Children's home run by Physis Quantum Limited

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2585407 1 Registered provider: Physis Quantum Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A privately owned limited company runs the home. It offers care for up to four children. The home specialises in caring for children who have been or are at risk of child sexual exploitation.

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Information about this children’s home

The new manager started their role in May 2022 and is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted.

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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. Inspectors have 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: 2585407 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

Since the last inspection, two children have moved out of the home. One child’s move was a planned and successful move to semi-independent accommodation. Another child’s transition from the home did not have a positive end. Two other children have moved into the home in a planned way, and staff managed this well. At the time of this inspection, there were three children living at the home.

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The care of children

The manager and staff have worked hard to make progress since the previous inspection. Requirements under regulations 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 32 and 40 were met. However, managers needed to make further improvements to bring about sustained changes. Therefore, several requirements have been raised at this inspection. The manager’s monitoring and oversight have identified shortfalls that have had an impact on the home improvements.

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The care of children

The home is beautifully decorated, and the quality of the fixtures and fittings is of a high standard. The manager has taken action to ensure that the environment is nurturing and all maintenance work is completed. As a result, children feel valued and take pride in their home.

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The care of children

All children are in education and have good school attendance. Children receive good support and are making good progress with their learning from their starting points. The manager and staff collaborated with other professionals to develop a well-thought-out plan for one child who was struggling to access education. This helped the child improve her attendance in the school environment. Another child has made ‘above’ expected progress in all subjects.

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The care of children

Children attend routine medical appointments, and staff seek timely medical treatment in emergencies. Since the last inspection, staff have been taking initiative in supporting children’s health needs. For example, the manager and staff have escalated their concerns about one child’s emotional well-being and challenged health professionals. This resulted in the child getting an urgent review of their medication. Furthermore, staff have been effective in supporting one child when they had concerns about vaping. Consequently, the child stopped vaping.

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The care of children

Staff now make good use of key-work sessions to help children keep safe. For example, staff support children by talking about their difficulties and risks. As a result, children receive good enough care to help them stay safe and progress.

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The care of children

Some good work has been achieved with children to help them understand any concerns about their behaviour. For example, staff have important conversations Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2585407 3 with children about peer relationships, smoking and vaping. This helps children to better develop a good understanding and the skills to withdraw from damaging or harmful behaviours.

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The care of children

Staff have improved their recording of the information contained in children’s records. However, children’s daily records are varied in capturing the child’s journey. However, the manager has recognised this and taken action to address this shortfall.

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The safety of children

Managers have taken action to ensure that risk assessments reflect children’s known and emerging risks. These documents now provide staff with guidance, advice and strategies to follow to keep children safe. This means that the risk of harm to vulnerable children is reduced.

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The safety of children

During the inspection, the inspector found that staff were fully adhering to one child’s deprivation of liberty order. They use this information to inform their practice to support the child with any restrictions imposed. This means staff fully understand their role and responsibility in keeping the children safe.

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The safety of children

Managers complete the necessary recruitment checks to ensure that all staff are safe and suitable.

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The safety of children

Since the last inspection, there have been no incidents of physical restraint. However, the manager has held discussions in team meetings and consulted with a clinician about how to de-escalate situations and help staff to manage them better. Furthermore, some staff have completed physical restraint refresher training, and others have been booked to receive this training.

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The safety of children

Staff show professional curiosity and vigilance to keep children safe. On the occasions when staff show professional curiosity, this has been effective in safeguarding children from harm online. The manager has implemented security measures that stop children from accessing inappropriate websites. As a result, staff can monitor and assess any potential risk and provide support to children to keep them safe online.

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The safety of children

The manager and staff use monitoring and surveillance of children without good reason. For example, bedroom door alarms are in use to monitor children’s movements in the home. These measures are not proportionate and appropriate, as the children have close supervision and are not at risk of going missing. Furthermore, children’s risk assessments lack information as to why children require monitoring and surveillance. This places unnecessary restrictions on children’s ability to move freely in their home and infringes on their privacy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Overall, managers have improved in developing a better understanding about the strengths and weaknesses of the home. There is now consistent leadership, and Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2585407 4 stronger monitoring and oversight mean that managers identify and act quicker to address shortfalls to improve children’s safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Sufficiency in staff means that there are enough suitably trained staff to meet the assessed needs of all children in the home. This means children are receiving the continuity of care they need.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has made progress in developing the internal monitoring systems. For example, the manager has ensured that staff consistently review and update children’s risk assessments. Furthermore, managers have regular checks on children’s electrical devices. As a result, staff knowledge and understanding about how to manage and reduce all known risks to promote children’s health and safety have improved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The previous manager did not always notify Ofsted of all serious incidents that occurred in the home. The new manager has addressed this shortfall, which means the regulator can now review whether the appropriate action has been taken.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Effective oversight of the independent person’s report by managers has been consistent. These reports now contain feedback from children and professionals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Half of the staff team holds the required level 3 diploma qualification in residential childcare. An equal number are currently working towards achieving this or plan to enrol on a training programme. However, despite this progress, not all core staff have the skills and training to meet the complex needs of children. For example, staff do not have training in online safety, child exploitation, missing from care and fire safety awareness. In addition, one staff member has not received refresher training in communicating with child physical restraint. This limits staff knowledge and their skills in meeting children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Overall, staff receive regular and reflective supervision. Staff report that they feel supported by the manager and new deputy manager and have positive relationships with them. However, new staff members do not always receive regular supervision in line with the organisation’s expectations. This does not promote staff learning or ensure that their aspirations are developed. The manager acknowledges that some staff receive inconsistent supervision, and she plans to address this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has not ensured that they send their quality of care review to Ofsted within the required timescales. This leaves the regulator without the full information needed to review the manager’s own assessment of the quality of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Out of the 10 requirements made at the last inspection, eight have been met. Progress has been made in respect of the other requirements, and there is an action plan in place to address the outstanding areas for improvement. Two new requirements have been raised from this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2585407 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/07/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 27/10/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2585407 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 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

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

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to the registered manager ensuring that all staff receive essential refresher training.

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Requirement Due date

Also, this refers to the registered manager ensuring they use internal monitoring systems more effectively. 28 April 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

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Requirement Due date

the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance;

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Requirement Due date

so far as reasonably practicable in the light of the child’s age and understanding, the child is informed in advance of the intention to do the monitoring or surveillance; and 28 April 2023 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2585407 7 the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that monitoring or surveillance of children is for the purpose of safeguarding.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development; and

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that all staff receive regular, reflective supervision. 28 April 2023

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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. (Regulation 45 (1))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that the quality of care report is sent to Ofsted in a timely manner. 28 April 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff review and regularly update children’s records. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2585407 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Physis Quantum Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: DPC, 55 Stone House Road Business Park, Stone Road, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 6SR

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Inspector

Patrick McIntosh, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2585407 9 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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Inspector

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