Children's home run by Parkview Care (Broadstairs) Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2594775 1 Registered provider: Parkview Care (Broadstairs) Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private organisation. It provides care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since March 2023.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following a complaint received, Ofsted served the provider with a suspension notice on 22 August 2023. An initial monitoring visit took place on 25 September 2023, following which the suspension notice was lifted. On 29 September 2023, a notice of decision was served by Ofsted, requiring three-months’ notice ahead of any children moving into the home. A further monitoring visit took place on 7 June 2024, and the three-month condition was removed. Inspection report for children’s home: 2594775 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2594775 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff commit to getting to know the children. This has helped children who are new to the home settle in and begin to form positive relationships with greater ease. Staff recognise the importance of adapting their approach to meet the individual needs of children.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have developed good relationships with professionals, and they are mostly kept updated about children. One social worker said that there was ‘excellent’ communication with staff.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with their families. Staff understand the importance of family relationships for children, and make sure that they are promoted and prioritised. One child’s sibling spends regular time in the home, with this resulting in a more natural arrangement for their time spent together.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a strong focus on the promotion of children’s emotional well-being. This approach is led by the home’s therapeutic lead. Staff are supported to understand children’s journeys and the impact of their earlier experiences. An assessment for children moving into the home is undertaken in the first 12 to 15 weeks to identify the need, suitability and readiness for any therapeutic support. Staff are nurturing in their approach, which helps children to feel understood and cared for.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Senior managers have made significant improvements to the home’s condition since the last inspection in July 2023. The home is decorated to a high standard and staff keep it clean and tidy. Children’s bedrooms are of a good size and provide a welcoming and comfortable space. Children can personalise their bedrooms. One child’s request for new furniture was quickly acted upon.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work in collaboration with relevant agencies to identify schools for children who have moved into the home. Staff ensure that children engage with home learning and tuition until this can be achieved.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise and promote the importance of routine and structure for children. Children are encouraged to attend a range of activities with staff, as well as independent events in the community.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Risk assessments are detailed and regularly reviewed by managers. Staff have a solid understanding of both individual and collective risks for children. Staff speak to children frequently and hold regular key-working sessions to promote safeguarding. This equips children with strategies to identify and manage risk. Inspection report for children’s home: 2594775 4 Staff are clear on what steps are required of them when safeguarding concerns arise. They are guided by the organisation’s policies and procedures, and are alert to the need to update relevant professionals. Managers are routinely consulted around child protection concerns and take the lead when incidents occur.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There has been a significant reduction in missing-from-home incidents for children. This includes children who have previously had a history of going missing from home. On the rare occasions when children have gone missing from the home, staff have taken appropriate steps to report incidents and encourage the children’s return.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Senior managers identified the need for a more uniform approach to setting boundaries for children. This is now being implemented. Children are clear about the rules in place and expectations of them. Staff involve children in their behaviour management planning. This encourages children to not only name potential areas of challenge, but also to identify their preferred responses.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Physical interventions are rarely used in the home as staff understand the importance of early de-escalation techniques. When physical interventions have been used, they have not always been consistently recorded by staff. There have been shortfalls in management scrutiny around identifying and addressing poor practice. These gaps had already been identified as areas for development by the senior management team.

p.4

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

There have been some failings in relation to the safeguarding of children in the home. Although senior managers have identified areas for improvement, this has not been effective in addressing practice shortfalls. A lack of action taken to address practice concerns has resulted in lessons going unlearned. This has been evidenced through repetition in safeguarding incidents.

p.4

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

Three children have moved out of the home and three children have moved in since the last inspection. Although moves into the home for children have been well considered, this has not been the case for children who have left. Two children moved out with immediate notice being given. This did not allow for sufficient planning to take place. A further child had two internal moves within the company, before moving to a new home altogether. Although some thought was given to the child’s move, it lacked consideration for the impact of multiple moves on the child. One professional said that although they were consulted about a move for a child, they felt that their opinion was disregarded.

p.4

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

Children are familiar with the complaints process and understand their rights around this. Although children’s complaints are well managed, a complaint made by a parent was not responded to in line with the organisation’s complaints policy.

p.4

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

Children’s records are not always kept up to date. Instead, they are amended when gaps are identified. Some records were noted to have been edited a significant time after the original recording. When this occurs, there is a lack of transparency over the altering of documents. Inspection report for children’s home: 2594775 5 Allegations have not been consistently managed well. Although there is some investigation into allegations, there is a lack of detailed rationale. This has caused ambiguity to the outcome of investigations. However, this has not impacted on children’s welfare.

p.4

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

Children are encouraged to have a say in the care provided to them. Staff routinely obtain and reflect on children’s wishes. On an occasion when a child did not agree with the decisions made for them, there was a missed opportunity to consider external advocacy.

p.5

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

Since the last inspection, a new home manager has been appointed and they have applied to register with Ofsted. The manager is enthusiastic and has a clear vision for the home. They have a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas that require improvement. The manager’s primary focus is on developing relationships and increasing the quality of children’s participation.

p.5

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

Staff receive a good induction. There is a comprehensive training package made available for staff. This includes training sourced to meet the specific needs of children. Training is also provided by the therapeutic lead. This therapeutic training reflects the holistic approach that is promoted in the home.

p.5

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

The home’s manager and staff feel supported by senior management. Staff describe a positive working environment in which they feel valued and listened to. Supervision is held regularly and is of good quality. However, there have been occasions when supervision has not been brought forward to reflect on incidents or allegations. Inspection report for children’s home: 2594775 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, where poor practice has been identified, managers must ensure that there are plans in place to support staff performance. 4 December 2024

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that there is clear recording of any amendments or updates to records. 14 November 2024

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children.

p.6

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. (Regulation 39 (1) (3))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should notify the complainant in writing of the outcome and action taken. 14 November 2024

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which— 20 November 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2594775 7 sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular—

p.6

Requirement Due date

provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response.

p.7

Requirement Due date

describe the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect. (Regulation 34 (1)(b) (2)(d)(e))

p.7

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.7

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority. (Regulation 14 (1)(b) (2)(b)(iii)) 14 November 2024

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: 2594775 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Parkview Care (Broadstairs) Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Brentano Suite Solar House, 915 High Road, North Finchley, London N12 8QJ

p.8

Inspectors

Kerry Howarth, Social Care Inspector Mark Dawkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2594775 9 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.8

Inspectors

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.9

Inspectors

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

p.9

Inspectors

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

p.9