Children's Home run by Worcestershire Children First in Worcestershire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2548569 1

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Information about this children’s home

This home was previously owned by the local authority. It re-registered in October 2019 when the local authority moved to be a holding company. The home is registered to provide care for up to four children who have suffered adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and presenting complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager’s post is vacant. No new manager has been appointed at this time, and two deputy managers have taken on additional responsibilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The previous responsible individual has left her post since the last inspection and a new responsible individual has been appointed.

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This monitoring visit

This home was judged inadequate at the last full inspection on 21 and 22 June 2022. On 18 July 2022 Ofsted completed a monitoring visit to examine the progress made by the provider in meeting three compliance notices and the notice restricting accommodation. While some progress had been made, not enough progress had been made to ensure the safety of the children living in the home. As a result, a compliance notice in relation to regulation 12 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 was issued again. The notice restricting accommodation remained in place.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to review the notice of restriction of accommodation and the progress made against the compliance notice. Requirements made in respect of regulations 7, 11, 26, 27, 28 and 46 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 were also reviewed as part of this inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The notice of restriction has been adhered to and, at the time of the visit, one child was living in the home. Another child left the home two days before this inspection. The compliance notice has been met. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2548569 2 The child’s risk assessment and behavioural support plans have been updated. These documents now capture current and emerging risks, and ensure that staff have the guidance to follow to keep children safe. Staff are now equipped to take action to reduce the risk of harm to the child.

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This monitoring visit

The child benefits from some support through key-work sessions that help him to better understand risk. This has included basic education around online risks to children. However, this work has not yet gone far enough. For example, the work is often reactive rather than staff using their professional curiosity to proactively engage in general conversations with the child to learn more about his online activities and continue to educate him. While managers have recognised a need to upskill staff to use their professional curiosity, they have not yet taken action to address this.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has left the service and management oversight of the home is inconsistent. This has had a negative impact on the child’s progress since the last inspection. For example, the child’s engagement with staff has declined over this period, and he spends long periods of time in his room. In addition, he has not been eating well and this has not been sufficiently monitored by staff. Health plans do not capture what actions staff should take to support the child with his diet and eating patterns. This leaves the child vulnerable to poor nutrition, which is also linked to his emotional health.

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This monitoring visit

Poor planning meant that at the time of the inspection the child’s GCSE results were unknown. The child had refused to collect his exam results, which is consistent with his lack of engagement with the staff team and potential anxieties about his results. Staff have made efforts to contact the school and arrange for these to be sent in the post. However, this is a reactive response and staff did not have the foresight to think creatively about how to support the child and access his exam results promptly to reduce the risk of anxiety for him. As a result, it is unknown if the child has obtained the grades to remain at the school for post-16 education.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, staff have had opportunities to engage in a range of training to support them to develop their knowledge and skills. Managers have proactively adapted some training topics in line with the specific needs of the child. For example, a planned upskilling session in relation to counselling skills was changed to focus on the most-effective ways to support one child who was finding change difficult. This has helped staff to understand the needs of the child and the best ways to support him during a period of significant change in his life.

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This monitoring visit

Overall, children’s transitions from the home have been well planned. Consultation with key people involved with children has been at the heart of this practice. Staff have continued to provide support for one child who has left the home. As a result, she receives continuity of care from people who know her well, while she adapts to the next stage of her journey towards independence. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2548569 3 The child living in the home and the child who has recently left have been provided with opportunities to express their views, wishes and feelings. Staff support the child to see people who are important to him, in line with his plans and views. This provides the child with a positive experience each week, despite his lack of engagement with staff.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have reviewed the location risk assessment. This has been completed in consultation with other agencies and provides strategies for keeping children safe in the local area. This requirement is now met.

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This monitoring visit

A manager has not yet been appointed to the home and, as a result, the requirements in respect of regulation 27 and 28 are restated. Three new requirements have been raised.

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This monitoring visit

The restriction of accommodation notice remains in place.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/06/2022 Full Inadequate 29/03/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness 09/02/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2548569 4

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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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to ensuring that children receive appropriate support with receiving their exam results and preparing for post-16 education. 7 October 2022

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)) 7 October 2022 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2548569 5 In particular, ensure that there are clear plans in place to support children’s health needs, and that children’s health needs are sufficiently monitored and reviewed in line with their plans.

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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

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)(a)(b) (2)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that managers implement monitoring systems consistently, and when shortfalls are identified, prompt action is taken to address them. 7 October 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home; and the registered provider—

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Requirement Due date

is not, or does not intend to be, in day-to-day charge of the home.

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of—

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person so appointed; and 7 October 2022 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2548569 6 the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii) (2)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

A person may only manage a children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

having regard to the size of the home, its statement of purpose, and the number and needs (including any needs arising from any disability) of the children—

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Requirement Due date

the person has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of children. (Regulation 28 (1)(b)(i))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 7 October 2022

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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.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2548569 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Worcestershire Children First

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester WR5 2NP

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Inspectors

Alison Snell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2548569 8 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

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

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