Children's Home run by XYP Childcare Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2583518 1 Registered provider: XYP Childcare Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care for up to two children. The home’s statement of purpose states that care is provided to children who may have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since May 2020.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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good

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

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2583518 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 21/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2583518 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is one child currently being cared for at this home. Overall, the child is settled and is making good progress. The child benefits from positive relationships with staff, who have a clear understanding of the child’s needs and the support required.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making good progress in education. This is because the tailored educational provision meets their individual needs. In addition to attending a local specialist school the child is helped to achieve certificates and awards for education- related activities and independence tasks. Because of this, good routines are in place and the child is consistently achieving.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Good opportunities are provided for children to participate in a range of outdoor activities. The home supports participation in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, which the child is taking part in. Furthermore, the child completed the ‘Three peaks challenge’ and raised money for charity in doing so. This promotes children’s self- confidence, provides children with life skills and supports good physical health and well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote healthy lifestyles. Children’s health needs are prioritised and closely monitored throughout their time at the home. Children receive support from therapeutic services and regularly attend sessions. This improves the children’s emotional and mental health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff advocate well on behalf of children. One professional said, ‘They appropriately and professionally challenge and question other professionals, like a parent would do.’ This supports children having their voices heard and promoted.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote children’s independence skills in the home. However, pathway plans for the child are not in place. This limits certainty for children regarding their future care plans.

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

There has been a significant reduction in risk-taking behaviour for the child since moving into the home. This is particularly in respect of substance misuse and incidents of going missing from home. The child says that this is because he genuinely enjoys living in the home and now has aspirations for the future. The level of care provided in this home and the close relationships built with staff are decreasing the risk of harm to this child.

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

There have been two incidents of going missing from home in respect of the child currently living in this home. Staff are well equipped to manage these incidents and have responded consistently and proactively to locate the child. Additionally, there have been several occasions when the child has left the home without agreement. Inspection report for children’s home: 2583518 4 Staff have been quick to respond and are generally able to encourage the child to return to the home safely.

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

Risk assessments in place to protect children are comprehensive. Regular updates ensure risk levels are accurate and that strategies are effective. Assessments include detailed strategies and steps to be taken by staff to prevent children displaying risk- taking behaviour. Furthermore, staff are familiar with the strategies documented and the policies and procedures in place to protect children. This supports staff to provide children with good help and protection.

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

The child living in the home is currently subject to a deprivation of liberty order. Managers and staff are clear about what this means for the child and how the child is to be supported. Care is delivered in line with the order and maintains the child’s safety.

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good

Weaknesses were identified in recruitment procedures and processes in the home. One staff member’s file did not include the required identification or application form to demonstrate that the necessary checks have been undertaken. This has the potential to compromise children’s safety and is not in line with safer recruitment practice.

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good

Weaknesses were found in respect of monitoring and oversight of the home, and staff were not provided with sufficient information about the child. For example, staff working daily with the child did not know that the child’s social worker was on holiday, were not familiar with the child’s independent reviewing officer and were not aware that the child required a pathway plan. Inconsistencies were found in the child’s documentation and managers were unable to demonstrate that leaders and managers had spent sufficient time in the home. This has the potential to hinder the quality of care provided.

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good

Leaders and managers have failed to gather written consent in respect of the current care arrangements for the child. Inspectors were not able to gather evidence that the local authority had agreed to reduced monitoring of the child. Furthermore, managers have not escalated the need for a pathway plan. A requirement has been made to address this.

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good

Managers demonstrate excellent partnership working. They have positive relationships with the police and local agencies, which increase the help and support provided to children. In addition, the manager raises concerns and identified shortfalls in respect of these services, effectively challenging when required. This helps to support improvement in local services received by children and demonstrates the manager’s commitment to obtaining the correct support for the child living in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2583518 5 Staff are consulted through regular supervision and team meetings and feel well supported by managers. Staff enjoy their roles and demonstrate genuine affection for the child they are caring for. Leaders and managers are keen to make continuous improvements to the service they provide. Since the last full inspection, managers have made improvements to the educational support provided to children, as well as

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good

the induction processes for staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2583518 6

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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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs. (Regulation 5 (a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure children’s plans reflect the current arrangements for children’s care in relation to monitoring and support levels. Ensure plans in place for children are agreed by the local authority. 18 August 2022

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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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

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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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. 18 August 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2583518 7 (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(e)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure there is visible and clear leadership in the home to support decision-making, monitoring and oversight.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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,

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Requirement Due date

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

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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)(d))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure staff files and recruitment practices adhere to safer recruitment guidelines. 18 August 2022

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Recommendation

 Leaders and managers should ensure that the home is warm, welcoming and nurturing, representing a homely domestic environment. In particular, update the home’s decor and furnishings, and carry out the necessary maintenance to ensure the home maintains a homely and nurturing appearance. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children’s home: 2583518 8

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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: 2583518 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: XYP Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 89 Church Road, Uppermill, Oldham OL3 6DY

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Philip Hogan-Birse

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Inspectors

Natalie Bennett, Social Care Inspector Nicola Clements, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2583518 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.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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