Children's Home run by Green Harvest Capital Consulting Ltd in Thurrock

Inspection report for children's home: 2637805 1 Registered provider: Green Harvest Capital Consulting Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2023.

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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 requires improvement to be good

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2637805 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/06/2023 Full Inadequate 04/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/12/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home: 2637805 3

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improvement to be good

This inspection took place following a full inspection in June 2023 which resulted in a judgement of inadequate and a compliance notice. In August 2023, a monitoring visit took place to monitor the action that the provider had taken to meet the steps set out in the compliance notice. The management team had taken sufficient action to meet these steps.

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improvement to be good

There have been no children living at the home since June 2023. One child moved into the home on the second day of this inspection. Staff had collected the child’s belongings in advance and organised a welcome party for their arrival. The inspector did not meet the child. Therefore, the inspection outcomes are based on observation, discussions and review of systems and procedures.

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improvement to be good

The management team has made important changes to how it gathers information about children. The manager provided evidence to demonstrate that staff have the required knowledge and skills to enable them to provide the care needed for children who may move to the home. This could not be tested at the time of this inspection.

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improvement to be good

The manager has worked with the headteacher of the virtual school to organise home tutoring for the child until a suitable education placement is found.

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improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, the home has been repainted, the cigarette burns have been removed, there is a new fridge freezer and a privacy screen has been replaced. The manager has created a games room. However, a fire door in the lounge was propped open with a chair. This was raised as a recommendation at the last full inspection and has now been raised as a requirement as it poses a safety issue.

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improvement to be good

The management team has focused on improving staff’s skills and knowledge in safeguarding children. Staff have received additional training in safeguarding and whistle-blowing. Policies have been reviewed and provide clear guidance. These policies and procedures have been discussed in staff meetings and supervision so that staff understand their roles and responsibilities.

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improvement to be good

The manager has revised the format of children’s plans and assessments. Plans have been combined to make information easier to find. Assessments include information on why it is important that staff follow the information. The management team has immediate oversight of these forms through the organisation’s database. This means that managers can identify concerns about practice and intervene without delay. Inspection report for children's home: 2637805 4 Information in the plans and assessments is easy to read and understand. Strategies for staff to follow include tone of voice, what to say and awareness of body language. Other strategies have been personalised for the child moving in. The manager has a system for regular review and she will be leading on all changes to plans until staff feel confident to undertake this task.

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improvement to be good

The local police liaison officer has provided bespoke training to staff on supporting children who go missing from the home. Staff said that they now feel more confident to report and help children who leave the home without permission.

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good

The experienced registered manager is working towards a relevant level 5 qualification within timescales. The responsible individual supports the manager. Since the last full inspection, the senior management team has created clearer lines of communication.

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good

Managers hold weekly team meetings with all staff. The manager uses these meetings to set expectations, reflect and to explore topics with staff such as open cultures, values and working as a team. Staff said that they feel enthusiastic about the future and that they are supported by the management team.

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good

The manager has increased the frequency of staff supervision sessions to fortnightly. Staff are expected to complete reflective journals for these meetings. This helps staff to consider their practice and alternative approaches. Supervisions include a focus on safeguarding and procedures.

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good

The manager’s internal monitoring and audit tools have been simplified and now include analysis and planning. Clear audit processes, including how to make changes quickly, have been identified. External monitoring has been included in the manager’s development plan. This is likely to contribute to more consistency and child-focused care.

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good

Since the last inspection, no staff have left and no staff have joined. The management team has made the decision that, before new employees apply, they must have a minimum of one year’s experience working in children’s residential care. The provider is adopting this approach to help them to make certain that new staff have the required knowledge and experience to work with vulnerable children.

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good

Staff have undertaken the organisation’s mandatory training. Additional training has been provided to enable staff to meet the needs of the child who has moved in. Staff are all undertaking a relevant level 3 childcare qualification within timescales.

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good

The manager has met one recommendation and one requirement from the last full inspection. The remaining requirements could not be assessed at this inspection due to no children living at the home. For that reason, those requirements are restated. Inspection report for children's home: 2637805 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, 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

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(1) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that fire doors are not propped open. 26 September

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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

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that any investigations into allegations against staff fully explore the circumstances relating to the allegation.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement could not be assessed during this inspection and is restated. 26 September

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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

promotes their welfare. 20 October 2023 Inspection report for children's home: 2637805 6 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

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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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)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement could not be assessed during this inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour.

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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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have 20 October 2023 Inspection report for children's home: 2637805 7 the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(i)(v)(vii)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement could not be assessed during this inspection and is restated.

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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 and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

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

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well- being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(ii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement could not be assessed during this inspection and is restated. 20 October 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; 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

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff have the relevant experience and skills to meet the needs of children moving into the 20 October 2023 Inspection report for children's home: 2637805 8 home and that plans provide clear and accurate guidance for staff.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement could not be assessed during this inspection and is restated.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, that the responsible local authority provides an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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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: 2637805 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Green Harvest Capital Consulting Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Biz Hub, Belasis Business Centre, Coxwold Way, Belasis Hall Technology Park, Billingham TS23 4EA

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Kayathry Karunakaran

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Inspector

Mandy Start, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2637805 10 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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