Children's Home, Residential special school run by Cotswold Chine School in Gloucestershire

This monitoring visit

The home was judged as inadequate at the full inspection in October 2015. Two compliance notices were issued in relation to Regulation 6: the quality and purpose of care standard; and, Regulation 12: the protection of children standard. Following this inspection, the registered persons provided Ofsted with a detailed action plan documenting the work leaders and managers were proposing in order to remedy the weaknesses. They also submitted reports describing the ongoing progress to accomplish the action plan. Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit on 23 November 2015. The inspectors spoke with children, members of staff and visited five out of seven of the house groups as well as scrutinising records. The inspectors found that the registered persons had taken sufficient action to protect children and improve the quality of care provided to them. As a result, the two compliance notices are lifted. The overall management and oversight of child protection has been strengthened.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders’ and managers’ monitoring of records and care given to children is more rigorous and effective. Records pertaining to child protection are sufficiently comprehensive. Leaders and managers now report child protection concerns to the required safeguarding agencies promptly and in line with locally agreed procedures and statutory guidance. Following disclosures made by children, leaders and managers take action to ensure the children’s immediate safety. Leaders and managers no longer instigate internal investigations prior to seeking clear direction from safeguarding agencies. The care children receive is now more personalised, based on their individual needs and capabilities, rather than generalised rules and routines. The vast majority of bedroom door alarms have been removed and are now only used when there is a defined, risk-assessed need. Children’s bedtimes are age-appropriate and they are now able to look after and keep their own toiletries.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s right to privacy has improved. They can now use the telephone without asking permission from members of staff and their emails are no longer routinely monitored. Leaders and managers ensure appropriate oversight of children’s use of the telephone, email and the internet when there are safeguarding concerns. Children have been asked for their views on the changes being made to their care. Children’s ideas on joining clubs outside of the home, improvements to their bedrooms, the use of community meetings and being able to watch broadcast television have been listened to and positively acted on by the registered persons. Children and members of staff told the inspectors that the changes that have been made result in a more homely atmosphere. A further full inspection will be carried out to assess the ongoing performance of the home and to evaluate the progress in dealing with the remaining six

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This monitoring visit

requirements raised at the previous inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This independent school is also registered as a children’s home. The school follows the principles of care and education developed by Rudolf Steiner. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to a maximum of 42 children and young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties or complex needs. The accommodation for children and young people is provided across seven houses located on or near to the main school site.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

7: The children's views, wishes and feelings standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the children's views, wishes and feelings standard in respect of children's placement plans, safety level plans, the children's welcome guide, and advocacy, the registered person must ensure that each child (b)

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Requirement Due date

(ii) has access to the home's children's guide, the home's complaints procedure, placement plans and safety level plans in a format that is accessible and child friendly. (iii) ensure that each child is given appropriate advocacy support 08/01/2016

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a) 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; (f) understand the impact the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this information to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; (g) demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and 08/01/2016 improved by taking into account and acting on- (ii) feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvement in the quality of care provided in the home

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it. In particular, ensure that detailed records are maintained about the use of restraint, explaining all of staff's actions and interactions with children; and ensure that children who are witness to a restraint are provided with a de-brief following the incident and a record is maintained of this discussion(Regulation 35 (2)) 20/11/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4. In particular ensure that each of the residences maintains a record of all visitors to the home, and to children, including the names of visitors and the reasons for the visit. In addition, ensure that the time of the visit is also recorded (Regulation 37 (2)(a)) 20/11/2015

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once each month. When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help them to, if they consent, interview the parents, relatives and persons with parental responsibility for the children. The independent person must produce a report which sets out, in particular, the independent person's opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the home promotes children's well-being (Regulation 44 (1)(2)(a)(4)(a,b)) 08/01/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children at least once every 6 months. In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provided for children; the feedback and opinions of children about the children's home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it an, any actions the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or 08/01/2016 maintain the quality of care provided for children. In particular, ensure that the monitoring is robust to identify and act on breaches of regulation and necessary improvements. (Regulation 45 (1)(2)(a,b,c))

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the home since their last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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