Children's Home run by Optimum Youth Care Limited in Harrow

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704477 1 Registered provider: OPTIMUM YOUTH CARE LIMITED

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to three children. The home’s statement of purpose states that it cares for children who have encountered adverse childhood experiences because of early life trauma, neglect and family breakdown or disruption.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in March 2023 and a manager registered at the same time. The post for a registered manager is currently vacant.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. 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: 2704477 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff ensure that children live in a welcoming home, and children are making good progress. One child told inspectors that the home is ‘brilliant’, that they feel safe and are able to discuss any worries or concerns with staff. Inspectors saw children and staff interacting positively during this visit.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff promote children’s education well. One child has been supported to re-engage with education. Another child is provided with education on site until an appropriate school is identified. This child is making good progress.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Feedback from social workers is overwhelmingly positive about the care that staff provide. Staff understand the children’s complex needs.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff are thoughtful about family time and support arrangements with parents and extended family members when appropriate. This helps children to be connected to their families while they live away from them.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff use restraint proportionately to keep children and others safe. However, since the last inspection not all staff who were involved in physical intervention had appropriate training in restraint at the point of using the measure. Furthermore, discussions with children and staff afterwards are not always recorded and management oversight of these incidents is not consistent.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders and the manager take appropriate steps when concerns are raised about staff conduct. Since the last inspection, there have been a number of allegations against staff made by children. These have been appropriately referred to safeguarding partners and fully investigated.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Recruitment processes are not consistently adhered to. For example, gaps in employment history are not consistently explored, and more could be done by the provider to assure themselves of staff suitability for those staff who have recently arrived in the country.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There have been changes in the management team since the last inspection. A new home manager has been recently recruited. Leaders and managers recognise that there is work to be done to improve practice and the quality of care provided to children. They are committed to implementing improvements.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff do not receive regular supervision. However, staff report feeling supported by leaders and managers as they make themselves available to talk through worries or concerns. Staff are able to raise concerns with leaders and managers, for example in staff meetings or supervision, knowing they will be listened to. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704477 3 Leaders and managers have provided staff with bespoke training relevant to the needs of the children in their care. This is commissioned in conjunction with the local authority social workers so that children’s care and health needs are met. However, since the last inspection not all staff have completed some essential training, including safeguarding training, in a timely manner. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704477 4

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/05/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704477 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 within 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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that all staff receive appropriate training to enable them to meet the needs of the children in their care. This includes the safeguarding and physical restraint training. 27 March 2024

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.5

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 27 March 2024

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

p.5

Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— 27 March 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704477 6 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—

p.5

Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

p.6

Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

p.6

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

p.6

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")—

p.6

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.6

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 (1)(a)(b) (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, this refers to the registered person ensuring that records of restraint include debriefs with child and staff and manager’s oversight.

p.6

Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4; 27 March 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704477 7 ensure that the records are kept up to date. (Regulation 37 (2)(a)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, this refers to the registered person ensuring that there are accurate records of all visitors and staff working in the home.

p.7

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that information about whistle blowing includes clear procedures for how staff should report to an appropriate authority any concern they have about a child within the home. In particular, this relates to ensuring that staff are clear how to report concerns they have in regards to staff who are related to leaders and managers of the organisation. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.15)  The registered person should ensure that they maintain good employment practice, as set out in regulations 31 to 33. In particular, this relates to ensuring that gaps in employment are consistently explored. Furthermore, leaders and manager should be clear what additional employment checks should be carried out for staff who have recently arrived from outside of the United Kingdom. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’,

p.7

Recommendations

page 61, paragraph 13.1) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704477 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: OPTIMUM YOUTH CARE LIMITED

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2a Rickyard Barn Stoke Road, Blisworth, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN7 3DB

p.8

Inspector

Aneta Wasilewska, Social Care Inspector Naintara Khosla, His Majesty Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704477 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.8

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 .

p.9

Inspector

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9