Children's home run by Plymouth City Council

Inspection report children's home: SC454900 1 SC454900 Registered provider: Plymouth City Council Full inspection 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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Information about this children's home

Ten children are currently using the short break services. At the time of this inspection, no children were having a short break visit due to the impact of COVID- 19 (coronavirus) outbreak.

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Information about this children's home

There is a new manager in post since 1 September 2023. They have recently applied to register with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 24 January 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: The home was judged inadequate at the full inspection in January 2023 and a compliance notice was issued under regulation 6: the quality of care standard. A monitoring visit was carried out on 21 March 2023 when the statutory requirements and compliance notice were deemed to be met. Following this visit, a new full inspection judgement was made. The home Inspection report children's home: SC454900 2 was judged to require improvement. The provider temporarily closed the home for short breaks to give them time to make further improvements.

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good

An assurance inspection was carried out on 27 June 2023. Ofsted did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this inspection. Inspection report children's home: SC454900 3

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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 Inspection report children's home: SC454900 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have recently been welcomed back to the home. Their records show that they receive nurturing and sensitive care from staff who know them well. They enjoy activities in the community and in the home that support their development, including swimming, trips to the zoo, the cinema, and parks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s records and parent feedback shows that children are excited about attending for short-breaks at this home. Parents spoke about their children’s positive relationships with staff. Some children excitedly pack their bags in preparation to attend and some refer to their short breaks as home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children attending for short breaks attend education provisions. Individual targets, including learning targets, are integrated into their care planning. For instance, children help with laundry tasks and are supported to develop their self- care skills. Systems to monitor their progress and move on to new targets are not yet embedded.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff use some aids to support children who have limited verbal communication. In addition, staff understand children’s intricate body language gestures to understand their needs. The manager said that they plan to increase staff skills and broaden communication styles used by children, including the use of Makaton.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

In the main, children’s plans are up-to-date and show a thorough understanding of their individual needs, including cultural needs. Staff support children to achieve healthy daily routines. However, some children’s bedtime routines are not well- established in line with their agreed care plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager discussed careful planning and introductions for children. This includes visits to help a child feel comfortable before overnight stays start. However, the consideration given to children staying together is not reflected in their plans, nor are strategies for staff to reduce conflict between children.

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

Since the previous inspection, the home’s health and safety assessment has been updated and is kept under review.

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

Individual fire evacuation plans are in place, including plans to evacuate children if they are having a seizure.

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

Recruitment procedures to assess the suitability of adults working in the home have been reviewed and updated. All necessary checks are held on file. In addition, the manger demonstrates their knowledge about safer recruitment procedures. Inspection report children's home: SC454900 5 All staff are trained in administering medication. There have been no medication errors recorded. When staff put medication in a child’s food, there is agreement in place for this which is included in their care plan.

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

Children’s risk assessments include the reasons for restrictions in the home to keep children safe. Some risks are generalised and tend to lose focus about children’s specific needs. However, individualised behaviour support plans detail children’s needs and provide guidance to staff to support children at times of distress.

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

When children are distressed, staff use different strategies to help children calm effectively. On four occasions, staff have used physical interventions to guide children away from areas where they may be harmed. On one occasion, the risk of harm was not well-evidenced. This was identified by the manager and learning across the team was implemented to improve future responses.

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

Not all staff are up to date with mandatory training, including training relating to the safeguarding of children. In response to the recommendation made at the previous inspection relating to additional staff training, the manager said that they are developing in-house training sessions. This is intended to equip staff with advanced knowledge and skills needed to continually improve children’s care and experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children have not attended this home for short breaks for a prolonged period due to home renovations and insufficient management arrangements. Cancellation of short breaks is challenging for families. Ten children currently attend for short breaks. A recruitment drive is in place to increase staffing arrangements before new children attend the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been considerable investment by the provider to improve the home environment. The outside area has been landscaped to provide space for children to play. Areas have been constructed that support children’s physical development, including climbing areas and a ground level trampoline. New furnishings, such as large colourful beanbags, provide a welcoming home environment for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has been without a registered manager for a lengthy period. New management arrangements are in place and the home is being managed effectively. Many staff have worked in the home for a long time and are experienced. Their feedback demonstrates that they have confidence in the home’s management arrangements and that they are positive about the future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have identified that some staff have not completed their qualifications within required timescales. They have implemented actions plans to ensure that these are completed without further delay.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the previous inspection, managers have made many changes to improve chil- dren’s experiences, care, and safety. They are not complacent about the progress Inspection report children's home: SC454900 6 that has been made. They have a clear vision for the home and action plans are in place to ensure that the home continually develops. Inspection report children's home: SC454900 7

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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 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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure that all staff complete mandatory training and qualifications within required timeframes. 29 February 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered provider should fully consider the impact of children staying together and record this in the child's relevant plans. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 56, paragraph 11.4).

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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 children's home: SC454900 8

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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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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Victoria Whitman

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Inspector

Louise Bacon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: SC454900 9 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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