Children's Home run by Acorn Norfolk Limited in Norfolk

Inspection report for children’s home: 2638159 1 Registered provider: Acorn Norfolk Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to five children with learning disabilities. It is operated by a national provider.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered at the same time as the home in January 2022.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is in the grounds of an independent school and seven other children’s homes all operated by the same national provider.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The inspector only inspected the social care provision at this school.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account good

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2638159 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2638159 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, there were three children living at the home. Children’s moves into the home have been well planned and involve parents and professionals. Introductory visits and the use of photos have provided children with a visual representation, to aid the child’s understanding. The manager has ensured that each child has time to settle and adapt before introducing another child. This child-centred approach to transition helps children experience positive moves to the home.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress from their starting points. Families are pleased with the care that their children receive. Staff have established positive, trusting relationships with children. They are caring and nurturing and this has improved children’s experience of care.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged with their independence skills. Staff use verbal prompts and visual aids to support children with tasks. One child is making progress with his bed- making skills. Children are supported to make choices regarding their clothes and meals.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Menus reflect variety, including meals which the children regularly choose and new dishes. However, children are not routinely encouraged to wipe their faces or change their clothes to ensure they are clean after mealtimes. This does not help the children with their understanding or acceptance of cleanliness and personal appearance.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s school attendance is good. For some children, there has been a marked improvement in educational engagement since living at the home. One parent said that their child had made progress using the picture exchange communication system. Staff support children in classrooms. Daily communication between the staff in school and the staff at the home means that children benefit from a consistent approach to their learning.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s relationships with their families are supported. Staff use social stories and timelines to reassure children when they will see their families. Overnight stays and trips out with parents are regular occurrences for all of the children. Families are able to use the designated parents’ house in the school grounds to spend time with their children.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have access to the play equipment in the grounds. Trampolines and bucket swings are favourite weekend and after-school activities. Children enjoy community trips to local swimming pools, zoos and parks. These activities broaden children’s experiences and help them to develop their social skills. Inspection report for children’s home: 2638159 4

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Risk assessment plans are detailed and contain presenting risks. When incidents occur, the managers review risk assessments and amend plans to provide staff with strategies for managing risks. This helps staff to feel confident in their approach and to be consistent in their responses.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Safer recruitment processes for new and agency staff are comprehensively carried out to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Newly appointed staff receive a thorough induction, which includes a range of training and shadow shifts with experienced staff. A comprehensive training package is provided for staff. Good induction and training help staff to meet children’s needs and provide continuity of care.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Physical intervention is rarely used. However, when it has been necessary, this has been appropriate to keep the child safe. Children are offered time and support to express their feelings after interventions. However, on one occasion, the manager has failed to ensure that the oversight of the restraint was completed within the required time frame. Delay in oversight means that emerging concerns or issues relating to the restraint could be missed and not responded to promptly.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children have clear plans for staff to follow if they go missing from the home. Children’s plans reflect the high level of care and supervision that they need to keep them safe. The home is situated in grounds that are securely fenced. There are speed restrictions for vehicles travelling in the school grounds. However, the home’s main gate allows access onto the roadway and is easily opened by children. This poses a considerable risk for the children.

p.4

good

The manager has the experience and qualifications for her role.

p.4

good

The staff are not fully aware of the organisation’s well-being model. The manager has failed to ensure that the staff understand and apply the model set out in the statement of purpose. Therefore, staff are unclear about the overall aims and the outcomes that they are trying to achieve for the children.

p.4

good

Staff are inconsistent in reporting injuries that they have received during behavioural incidents. This lack of recording fails to provide a clear illustration of the level of support for individual children. Therefore, staff are not provided with the support that they need following challenging situations.

p.4

good

Children’s medication records are unclear. Records fail to show medication administration times and staff signatures are missing. Medication stock checks are carried out; however, the wording used to explain medication disposal is confusing. Although there have not been any administration errors, the lack of clear recording makes it difficult to establish that all medication is accounted for. Inspection report for children’s home: 2638159 5 Team meetings are held regularly, with varying levels of staff attendance. The meetings are child focused. These meetings provide a forum for incidents and strategies to be discussed. However, the meeting minutes do not provide an accurate reflection of the discussions or the agreed actions. This means that staff who were unable to attend, are not kept fully informed of incidents of concern.

p.4

good

The managers recognise the importance of familiar faces for the children. The staff cover additional shifts and support each other to make sure that there is always the required number of staff available. Children benefit from consistent and familiar staff which helps the children to feel safe and secure.

p.5

good

Staff said that they feel supported by the managers. Staff receive regular practice- related supervision. This means that the staff benefit from management guidance which supports them in their roles. Inspection report for children’s home: 2638159 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(d))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the garden provides a secure space for children to access. 15 July 2022

p.6

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.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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;

p.6

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. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(f))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular: 15 August 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2638159 7 ensure that the staff understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that all records contain accurate information and that team meeting minutes accurately reflect the discussions held at the meetings;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff know how and when to record when they have received an injury.

p.7

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”)—

p.7

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.7

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 (3)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children and staff involved in a restraint are spoken to within the required timeframe. 15 July 2022

p.7

Recommendation

 The registered person must ensure that records are kept of the administration of all medication. In particular, that medication administration and stock checks are recorded clearly and concisely. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)

p.7

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: 2638159 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorn Norfolk Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

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

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered manager: Kirsty Orton-Kabanzi

p.8

Inspector

Rachel Watkinson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2638159 9 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.8

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9