Ofsted finds ‘lack of nurture’ at Salisbury children’s home

Ada House is one of two homes operated by Direct Care Children's Homes, a company with a registered address at Paxton Business Centre in Churchfields.

An inspection in July saw the home given an ‘inadequate’ rating and slapped with a compliance notice, giving it a series of conditions to meet by August 14.

The home aims to “offer a stable, warm, caring home” for children who have experienced trauma or disruption.

But inspectors found a “lack of care and nurture” when they visited and said there were staff shortages and a high turnover of children.

The report said: “One child’s bedroom is in a wholly inadequate state, with limited furniture, no window covering and an overpowering smell due to urine being left on the floor.

“There is damage throughout the home to carpets, a sofa and wallpaper. The carpet is not properly fitted to the stairs, creating a trip hazard.

“Some children are spending long periods of time in their bedrooms and are regularly eating meals alone in their rooms. This indicates a lack of care and nurture.”

Their report also said that leaders and managers did not ‘consider or plan carefully enough’ when new children moved into the home.

In one case, the decision was made to move another child into the home – despite staff’s concern about the “escalating” behaviour of a child with complex needs.

This had “a negative impact on staff’s ability to meet children’s needs”.

A subsequent monitoring visit by Ofsted – carried out when one child was living there – saw some improvements, such as senior managers increasing their presence in the home and better conditions thanks to new flooring and re-painted walls.

But inspectors found a “lack of urgency” to address other concerns and said: “There remain no clear plans to implement the changes needed in the home.”

Direct Care's second home, Brecon House (which is next door to Ada House) was given a ‘requires improvement’ rating in August.

Some positives were found, such as the appropriate storage of medication, clear records of prescribed medicines and regular staff meetings, and Direct Care says it has taken Ofsted’s findings on board and has commissioned external experts to help improve its service.

Kirsty Cross, who was the registered manager at Ada House at the July inspection, has criticised Direct Care’s senior management team for “failing to respond to concerns and acknowledge accountability”.

She says she flagged issues over the home's admissions policy at the start of the year and then raised the alarm about poor living conditions, a lack of financial support for maintenance and repairs, and a failure to create a homely environment.

She said: “My team worked incredibly hard, were committed to the children and sadly were deemed as unskilled due to the lack of support and resources provided at senior level. 

“There is learning and reflection which must take place to ensure history will not repeat itself.

“Inspections which have been conducted in the second home also report a theme that senior management need to reflect more and take appropriate action promptly and be present to support the team and their registered managers.

“It has been extremely frustrating to be reporting concerns which were repeatedly ignored.”

A spokesperson for Direct Care said: “Although we are disappointed by the Ofsted rating, we have listened to what Ofsted have told us and we have commissioned the work of external experts to help us improve our service and continue to work hard to support the children in our care.

“A new manager is supporting the team and children in our care.”