Children's home run by Jubilee House Care Trust Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2693971 1 Registered provider: Jubilee House Care Trust Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This short-break service is run by a large charitable organisation. The home provides short breaks for up to six children with learning and/or physical disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home previously operated under a different registration number. It was acquired by the current organisation in August 2022, and it therefore re-registered. This is the home’s first inspection under the new registration.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered to manage the home since February 2015. She re- registered in August 2022 and continued in post under the new ownership.

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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: not previously inspected

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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: 2693971 2

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Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2693971 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, there were 20 children accessing short breaks on a rotational basis.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide good care to children. The staff show understanding, kindness and patience when supporting the children. They use creative ways to help children, who have complex communication needs, to express themselves and make choices. Staff develop trusting relationships with the children. This helps children to feel respected and safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Parents are happy with the care provided to their children. One parent said that she never worries when her child is at the home because she knows that they are safe and having fun. Another parent said that her child loves her stays. This parent said, ‘Staff are brilliant. I cannot fault the home.’ Parents have confidence in the manager and staff. Children and families get the respite that they need.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s wishes are held in high regard. Children use an ‘options and opinions tree’ to make requests, including for items for their bedrooms and activities. These requests are actioned, and the children feel valued and listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience and enjoy different activities. These include day trips, farm visits and sensory activities. Children take part in exploring different cultures using the five senses. Children enjoy food, music and learning as part of this exploration. One child was observed using his imagination with staff to create and perform a show. Children have enriching experiences that meet their sensory needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Moves into the home are well planned. The manager understands the importance of gradual moves. Children and families can visit the home before the child attends for a day visit and works towards overnight stays. Children and parents are introduced to the home at their own pace. Consequently, parents feel reassured when their children stay at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The environment is not as homely as it should be. At the time of this inspection, there was a work desk in the lounge, and the main television had been damaged and removed, leaving a large, unsightly patch on the wall. This was resolved during the inspection. Repairs to door frames are of poor quality. Some communal areas have marks on the walls and need repainting. The garden has many fallen leaves, and some of the paint has peeled away from the garden fence. One of the children’s bedrooms is currently out of use due to a previous leak and the smell of damp. The children do have access to a sensory room, soft playroom and playground equipment. However, children do not benefit from a homely environment. Having one bedroom out of use could affect children’s stays. Inspection report for children’s home: 2693971 4

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

Children feel safe at the home. Staff understand safeguarding procedures. Social workers and parents feel assured that children are safeguarded effectively.

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

Individualised risk assessments are well detailed and give staff clear guidance. Staff take appropriate actions to minimise risks to children.

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

There have been two physical interventions since the last inspection. The interventions were appropriate and proportionate. The manager debriefed the staff and spoke with the child to obtain her views. Staff use their positive relationships to support children to manage their behaviours safely. Consequently, physical interventions are rare.

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

There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home. Staff know how to respond should such an incident occur.

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

Behaviour support plans are generally of a good standard and are individualised. However, one child’s behaviour plan does not detail sufficient strategies to manage their behaviour and does not give enough guidance for staff. This could lead to an inconsistent approach to supporting the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is experienced and suitably qualified. She is supported by two deputy managers. The managers have high expectations of the staff and act as excellent role models. Staff benefit from the managers’ knowledge and experience. Children benefit from consistent care and have their needs met well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff said that managers are approachable and supportive. Staff have regular supervision sessions. There is a strong emphasis on staff well-being. They feel motivated to provide children with good-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff hold a relevant level 3 diploma or are working towards the qualification within the agreed time frames. Staff receive high-quality training. A community nurse provides regular training for staff. Having this training means that the staff can provide good care for children with complex health needs. Staff feel confident and are competent in delivering healthcare to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Social workers spoke highly of the manager and staff. They said that communication from the manager and staff is effective. One social worker, who oversees the care of several of the children, said that all the parents of those children are happy with the care and that the children look forward to their stays at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An independent person reviews the home every month. The independent person’s report content is of good quality and includes feedback from parents, professionals and children. The independent person’s recommendations help the manager to make continuous improvements to the quality of care that children receive. Inspection report for children’s home: 2693971 5 On one occasion, the manager did not review an incident or debrief staff afterwards. The staff had not fully followed the child’s behaviour support plan. This lack of review meant that the manager did not identify that the staff had not followed the child’s plan. Consequently, there has been no reflection of the incident with staff to identify learning to improve practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2693971 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 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

In particular, ensure that the garden is well maintained, all children’s bedrooms are functional and the home is well maintained and decorated. 17 February 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that behaviour management strategies are effective and are understood and always applied by staff. The plans should be kept under review and revised as needed. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.34)  The registered person should oversee the welfare of the children in their care through observation and engagement with staff. In particular, they should ensure that incidents with children are reviewed and that staff are debriefed. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.23) Inspection report for children’s home: 2693971 7

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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: 2693971 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Jubilee House Care Trust Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1st floor, St. David’s House, 11 Blenheim Court, Brownfields, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 1AD

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2693971 9 regulates and inspects 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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