Children's home run by Jeeves Care Group Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2666653 1 Registered provider: Jeeves Care Group Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately owned by a small independent provider. The home cares for up to two children aged between 11 and 17 who may experience emotional and social difficulties and/or mild learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since June 2022.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2666653 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

The care of children

Staff have cared for two children since the last inspection. One child was supported for a short time while waiting for health treatment. The child then moved on in a planned way to semi-independent living. One child has recently moved to the home.

p.2

The care of children

Staff provide children with a warm welcome. They carefully plan introductions and make sure that children have enough information to prepare them for the change. Children can bring their pets to live with them, which prevents children experiencing any further losses. Staff support children to regularly spend time with family members at the home. This approach helps children to settle.

p.2

The care of children

Managers obtain relevant information about children before they move to the home. Children’s plans are detailed. This means that staff have a good understanding of children’s needs and preferences. The children are quickly registered with health services. The managers assist the headteacher of the virtual school in identifying appropriate local schools. The manager obtains delegated authority. However, this was not completed properly for one child and contained errors about the details of the home.

p.2

The care of children

Staff encourage children to have healthy daily routines. Children help decide which tasks they will undertake each day to receive additional rewards. Children regularly help with food shopping, cooking and enjoy bowling and going to the cinema. However, staff have been less successful in implementing a morning routine. This means that one child regularly sleeps all morning and is up late at night.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff are vigilant to substance misuse concerns. The manager has good oversight of these risks and works closely with professionals to plan responses.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff develop behaviour management plans that are individual to each child. These focus on encouraging children to make positive choices. Physical restraint is rarely used. The manager discusses all incidents of restraint with the staff and children involved. The manager follows safeguarding procedures and consults with the local authority designated officer if there are any identified concerns about staff practice.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff are familiar with the whistle-blowing policy. Senior managers regularly visit the home and staff feel confident to share information with all levels of management. Allegations made by children are responded to appropriately. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2666653 3 The manager has established links with the local police and uses the information shared to update the locality risk assessment. This means that staff have current information about crime in the local area. However, information in the locality risk assessment, including the risk of the main road at the front of the house, is not considered at the time of referral.

p.2

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A new manager is in post and has applied to register with Ofsted. He has relevant experience of managing a children’s home. However, the manager has not completed the required level 5 qualification within the required time frame.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Managers adapted their recruitment strategy and have successfully recruited a full staff team. Staff have training before they commence work. This includes face-to- face training in first aid, behaviour management and safeguarding. This provides staff with relevant skills and knowledge before they start supporting children.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff morale is good. Staff feel well supported by their colleagues and managers.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has formed effective working relationships with children’s social workers. He has a good knowledge of children’s wishes and feelings and advocates for children well.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Managers continue to be supported by an external consultant to help prioritise improvements to the home. Managers have met most of the previous requirements raised at the last inspection. One requirement is restated in relation to using information from the locality risk assessment when considering the referral of a new child. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2666653 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2666653 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that impact risk assessments include consideration of external hazards outlined in the home’s locality risk assessment.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 December

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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—

p.5

Requirement Due date

the person has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of children.

p.5

Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(i), a person has the appropriate experience and qualification if the person has

p.5

Requirement Due date

the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) ("the Level 5 Diploma"); or 28 November Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2666653 6 a qualification which the registered provider considers to be equivalent to the Level 5 Diploma.

p.5

Requirement Due date

in the case of a person who starts managing a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 3 years after the date on which that person started managing a home. (Regulation 28 (1)(b)(i) (2)(c)(i)(ii) (3)(a))

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered provider should ensure that, when children placed in a home are not participating in education because they have been excluded or not on a school roll, the child should be engaged in suitable structured activities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)  The registered provider should ensure that each child’s placement plan sets out the permissions that their placing authority has delegated to the home. This should provide clarity on the home’s ability to give permission for school trips, sleepovers, and the child’s involvement in activities. In particular, the delegated authority form should be accurate and completed fully. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 30, paragraph 6.2) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2666653 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Jeeves Care Group Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 71 Knowl Piece, Wilbury Way, Hitchin, Herts SG4 0TY

p.7

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Kalvinder Khelie

p.7

Inspector

Paula Edwards, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2666653 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.

p.7

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 .

p.8

Inspector

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8