Children's home SC432140

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was conducted following an inadequate inspection on 20 th and 21 st October 2015. Prior to this, the home was issued with 2 compliances notices. The notices had been issued following an inspection which was judged the home to be inadequate on 12 th and 13 th August 2015. The compliance notices relate to the following:

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Regulation 6: The quality and purpose of care standard:

Children and young people were not treated with dignity and respect. The quality of the environment in some parts were poor, some young people shared a bedroom. Information about children’s backgrounds was not available. Families reported communication was insufficient. Staff failed to engage children and young people in activities. Progress of young people was not identified. Transition planning was weak. Staffing was inconsistent.

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Regulation 34: Policies for the protection of children:

There was no child protection policy in place. Staff failed to report safeguarding concerns. The manager did not share information with professionals to protect children.

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Regulation 34: Policies for the protection of children:

During this monitoring visit the inspectors communicated with children and young people, met with members of staff, visited all three homes and scrutinised records.

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Regulation 34: Policies for the protection of children:

Significant improvements have been made to the quality of the premises. All children and young people now have their own bedrooms; these are personalised to their taste. The smell of urine in one bedroom is no longer noticeable and the manager plans to replace the carpet. Staff have redecorated parts of the home and furniture has been manoeuvred to create cosier spaces. Frosted film now covers the window in one young person’s bedroom door to provide privacy.

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Regulation 34: Policies for the protection of children:

Children and young people are engaged in activities. An activity coordinator takes responsibility for a well thought out activity programme. Children and young people can choose whether to participate or not. They were not seen laying on floors or disengaged from staff during this visit.

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Regulation 34: Policies for the protection of children:

The manager is becoming more proactive to ensure young people have robust transition plans. He has engaged the support of professionals who are responsible for making arrangements about moving on from the home.

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Regulation 34: Policies for the protection of children:

Parents report that ‘communication has improved greatly’. Families feel they get to know information about their children during their stay at the home. Weekly reports are improved and provide regular updates to families and social workers. Records identify regular telephone contact takes place to discuss children and young people’s welfare with their families. Staffing has become more consistent since the inspection in August 2015. The manager identifies a shortfall with staffing in the school holidays. The deputy manager continues to develop rotas so they allocate staff in a way that best meets the needs of children and young people.

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Regulation 34: Policies for the protection of children:

The manager has implemented a child protection policy. There is an improved awareness across the staff team in respect of their responsibilities to safeguard children and young people. Staff are following the process to report safeguarding concerns to the designated person. The manager is sharing information with professionals whose role it is to safeguard young people.

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Regulation 34: Policies for the protection of children:

Notifications to Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) have been frequent and identify safeguarding matters and describe the action taken by the manager. The responsible persons identify common themes and action is taken to prevent reoccurrence.

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Regulation 34: Policies for the protection of children:

The responsible persons fulfil their duty to challenge poor practice and report to the Local Area Designated Officer (LADO) when necessary.

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Regulation 34: Policies for the protection of children:

This monitoring visit has identified that progress has been made in all areas stipulated in the compliance notices served. The compliance notices have been lifted. Inspectors will review the judgement at the next full inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The home is situated in the grounds of a special school for children and young people aged between 4 years old and 18 years old who have learning disabilities. Care is provided in three homes that is registered for a maximum of 25 children and young people. Children and young people receive assessed packages of care including 52 week care, 39 week care and short breaks.

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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

6*: The quality and purpose of care standard 04/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

34*: Policies for the protection of children 04/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard 04/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard 04/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

40: Notification of a serious event 04/12/2015 * These requirements are subject to statutory requirement notice.

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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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