Children's home run by Crossway Services Limited in Liverpool

Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 1 SC061438 Registered provider: Crossway Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home is registered to provide care for one child. The provider states in its statement of purpose that it provides care for children who may have social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2017. The manager also manages another of the organisation’s homes that provides care for one child.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and/or widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected, or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded. The care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: 15 September 2021

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/09/2021 Full Good 15/01/2020 Full Good 12/12/2018 Full Good 27/09/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 3

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inadequate

There is currently one child living in this home. The child’s overall experiences and progress have been significantly affected by poor safeguarding practice and poor management oversight.

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inadequate

The child’s records do not contain all the relevant information from their placing authority. The care plan has not been updated and there is no delegated authority agreement for the child. This limits the staff team’s understanding of the aims of the placement and how they can support the child to make progress. It also means staff are unclear about what decisions they are able to make on behalf of the child. This had not been identified by the registered manager prior to the inspection.

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inadequate

The child is accessing support for their emotional well-being from the organisation’s in-house psychologist. The registered manager told the inspector that the psychologist is also able to provide support to the staff team. However, there is no evidence in the child’s plans as to how this support is being used to meet the emotional health needs of the child and to support staff practice.

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inadequate

Staff support and encourage the child with their education. The child has recently started attending a local school. Staff take the child to and from school and they are developing relationships with school staff. Staff are liaising with relevant professionals to ensure that the child has the right support in place to help them reach their full potential.

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inadequate

The child’s bedroom is still decorated according to the tastes of the child who previously lived in the home, despite the current child having lived in the home for over six months. The home is tired and dated and requires refurbishment and redecoration. Although the provider plans to renovate the property, there are no clear timescales for this to take place.

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inadequate

The child told the inspector that she knows how to make a complaint should she need to. However, no complaints have been made since the last inspection.

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inadequate

Since the last inspection, one child has moved on from this home. Prior to their move, they were able to enjoy a holiday with a friend and staff from the home. This means that they have positive memories of their time living in this home.

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

Concerns of harm to children are not responded to appropriately. Following a physical intervention, the child made an allegation that they had been harmed. A member of staff did not share this information with the registered manager or external professionals. Daily records indicate that the child had scratches to her Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 4 neck, yet staff have not demonstrated appropriate curiosity, shared this information with other services or recorded their concerns appropriately. This practice does not ensure that children’s safety and welfare are promoted.

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

Risk management plans do not provide staff with clear information to manage children’s risks safely and effectively. Some plans contain conflicting information. The child recently started a fire in the home, however, there is no guidance as to how this risk is being managed by staff.

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

In addition to poor risk management plans, there are further failings in the provider’s response to these risks. During the inspection, fire safety equipment was in a locked cupboard which staff were unable to access. Furthermore, there was no evidence of the support the child has received to enable them to understand their behaviour in response to concerns around fire setting. At the last inspection, a requirement was made for thumb-turn locks to be fitted to external doors to ensure that the child would be able to leave the home independently in the event of an emergency. The manager has not taken action to address this, and a lock remains on one of the external doors.

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

It is not clear that staff have read and understood the child’s plans. For example, staff should not have personal possessions on them, such as mobile phones. However, the inspector observed a member of staff using their mobile phone in communal areas of the home during the inspection. This could create a communication barrier between staff and children.

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

There has been an increase in physical aggression displayed by the child. As a result, staffing levels have increased. However, the expectations for staff in relation to how they safely manage this risk are unclear. Untrained staff have been involved in incidents where the child has been physically restrained. This increases the risk of injury to the child.

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

The child’s daily records indicated a number of physical interventions had taken place that had not been appropriately recorded. The central record for physical intervention contained a number of incomplete records. The lack of transparency of the recording of incidents of physical restraint does not ensure children’s safety.

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

Records of incidents when staff have been required to restrain the child do not provide sufficient or clear information. Records indicated that the child has been restrained for significant periods of time. There are incidents of the child being held that are inappropriate and unsafe. For example, the child has been held in a small space at the top of the staircase and also on the floor. The records do not detail action staff have taken to avoid the use of physical intervention. Records do not always include full names of the staff involved or record the positioning of staff during a restraint.

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

Following incidents of physical intervention, debriefs with staff have not always taken place. When the registered manager has been involved in a restraint, the record has not been reviewed by someone who was not involved in the incident. Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 5 Furthermore, records do not demonstrate that children are spoken to about how they feel after a restraint. Follow-up work with children when they refuse to engage in debriefs is not evidenced.

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

The registered manager’s oversight is not recorded for each incident. When a record of the registered manager’s oversight is included, it has failed to detail the shortfalls that have been identified or consider any alternative methods that could be used to support the child and prevent the need for restraint. This is a missed opportunity to identify ways staff can help keep children safe without the need for restraint. As a result, the child’s experiences are not fully understood and staff do not get the support that they need to carry out their roles effectively.

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

There is inconsistency in the practice of room searches. Daily records referred to one search having taken place and some items being removed, yet there was no record of the rationale for this. It is also unclear if the child was aware of the room search or what was done with items that were removed.

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

There have been no incidents of the child going missing from this home. However, plans contain conflicting information about where staff should look for her if she should go missing from the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager’s monitoring of children’s care is ineffective. They have failed to ensure that all risks have been suitably assessed. Records do not show that staff are aware of the agreed strategies in place to support the child. The registered manager has failed to notify Ofsted of some significant incidents in the home. The shortfalls in management oversight have not enabled effective action to address unsafe practice and ensure that the child is safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home is managed by a suitably qualified registered manager. There is a small core team of three staff working in this home. However, two staff are due to leave the organisation imminently. The manager has not made clear arrangements to ensure that the child will be cared for by consistent and suitably experienced staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff, including the registered manager, have not received regular supervision. Records do not show that staff are being supported to reflect on incidents and their practice during their supervision sessions. Not all staff have had their performance appraised annually. This means that opportunities are missed to develop and review their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Some staff, including the registered manager, have not had training relevant to the specific individual needs of the child living in this home. This means they do not have the skills to respond effectively to the escalating vulnerabilities of the child. Furthermore, the registered manager has not refreshed their training in physical interventions for a number of years. This has not been identified as a shortfall, despite them being involved in the restraint of a child. This lack of training places children at risk of harm. Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 6 Safe recruitment procedures are in place for new staff, including agency staff. However, the registered manager’s oversight of this information is ineffective. They do not demonstrate professional curiosity or verify that all staff have the skills required to safely care for the child and appropriately support the core staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

A copy of the statement of purpose has not been sent to Ofsted since August 2021, although it has been updated since then. This means that Ofsted does not have the most up-to-date information about who is working at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager has not recorded on the duty rota the actual hours they and staff, including agency staff, have worked. This means that records kept cannot be relied on if there are any safeguarding concerns.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager’s review of the quality of care report lacks evaluation. The manager has not included consultation with children or identified actions to develop the care provided. A requirement was raised to address this at the last inspection. However, a further report has not been sent to Ofsted, despite this being required by regulation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have not met the requirements from the last inspection and therefore all previous requirements are repeated. Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 7

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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, the 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to improvements and personalisation of the child’s bedroom. 30 November

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe; 20 November Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 8 understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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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)(a)(i)(ii)(v)(vii)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to managers ensuring that risk management plans address all known risks and include clear strategies for staff to follow and that staff understand children’s plans and their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe and undertake relevant work with children to keep them safe. Also, that thumb-turn locks are fitted to external doors and suitable fire safety arrangements are in place.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child; 20 November Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 9 ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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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)(a)(c)(d)(e)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all those working in the home have relevant training to meet the needs of the child.

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Requirement Due date

This also relates to managers implementing effective monitoring systems to ensure that there is oversight of all aspects of the day-to-day running of the home.

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Requirement Due date

Also, that therapeutic input is clearly recorded in the child’s care plan, as per the home’s statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement ("the statement of purpose") which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1) (3)(a)(b)) 30 November

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(a) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that there are appropriate fire safety measures in the home. 30 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; and 30 November Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 10 have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all staff receive regular practice-based supervision and that their performance is appraised annually.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

*The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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; 20 November Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 11 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 spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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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. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b) (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all records of restraint are recorded in line with regulation and that all measures are subject to scrutiny to ensure that they are fair and proportionate.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children’s case records are kept up to date. 30 November

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Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4. (Regulation 37 (1) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all hours that all staff have worked are clearly recorded on rosters. 30 November Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 12 The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This was a requirement at the last inspection and is restated. 30 November

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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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; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality-of-care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review ("the quality of care review report").

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality-of-care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

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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. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (3) (4)(a) (5))

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Requirement Due date

This was a requirement at the last inspection and is restated. 30 November

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice. Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 13

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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: SC061438 14

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Crossway Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 The Calls, Leeds LS2 7JU

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Inspector

Genevieve O’Reilly, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC061438 15 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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