Children's home run by PBS Care Homes Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2562677 1 Registered provider: PBS Care Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to four children with emotional, social and special educational needs, including learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2021.

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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 good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 3 November 2021

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2562677 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2562677 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home. The manager meets with children and undertakes detailed planning before they move in. This helps to ensure that staff have the skills and experience to support all the children. This contributes to children feeling welcomed and settled. Despite this, the manager has given notice to end one child’s placement. Although the initial assessment was that staff would be able to meet the child’s needs, these needs have changed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise their time to develop relationships with children. Staff use praise when children have made progress. Records of achievements and photos of children are thoughtfully displayed. Group meetings are held weekly, which encourage children to talk about their experiences of living together. One child said, ‘The best thing about living here is making new friends.’ Children are helped to build positive relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged with their hobbies and interests. Staff have taken them on individual holidays. One child is completing a Duke of Edinburgh Award. Another child attends cadets. Children enjoy a range of leisure activities. These include archery, rock climbing, playing golf and visiting different cities around the country. One child went to London to lay flowers for the late Queen. These activities enable children to have age-appropriate experiences and develop their self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are proactive in helping children to spend time with people who are important to them. The home has a separate family room. During the inspection, one family held a birthday party there for their child. Staff take children to see their families, no matter how far away they live from the home. Staff help children to use social media and phones to stay connected. Consequently, children develop a sense of identity and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively encourage children to make decisions about their lives. Children create the weekly menus, and they take turns in helping to cook meals. Activities are planned by children in advance. Children help to set their own targets. One child now travels to see his family independently after learning how to read train timetables. Staff are responsive to children’s development and encourage growth.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend education settings that meet their needs. Staff ensure that consistent morning routines are adhered to. As a result, children’s attendance is good. One child had not been in education for six months before moving into the home. He is now making good progress in music and cooking lessons. One child has started to ask for homework to be sent home with her. This is because staff have offered to help her and understand the importance of learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

During the inspection, children were proud to show the inspector around the home. The home is modern and spacious. Children’s en suite bedrooms are personalised Inspection report for children's home: 2562677 4 and well designed. However, one child’s bed base was heavily stained. This detracts from the otherwise high standard of decoration and the homely feel.

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

Children’s care plans and risk assessments are detailed and contain clear guidance for staff to follow. These documents are regularly reviewed to highlight any new risks or concerns. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the risks that children face. Staff understand how to report safeguarding concerns to managers and other professionals. This means that children are supported by staff who have the knowledge that they need to protect children from harm.

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

Behaviour support plans are clear and provide staff with de-escalation strategies. Staff work collaboratively with other professionals to understand children’s emotional needs and the reasons behind their behaviour. This helps staff to feel confident in responding to incidents.

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

Since the last inspection, there has been one formal complaint relating to a safeguarding concern. Managers worked with the relevant agencies to fully investigate. Information was shared to ensure the safety of the child. Risk assessments were reviewed to reflect presenting risks. A review and learning from the incident helped staff increase their knowledge of complex safeguarding concerns.

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

Incidents of children leaving the home without permission are rare. Despite this, clear guidance is available to let staff know what they should do if a child does leave without permission.

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

Physical restraint is only used when necessary to protect children and staff from harm. All staff are trained in the agreed positive behaviour approach. Records are detailed and evidence strategies used before using a hold. The manager meets with children and staff after incidents occur. This provides the opportunity for children to share their experience and for staff to reflect on their practice. The manager signs these records after his review; however, he does not date them. This does not make clear the timescale of the review.

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

Staff use consequences with children as part of behaviour management approaches. However, one consequence involved a child paying back for food and drink taken when distressed. Managerial oversight was missing. Therefore, this consequence went unchallenged by the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced. He is supported by a deputy manager and two senior staff members. Managers are committed to the children’s care and have high aspirations for them. Inspection report for children's home: 2562677 5 The staff team is small and long-standing. Managers ensure that the home is properly staffed and resourced. Children have consistent staff working with them, including regular agency staff. The diverse staff team means that children have the opportunity to form relationships with a range of people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are suitably qualified or undertaking a relevant level 3 qualification within the agreed timescales. A comprehensive training programme ensures that staff have the skills to meet the children’s complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel valued and well supported. They benefit from regular and reflective supervision sessions. Supervision records are detailed and evaluate children’s progress. Managers offer support and guidance to staff. This means that staff have the right support to improve practice and provide good care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Established monitoring systems help the manager to have oversight of the quality of care provided. The manager uses this information to identify areas for development. Managers are reflective and understand the home’s strengths. A detailed development plan is in place and is reviewed regularly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers follow safer recruitment processes. New staff move through a detailed induction and probation period. Managers sign staff off as competent to undertake their role. This makes certain that staff’s suitability to work with children is fully considered.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses the independent person’s reports to improve practice and gain feedback. However, since the last inspection, nine visits have been announced. This limits opportunities to understand the wider experiences of children and the quality of staff’s practice. Furthermore, the independent person does not consistently state their opinion as to whether children are safeguarded effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has met one requirement from the last inspection and one requirement is restated. Inspection report for children's home: 2562677 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

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

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))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children’s bed bases are clean. 14 October 2022

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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 signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the person who confirms the accuracy of the records includes the date of their review.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 21 October 2022

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded. (Regulation 44 (3) (4)(a)) 28 October 2022 Inspection report for children's home: 2562677 7

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any consequences used to address poor behaviour are restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)

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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: 2562677 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: PBS Care Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 14 Southwold Crescent, Benfleet SS7 5SW

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Inspector

Mandy Start, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2562677 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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