Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Inspection report for children’s home: SC040642 1 SC040642 Registered provider: Surrey County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority run home provides care for up to five children. The home’s main purpose is to support children until they are ready to live independently.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 1 September 2021.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC040642 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/04/2021 Full Outstanding 10/12/2019 Full Outstanding 21/11/2018 Full Good 05/12/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC040642 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, there were no children living at the home. In the last six months, three children moved in; a very unsettled period followed. The group dynamics became difficult, unmanageable and unsafe. The manager acted decisively. Two children moved out and one child remained at the home. This child experienced some stability and moved to a neighbouring home just before this inspection. This move was very well planned and was in the child’s best interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide high levels of individual support and develop meaningful relationships with children. Two staff members have supported one child’s move out by continuing to work with the child during and after the move. This provides a protective factor, helping the child’s adjustment to a new home. This is not an exception; staff provide excellent support to children long after they leave the home. Staff stay in contact with children and celebrate their milestones and achievements as they grow into adulthood. Continuing to support children who have moved to independent living helps them to become more resilient.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff talk about children with genuine pride. They relish children’s achievements and remain interested in and informed about their progress. The hallways and living areas of the home are decorated with photo galleries of children. These capture memories of holidays and traditional celebrations and reflect a wide range of memorable moments. Children refer to the photos as they recall memories. These photos help them to recognise their personal growth.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from living in a spacious and well-furnished home that is decorated to reflect their choices. The communal living areas are comfortable and creatively coordinated. Children are encouraged to dine family-style, with staff at the table. The staff strive for high standards of cleanliness and maintenance. Children’s bedrooms are spacious and furnished with modern, matching bedroom furniture. However, one child’s bedroom had a residual smell of tobacco that is unhealthy and unpleasant. The room was being aired and a refurbishment is underway.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff arranged specific support for children in regard to smoking cessation, sexual health and emotional well-being. Although children did not fully engage with these services, staff were tenacious in their attempts to encourage this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a wide range of outings and trips. The staff provide children with stimulating experiences and new opportunities. Children have enjoyed short breaks, visits to the theatre, trips to the coast and outdoor activities. Expectations are realistic for children who find mornings difficult. Staff purchase flexible tickets and bookings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children’s educational progress has been limited. Several children were not in education for a lengthy period. The staff made every attempt to secure an education Inspection report for children’s home: SC040642 4 provision for one child but without success. During one period, three children were at the home during the day without attending any education. This contributed to them having little structure and forming unhealthy relationships with one another.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Over the last 18 months, seven children have moved to the home and 10 children have moved out. Several children moved due to their age and successful progression towards independent living. However, when children move to the home, the impact of the combination of their behaviours is not fully considered. The assessment of two children who faced similar risks failed to consider how staff would reduce these risks. Referral information lacked specific detail and time frames. Therefore, children moved in who were not compatible with the other children and, as a result, have since experienced unplanned moves.

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

The staff record risk assessments of children’s individual risks and activities. These include strategies that guide staff in managing children’s risks. The staff provide consistent reminders that help children to feel safe and secure. Although children do not always adhere to the rules, the staff remain consistent. Repercussions are sensitively managed but clear. Children who damage items are encouraged to repair them and make amends. Staff use a warm parenting style that is firm, fair and kind. Children are given non-confrontational prompts and guidelines by skilled staff.

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

The fire risk assessment has been updated and the resulting actions have been carried out. When a child is observed to have associated fire risks, the staff arrange extra measures such as visits from the fire service and extra fire-retardant furnishings. This provides children with protection in the event of a fire.

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

Following a period of children being missing from the home daily and encouraging one another to leave, two children moved out. The children were subject to a number of local influences that encouraged them to leave the home without permission. Staff worked well with the police to reduce these, and action was taken against identified individuals outside the home. In the last few months, the number of missing-from- home incidents has significantly reduced. The staff are vigilant and responsive. They quickly follow children when they go missing from home and encourage them to return. Children are routinely offered return home interviews with someone independent of the home.

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

During a period when the group dynamics became increasingly unstable, the staff worked hard to maintain the equilibrium. During this time, the children made a number of allegations against the staff. These were referred to the local authority designated officer. However, there were significant delays in the referrals. This fails to ensure that a relevant independent professional guides the manager in actions and investigations. Inspection report for children’s home: SC040642 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is established, experienced and qualified for the role. She takes immense pride in the children, their successes and achievements. The manager is proud of the team’s spirit and ethos. The staff are unanimous in their appreciation of the support from the management team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team is exceptionally well motivated and positive. Staff share common goals and an enthusiastic, creative approach. The management and staffing structures are well resourced. Staff are encouraged to develop their expertise and interests, and their professional development is fostered and supported. This has resulted in an accountable team that, despite challenges, has remained buoyant and optimistic.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has realistic oversight of the care provided and is aware of the difficulties over the last year. These have been reviewed with learning outcomes. Complex decisions resulted in changes being made to ensure children’s well-being and safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent person visits the home regularly and provides reports that the manager uses to make improvements. The internal managerial monitoring is systematic and organised. Despite this, the manager has failed to always notify Ofsted within a reasonable timeframe of serious events at the home. Two events were not notified. This meant that, in those cases, Ofsted could not monitor the incidents at the home effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff all receive supervision at required intervals and, in some instances, supervision is reflective and challenging. This helps staff to develop their practice and reflect on mistakes. However, the records of other supervision meetings are poor and repetitive and lack any depth or reflective discussions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works well with a number of agencies such as the police and social workers. Feedback from social workers about the care provided is extremely complimentary. Inspection report for children’s home: SC040642 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 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

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, refer all allegations to the local authority designated officer within 24 hours of the allegation. 24 February 2023

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that when a child moves into the home, the impact risk assessment fully considers the impact of children living together. Particularly, ensure that all the referral information is questioned and explored with rigour. 31 March 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all serious events are notified to Ofsted within a reasonable time frame. 24 February 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC040642 7

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that there is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of children. In particular, address the residual tobacco odour in a child’s bedroom. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that when commissioning a placement, the placing authority must establish how the home will support the children’s educational needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 27, paragraph 5.7)  The registered person should ensure that staff receive supervision of their practice, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. In particular, ensure that supervision records fully reflects this. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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: SC040642 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Surrey County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Quadrant Court, 35 Guildford Road, Woking, Surrey GU22 7QQ

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Inspector

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC040642 9 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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