Children's home run by Plymouth City Council

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC454900 1 SC454900

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Registered provider: Plymouth City Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home operates as a short-breaks service and is run by a local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to six children with complex needs who require at least one-to-one care and support.

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Inspection date: 27 June 2023

Date of last inspection: 24 January 2023

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Inspection date: 27 June 2023

Judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

A monitoring visit was carried out on 21 March 2023. The statutory requirements and compliance notice that were issued at the full inspection were met at this monitoring visit.

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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.

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Information about this inspection

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: SC454900 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

The home is not in operation. Consequently, no children were present at this inspection.

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The care of children

Senior managers are preparing for children to return to the home. They have invested in the refurbishment of the home to improve the environment for children. This includes new flooring, colourful decorations in bathrooms and play spaces created for children. In addition, a large landscaping project is planned to improve children’s experiences outside.

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The care of children

Staff provide outreach support to the children who stay at the home. Staff feedback gathered by the inspector indicates that this has been a valuable period for them to develop their skills to support children in the community. They all said that they will continue to involve children in community activities when they return to the home. This will enhance children’s experiences and progress.

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The care of children

Staff are committed and enthusiastic about their roles. They have received updated training to equip them with the knowledge that they need to care for children. However, experienced staff have not yet benefited from additional training that will help them to continually improve children’s care. A recommendation relating to this is repeated.

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The care of children

Children have meaningful life-story records. Staff have created books for children that include lovely photos and descriptions of activities. They show children enjoying themselves and having fun. These books are shared with children’s families. The recommendation made at the full inspection relating to life-story records is met.

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The safety of children

Staff recruitment records have been checked and all staff have current Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Senior managers are strengthening the systems in place to ensure that these checks are updated in line with the home’s policy.

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The safety of children

Fire evacuation procedures have been reviewed, including procedures to evacuate children safely if they are experiencing a seizure. Specialist equipment has been purchased, and training to use this equipment is planned before children return to the home. Care planning includes a review of where children will sleep, to ensure that they can be evacuated safely and quickly in line with their specific needs. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC454900 3 Required fire safety features are being fitted in the home, including new doors, handles and banisters. A specialist fire risk assessment will be requested once work is completed, and before children return to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A previous senior manager who has returned to the home is overseeing a programme of improvements. They have recently been appointed as the home’s responsible individual. They are experienced and have a strong track record for providing a consistently good service for children at this home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home has no registered manager. The former manager, who registered with Ofsted in June 2022, resigned following the last full inspection. Senior managers understand the requirement to appoint a manager and are currently recruiting.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The deputy manager post is under review. There has been creative planning to recruit to senior team leader roles in the home. These arrangements are yet to be clearly defined to ensure that oversight of delegated tasks is effective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Senior managers have made tremendous progress in meeting the areas identified as shortfalls at the full inspection. They are planning for children to return to the home, but do not intend to operate the home until the improvement plan is fully implemented. Ofsted will undertake a full inspection in due course.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/01/2023 Full Inadequate 16/02/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 15/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/07/2019 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC454900 4

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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 registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home; and

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Requirement Due date

is not, or does not intend to be, in day-to-day charge of the home.

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Requirement Due date

if the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of—

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person so appointed; and

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Requirement Due date

the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii) (2)(a)(b)) 27 September

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11) Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC454900 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Plymouth City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Plymouth City Council, Ballard House, West Hoe Road, Plymouth PL1 3BJ

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Inspector

Louise Bacon, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC454900 6 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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