Children's Home run by Care Haven (UK) Limited in Stockport

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC065374 1 SC065374

p.1

Care Haven (UK) Limited

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a private children’s home that provides care for up to five children. The home’s statement of purpose states that children living in this home may have a range of social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home registered in August 2005. The home is currently operating without a registered manager. He left his position in July 2022. The area manager has been overseeing the home, with the support of the responsible individual. Senior managers are actively recruiting a new manager.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out a visit to the home to monitor a compliance notice that was served under regulation 12 following the home’s full inspection on 22 June 2022. The compliance notice related to the lack of manager oversight and monitoring, poor management of staff personal relationships, lack of staff guidance and inadequate assessment of risk to safeguard children and reduce risk-taking behaviour. At the time of the monitoring inspection, two children were living at the home. The inspector found that suitable action had been taken to meet the compliance notice.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Although there is no registered manager in the home, staff reported that there is now more structure to the operation of the home. The presence of senior managers has provided improved guidance and support to the staff team. Consequently, staff understand their roles and levels of accountability. Staff have developed their confidence in their practice, and the staff team morale has improved. Social workers said that there is an improvement in communication from the management team. Children are more relaxed. There has been a reduction in incidents, and they feel their voices are now heard. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC065374 2 Senior managers have prioritised transparent and professional working. When staff members have personal relationships, this has been thoroughly risk assessed and discussed with the individual staff to ensure that they understand their roles, particularly with regards to using the whistle-blowing policy to safeguard children.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Conflict of interest declaration forms have been introduced for all new and existing staff to complete. Children no longer have access to staff’s personal telephone numbers. A home mobile is in place for children to use should they need support from staff while they are out in the community.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There have been no further allegations since the last inspection. The area manager has followed up all allegations that were not suitably investigated or shared with children’s placing authorities and the local authority designated officer prior to the last inspection. Training in safe allegation management is to be provided to the staff team by the local authority designated officer. That said, staff spoken to were clear about the escalation process should a child make an allegation. Additionally, a new recording system for allegations and complaints has been implemented, which demonstrates further improvements to recording and allows concerns raised to be monitored and tracked more effectively. The area manager has also addressed shortfalls in staff practice so that clear expectations about appropriate practice are revisited with staff.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The area manager has introduced a new and effective risk assessment format. She oversees all children’s risk assessments to ensure that they are reviewed regularly and are proportionate. They provide staff with clear strategies and rapid response action that they should take to keep children safe. There is now a joined-up approach to risk management and planning children’s key-work sessions to support risk reduction. Staff have been trained in the effective use of the risk assessments, and they demonstrated that they understood what was expected of them to support children.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Planning for children’s holidays is now fully overseen by the area manager. This ensures that any holidays are agreed by a senior manager, so they are facilitated safely and in line with company procedures. Senior managers are very clear that children are not permitted to holiday with staff and their families and that previous holiday arrangements were not safe or appropriate.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There have been improvements to the monitoring of the operation of the home to ensure that children receive quality care. The members of the management team are working together to complete regular monitoring systems that identify the strengths and weaknesses of the home. These include senior managers’ monthly audits, key-worker case file audits and monthly independent visitor report audits. Managers are proactive in addressing any key areas of development that they identify in action plans.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Some children’s bedroom furniture was found to be damaged and not fit for purpose. Sufficient action has not been taken by senior managers to ensure that the quality of children’s bedroom furniture is maintained to a good standard. This was a Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC065374 3 requirement at the last inspection and the date for completion has passed. Therefore, the requirement has been restated and immediate action should be taken to address this.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The remaining areas of concern raised at the full inspection were not looked at during this visit. Therefore, they remain as requirements and recommendations until the home’s next inspection. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC065374 4

p.3

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

22/06/2022 Full Inadequate 02/11/2021 Full Good 10/03/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/07/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC065374 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.5

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)) 15 September

p.5

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.5

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans; 31 July 2022 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC065374 6 communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

p.5

Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children.

p.6

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(v)(viii)(ix))

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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child; and

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1) (a)(b) (2)(c)(d)(f)) 31 July 2022

p.6

Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing—

p.6

Requirement Due date

injury to any person (including the child);

p.6

Requirement Due date

serious damage to the property of any person (including the child); or 31 July 2022 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC065374 7 a child who is accommodated in a secure children’s home from absconding from the home.

p.6

Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.7

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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—

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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;

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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;

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")— 31 July 2022 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC065374 8 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.8

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.

p.8

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

p.8

Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

p.8

Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff.

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that feedback from children and stakeholders is captured in the report. 31 July 2022

p.8

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they are aware of the local offer setting out the support available for children with special education needs and/or disabilities. This is a missed opportunity to access additional resources for children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.4) Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC065374 9

p.8

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.9

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC065374 10

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Care Haven (UK) Limited

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Westminster House, 10 Westminster Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 1BX

p.10

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Patricia Swallow

p.10

Inspector

Cheryl Field, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC065374 11 regulates and inspects 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.10

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.11

Inspector

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

p.11

Inspector

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

p.11