Children's Home run by Springfield Road Children’s Homes Ltd in East Sussex

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place following the receipt of an anonymous complaint on 20 May 2016. The complainant alleged that supervision was not occurring for members of staff and that supervision records had been falsified. There was also an allegation that untrained managers had been involved in physical restraints. A further allegation was made that managers had not shared a safeguarding issue with external agencies, such as the child’s social worker or the Designated Officer from the Local Child Safeguarding Board. (LCSB.) Furthermore, an allegation was made that the registered manager is not actively involved in managing the home.

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This monitoring visit

The monitoring visit was undertaken over two days and during that time the inspector met with the registered manager who is also the responsible individual, senior members of staff and care staff. A number of different records were also examined.

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This monitoring visit

It is apparent that while informal support of staff may be good and that managers are available to speak with staff if they have concerns, there has not been consistent formal supervision provided. The registered manager has identified this shortfall and supervision arrangements have been re-organised. These have not yet been implemented. A requirement regarding this issue has been made.

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This monitoring visit

During the monitoring visit an anomaly was identified regarding one supervision record. This is now the subject of an internal investigation but it does not involve the registered manager and does not in any way affect the welfare or safety of the young people.

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This monitoring visit

There was no evidence found that members of staff had failed to report a safeguarding concern to relevant agencies. Additionally, a visit undertaken by a social worker regarding this allegation has also found no evidence to substantiate this allegation.

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This monitoring visit

Incidents of restraint are rare in this home, there being only one incident in the last two years. The last incident occurred on 11 June 2016 which is after the anonymous complaint had been made. This incident is well recorded and includes the young person’s views and a record of the resolution and debriefing. The grounds for using restraint were justified and the incident appears to have been handled competently and sensitively. Additionally, all members of staff receive regular training in the type of restraint used in the home. There is no evidence to support the claim that untrained members of staff have been involved in incidents of restraint.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager records when she has been at the home in the home’s diary and daily log. This shows that she is on site to provide managerial oversight and support to the staff and young people. Supporting records, such as incident reports, also show that she has been present for support for members of staff during times of difficulty. There is a succession plan in place for another senior member of staff to apply to become the registered manager of the home by the end of September 2016. There is no evidence to support the anonymous claim that the home is not managed by the registered manager.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children’s home which is registered to accommodate up to three young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4) (b)). 23 July 2016.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to examine concerns made about the home in an anonymous complaint. 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

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Information about this inspection

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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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