Setting

Commission for Social Care Inspection

Launched in April 2004, the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) is the single inspectorate for social care in England.

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Commission for Social Care Inspection

The Commission combines the work formerly done by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI), the SSI/Audit Commission Joint Review Team and the National Care Standards Commission.

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The role of CSCI is to:

• Promote improvement in social care • Inspect all social care - for adults and children - in the public, private and voluntary sectors • Publish annual reports to Parliament on the performance of social care and on the state of the social care market • Inspect and assess ‘Value for Money’ of council social services • Hold performance statistics on social care • Publish the ‘star ratings’ for council social services • Register and inspect services against national standards • Host the Children’s Rights Director role.

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Inspection Methods & Findings

SECTION B of this report summarises key findings and evidence from this inspection. The following 4-point scale is used to indicate the extent to which standards have been met or not met by placing the assessed level alongside the phrase "Standard met?"

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The 4-point scale ranges from:

4 - Standard Exceeded (Commendable) 3 - Standard Met (No Shortfalls) 2 - Standard Almost Met (Minor Shortfalls) 1 - Standard Not Met (Major Shortfalls) 'O' or blank in the 'Standard met?' box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion. '9' in the 'Standard met?' box denotes standard not applicable. 'X' is used where a percentage value or numerical value is not applicable. Wymondham College Page 1

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Children's Home

Boarding School (not registered as a children's home) YES

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ID Code

Lead Inspector 1 Clive Lucas 132597 Name of Further Inspector (if applicable) 2 Frances Chatten

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time of inspection

Number of Inspector Days spent on site: 1 Wymondham College Page 2

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SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE(S) OF THE VISIT

The objective of this visit was to follow up recommendations made following the previous inspection, and to maintain an awareness of developments in the boarding facilities.

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INSPECTION METHODS USED AT THE VISIT

Inspection of relevant part(s) of premises YES Interview with senior staff member in charge YES Interview with other staff YES Discussion with children YES Individual interview with a child NO Visit foster/adoptive home NO Visit lodgings NO Interview foster/adoptive parent NO Inspection of relevant records YES Inspection of relevant policy/practice documents YES Children's survey NO Parent survey NO Placing authority survey NO Foster / adoptive parent survey NO Staff survey NO

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INSPECTION METHODS USED AT THE VISIT

Date of Inspection 04/11/04 Time of Inspection 0930 Duration Of Inspection 10

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MONITORING AND FOLLOW UP VISITS

Wymondham College Page 3 The following scale is used to indicate the extent to which standards have been met or not met by placing the assessed level alongside the phrase "Standard met?"

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MONITORING AND FOLLOW UP VISITS

The scale ranges from: 4 - Standard Exceeded (Commendable) 3 - Standard Met (No Shortfalls) 2 - Standard Almost Met (Minor Shortfalls) 1 - Standard Not Met (Major Shortfalls)

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MONITORING AND FOLLOW UP VISITS

“0" in the "Standard met?" box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion. “9" in the "Standard met?" box denotes standard not applicable. “X” is used where a percentage value or numerical value is not applicable. Wymondham College Page 4

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(I). Inspector's assessment of the extent to which the requirements for consultation

with children are being met. Key findings/Evidence Standard met? 4 Consultation with children continues as part of the College’s development plans.

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(II). Inspector's assessment of the extent to which the requirements for complaints

procedures for children are being met. Key findings/Evidence Standard met? 0 This Standard was not assessed.

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response to allegations or suspicions of abuse of children (child protection and

staff/carer reporting procedures). Key findings/Evidence Standard met? 0 This Standard was not assessed. However, the inspectors were given a copy of the revised child protection policy. Please see comments under “Findings on specific objectives of this visit”.

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response to allegations or suspicions of abuse of children (child protection and

(IV). Inspector's assessment of the adequacy of staffing at the time of the visit. Key findings/Evidence Standard met? 3 This Standard is met. Please see comments under “Findings on specific objectives of this visit”.

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(V). Inspector's assessment of the extent to which any children and staff/carers seen

are aware of individual children's plans (where applicable). Key findings/Evidence Standard met? 0 This Standard was not assessed. Wymondham College Page 5

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FINDINGS ON SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THIS VISIT

The recommendations of the previous inspection are set out below along with the action taken by the College in respect of them. It will be noted that all of the recommendations have been addressed, or are in the process of being addressed. The inspectors were impressed with the action taken by the College and the obvious commitment to further improve the boarding facilities and to meet the National Minimum Standards.

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child protection officer during the inspection, are included forthwith in the

The College’s child protection policy has been amended and the inspectors received a copy at the visit. The amendments to this document are appropriate and need to be read in conjunction with guidance contained within the staff handbook. The inspectors were informed that the handbook has been updated. The handbook will be looked at on the next annual visit to the College.

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2. It is recommended that the College monitor rules and punishments used to

ensure consistency across the Boarding Houses.

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2. It is recommended that the College monitor rules and punishments used to

All boarding houses record sanctions in a similar way, in a dedicated sanction book. This is monitored on a day-to-day basis by the head of house and on a half-termly basis by the vice principal. The Vice Principal informed the inspectors that this process, along with a new house handbook, has led to a greater consistency in managing punishments.

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National Care Standards Commission regarding any complaint regarding their

welfare, be included in information to parents and boarders.

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National Care Standards Commission regarding any complaint regarding their

The details of the head office of the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) are included in the current student journals. The national number was included, as at the time of printing, the College were not aware if the National Care Standards Commission telephone number would transfer to the CSCI. Details of the local area office telephone number are displayed in each boarding house. It is recommended that the local area telephone number be included in future student journals.

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4. It is recommended that each House provide written information for boarders on

the responsibilities and powers (or lack of them) that Year 12 students have.

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Year 12 students should also have a written description of their roles and

responsibilities, and the supervision and support that will be provided for them.

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Year 12 students should also have a written description of their roles and

The Heads of House have jointly agreed a role for year 12 students. Year 12 and other students are made aware of this. Wymondham College Page 6

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5. It is recommended that some form of safe and appropriate storage be provided

for individual pupils when they are self-medicating.

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5. It is recommended that some form of safe and appropriate storage be provided

The College have widely explored the options for safe storage of medication. During this visit the inspectors were shown a proposed “safe-box” which will be installed in every bedroom. The box in locked and opened by a digital pad, which can be over- ridden by a master key if the number is forgotten, or if there is a need to search the box. The boxes will also provide students with secure storage for small personal items in their rooms.

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5. It is recommended that some form of safe and appropriate storage be provided

Once the inspectors had seen and approved them, these boxes were ordered during the visit. The College are to be commended on the work that they have done to find a solution to the storage of medication and also provide better facilities for secure storage for students’ possessions.

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all medication cards maintained by the Houses and advises on stock taking of

The medical centre logs all medication, including the use by dates. Matrons keep a log of medication in their respective boarding houses. These are checked regularly by the Senior Matron and half-termly by the Vice Principal.

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7. It is recommended that the College monitor the availability of staff at getting up

The availability of staff has been monitored as recommended, including consultation with staff and students. Staffing at getting up times has been found to be sufficient, at break times 2 senior students help staff to monitor the other students. The Vice Principal informed the inspectors that this has led to improvements in maintenance and cleanliness.

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8. It is recommended that the arrangements for the supervision of cleaning staff

Cleaning staff have been provided with written clarification on lines of responsibility.

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Department, regarding staff taking up their posts before CRB checks are

A new Personnel Officer has been appointed. The Vice Principal is clear that they would not have staff starting work before CRB checks have been completed, as set out in Standard 36 of the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools.

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dealt with in a timely way. In particular, the cycle for re-decoration should be

The cycle for re-decoration has remained at 6 years. However, there is an annual Wymondham College Page 7 review of boarding houses to consider whether hard wear areas require additional work.

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11. It is recommended that purpose made mattress covers replace the use of

The inspectors were pleased to find that the College have purchased mattress covers for all beds.

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action plan, including timescales should be sent to the NCSC by the agreed

The governors have agreed a £250 000 upgrade of bedroom furniture between 2002/3 and 2006/7. The inspectors were informed that other funding is also allocated when available. The first two tranches have gone ahead as planned. The new furniture is of a very good quality and significantly enhances the provision of the bedrooms in which it has been used. At the time of the inspection some damaged furniture was identified. During the programme of replacement, the College will need to monitor the standard of the existing furniture to ensure that it is repaired and made safe as necessary.

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action plan, including timescales should be sent to the NCSC by the agreed

The agreed funding represents a considerable commitment to improving the facilities in the boarding houses. The College are to be commended for this.

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decoration and refurbishment be brought up to a more acceptable standard as

Considerable work has been done to improve the standard of showering and bathing facilities, with new wall, floor, ceiling coverings and new cubicles. The newly fitted showers and bathrooms are now much more pleasant and should be easier to maintain. The College are to be commended for this.

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facilities and their use, in order to improve the standard of privacy, especially

Hooks for towels have been provided outside of the shower cubicles, so that students can reach their towels without coming out of the showers. In addition to this more substantial shower curtains have been supplied.

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facilities and their use, in order to improve the standard of privacy, especially

There is a rota system for students to shower, so that boarders of widely different ages do not share showering facilities at the same time.

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1. It is recommended that House Guides for pupils be regularly reviewed in line

with the College’s statement of boarding principles and practice. Wymondham College Page 8 All Heads of Houses have agreed a common core to the House Guides. Individual Heads of Houses can make minor alterations to reflect the individuality of their House. The guides are to be reviewed annually in the Summer term, ready for the new admissions in September.

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2. It is recommended that the College consider introducing a common system for

A common system for recording punishments has been introduced.

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staff within boarding houses be forwarded to the Inspector for information,

New guidance has been produced on the role of spouses of staff within boarding houses. The Vice Principal and the Governors are currently reviewing this.

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staff within boarding houses be forwarded to the Inspector for information,

The inspectors would like to thank the vice principal, staff and students for their help and co- operation during this visit. Wymondham College Page 9

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FOR UNANNOUNCED, MONITORING AND FOLLOW UP VISITS

Requirements from last Inspection visit fully actioned? YES

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indicate a non-compliance with applicable Regulations or Standards under the Care

No. Regulation if applicable Standard Required actions Timescale for action

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Action is being taken by the Commission for Social Care Inspection to monitor

compliance with the above requirements. Wymondham College Page 10

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Independent Fostering Agencies or Voluntary Adoption Agencies only)

Providers and managers of registered services must comply with statutory conditions of their registration. The conditions applying to this registration are listed below, with the inspector's assessment of compliance from the evidence at the time of this Additional Inspection Visit.

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to meet the statutory requirements under the Care Standards Act 2000, Children Act

1989, or applicable Regulations and National Minimum Standards.

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to meet the statutory requirements under the Care Standards Act 2000, Children Act

No. Regulation if applicable Standard * Requirement Timescale for action

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to meet the statutory requirements under the Care Standards Act 2000, Children Act

1 NA BS3 It is recommended that the local area telephone number of CSCI be included in future student journals. September

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National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice issues to be considered

No. Refer to Standard * Recommendation Action

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National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice issues to be considered

Note: Standard code is in respect of the relevant service; e.g. BS = Boarding School, CH = Children's Home, etc Wymondham College Page 13

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Public reports

It should be noted that all CSCI inspection reports are public documents. Wymondham College Page 14

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Registered Person’s comments/confirmation relating to the content and accuracy of

We would welcome comments on the content of this report relating to the Inspection conducted on 04 November 2004 and any factual inaccuracies:

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Registered Person’s comments/confirmation relating to the content and accuracy of

Please limit your comments to one side of A4 if possible Wymondham College Page 15

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Action taken by the CSCI in response to provider comments:

Amendments to the report were necessary YES

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Action taken by the CSCI in response to provider comments:

Comments were received from the provider YES

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Action taken by the CSCI in response to provider comments:

Provider comments/factual amendments were incorporated into the final inspection report

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Action taken by the CSCI in response to provider comments:

Provider comments are available on file at the Area Office but have not been incorporated into the final inspection report. The inspector believes the report to be factually accurate

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Note:

In instances where there is a major difference of view between the Inspector and the Registered Provider both views will be made available on request to the Area Office.

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which indicates how required or recommended actions and good practice

recommendations are to be addressed and stating a clear timescale for completion. This will be kept on file and made available on request.

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report:

Action plan was received at the point of publication YES

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report:

Action plan covers all the statutory requirements in a timely fashion YES

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report:

Action plan did not cover all the statutory requirements and required further discussion

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report:

Provider has declined to provide an action plan

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Public reports

It should be noted that all CSCI inspection reports are public documents. Reports on children's homes are only obtainable on personal application to CSCI offices. Wymondham College Page 16

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facts relating to the inspection conducted on the above date(s) and that I agree with

the required/recommended actions made and will seek to comply with these.

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Date

Note: In instance where there is a profound difference of view between the Inspector and the Registered Provider both views will be reported. Please attach any extra pages, as applicable.

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Wymondham College / 4th November 2004

Commission for Social Care Inspection 33 Greycoat Street London SW1P 2QF

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Wymondham College / 4th November 2004

Telephone: 020 7979 2000 Fax: 020 7979 2111

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Wymondham College / 4th November 2004

National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 www.csci.org.uk

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Wymondham College / 4th November 2004

S0000055089.V187245.R01 © This report may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of the Commission for Social Care Inspection

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Wymondham College / 4th November 2004

The paper used in this document is supplied from a sustainable source

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