Children's Home run by A Significant Other Limited in Durham

Inspector Susan Atkinson-Millmoor

This monitoring visit . A monitoring visit was carried out on 23 August 2016 in response to a complaint highlighting possible breaches of regulations. The complaint raised a number of issues that could be considered under the following regulations:

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Inspector Susan Atkinson-Millmoor

 Regulation 32 Fitness of workers – recruitment processes  Regulation 19 Behaviour management – an issue of restraint  Regulation 12 Protection of children – responses of staff  Regulation 11 Positive relationships – young people treated unfairly

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Inspector Susan Atkinson-Millmoor

The visit included a tour of the building. A range of records were examined and contact was made with professionals involved in the service. Evidence gathered during this visit demonstrated that young people are helped and protected at this home and that the experiences of young people remain positive. There was no evidence to support fully the breaches of regulation which were identified in the complaint that related to behaviour management, protection of children or positive relationships. However, with regard to the home’s recruitment process, recruitment checks undertaken by the provider do not fully demonstrate what has been explored during the application and interview process. A requirement to address this has been made at this inspection.

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Inspector Susan Atkinson-Millmoor

In addition, while following up key lines of enquiry as a result of the information received, evidence showed that an incident should have been notified to Ofsted. This was discussed with the new manager and a requirement has been made at this inspection. Records relating to details about care of one of the children were not fully complete and the inspector also found that not all restraints are fully recorded. The level of detail is not sufficient to be able to understand fully the course of events leading up to, including and following a restraint. These matters have been raised as requirements following this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The home is run by a private organisation and is registered to care for and accommodate up to four children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if: (4)(a) a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation (b) an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious (c) there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there (d) a child protection enquiry involving a child: (i) is instigated (ii) concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry), or (e) there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (5) A notification made under this regulation: (a) must include details of: (i) the matter (ii) the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified (iii) any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the

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Requirement Due date

matter (b) must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)(5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b)) 24/08/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child which: (1)(a) include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child 28/09/2016 (b) are kept up to date (c) are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that: (3)(a) within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes: (i) the name of the child (ii) details of the child's behaviour leading to the use of the measure (iii) the date, time and location of the use of the measure (iv) a description of the measure and its duration (v) details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure (vi) the name of the person who used the measure (‘the user’), and of any other person present when the measure was used (vii) the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure (viii) a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure (b) within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to

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Requirement Due date

do so ( ‘the authorised person’): (i) has spoken to the user about the measure (ii) has signed the record to confirm it is accurate (c) within five days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all occasions when staff use physical interventions on young people are recorded in detail. 14/09/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children's safety. (2) The registered person may only: (a) employ an individual to work at the children's home, or (b) if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3). (3) The requirements are that: (a) the individual is of integrity and good character 26/08/2016 (b) the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform (c) the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform (d) full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 32 (1)(2)(a)(b)(3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all gaps in employment are explored and responses recorded.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor actions following concerns raised in relation to a possible breach of regulations. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. in 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 this guidance, please telephone 0300 123 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

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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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