Children's home run by Resicare Alliance Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 2824173 1 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Registered provider: Resicare Alliance Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, there was one child living at the home. This is the first inspection of the home since registration.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has recently resigned. They are not working at the home at present and were not part of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and Ofsted is in the process of checking that this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspector was aware during this inspection that a serious incident that occurred at the setting since registration is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform the inspector’s judgements.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious failures that mean children are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and the care and experiences of children are poor and they are not making progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 2824173 2 OFSTED USE ONLY

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2824173 3 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Prior to the child coming to live at the home, leaders did not carefully consider whether the staff team had the skills and experience required to fully meet the child’s needs. At times, the child’s safety and well-being have been compromised as a result.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The care and support plans that were in place when the child arrived at the home did not provide staff with sufficient information about how to care for the child and keep them safe. Additionally, leaders did not ensure that staff had sound understanding about how to implement the child’s local authority care plan. This led to errors relating to information-sharing and decision-making.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child enjoys gaming and connects with other children online, but they do not have sufficient opportunities for face-to-face interactions with other children. An appropriate education setting is yet to be identified for the child, and the interim manager is addressing this. In the meantime, the child receives tutoring at home, with varying levels of engagement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

There are shortfalls in the arrangements for meeting the child’s health needs. Some of the recommendations from the child’s annual medical review are yet to be acted on. Additionally, the systems for administering medication are not sufficiently robust and this has led to medication errors and unclear records.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff are starting to build positive relationships with the child, but sometimes this has only been possible due to advice from external professionals. In one example, a therapeutic intervention worker suggested that staff sit with the child to eat, rather than expect them to sit alone. This has been introduced and has made mealtimes more enjoyable for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

In recent weeks, staff have started to introduce more predictable routines, structures and boundaries for the child. This has had a positive impact on the child’s emotional well-being.

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

Staff make appropriate use of physical restraint to keep the child safe when they are distressed and demonstrating this through their behaviour. The frequency of incidents requiring physical restraint has recently started to reduce. However, some records of physical restraint do not demonstrate that the child and staff have been spoken to after the incident, or whether the child has received medical support when they have been injured.

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

The interim manager has conducted an audit of safeguarding records and identified shortfalls in the way allegations about staff have been managed. The outcome of some Inspection report for children’s home: 2824173 4 OFSTED USE ONLY

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

allegations is unclear, and not all allegations have been reported to external safeguarding professionals or to Ofsted. The interim manager has appropriately sought advice from the local authority designated officer about the actions to take.

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

There have been incidents where the child has been able to go missing from the home because staff have not followed safety plans written in line with a deprivation of liberty order. Some staff raised concerns about this to leaders at the time, but no action was taken to reduce the risk of a recurrence. The interim manager has introduced more robust measures to reduce the risk of the child going missing from the home.

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

Processes in place to ensure that staff are fully vetted before they commence employment are not effective. For example, not all staff have full employment histories on file, and reasons for leaving all posts with children and vulnerable adults have not been explored. This means that not all staff have been safely recruited.

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

The communal areas of the home are warm and welcoming. However, the child’s bedroom has not been maintained to an acceptable standard. For example, window coverings that broke several weeks ago have not been replaced. While efforts have been made to personalise this child’s bedroom, it is very untidy, which shows that staff are not always providing nurturing care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There have recently been several changes to the staffing and senior leadership teams. Staff say that they have previously not felt well supported, and they have not been receiving regular supervision. However, they say that the interim manager has had a positive impact on communication. The frequency of supervision has started to improve.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff have not been provided with all the training that they need to meet the specific needs of the child. Staff spoken to during the inspection could not confidently answer questions about the child’s risks and vulnerabilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

None of the staff have an appropriate first-aid qualification. Therefore, there is no identified first-aid trained member of staff working in the home each day.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There have been significant gaps in in the senior leadership monitoring and oversight of the quality of care provided to the child. For example, several records are unclear and/or have not been subject to appropriate management scrutiny. Additionally, important information relating to the child is not available. The new senior leadership team has created an improvement plan to address this shortfall.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Feedback from external professionals raises concerns about the child’s care and experiences since living at the home. Communication has been poor, with not all incidents reported. One professional was unable to highlight any progress the child had made. However, communication has improved recently due to the interim manager establishing more positive relationships with the child’s family and professional network. Inspection report for children’s home: 2824173 5 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— 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; have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and 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; that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child

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Requirement Due date

from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(b)(d)) In particular the registered person should:  review the child’s care planning and make arrangements to ensure effective risk mitigation is in place;  ensure staff have the training, skills, and understanding to keep the child safe and act on signs of harm and support the child’s care needs;  ensure the day-to-day care protects the child from harm; and  ensure the child’s bedroom is maintained to a safe and acceptable standard. 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2824173 6 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; 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; use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(f)(h)) The registered provider should ensure that:  staff have the skills and training required to meet the child’s needs;  the child is supported to make measurable progress

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Requirement Due date

considering their starting point; and  effective monitoring and oversight systems are implemented to make continuous improvements to the quality of care. 30 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose; that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(a)(c)) In particular, the registered person should ensure that: 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2824173 7 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirement Due date

 care plans, such as delegated authority are implemented and followed; and  they only accept children to live at the home where they have the staffing skills and a suitable environment to support the care needs of the child.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure that:

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Requirement Due date

 records are unambiguous and reflect the prescriber’s instructions; and

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Requirement Due date

 action is taken when a child is administered an incorrect dose and staff have the skills to recognise this. 30 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that— the health and well-being needs of children are met; In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff help each child to— achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 10 (1)(a) (2)(a)(i)) The registered provider should ensure that the health outcomes in the children’s relevant plans are actioned. 30 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2824173 8 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider should ensure that all serious incidents and allegations are reviewed with the outcome recorded and notification made to the relevant persons.

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Requirement Due date

at all times, at least one person on duty at the home has a suitable first aid qualification. (Regulation 31 (2)(a)) 30 November 2025

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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 involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans;

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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 (a)(d)) In particular, the registered provider should establish and maintain effective relationships with the child’s placing authority and family where appropriate. 30 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The enjoyment and achievement standard is that children take part in and benefit from a variety of activities that meet their needs and develop and reflect their creative, cultural, intellectual, physical and social interests and skills.

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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

participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and expand the child’s interests and preferences. (Regulation 9 (1) (2)(a)(ii)) 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2824173 9 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider should provide opportunities for the child to participate in activities with other children to expand their relationships with peers.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(d)) 30 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— 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

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.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure records:

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Requirement Due date

 detail any injuries to the child and what action was taken; and

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Requirement Due date

 detail discussions held with the users of the measure and sign to say the record is accurate. 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2824173 10 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2824173 11 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Resicare Alliance Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 147 Stamford Hill, London N16 5LG

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Inspector

Sara Stoker, Lead Professional, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2824173 12 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspector

regulates and inspects 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 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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