Children's Home run by Resilience North East Limited in Durham

Inspection report for children’s home: 1248773 1 Registered provider: Resilience North East Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who may have emotional or social difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in February 2017. The manager registered in December 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspector spoke to the two children living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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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.

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1248773 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/06/2022 Full Good 21/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1248773 3

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inadequate

There are serious and widespread shortfalls in the leadership and management of the home and in the protection of children. Consequently, despite some progress for one child, the shortfalls raised have led to an inadequate judgement.

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inadequate

The home has experienced instability since the last inspection. There has been a change of registered manager and significant changes within the staff team as eight residential staff have left the home. This has led to children receiving inconsistent care and support.

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inadequate

Children’s health and well-being are compromised. The registered manager is unclear about the home’s policies and procedures in respect of how the staff should respond to the children’s health needs. This lack of clarity means that the staff are also not clear on how to support the children to achieve the outcomes recorded in their plans. This has resulted in the staff not accessing medical advice and treatment for the children on a number of occasions.

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inadequate

Poor care planning has resulted in some of the children experiencing instability. One child moved into the home but moved out in an unplanned way after only five weeks. In addition, one child recently moved into the home without a care plan and risk assessment. Consequently, the staff were not provided with clear strategies on what action they must take to safeguard this child, whose movements are restricted as they use a safety bed.

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inadequate

Children spend time with people who are important to them. Staff facilitate and support this time. Families are invited to spend time in the home. This helps to promote the children’s identities and important relationships.

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inadequate

The manager and staff have worked with the headteacher of the virtual school and education professionals to enhance children’s education. As a result, children make progress and now attend education full time.

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inadequate

Staff support children to take part in enjoyable hobbies and activities to promote positive experiences. Children enjoy a variety of experiences, which supports their confidence and emotional well-being.

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

The inspector identified times when there were insufficient suitably trained and experienced staff available to care for the children safely. Not all staff are suitably trained to administer medication, including emergency medication. This oversight has the potential to place children at significant risk of harm. Inspection report for children’s home: 1248773 4 The manager has failed to listen to children and take effective action when children make a complaint. One child said that they were ‘afraid’ after a staff member shouted at them. Furthermore, the inspector found a number of allegations that have not been responded to. One child alleged that they were physically assaulted by a member of staff. It was recorded that the child had bruising; however, this was not followed up.

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

Physical interventions are not well documented, and the manager does not consistently review these records. Therefore, it is not clear how the staff have managed these incidents, if the children were offered medical care and if the holds were proportionate and necessary. In addition, on some occasions, the staff have held the children despite not having the necessary training to do so. This practice places children at risk of harm.

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

An internal investigation established that a child had suffered harm and a member of staff had been negligent in their duty. The manager has failed to address the failings identified following this investigation. Failure to comply with the actions means children have continued to suffer harm and practice remains inadequate.

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

The inspector found 32 body maps showing bruises and injuries to the children that have not been monitored or assessed effectively. Accident forms are not routinely completed when the children are injured. Independent monitoring of the records of children who receive injuries is not effective. This has resulted in poor safeguarding practice and emerging themes in relation to the children’s care that are not quickly identified.

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

The manager has failed to ensure that all the staff are provided with current information that they need to help them understand the risks that children face. For one child, there were three versions of the child’s risk assessment that contradicted each other. This means that the staff are not given clear instructions on how to keep the children safe, as they are not sure of which plan to follow.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders have failed to ensure that there is suitable management oversight to make sure that staff can carry out their work with children. This has resulted in poor safeguarding practice. Opportunities to address shortfalls and make improvements are missed. This has led to children not being effectively protected, and children have suffered harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There have been occasions when the manager has either delayed or failed to report serious incidents to Ofsted. This compromises the regulator’s ability to oversee safeguarding practice in the home. Additionally, significant incidents and events have not been shared with children’s family members and placing authorities. One professional said, ‘I am disappointed; the manager has not been open and transparent.’ Improper communication has reduced the confidence of those who use the service. Inspection report for children’s home: 1248773 5 Staff receive supervision; however, the frequency of this is not in line with the home’s policy. The registered manager could not locate or demonstrate his understanding of the policy. This raises concern about the registered manager’s ability to lead a culture in line with the outcomes set out in the home’s statement of purpose.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The quality of record-keeping is poor. The staff do not record necessary information about the children, which means that some significant incidents have not been captured. The registered manager fails to record the date that children’s records are reviewed and amended. This makes the authenticity of the records questionable, as it is not clear who the author is and when the records are completed and reviewed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager has not completed the six-monthly quality of care review, and they have failed to improve the quality of care that the children receive in this home. This includes failing to meet a number of requirements that were issued at the last inspection on 7 and 8 June 2022. These requirements are restated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

During this inspection, Ofsted identified significant shortfalls in the provider’s safeguarding practice due to ineffective leadership and management arrangements. During a case review on 25 April 2023, Ofsted made the decision to issue three compliance notices under regulations 10, 12 and 13. In addition, a number of requirements have also been issued. Inspection report for children’s home: 1248773 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, The 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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(c)) 28 May 2023

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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

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; 28 May 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 1248773 7 have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(e))

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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

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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child 28 May 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 1248773 8 and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; 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)(a)(c)(d)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

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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.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(c)) 28 May 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; 28 May 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 1248773 9 the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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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”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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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. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b) (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) (b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c)) 28 May 2023

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Requirement Due date

A person may only manage a children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

the person is of integrity and good character. (Regulation 28 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the registered manager maintains accurate and up-to-date records and makes it explicitly clear when any records are amended.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the registered manager is open and transparent and shares 28 May 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 1248773 10 accurate information with relevant agencies, placing authorities, Ofsted and those legally responsible for children.

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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; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(c)) 28 May 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 28 May 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.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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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; and 28 May 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 1248773 11 any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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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”).

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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; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5))

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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

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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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 a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation— 28 May 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 1248773 12 must include details of—

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Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter;

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Requirement Due date

must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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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: 1248773 13

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Resilience North East Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Fox Street, Felling, Gateshead NE10 0BD

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Inspector

Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1248773 14 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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