Children's Home run by Juventas Services in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2668575 1 Registered provider: Juventas Services 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 offers care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. The home was registered with Ofsted in December 2021. This is the first inspection since registration.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left in July 2022. A new manager was appointed in September 2022.

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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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2668575 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2668575 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, no children were living at the home. Three children have moved in and out since the home opened in December 2021. One child moved to semi-independent living. Two children’s initial assessments concluded that staff would be able to meet their needs. However, these needs changed, and managers identified that staff lacked the skills and experience to meet the changing needs. Notice was served and alternative placements were found for both children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff knew the children well. They prioritised their time in building trusting relationships with them. Staff organised meetings in environments that they knew children felt relaxed in. This helped children to talk about any concerns or worries they had. Staff used their knowledge of how trauma affects children to encourage them to talk about their feelings. This helped children to manage their emotions. As a result, there were no physical interventions or consequences for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff supported children with their hobbies and interests. One child created his own business and sold trainers that he had decorated himself. Another child enjoyed spending time with animals, and staff organised trips to farms and zoos so that she could learn how to care for animals. Children had their own pets. They took part in activities that they enjoyed. They played crazy golf and went to beaches, fairgrounds, museums and bowling. One child created his own music studio in his bedroom and uploaded his music to social media. Staff helped children to develop new skills and increase their knowledge while having fun.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children spent time with people who are important to them. Staff would drive children to see their families, no matter how far away they lived from the home. The manager organised for one child to visit her mum when she was in hospital. Staff showed children that they were interested in their friendships. Children had mobile phones to stay connected. This helped them to have a sense of belonging and maintain relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child had not attended school for two years before moving into the home. The manager worked with the child’s social worker to find a suitable education placement. The child attended school and made progress with mathematics, English and music studies. Staff helped one child to learn informally. Staff understood that past trauma caused anxiety around education. They provided learning opportunities that the child would engage in, such as cooking and making short films. Staff understand the importance of children learning and engaging with education.

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

One child’s risks of gang affiliation and county lines reduced significantly as a result of living at the home. The staff worked with the youth offending team to make certain that agreed measures were used. Staff talked with the child about their Inspection report for children’s home: 2668575 4 concerns for his safety. This helped the child to understand the risks that he faced. One child’s risk of self-harm reduced because staff were familiar with how the child would present when feeling low. Risks are well understood and appropriately managed by staff.

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

Two children regularly left the home without permission. When this happened, staff were responsive and proactive. They would go to places where the children might be. Other professionals were contacted, and vulnerabilities explained. Staff would stay in contact with children and encourage them to come home. When children returned, they were welcomed home. The manager challenged other professionals to make certain that children could speak with an independent person on their return. Children received coordinated and well-planned support when they went missing from the home.

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

Each child had a crisis management plan. The plans helped staff to recognise the stages of crisis that a child may experience when they are upset. Strategies were detailed and helped staff know how to respond. Consequently, behavioural incidents were low.

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

One child made an allegation about a member of staff. A detailed investigation was completed by the regional manager. Professionals were informed and the child was told the outcome of the investigation. Children are listened to if they are worried, and their concerns are taken seriously.

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

Staff understand their responsibilities to report safeguarding concerns. All staff are trained in safeguarding. Staff work closely with social workers to share information about children. One social worker said that the communication with staff was ‘brilliant’.

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good

The new manager is suitably experienced and qualified. He is not yet registered with Ofsted. He is supported by an experienced deputy manager and responsible individual.

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good

Staff have not consistently received supervision. One new member of staff joined the organisation in July 2022, and, at the time of this inspection, had not received a supervision. A more experienced member of staff said that they had not had a supervision for three months. Staff are not provided with the opportunity to reflect on their work with children. Despite this, staff said that they felt supported by the manager.

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good

When staff have worked in previous care roles, the reason for leaving is not consistently explored by the manager. Consequently, the suitability of prospective staff is not fully considered. Inspection report for children’s home: 2668575 5 New staff do not consistently receive an induction to the home. This means they are not provided with the information that they need to follow the organisation’s policies and procedures. Furthermore, the manager is unable to monitor and address any performance issues.

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good

The previous manager completed a review of the quality of care. However, the report did not include the views of children or parents. This omission limits the scope to drive improvements.

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good

The manager has not reviewed the home’s statement of purpose. A model of care stated as an approach used by staff is not used in practice. This does not give an accurate view of the care that can be offered to children.

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good

The manager does not have a workforce development plan in place. While this has no direct impact on children, arrangements for staff supervision, performance management and development are unclear.

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good

The staff team is small and consistent. When agency staff have been used, the manager has made certain that they have worked at the home before and know the children. This helps children to have relationships with people who are consistently in their lives.

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good

Staff are trained to meet the children’s needs. Staff are either qualified to or working towards a relevant level 3 qualification within the agreed timescales. The manager encourages staff with their own continuing development. Staff have access to a wide range of training materials. Children are supported by staff who understand how to care for them. Inspection report for children’s home: 2668575 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

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (Regulation 16 (3)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the statement of purpose is clear about the model of care used at the home. 4 November 2022

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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

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, verify, as far as is reasonably practicable, the reason why prospective staff’s employment in a role working with children or vulnerable adults ended. 4 November 2022

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction. (Regulation 33 (1)(a)) 18 November

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all staff receive regular supervision. 11 November Inspection report for children’s home: 2668575 7 In order to complete a quality of care review, the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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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. (Regulation 45 (2)(b)) 25 November

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Recommendation

 The registered person should have a workforce plan that sets out the arrangements for staff supervision, performance management and development. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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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: 2668575 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Juventas Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Yare House, 62-64 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1RY

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Inspector

Mandy Start, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2668575 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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