Children's home run by Leicester City Council

Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 1 SC039001 Registered provider: Leicester City Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to seven children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since June 2018 and is suitably qualified.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

p.1

inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

inadequate

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

p.1

inadequate

Date of last inspection: 21 November 2022

p.1

inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

p.1

Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following the full inspection in November 2022, compliance notices were issued under regulation 12 (the protection of children standard) and regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard). In addition, Ofsted issued a notice restricting accommodation from 24 November 2022 to 16 February 2023 inclusively.

p.1

Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following a monitoring visit on 16 January 2023, the two compliance notices were restated and the notice restricting accommodation remained in place. Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/11/2022 Full Inadequate 19/07/2021 Full Good 28/05/2019 Full Good 21/02/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 3

p.2

inadequate

The care provided to children has remained inadequate since the last full inspection. This is because of serious shortfalls in the behaviour management of children and in the leadership and management of the home.

p.3

inadequate

At the time of this inspection, the same six children remain living at the home. There have been no new admissions to the home due to the notice restricting accommodation that is in place. The children who live together do not get on well and their needs conflict. Bullying in the home continues, and children negatively impact on each other’s progress and experience. The home does not offer a peaceful and nurturing environment for children due to the frequent disruptions caused by serious incidents.

p.3

inadequate

Staff’s time is taken up dealing with incidents at the home and challenging children’s behaviour. Consequently, staff feel stretched. Their time is taken away from the children who are settled. Staff are unable to offer children the range of activities and trips outside of the home as there are insufficient staff to facilitate this.

p.3

inadequate

Complaints from children and others are not treated seriously. Managers do not ensure that complaints are investigated or responded to appropriately. As a result, concerns are not fully considered, and children do not feel listened to.

p.3

inadequate

Staff know the children well, and they understand children’s needs and the challenges in the home. Staff report that some children make progress; however, this is not evidenced in records. Managers have not put in place a system to record positive behaviour and praise for all children.

p.3

inadequate

The home environment continues to have an institutional appearance and some areas of the home require further redecoration and maintenance. Staff continue to lock internal doors. This prevents children’s access to areas such as the kitchen.

p.3

inadequate

Most children have access to regular education, whether at school or via alternative provisions. Some children have good attendance, and feedback from education staff is positive.

p.3

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

Children’s risks and behaviours are not always well managed. Staff do not use effective strategies to manage children’s behaviour, and responses to behaviour that challenges can be slow. As a result, children’s behaviours quickly escalate. This increases risks to children and staff. Earlier intervention from staff would prevent many incidents from escalating. Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 4 Risk assessments fail to provide staff with clarity regarding what actions they should take to keep children safe. Not all risk assessments are up to date or accurate. Managers have failed to ensure that all areas of children’s risk are assessed. Consequently, there is a lack of clear guidance in place for staff to follow. In some instances, staff are not carrying out the required room searches and checks on children when they return home from free time or from being missing. As a result, children have access to items that they are not permitted to have, such as lighters,

p.3

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

Staff do not routinely use consequences following children’s risky or undesirable behaviour. As a result, there is no deterrent and children continue, or escalate, their behaviours. On occasion, staff have turned the power off in children’s bedrooms to settle their behaviour. This is inappropriate and has proved ineffective.

p.4

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

Some children use e-cigarettes, smoke tobacco and/or cannabis. Managers have failed to provide staff with guidance on how to support children to reduce or stop these behaviours. Staff do not challenge this behaviour or carry out key-work sessions with children to help them understand the risks.

p.4

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

Managers have failed to consider strategies that may reduce the likelihood of harmful incidents. For example, there are no plans for children’s free time, despite some children spending extended periods in the community where they often engage in antisocial behaviour. Staff have not considered supervised spending for children who buy inappropriate items in the community. This demonstrates a lack of awareness and planning for children when they are out of the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There are serious concerns about the poor standard of care practice. Ineffective approaches to risk management are being implemented by managers and staff. There is poor attention to the management of risk. Managers’ oversight of the home is poor.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The managers’ auditing systems are ineffective. Shortfalls in the recording of complaints, physical interventions, risk assessments and consequences are not addressed during review. In addition, managers are not reviewing incidents quickly or robustly. During the inspection, managers were unable to provide evidence that staff receive a thorough debrief following incidents. Consequently, shortfalls in staff practice are left unchallenged.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Not all staff have received regular supervision, and the quality of supervision varies. There is no clear induction process for agency staff who work at the home, and this has directly impacted on children’s safety. Staff receive a range of training; however, not all staff have completed essential training to meet the needs of the current children in the home. Therefore, Ofsted is not assured that staff have the skills and support systems in place to care for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 5 Despite the shortfalls identified, staff say that they enjoy working at the home. They report feeling well supported by the manager and deputy manager. Staff present as committed and wanting to improve the quality of care provided to children. Feedback from professionals is generally positive; however, most acknowledge concerns with the current mix of children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Eight of the 11 requirements raised at the last full inspection have not been met and have been restated. In addition, a further three requirements have been issued. Due to the widespread concerns, Ofsted issued a notice restricting accommodation on 16 February 2023 for a second period. Following this inspection, Ofsted issued compliance notices under regulations 12 and 13 for the third time. Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 6

p.5

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.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.6

Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

p.6

Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

p.6

Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

p.6

Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

p.6

Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii)(ix))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that the home environment is welcoming and in keeping with a family home. 4 April 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 7 This also relates to ensuring that children’s care plans are individualised and that children’s views, wishes and personal preferences, such as sexuality and gender, are supported.

p.6

Requirement Due date

*The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.7

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.7

Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

p.7

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.7

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii))

p.7

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that children’s risks are robustly assessed. Risk assessments must be kept up to date, accurate and provide effective strategies for staff to use.

p.7

Requirement Due date

This also relates to ensuring that staff support children to understand their risks and behaviours and carry out key- work sessions to support children.

p.7

Requirement Due date

In addition, this relates to ensuring that all staff respond to, report and document all incidents of concern. 4 April 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 8 *The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

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;

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

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))

p.8

Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that there are effective monitoring and oversight arrangements in place for all aspects of the home which improve the quality of care provided to children.

p.8

Requirement Due date

This also relates to ensuring that there is adequate staff on shift who can respond to and meet the needs of all children living at the home. 4 April 2023

p.8

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—

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1) (2)(c)) 4 April 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 9 This relates to ensuring that all staff receive essential training for their roles.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.9

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

that staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f))

p.9

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that children have planned and considered admissions into the home and that key paperwork is put in place quickly enough for it to be effective.

p.9

Requirement Due date

This also relates to ensuring that children are supported to contribute to their records and care in a meaningful way. 4 April 2023

p.9

Requirement Due date

the privacy of children is appropriately protected;

p.9

Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

p.9

Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home;

p.9

Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)) 4 April 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 10 This specifically relates to the practice of staff locking internal doors and restricting children’s movements around the home when it is not care planned, risk assessed and necessary.

p.9

Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

p.10

Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or

p.10

Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

p.10

Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

p.10

Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016.

p.10

Requirement Due date

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

p.10

Requirement Due date

does not work, or has not worked, in a care role in a home for a prolonged period; or

p.10

Requirement Due date

works, or has worked, in a care role in a home on a part- time basis. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b) (6)(a)(b))

p.10

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that staff obtain their residential qualification within the required time frame. 4 April 2023

p.10

Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction.

p.10

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.10

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (1)(a) (4)(b)) 4 April 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 11 The registered person must ensure that all staff, including agency staff, have an induction to the home prior to working with children.

p.10

Requirement Due date

This also relates to ensuring that all staff receive regular supervision.

p.11

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—

p.11

Requirement Due date

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

p.11

Requirement Due date

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

p.11

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

p.11

Requirement Due date

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

p.11

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;

p.11

Requirement Due date

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

p.11

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;

p.11

Requirement Due date

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”)—

p.11

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.11

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.11

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. 4 April 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 12 (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

p.11

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that all incidents involving physical intervention are reviewed within the required time frame.

p.12

Requirement Due date

This also relates to the registered person ensuring that staff document all consequences issued to children.

p.12

Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children.

p.12

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (1) (3))

p.12

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that the registered provider maintains a detailed record of all complaints. In addition, the registered person must ensure that they follow their own policy when responding to complaints. 4 April 2023

p.12

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.

p.12

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—

p.12

Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

p.12

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.

p.12

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”).

p.12

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. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)) 4 April 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 13 This specifically relates to ensuring that the review of the quality of care is submitted within the required time frame.

p.12

Requirement Due date

The registered manager must seek the views of children and professionals on the quality of care provided.

p.13

Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

p.13

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all incidents of bullying are recorded and that staff take effective action to address any bullying that occurs in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.12)

p.13

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: SC039001 14

p.13

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: City Hall, 115 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FZ

p.14

Inspector

Debbie Holder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC039001 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.14

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 . 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.15

Inspector

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

p.15

Inspector

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

p.15