Children's home run by Nottinghamshire County Council

Inspection report for children’s home: SC044692 1 SC044692 Registered provider: Nottinghamshire County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to four children with emotional and social difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

There is no registered manager. However, an application to register has been made to Ofsted.

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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: good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC044692 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/07/2022 Full Good 24/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 07/07/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/12/2018 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: SC044692 3

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improvement to be good

The home has recently been renovated to a high standard and is beautifully presented. The home is welcoming and comfortable, with a homely feel. When the home was decorated, the views of the children were taken into consideration at each stage. Each child has been able to personalise their bedroom and make their own unique living space that reflects their personalities. This adds to children’s sense of belonging.

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improvement to be good

The manager and staff have supported three children to move on successfully after living at the home for a significant period. Their moves were well planned in a child- centred way. Children are encouraged by staff to stay in touch. This helps children to maintain relationships with people who are important to them.

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improvement to be good

Children know how to make a complaint. There have been three complaints from children, all have been dealt with appropriately. The manager responds to each child in writing and meets with them to discuss the complaint. Records show empathy and nurture. There is evidence of how these complaints have been used to develop the service and improve outcomes for children.

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improvement to be good

Despite the change within the staff team, a core team has remained. Staff are caring and nurturing in their approach to the children. Over time, this has enabled trusted and positive relationships to develop. Children share their worries with staff, and they know that staff will respond in a caring way.

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improvement to be good

Staff help children to feel safe and secure. One child had several changes in placement before being cared for at this home. The child is now happy, making progress and they have a long-term plan to live at the home. Children say that they like where they live and wish to remain there.

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improvement to be good

All children attend education and are making good progress. Staff recognise the importance of education for children’s futures, and they encourage them to complete all the required work. Staff help children to overcome barriers to learning. For example, a private tutor has been sourced for one child to support their studies in a particular subject they were experiencing difficulties in.

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improvement to be good

Children receive appropriate healthcare support and attend routine appointments. This includes specialist services when required. Staff work well with other health agencies to ensure that when children move into the home with outstanding health appointments, they are registered with all health services and their health needs are quickly addressed. Inspection report for children’s home: SC044692 4

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improvement to be good

Managers regularly update the children’s individual risk assessments and behaviour support plans. These key documents outline the risks and needs of the children and provide guidance to staff on how to support children. However, during a recent incident, staff failed to adhere to the child’s relevant plans and assessments. This resulted in the child’s behaviour escalating and a staff member being injured.

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improvement to be good

Staff spend time talking to children about possible dangers that they could be exposed to. When staff talk about sensitive topics, they are mindful of the child’s feelings. Staff adapt the way they approach a subject. This is dependent on each child’s individual needs and vulnerabilities. Staff are skilled at making these discussions relaxed and informative.

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improvement to be good

Staff only use physical restraint as a last resort. There is thorough management oversight of such practice. When reviewing the records, the manager looks for possible practice development needs. Staff speak to children to gain their views after a physical restraint has taken place.

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improvement to be good

Children have access to the internet. Staff manage a system that monitors the activity of children when they are online and keeps them safe. Any issues arising from the children being online mean action can be taken to restrict their access if this is required. Staff then work with the children regarding online safety and how to keep themselves safe while enjoying the internet and social media.

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improvement to be good

If children have intentionally hurt themselves, staff are both responsive and nurturing. Staff show professional curiosity when talking to children about why or how they have hurt themselves. Staff actively seek the appropriate support for the child. When children’s needs change, staff actively seek guidance on how best to support them.

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good

There has not been a registered manager in post for 15 months. A new manager has been appointed and is in charge of the day-to-day running of the home, and her application to register with Ofsted is in progress.

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good

The manager has led the home through a period of instability over the last few months. She has dealt with considerable staffing issues with the support of the deputy manager and service manager. This has taken a lot of time and energy. However, the manager has demonstrated resilience despite recent events, and has ensured that the impact on children has been minimal.

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good

The manager is very passionate about her role and is dedicated to improving outcomes for children. Furthermore, she is supportive and caring towards the Inspection report for children’s home: SC044692 5 children and staff. She promotes a learning culture and leads by example. She shows a willingness to learn, improve and adapt her management approach.

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good

There have been high levels of staff turnover since the last inspection and a number of new members of staff have joined the team. New staff receive a thorough induction and regular supervision. They unanimously say that support from the manager has been excellent. Staff attend weekly team meetings and find these beneficial. Staff say they feel valued and supported by the manager.

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good

Inspectors found that the management of allegations is thorough, with children and social workers kept up to date as investigations are carried out. Where necessary, restorative work is completed with children and staff to rebuild relationships. Managers liaise appropriately with local authority designated officers. However, on one occasion, the manager had failed to notify Ofsted. This limits the regulator’s ability to review safeguarding practice.

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good

As a result of change within the staff team, not all staff have the training to support children to meet their needs. This includes cerebral palsy training, ADHD, ODD and physical interventions training. One staff member said, ‘I feel if I had all the correct training before coming into the home, it would give me a better understanding of what is expected of me and more confident to do my job.’

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good

The manager knows the children and their needs well. However, the manager has not yet done enough to challenge practice that needs to be improved. For example, she has not effectively challenged staff when they have not worked in line with children’s plans and assessments.

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good

The manager has not always ensured effective oversight of the home. The location risk assessment does not provide evidence of consultation and feedback from professionals and the wider community, and the home’s statement of purpose has not been reviewed and updated to reflect changes within the staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: SC044692 6

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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 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

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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring that staff work in line with children’s plans and assessments. 15 April 2024

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; 15 April 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: SC044692 7 ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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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) (2)(b)(c)(e)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to managers embedding monitoring systems in the home to improve the quality of care. It also relates to the manager ensuring staff are trained to meet children’s needs.

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b)) 15 April 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 15 April 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they consult with relevant professionals when they conduct the annual review of premises. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 15.1)

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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: SC044692 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Nottinghamshire County Council, County Hall, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jennifer Whiston

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Inspectors

Zoey Lee, Social Care Inspector Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC044692 9 regulates and inspects 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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