Children's Home run by BTTLR Limited in West Northamptonshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556338 1 Registered provider: BTTLR Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private company operates this home. It is registered to provide care for one child who experiences social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in post since January 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has 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: 2556338 2

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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.

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The care of children

One child has lived at this home for a short period. She is beginning to build trusting relationships with some staff. Adults recognise that this will take time as they acknowledge her previous experiences in care and placement breakdowns. Spending time with the child and listening to her will strengthen these relationships.

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The care of children

The child’s specific health needs are well understood and promoted effectively. Staff have been trained to ensure that the child’s individual needs can be met. Communication with healthcare professionals is good, which results in swift access to specialist care and treatment.

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The care of children

The child is motivated to attend education after many years without a provision. The manager has been a good advocate in this regard. Regular communication with the placing authority and virtual school is pushing this matter forward. An education programme will give the child a focus and a healthier routine.

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The care of children

The child is being deprived of her liberty at this time, in line with a court order. Staff are working hard to ensure that her voice in care is heard and that she can understand where and when it is not possible to act on her wishes. Staff are helping the child to understand that actions taken are deemed to be in her best interests, even when she disagrees. The child knows how to make complaints and that the manager will treat these seriously.

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The safety of children

At the last inspection, the child’s bedroom was not safe and posed a fire hazard. Progress has been made in this area and the child has a bedroom that is clean and safe. Further renovation work has been carried out, which gives the home a warm and welcoming feel throughout.

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The safety of children

Risks to the child are identified and understood. The manager has produced risk assessments, care plans and safety guides which are easy for staff to follow. This means that any presenting risks can be managed effectively. There have been no incidents of self-harm or missing from care for this child. There have been no significant incidents at the home and no use of physical restraint.

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The safety of children

Staff are prepared to respond to any challenging situations. Induction activities and training have assisted with this preparation. The manager has improved supervision discussions and team meetings for staff, which has also contributed to staff feeling prepared to manage any challenges effectively. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556338 3

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager’s position has been vacant since January 2022. Recruitment processes have not successfully identified a suitable person to date. Other managers have covered this position but have not stayed any length of time. This creates instability within the workforce and impacts on children’s care and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The current manager in post is leaving shortly. She has worked hard to acknowledge the shortfalls from the last inspection and has put measures in place to address some of these. Another new manager is due to start shortly and is likely to have a brief handover period. The chosen candidate does not have a leadership qualification and has not been a manager before.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The retention of staff continues to be an issue. However, at the time of this inspection, there are enough staff to safely care for the child. New staff recruited from overseas are receiving an organised induction and training programme. Not all staff have the required qualification, but some do have prior experiences in social care. The provider is committed to ensuring that all staff who are eligible enrol to study the childcare diploma.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff supervision has improved. The team of staff speak highly of the current manager and say that they will miss her leadership skills when she departs the company. Morale is good among the staff team. More-experienced staff are supporting junior staff, which contributes to staff development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home’s statement of purpose has not been updated to reflect the many changes to the staff team. For example, the manager listed no longer works for the company and the responsible individual is no longer in post. This makes it difficult to ascertain an accurate staffing and leadership structure.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/05/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556338 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 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 to each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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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

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

feedback and experiences of children including complaints received; and

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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)(f)(g)(ii)) 31 March 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556338 5 This specifically relates to ensuring that: staffing arrangements are sufficient; the child receives continuity of care; staff have the necessary qualifications and experience to care for children; and the registered manager’s position is filled.

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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.

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b) (5)) 31 March 2023

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

the person is of integrity and good character;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

the person is physically and mentally fit to manage the home;

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the person in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph, a person has the appropriate experience and qualification if the person has—

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Requirement Due date

within the last 5 years, worked for at least 2 years in a position relevant to the residential care of children;

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Requirement Due date

worked for at least one year in a role requiring the supervision and management of staff working in a care role; and 31 March 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556338 6 by the relevant date, attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 5 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered provider considers to be equivalent to the Level 5 Diploma.

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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; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of a person who was managing a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2017.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider may defer the relevant date if the person—

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Requirement Due date

does not manage, or has not managed, a home for a prolonged period; or

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Requirement Due date

manages, or has managed, a home on a part-time basis. (Regulation 28 (a)(b)(i)(ii)(c) (2)(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii) (3)(a)(b) (4)(a)(b)

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Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to the appointment of a person to manage the home who meets the regulatory requirements to become registered. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556338 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 4 Shirley Road, Old Stone Factory, Rushden, Northamptonshire NN10 6BY

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Shamiso Ringisai

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Inspector

Rachael Sprigg, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556338 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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