Children's Home run by Bramley Care Limited in West Sussex

Inspection report for children’s home: SC484133 1 SC484133 Registered provider: Bramley Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for six children of the same gender with social and emotional difficulties. There were five children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager of the home was registered with Ofsted in February 2017 and is suitably qualified.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 15 September 2021

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC484133 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/09/2021 Full Good 12/11/2019 Full Good 17/09/2018 Full Outstanding 05/09/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC484133 3

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improvement to be good

A core staff team knows the children in the home well and has an understanding of their complex needs. This has resulted in children having positive relationships with staff. However, there continues to be a heavy reliance on agency staff. While managers do try to use consistent agency staff, some children told the inspector that they much prefer being cared for by permanent members of staff.

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improvement to be good

The staff support children to develop their independence skills. Each child has a bespoke independence programme. This has resulted in children being able to travel independently and begin part-time work. However, the manager has not considered reviewing the use of door alarms to monitor children at night. Their use does not always reflect the children’s progress.

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improvement to be good

The manager has failed to ensure that appropriate plans are in place to support a young person when spending their personal independence payment (PIP). Furthermore, this young person had to purchase an appliance to support their personal care needs rather than this being provided for the young person. The registered manager did not consider if this was an appropriate use of the young person’s PIP and failed to seek agreement from the local authority.

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improvement to be good

The children have regular weekly meetings. This supports them to share their views, wishes and feelings. While children say that they feel heard, the registered manager does not consistently feedback to the children when they raise a concern. This could be a missed opportunity for managers to make sure that children know that they have taken their concerns seriously, and to help children to understand what action has been taken.

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improvement to be good

Children make progress in their education. Children receive individual support from staff. Consequently, children are able to access mainstream college. This has resulted in children having positive learning experiences, developing their social skills and making friends.

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improvement to be good

Children’s physical, emotional and psychological needs are met by adults who receive guidance from qualified practitioners. Staff advocate for specialist support when necessary. The staff work closely with a multi-disciplinary network to understand and manage children’s complex needs.

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improvement to be good

Staff recognise the value of continued family relationships. Children are sensitively supported in having time with family and other individuals who are important to them.

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improvement to be good

Inspection report for children’s home: SC484133 4 Many areas of the home are poorly maintained. In one communal bathroom, the floor had sunk and there was a significant hole in the flooring, presenting a potential risk of harm. There is limited decor, such as an absence of photos, and the communal areas are dirty and unkempt in places. The outside areas are not maintained, and a fallen tree has not been made safe. The environment does not present as warm, welcoming and free from hazards.

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improvement to be good

Staff fully recognise the risks and concerns that can arise when incidents occur, such as the wider risks when children go missing from the home. Staff are proactive in looking for children when they go missing, and work with the professional network. However, return-home interviews are not consistently held. Therefore, there is a missed opportunity for children to reflect on and learn from each incident.

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improvement to be good

Managers provide risk management plans that are individual to each child’s needs. However, in one child’s plan, strategies agreed with this child are not clearly recorded. Consequently, staff are not always provided with information to manage risk safely.

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improvement to be good

There have been two incidents where staff have used physical interventions to manage incidents since the last inspection 18 months ago. However, records of these interventions lack the required detail, and management oversight of the incidents is weak.

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improvement to be good

The provider carries out rigorous recruitment checks for new staff to ensure that they are suitably experienced and of good character.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There are significant shortfalls in leadership and management. Leaders and managers do not use the monitoring systems available to them effectively. Oversight of documentation, care practice and the environment are weak. This means that the registered manager does not have a comprehensive overview of the quality of care and safety for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Furthermore, leaders and managers do not consistently maintain the environment. Organisational processes are inconsistent and senior leaders are not prioritising work through a robust and effective maintenance system. As a result, children are not experiencing care in a clean, comfortable, homely environment that reflects the care that the staff show in their day-to-day practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Senior leaders have failed to ensure that the allegation management policy provides clear guidance for managers and staff. This means that managers and staff may not respond appropriately if children raise concerns or make allegations about staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff receive regular supervision. However, supervision is not always reflective or linked to practice. For example, not all incidents are discussed and reflected upon. This is compounded further because staff do not always receive a debrief following Inspection report for children’s home: SC484133 5 incidents. This results in staff not always being provided with opportunities to learn and develop their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Significant details, such as the staffing structure within the statement of purpose, are incorrect. Consequently, the registered manager’s failure to update this key document and notify Ofsted means that she is not meeting her regulatory responsibilities. Inspection report for children’s home: SC484133 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

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 premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that plans are up to date with the children’s specific strategies, and are understood by staff. They should ensure that there is a clear action plan to address how the environment will be improved and ensure that it is safe for children. 14 May 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

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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

that the child’s placing authority is contacted, and a review of that child’s relevant plans is requested, if—

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Requirement Due date

the child is, or has been, persistently absent from the home without permission; (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(e)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager should seek to involve the children’s placing authority to review incidents of children going missing. 14 May 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC484133 7 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 promotes their welfare.

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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 work as a team where appropriate;

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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

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to 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)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that there is effective oversight, and evidence regular review of all matters relating to the management of the home and the quality of care provided. Ensure that staff training and skills meet the needs of the children. 14 May 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect; and

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Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect.

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Requirement Due date

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular— 14 May 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC484133 8 provide for liaison and cooperation with any local authority which are, or may be, making a child protection enquiry in relation to a child accommodated in the home;

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Requirement Due date

provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about current or ongoing abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the home is located;

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Requirement Due date

provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about past abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the alleged abuse or neglect occurred;

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Requirement Due date

provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response;

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describe the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect; and

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Requirement Due date

describe how and to whom staff are to report, without delay, any concern about abuse or neglect of a child. (Regulation 34 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e))

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and 14 May 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC484133 9 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 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it;

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Requirement Due date

and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b)) 30 April 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered provider should review the use of door alarms for each child to ensure that this reflects the progress made by them. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards Paragraph 3.16 page 16)

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Recommendations

 Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted on. In particular, the registered manager should consistently provide feedback to children when they have raised a concern. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards Paragraph 4.11 page 22) Inspection report for children’s home: SC484133 10

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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: SC484133 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bramley Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Malvern View, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove B60 4AD

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Inspector

Rebecca Fisher, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC484133 12 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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