Children's Home run by Jules Private Limited in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2659026 1 Registered provider: Jules Private Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately operated and provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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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: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

The home was judged inadequate at the last full inspection. Consequently, compliance notices were issued together with a notice restricting accommodation. A monitoring visit was carried out on 17 July 2024. During the visit, it was assessed the that notices were met. Therefore, the notices were lifted together with the notice restricting accommodation. Inspection report for children’s home: 2659026 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/05/2024 Full Inadequate 06/06/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2659026 3

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improvement to be good

The last child who lived at the home left in June 2024. The child was supported to move closer to their family. This was a positive move, which was well supported by the staff.

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improvement to be good

The home has been redecorated and furnished, making it homely and comfortable. Children’s bedrooms have been prepared in readiness for them moving in. Repairs to the home, identified at the last inspection, have been addressed. Some furniture in children’s bedrooms needs updating, and there are no desks for children to use. The children’s shared bathroom requires some redecoration, and there is no lock on the door. This would have an impact on children’s privacy.

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improvement to be good

Staff development has continued despite there being no children living at the home. Staff have reflected on the previous inspection and shortfalls and have learned some valuable lessons. Staff have also received refresher training in behaviour support to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to meet children’s emotional needs. Staff understand the importance of this to ensure that they build relationships with children and that children understand what is expected of them in relation to their behaviour.

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improvement to be good

The manager has ensured that there is a healthy menu for children. This means that children will be encouraged to make good food choices. The staff understand the importance of a balanced and healthy diet for children.

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improvement to be good

The child who moved out last was offered opportunities to share their wishes and feelings. Staff recorded discussions well. When the child made a complaint, this was recorded. There has not always been oversight of complaints, which is crucial to making sure that these are managed appropriately. There is also no record of the child being given an update or outcome regarding their complaint.

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improvement to be good

Staff are enthusiastic about welcoming children back to the home. They want children to have positive experiences. The manager and staff feel confident that they can help children make progress and enjoy their time living at this home.

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improvement to be good

Managers have improved their understanding and knowledge in relation to managing allegations against staff and responding to complaints. The manager continues to develop her knowledge and understanding in this area as to the information-sharing protocols with external agencies. The manager has reviewed all previous incidents and identified development opportunities and areas of their care practice they can improve going forwards. Staff have a better understanding of how they can raise any concerns they may have with the manager or external agencies. Inspection report for children’s home: 2659026 4 The manager has ensured that staff have received safeguarding training. Staff who were already trained have been refreshed to improve practice. Staff meetings have had a developmental focus on important safeguarding matters, such as children going missing from care. The manager has used the knowledge of the police to improve the quality of

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improvement to be good

Staff have discussed behaviour management during team meetings. They are up to date with training to support their practice. A new approach to supporting and understanding behaviour is yet to be tested. There is evidence that the previous child had been supported to build relationships with the staff.

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improvement to be good

When consequences have been used, there has been a lack of oversight and independent scrutiny. This has been identified as a shortfall by the manager. Systems have been updated to improve this. This means that the manager can offer feedback and reflection.

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improvement to be good

The manager has not adequately addressed the home’s fire safety. Risk assessments have not been considered entirely. At the time of the inspection, the home was not compliant with fire safety.

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

The manager has registered with Ofsted since the last inspection, signifying her commitment to the home and its ongoing improvement journey. The manager is supported by a committed responsible individual. The manager and the responsible individual have continued to be positive through a challenging time for the home. They are focused on getting children back into the home and continuing to make the required improvements.

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

The manager has continued to support staff and focus on their development even in the absence of children living at the home. Staff have received professional, individual supervision, which has been well structured. The manager has coordinated training for the staff. They have monitored staff well-being. Staff have been supported to continue to work through their relevant qualifications.

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

There are improved systems for monitoring and reviewing the quality of care children receive. However, these have not been tested since the last child moved out. This has meant that checks in relation to the environment and health and safety have been missed. Quality of care reviews are carried out but the reports do not contain all the relevant information. There is a lack of organisation around record-keeping and the location of documents.

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

The manager is more aware of the shortfalls in the home since the last inspection. They are working to improve systems for their oversight of staff practice. The manager has been working daily with the responsible individual. However, there have been no Inspection report for children’s home: 2659026 5 planned supervision sessions for the manager. Therefore, opportunities to discuss and review the manager’s development are missed.

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

The manager and leaders have been placed under financial strain without any children placed in the home. Despite these pressures, they have focused on keeping staff engaged in learning and development and implementing the systems required to provide good oversight. These systems are not yet fully embedded or tested due to there being no children living at the home.

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

The statutory requirements set at the last full inspection are not yet met due to there being no children living at the home. Therefore, these have been restated. Inspection report for children’s home: 2659026 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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (d))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that in the event of relevant documents not being received from local authorities this matter is escalated with that particular local authority. 1 November 2024

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that staff always use the home’s preferred therapeutic approach. 1 November 2024

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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. 1 November 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2659026 7 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

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are located so that children are effectively safeguarded.

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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)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that the fire safety in the home is assessed and reviewed and that the registered person has assured themselves that the home is compliant with fire regulations.

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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

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

promotes their welfare. 1 November 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2659026 8 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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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;

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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 the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received;

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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)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(e)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring that accurate records are maintained. It also relates to the manager implementing and embedding effective monitoring and review systems. Additionally, the manager must have effective oversight of records to ensure that they meet the required standard.

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Requirement Due date

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—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure; 1 November 2015 Inspection report for children’s home: 2659026 9 the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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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”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring that consequences are recorded, including all required information. It also relates to managers ensuring that they have appropriate oversight of consequences and physical interventions, identifying any shortfalls in practice and acting on these.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that no child is subject to any reprisal for making a complaint or representation.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI, at HMCI’s request, a statement containing a summary of any complaints made during the preceding twelve months and the action that was taken in response to each complaint. (Regulation 39 (3) (4) (5)) 1 November 2015 Inspection report for children’s home: 2659026 10 This specifically relates to the manager ensuring that all complaints are recorded and acted on. Children’s views regarding the outcome of a complaint must be sought. Records must be kept of professionals who are consulted about complaints.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the regulation 45 review into the quality of care sets out the requirements for the registered person to have a system in place that allows them to monitor the matters set out in the regulation at least once every six months. The registered person should carry out a review that focuses on the quality of the care provided in the home, the experiences of children living there and the impact the care is having on outcomes and improvements for the children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.2)

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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: 2659026 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Jules Private Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Business Box, 3 Oswin Road, Leicester LE3 1HR

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Inspector

Chris Haines, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2659026 12 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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