Children's home run by Cornwall Council

Inspection report for children’s home: 2633410 1 Registered provider: Cornwall Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home registered in May 2021 and has been converted to provide care for up to three children with disabilities. The home is owned and operated by the local authority.

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Information about this children’s home

A qualified manager oversees the home and is registered with Ofsted.

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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 requires improvement to be 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: 1 February 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2633410 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2633410 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at this home. They benefit from a homely environment which is well maintained. The home has a large garden which is full of varied play opportunities. There is also a state-of-the-art sensory room which children use on a regular basis.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the previous inspection, one child has moved on to adult accommodation. This move was planned, and the child was helped to process this change well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Carers know children well. Communication between carers regarding children’s changing needs is good. Children benefit from clear routines and a nurturing approach. Children are making positive progress from their starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Any changes in children’s behaviour are carefully considered. The care provided is then adapted to meet children’s needs well. Carers altered one child’s routine to help them settle at night. This child is now sleeping through the night, which has had a positive impact on many areas of their life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s progress and personal achievements are recognised and celebrated. Parents gave very positive feedback about the care provided to their children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a variety of activities, such as trips to theme parks and to the beach. All children also enjoy weekly swimming sessions. However, they do not attend any other clubs, which limits their regular experiences beyond the home and school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There have been staffing difficulties. Agency carers have been used, which has meant changes for children. The registered manager is actively seeking to recruit to the core team.

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

Restrictive practice is used at times to keep children safe. When carers intervene and restrain children, it is appropriate. These incidents are also reflected on by carers and managers to consider if a different approach could have been used. However, children’s needs, wishes and feelings are not fully explored after such incidents.

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

There has been one medication error. There was no significant impact to the child. This error has been carefully explored and plans are in place to ensure carers are clear about what to do when medication is out of date. Inspection report for children’s home: 2633410 4 One child’s self-injurious behaviour has drastically reduced. His mother said this was due to him being happy at the home, and that carers supported his mental wellbeing.

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

Carers were seen exploring ways to help children to progress to managing their own intimate care. However, structured care planning around this is lacking.

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

Children benefit from boundaries and clear routines. When children are distressed, carers can help them calm. This has meant that there is generally a settled environment for all three children.

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

Carers are working creatively to help children make progress with their diets. For example, one child is encouraged to engage in the social side of mealtimes, despite not eating solid food.

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

Managed risk is taken to help children enjoy varied experiences. For example, one child greatly enjoyed a paddle-boarding trip.

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good

The registered manager knows the children well. He has good oversight of the care provided at the home. The manager and his team are child-centred.

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good

Monitoring systems are used by the registered manager to identify strengths and weakness in the home. This is helping to drive improvement.

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good

Structured supervision is taking place on a regular basis. The quality of supervision is good. Actions are clear and discussions include a clear focus on the ability of carers to meet children’s needs.

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good

The registered manager identified several months ago the need to update the medication policy. This is to ensure that important information is more easily accessible for staff. This change has not yet been completed.

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good

Safer recruitment practice is not always robust. Specifically, at times when agency carers are used. On one occasion information was lacking. Inspection report for children’s home: 2633410 5

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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 children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

take their, views and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives. (Regulation 7 (1)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, every effort must be made to gain children’s views, wishes and feelings after they have experienced restraint. 5 April 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23 (1))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, there must be a clear policy in place for the safe management of medication. 5 April 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. (Regulation 32 (1))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that robust checks are completed when agency staff are used. 8 April 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are offered a wide range of activities both inside and outside the home (where appropriate) and are encouraged to participate in those activities. Staff should support children to take part in school trips, out-of-school and other clubs, volunteering and leisure activities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.5)  The registered person should ensure that each child’s day-to-day health and well- being needs are met. In particular, every opportunity should be taken to help Inspection report for children’s home: 2633410 6 children to have privacy and dignity in their personal care needs. This includes structured care planning, which ensures that all those involved support children to make progress and where possible to manage their own personal care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33,

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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: 2633410 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Truro TR1 9GP

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Inspector

Polly Soper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2633410 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 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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