Children's Home run by Radical Services Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report children's home: SC476083 1 SC476083 Registered provider: Radical Services Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children's home

The home is operated by a private organisation and provides care for up to three children with emotional and social difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children's home

The home registered with Ofsted in 2015. The registered manager post is currently vacant. A new manager has been appointed and has submitted an application to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Information about this children's home

There were no children living at the home at the time of this inspection.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

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.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: The home was subject to three compliance notice following the last full inspection, all of which were deemed to be met at subsequent monitoring visits. Inspection report children's home: SC476083 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/05/2023 Full Inadequate 28/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/10/2021 Full Good 11/03/2020 Full Outstanding Inspection report children's home: SC476083 3

p.2

improvement to be good

Since the last inspection one child has lived at the home. However, the child recently moved to a new provision due to leaders and managers identifying that the staff team were unable to meet the child’s needs. The child’s progress was limited due to the short period of time that the child lived at the home.

p.3

improvement to be good

The child’s move to another home was well planned and positive and the child was supported by a trusted member of staff. The child went out for a meal with the staff team before moving to their new home. and also spent time with their new carers doing an activity prior to the move. This contributed to the positive ending for the child.

p.3

improvement to be good

The turnover of staff and use of staff from other homes resulted in the child experiencing inconsistent care and this impacted on their ability to build trusting relationships with staff.

p.3

improvement to be good

The child expressed to staff and their social worker that they felt that their cultural needs were not being met and they felt ‘out of place’. The staff team did not consider how they could support the child’s cultural needs until the independent person raised this. As a result, the child struggled to settle into the home or engage with the staff team in a meaningful way.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff addressed the child’s health needs appropriately. The child was supported to attend their health assessment so that their needs could be better understood. The child was supported to attend a follow up appointment for a previous injury to ensure that there was no long-term damage. While there was no formal emotional support in place, the child had started to express an interest in therapy.

p.3

improvement to be good

There was no formal education in place for the child, the manager challenged this with the placing authority. The child had begun to engage with a tutor, however, this was for a minimal amount of time only. Staff were unable to engage the child in other educational activities initially, therefore, the child lacked a structured routine and said that they were ‘bored’.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff supported the child to engage in football through a local team and at home. However, other areas of interest to the child, such as, music were not explored. The child’s time spent with their family was supported, this helped to maintain the child’s links to the people who are important to them.

p.3

improvement to be good

The child had reported to the independent person that they felt safe living in the home. The child’s social worker also supported this view. Inspection report children's home: SC476083 4 The child’s social worker reported that the child was beginning to engage with staff in a way which would help them to consider their own safety. The key risks to the child from criminal exploitation, grooming, gang affiliation and drug use were reduced during the time they lived at the home.

p.3

improvement to be good

There were detailed up to date care plans and risk assessments in place for the child. However, the changeable and inexperienced staff team meant that plans and strategies were not consistently implemented. A set of keys for the boiler cupboard went missing during an incident with the child and staff did not respond in a timely way to search for the keys and the manager did not react quickly enough to ensure that the locks were changed.

p.4

improvement to be good

The length of time that the child was missing from home reduced in comparison to before they moved into the home. When the child did go missing, staff acted appropriately to try to locate the child and to support a safe return home.

p.4

improvement to be good

The use of restraint by staff is limited. A full investigation was undertaken when the child made an allegation about a staff member following a restraint. Furthermore, the child o did not receive the care needed to help them to manage their emotions effectively. A robust review was completed by the manager which identified shortfalls in the staff team’s ability to use therapeutic approaches to de-escalate situations. Appropriate guidance and support were given to staff to address this shortfall.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff understood the risks to the child from vaping. However, there was an inconsistent approach by staff to follow the detailed vaping risk assessment in place. Consequently, the child received mixed messages about vaping and was not given clear and consistent guidance to support cessation.

p.4

improvement to be good

A business uses the workshops next door to the home at night to repair cars. The manager has not considered the potential risks to children from materials stored in the area or from the activities being carried out there.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager is suitably experienced. She recognises that the changes and inexperience in the staff team has impacted on staff’s ability to support the complex needs of the child. The manager, responsible individual and quality assurance manager are working together to develop and improve staff practice.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Three members of the staff team have left the home in recent months and the manager is recruiting to fill the vacant posts. An experienced deputy manager has recently been appointed who will support the team to build their skills and confidence. Staff feel well supported by the manager who they describe as being passionate about her role.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Most of the staff team are unqualified and do not have experience of working in residential childcare. One new member of staff has started work on gaining their qualification. Leaders Inspection report children's home: SC476083 5 and managers are aware of the need to carefully consider whether the current staff team can meet the needs of any new children prior to them moving into the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Recruitment processes and checks are robust to ensure that children are safeguarded from any potential harm from staff.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There are gaps in staff training and their knowledge and skills, particularly in therapeutic parenting. However, staff training is scheduled to take place. The quality assurance manager is providing intensive support to the staff team.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff supervision takes place regularly and is thorough. Supervision helps staff to understand their responsibilities, sets targets and helps to identify their strengths and areas for development. New staff say that their induction has been thorough and there are lots of informal opportunities for them to get help and support as required.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Team meeting records demonstrate that staff can reflect on their practice. The new deputy manager reports that the manager has used team meetings to outline the expectations of staff to them to help to improve consistency and challenge staff in a positive way.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There is detailed reflection on incidents by the manager which identifies learning for staff. However, the managers oversight of the home is not to the standard expected. The manager is working with the deputy manager to strengthen the monitoring and review systems. Inspection report children's home: SC476083 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The education standard is that the registered person should ensure that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— help each child to achieve the child's education and training targets, as recorded in the child's relevant plans;

p.6

Requirement Due date

support each child's learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment; the expectations in the child's relevant plans; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities and resources to support the child's learning. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that documentation and plans relating to children's education are in place and when children are not accessing formal education, that staff provide them with educational activities. 28 June 2024

p.6

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— 28 June 2024 Inspection report children's home: SC476083 7 understand the children's home's overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child's welfare;

p.7

Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child's needs, as recorded in the child's relevant plans, taking account of the child's background; (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(ii)(iv)

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that children's diverse and cultural needs are understood and supported by staff.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare. 28 June 2024 Inspection report children's home: SC476083 8 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.7

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child's health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi) (b))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that staff follow children's risk assessments, including carrying out room searches where there is a risk to the child's safety or wellbeing.

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child's health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2) (d))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that urgent action is taken to prevent the risk of harm to children or others. 28 June 2024

p.8

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.8

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

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.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; 28 June 2024 Inspection report children's home: SC476083 9 ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

p.9

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. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that children receive care from a skilled and consistent staff team to help them to make good progress.

p.9

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the statement of purpose correctly reflects the diversity of staffing within the home so that children's needs can be responded to effectively. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.6).

p.9

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they consider any potential risks associated with the location of the home from the adjacent workshops. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 64, paragraph 15.1).

p.9

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: SC476083 10

p.9

Children's home details

Registered provider: Radical Services Limited

p.10

Children's home details

Registered provider address: 2 The Calls, Leeds LS2 7JU

p.10

Inspector

Andrea Foreman, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: SC476083 11 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.

p.10

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.11

Inspector

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

p.11

Inspector

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

p.11