recent plans to support children to make good progress.

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improvement to be good

Children’s daily case records are sparse and do not give a clear insight into their daily lives. Children’s records are not written in a way which is meaningful to them.

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improvement to be good

Children are beginning to make good progress with their education. One child attends two hours’ tutoring in the home daily while a permanent school placement is being sought. The child is engaging well with the tuition. The child proudly showed off a television in his bedroom which was part of his incentive for engaging in his education daily. Staff take another child to school every day; the child is engaging well.

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improvement to be good

One child has recently started working on developing his independence skills. He cooks meals, does his laundry and has some free time in the community. The child is making good progress and is proud of his achievements.

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improvement to be good

A child has recently moved into the home. The child was involved in formulating her moving-in plan, which is detailed. The child reported that she had visited the home prior to moving in and had chosen the colour scheme for her bedroom, which she loves. The child’s parent reported that communication from the home has been excellent and that the manager has arranged for her to visit the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2613806 4

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improvement to be good

A full investigation took place in response to a serious safeguarding concern. The local area designated officer and social workers were informed. As part of the investigation, several practice shortfalls were identified and addressed.

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improvement to be good

Restraint practice is not carried out in line with the home’s statement of purpose or behaviour management policy. One child was restrained so that staff could remove her mobile phone. Only one member of staff present had completed the appropriate restraint practice training. The use of restraint was not recorded and the incident record did not include all relevant information relating to the incident. This shortfall in recording prevents managers from having sufficient oversight of the use of restraint. However, a staff member reported the incident to senior managers, which led to a full investigation.

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improvement to be good

Children’s risk assessments do not help staff to understand the implications of children’s behaviours and to ensure that they are safeguarded effectively. The risk assessments are lengthy and not always informative. Some risk assessments include information that has been cut and pasted from other children’s risk assessments. This does not help staff to keep children safe. However, the new manager has recognised this and has introduced a new risk assessment format.

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improvement to be good

Sanctions are not always fair and proportionate. They are not recorded appropriately, and the managers do not always comment on or evaluate the effectiveness of the sanctions. Consequently, managers have failed to identify themes and trends in the use of sanctions. This has resulted in staff applying sanctions that do not relate to the children’s behaviour, which reduces the likelihood of positive behavioural change. However, the new manager has started to evaluate records of sanctions and has overturned some of the sanctions or asked staff to rethink sanctions, so that they link with children’s behaviours.

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improvement to be good

Children have key-work sessions after incidents. However, the records are written in the form of a letter to the child. Therefore, it is unclear how much involvement children have in these sessions. Staff use child-blaming and disrespectful language in the records. Furthermore, staff miss opportunities to support children to explore their behaviours and learn to manage their feelings.

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improvement to be good

Incidents of children going missing from the home have reduced due to one child moving on. Staff actively search for children when they are missing from the home. However, records of missing-from-home incidents lack clarity and information. Children do not receive a return home interview from an independent person. There is a lack of evidence to show that staff encourage relevant professionals to provide these interviews. Consequently, opportunities to understand the triggers for children going missing and potential risks and concerns while children are away from the home are missed. Inspection report for children’s home: 2613806 5 Children say that they feel safe. One child said that things have seemed better in recent weeks. The other child is new to the home but says that she likes living there and that staff are kind.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

A deputy manager who was appointed and began working at the home in April 2022 has taken on the role of manager. She intends to apply to Ofsted to register as the registered manager. A new responsible individual took over in February 2022.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff have not received regular supervision, which has not provided them with regular formal opportunities to review their practice. However, the new manager completed a detailed supervision with all staff in April 2022. A supervision matrix is in place to ensure that all staff now receive regular supervision to support them in their role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Internal monitoring is poor and, in some cases, non-existent. This does not help leaders and managers to identify themes, trends and patterns to support the development of the home and the progress of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Health and safety checks have not been completed for several months, including fire safety checks. Three separate health and safety files all hold conflicting information, which makes monitoring difficult.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

On two occasions, safeguarding incidents have not been reported to Ofsted promptly. This affects Ofsted’s ability to monitor the home effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The responsible individual has employed a new independent person to undertake the monthly independent monitoring of the home due to the previous reports not being robust and not picking up on the many issues and shortfalls at the home. The reports completed by the new independent person are detailed and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home’s location risk assessment has not been reviewed for nearly two years. It does not consider any new risks in the area and how these can be reduced. Consequently, staff may not fully understand the risks for children in the community and how these risks can be reduced to keep children safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There has been a shortage of staff working at the home, which has resulted in. staffing ratios not being at the expected level for some children. The constant change of managers and staff since the last inspection has limited the children’s ability to maintain positive relationships with the adults who look after them. Staff and a social worker reported that the lack of consistent management has been difficult for them and children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff have now completed face-to-face safeguarding training. The new responsible individual and manager reported that other relevant training for staff has been identified for staff to complete. Inspection report for children’s home: 2613806 6 The provider has met one requirement and two recommendations from the last inspection. Three requirements and two recommendations from the last inspection are restated. Inspection report for children’s home: 2613806 7

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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

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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 25 July 2022

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

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; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; 25 July 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2613806 8 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)(iv)(vii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1) (2)(a)(b)(h)) 25 July 2022

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 25 July 2022

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 16) (5))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff follow the behaviour management policy in in respect of the use of restraint. 25 July 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2613806 9 Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing—

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Requirement Due date

injury to any person (including the child);

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Requirement Due date

serious damage to the property of any person (including the child).

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20 (1)(a)(b) (2)) 25 July 2022

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (30) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, undertake regular fire checks and record the outcomes. 25 July 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development; and

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)) 25 July 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— 25 July 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2613806 10 within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b) (2) (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date. 25 July 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2613806 11 (Regulation 37 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, follow up any complaint made by a child and ensure that they have the opportunity to say if they are satisfied with the outcome. 25 July 2022

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 25 July 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the location review includes the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)  The registered person should ensure that information from return home interviews undertaken by the local authority is used to inform children’s plans and risk assessments. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)  The registered person should ensure the continuity of staffing so that children’s attachments are not overly disrupted, including ensuring that the employment of any temporary staff will not prevent children from receiving the continuity of care that they need. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 51, paragraph 10.1)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the staff who have been involved in an incident make and sign a written record after the incident. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Inspection report for children’s home: 2613806 12  The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear record-keeping. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2613806 13

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Solace Care Redbridge Limited

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Inspectors

Trish Palmer, Social Care Inspector (lead) Aneta Wasilewka, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2613806 14 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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