Children's Home run by The Gateshead Group Ltd in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2731370 1 The Gateshead Group Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private provider. It offers care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this visit, two children were living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since June 2023.

p.1

This monitoring visit

During the full inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023, Ofsted identified serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care and protection of the children living in the home. The judgement was inadequate and Ofsted served and emergency notice suspending the homes registration. As a result, leaders and managers were required to work with the children’s placing authority to support children to move out of the home.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Following the previous inspection, one child moved out of the home. Staff supported them to visit their new home before they moved. Leaders and managers shared information between professionals to allow for appropriate future care planning. However, the provider continues to care for two children who remain living in the home despite the homes registration being suspended. Leaders and managers are working with the placing authority to help find suitable homes for the children.

p.1

This monitoring visit

During this time, where the provider continues to operate in a suspended setting, leaders and managers are accepting additional support and visits from the placing authority. Children receive daily visit from their social worker and the placing authority has provided additional staffing to support the children.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, there has been a reduction in behaviours that staff find difficult to manage. As a result, restraint has not been used, nor have staff needed Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2731370 2 to call the police to help them to support the children. On one occasion, a child was reported missing from the home and staff followed the agreed protocols. Despite this, staff have not yet been provided with the training opportunities that they require to address the weaknesses in the care that is provided to children. Furthermore, staff have not been helped to reflect on, and learn from, the concerns that were highlighted. Leaders and managers explained that this is because of the practical challenges of carrying out this improvement work alongside continuing to care for the two children living in the home.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff do not help children to safely repair their fractured relationships effectively. There has been at least one significant conflict between children since the last inspection. Records do not clearly demonstrate what happened and indicate that staff are not sufficiently curious when children are upset or angry.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Children do not receive sufficient care that supports their emotional well-being. Staff did not offer a child support when they sought this from them and subsequently a self-harm incident then occurred. Following these incidents, staff offer first aid and a chance for children to discuss the incident. However, this is a reactive measure and often one children decline. These poor relationships are not effective in ensuring children get the support they need at the right time.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have identified some learning since the previous inspection. However, there is a lack of action to make required changes to address the concerns and improve the care of children . For example, positive and healthy routines and boundaries have not been agreed so they cannot be consistently promoted by staff. In addition, leaders and managers have not reflected on their responses to the concerns that were raised by professionals before the last inspection. Consequently, important lessons have not been learned to ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There has been one team meeting since the last inspection. This meeting included input from specialist mental health services. Advice and guidance were shared with the team about the mental health needs of children, the importance of routines and boundaries, and the importance of positive relationships between staff and children. However, this guidance is yet to be incorporated into the daily care that is provided to children.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered manager outlined some changes that they intend to make to the care that the home offers. This includes ensuring that a thorough assessment is carried out of the needs of children and their associated risks before they move into the home. The registered manager also explained that staff recruitment files have been audited to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Despite outlining some areas for intended improvement, an action plan to aid development has not been implemented. Leaders and managers have not carried out a robust review of their current monitoring and review systems to ensure that they are effective in helping them to understand the quality of care that is provided Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2731370 3 to children. As a result, there is a lack of learning and reflection from the previously identified shortfalls.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have not demonstrated how they are identifying learning and using this to address the weaknesses in practice to ensure that they improve. A compliance notice for Regulation 13 of The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 has been issued, and the requirements from the full inspection have been restated. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2731370 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/11/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2731370 5

p.4

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 with the given timescales.

p.5

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—

p.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.5

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)(g)(ii)(h))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that they have the skills to operate the home in accordance with the home’s statement of purpose and The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015. 1 February 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2731370 6 Specifically, the registered person should ensure that they use admissions information to accurately assess whether children can be kept safe in the home. Furthermore, before children move into the home, they should be supported to understand what it might be like for them to live there.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered manager should also ensure that children’s plans help staff to understand how to support them and use continual reflection to make improvements to the quality of care being provided. Furthermore, the registered person should ensure that staff have the skills, experience and training to support children effectively.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person should ensure that they respond to complaints to resolve issues and prevent reoccurrence.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated from the full inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.6

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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.6

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and 1 February 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2731370 7 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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are located so that children are effectively safeguarded. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(b)(c))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that staff have a clear understanding of the risks to children and their responsibility to take effective action to help children to keep safe.

p.7

Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated from the full inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

p.7

Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

p.7

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;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, 1 February 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2731370 8 sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

p.8

Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same;

p.8

Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children;

p.8

Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(x) (xi)(b))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that staff are supported to develop positive and trusting relationships with children. Specifically, staff should be supported to provide advice and guidance to children that help them to develop healthy relationships, make safe choices and practise positive conflict resolution.

p.8

Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated from the full inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.8

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.8

Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare; 1 February 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2731370 9 provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. (Regulation 6 (1)(b) (2)(b)(ii)(iv)(vii))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that staff understand children’s individual care needs and can support children effectively to promote their welfare and fulfil their potential.

p.9

Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person should ensure that children are helped to maintain their bedrooms to a good standard of cleanliness. Furthermore, the registered person should ensure that the home maintains a domestic rather than institutional impression. Specifically, this relates to the practice of continual closed-circuit television monitoring.

p.9

Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated from the full inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023.

p.9

Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

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;

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that staff provide children with healthy routines and nurturing 1 February 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2731370 10 boundaries. Specifically, staff should help children to develop healthy sleep patterns and eat balanced and nutritious meals.

p.9

Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated from the full inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023.

p.10

Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing—

p.10

Requirement Due date

injury to any person (including the child);

p.10

Requirement Due date

serious damage to the property of any person (including the child); or

p.10

Requirement Due date

a child who is accommodated in a secure children’s home from absconding from the home.

p.10

Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2))

p.10

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that staff have the skills and knowledge to use de-escalation strategies that help children to express themselves safely. By doing this, staff should be sure that restraint is only used when necessary and as a last resort.

p.10

Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated from the full inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023. 1 February 2024

p.10

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.10

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.10

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(d))

p.10

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that all reasonable recruitment checks are carried out so that they 1 February 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2731370 11 can assure themselves that staff are suitable to work with children.

p.10

Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated from the full inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023.

p.11

Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

p.11

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when children are not in full-time education, they are supported to engage in suitable structured activities that promote their development and learning. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)  The registered person should ensure that staff support children to understand how to protect themselves, feel protected and be protected from significant harm. In particular, the registered person should ensure that when children raise concerns about the actions of others, they are provided with a suitable overview of the actions and outcomes. As a result, children should be assured by the actions taken and feel protected. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.9)

p.11

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.11

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2731370 12

p.11

Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Gateshead Group Limited

p.12

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 59 Wainwright Avenue, Hamilton, Leicester LE5 1QW

p.12

Inspector

Martin Brown, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2731370 13 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.

p.12

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.13

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.13

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.13