Children's Home run by Brooks & Brooks Recruitment Ltd in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 1 Registered provider: Brooks & Brooks Recruitment Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2024.

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

Date of last inspection: 13 February 2024

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/02/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/10/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 3

p.2

improvement to be good

One child has continued to live in the home since the last inspection. The child’s experiences and overall progress have been impacted by varying staffing levels and inconsistency in staff practice.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff promote independent living skills with the child in line with their age and understanding to help them develop life skills. Staff have encouraged the child to engage in a range of activities to help them meet their social needs and to improve their self- esteem. These include horse riding, going to the gym, and getting their nails done.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff work well with the child’s family to promote meaningful family time. One family member said that the staff team supports family time with their child and that the manager is available to respond to any concerns.

p.3

improvement to be good

The quality of the child’s relationships with staff is varied. Inconsistency in staffing makes it difficult for the child to establish and sustain meaningful relationships and communicate their feelings in a way that is understood by all staff. This means that the child frequently utilises the manager throughout the day for predictable advice and support.

p.3

improvement to be good

The child has made progress with education. A tutor has been visiting the child at the home on a regular basis, and engagement with their studies has increased. The tutor said, ‘[Name of child] is more enthusiastic about learning, which is a massive turnaround.’ The child is currently applying for college next year.

p.3

improvement to be good

The child is supported to attend routine health appointments and is encouraged to take their prescribed medication. When the child shares concerns about their health, staff take a nurturing and understanding approach, which the child is receptive to.

p.3

improvement to be good

Conversations with the child about their future aspirations take place generally and without prompts from staff, which demonstrates that the child is thinking about their future, what skills they have and what things they enjoy the most.

p.3

improvement to be good

When serious safeguarding incidents occur, such as the child being able to establish telephone contact with people who are considered a risk to them, these have occurred due to staff not following the plans in place for the child.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff have not challenged the child’s use of e-cigarettes effectively in the home. Although key-work sessions around the topic of vaping and smoking have taken place, there is a Inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 4 missed opportunity to further promote the child’s welfare by having guidance and policies in place which make the home’s approach to the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and related equipment clear to staff and children.

p.3

improvement to be good

When the child has made allegations against members of staff, leaders and managers report the concerns to relevant professionals, including the local authority designated officer. When required, leaders and managers have carried out investigations in a timely manner.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff have not always followed regulatory guidance in relation to the use of physical restraint and have guided the child when other de-escalation techniques may have been more effective and prevented situations from escalating.

p.4

improvement to be good

Not all staff are confident in using physical intervention techniques. Leaders and managers have sought the reasons behind this but have not put in place effective support and additional training so that staff feel more confident in managing difficult situations to keep children safe.

p.4

improvement to be good

An independent advocate has supported the child with questions about their early life history to help them make sense of their life experiences.

p.4

improvement to be good

When incidents of self-harm occur, the child is supported appropriately with advice, guidance and medical treatment. Room searches are carried out sensitively to remove any harmful objects, and the child is consulted around the reasons why the search has taken place.

p.4

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

The home is managed by a permanent manager, who is suitably qualified. Since the last inspection, the manager has worked alongside the operations manager to take action to address issues.

p.4

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

Staff receive regular supervision. However, supervision sessions are not used to review staff practice, and opportunities are missed to support staff to reflect on how their behaviours can impact on the child.

p.4

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

There is not always sufficient staff to cover the rota and there is an over-reliance on agency and bank staff. Leaders and managers are aware of these shortfalls and recruitment is taking place to fill available positions.

p.4

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

Team meetings take place and provide a forum to receive updates, share information discuss general practice and areas for improvement. When staff are still in their probationary period, the manager arranges meetings to ensure that professional practice is kept under review.

p.4

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

The manager is responsible for the evaluation and monitoring of the home, which is routinely visited by an independent person. Feedback around practice and performance Inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 5 is well received, and the manager is confident in taking decisive action to address poor practice.

p.4

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

The workforce development plan is kept under review and identifies clear learning aims and objectives for staff members to improve their professional development. The home’s statement of purpose has recently been reviewed to reflect the ethos of the home and the current staffing levels. Inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 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, 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.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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)(v)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that staff follow the risk assessments and behaviour management plans in relation to the child’s care plan and the conditions set out in the child’s deprivation of liberty order in relation to contact with others who may pose a risk of harm to the child.

p.6

Requirement Due date

Additionally, ensure that staff follow the risk assessment that details the management plan around the child using e-cigarettes in the home, to consistently promote the child’s health and well- being. 31 July 2024

p.6

Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing—

p.6

Requirement Due date

injury to any person (including the child);

p.6

Requirement Due date

serious damage to the property of any person (including the child). (Regulation 20 (1)(a)(b)) 31 July 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 7 Specifically, staff must not use guides or restraint to move children from doorways.

p.6

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.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualification and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that the homes workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

p.7

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)(c)(d)(e)(f))

p.7

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered provider must ensure that the home always has sufficient staffing levels. Additionally, the use of agency staff should be carefully monitored and reviewed to ensure that children receive continuity of care. 31 August 2024

p.7

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand factors that affect children’s motivation to behave in a socially acceptable way. Staff should use professional curiosity to communicate with the child and to encourage positive Inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 8 behaviour in line with the child’s relevant plans. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.14)  The registered person should ensure that the behaviour management strategy is understood and always applied by staff. Where staff do not feel confident to manage conflict, this should be addressed by the registered person to understand the reasons why. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.34)

p.7

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: 2727760 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brooks & Brooks Recruitment

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hilton Jones Limited, Hollinwood Business Centre, Albert Street, Oldham OL8 3QL

p.9

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Junior Brandford

p.9

Inspector

Michelle Greenhalgh, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2727760 10 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.9

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.10

Inspector

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

p.10

Inspector

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

p.10