Children's home run by The St Christopher School in Southend-on-Sea

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC052398 1 SC052398

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Registered provider: The St Christopher School

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

The home is a purpose-built residential short-breaks provision for up to six children with learning and/or physical disabilities at any one time. The home is attached to a special school, and both are run by a charitable organisation. The inspector only inspected the social care provision.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2018.

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Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children's home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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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: SC052398 2

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Outcome 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.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of this inspection, 52 children were being supported on a rotational basis by this short-break service. Children said that they have positive experiences and enjoy spending time with the staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers and staff have improved the depth and quality of assessments and planning for children. This includes collating detailed information from children’s families and schools to better understand their individual needs. Managers ensure group dynamics for children are thoroughly considered. The children are supported by staff who have the necessary skills and experience to meet their needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy a good range of varied activities. Children have been roller skating, swimming, bowling and attended a local carnival. One child enjoyed a birthday party for the first time with their friends during a short break. These experiences meet children’s interests and gives them opportunities they have not had previously.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers and staff have ensured that children’s care plans are consistently up to date. Guidance about children’s daily routines and health needs are clearly outlined. Staffs monitor children’s goals and independence skills which provides good scope for children to make progress in this area.

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Findings from the inspection

Following the last inspection managers have provided increased oversight and monitoring in respect to a staff members risk assessment. Additional supervision sessions and further safeguarding training has been provided. Consequently, important protective measures have addressed identified practice concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff continue to consolidate their learning in relation to a new approach to behaviour management for children. Staff are skilled in de-escalation methods and responding to children’s emotions. Staff have successfully prevented incidents from escalating without using physical interventions.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and have a good knowledge of children’s additional vulnerabilities. There are basic systems to record and respond to safeguarding concerns. However, on one occasion when bruising was identified for a child, staff did not explore the potential causes for these marks. The manager concluded that these bruises were self-inflicted. However, the actions taken and the records to support the manager’s evaluation are not evident.

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Findings from the inspection

A qualified and experienced manager is in post. The manager is supported by a qualified deputy manager. Managers have taken effective actions to address all five Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC052398 3 of the requirements and three recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff said that they feel well supported. All staff have now received an annual appraisal. Staff receive regular supervision sessions which focus on children’s needs. There are improved systems for managers to monitor and support staff’s training needs and personal development.

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Findings from the inspection

External monitoring from the independent person has improved. There is now consistent scrutiny of information to inform the visitor’s view of safeguarding arrangements and oversight of children’s welfare. Parents and family members have been regularly contacted, and have provided excellent feedback about the quality of care provided.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have reviewed the statement of purpose and submitted this to Ofsted as required. This now includes a clear description of the behaviour management approach used by the staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers seek permission from parents for the use of closed circuit television monitoring near the fire exits. However, currently, there is no mechanism for the review of their use for individual children. The lack of clear reviews of video monitoring means that managers cannot ensure that their use is proportionate and justified.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager completes a six-monthly internal quality of care review. However, this was not submitted to Ofsted within the required timescales. This has undermined Ofsted’s ability to monitor the home effectively.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/09/2022 Full Good 25/01/2022 Full Good 13/08/2019 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC052398 4

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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

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (4)(a)) 1 July 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any limitations on children’s privacy are informed by a rigorous assessment of that individual child's needs and be kept under regular review. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.10)  The registered person should ensure that staff’s skills for safeguarding enable them to identify signs that children may be at risk. Specifically, they should ensure that all incidents of unexplained bruising for children are acted on and reasonably explored. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards', page 43, paragraph 9.10) Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC052398 5

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Children's home details

Registered provider: The St Christopher School

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Jacqueline Mullan

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Inspector

Mark Anderton, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC052398 6 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.

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Inspector

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