Children's home in Tewkesbury

This monitoring inspection

This unannounced monitoring inspection was undertaken in response to a judgement of inadequate made on 7 September 2016.

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This monitoring inspection

The manager has not admitted any young people to the home since the inspection in September 2016. One young person has remained in placement. The inspection found that insufficient progress has been made to meet all of the requirements. Leadership and management remain ineffective in promoting safeguarding in the home. Some staff remain supervised by a manager who does not have the appropriate qualifications. As a result, two requirements have been re-issued.

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This monitoring inspection

Young people are starting to benefit from a programme that will help them to gain skills to prepare them for their transition into independent living. For example, young people clean their own bedrooms, read washing labels on clothes and do their own laundry.

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This monitoring inspection

The home has taken some action to address the shortfalls identified in respect of seeking young people’s views. A ‘grumbles book’ has been implemented and evidence is kept in respect of young people’s meetings. This will help managers to identify patterns and trends in the views and opinions of young people.

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This monitoring inspection

The home has taken some action to ensure that the staff group has the skills to recognise and protect young people from harm. On 7 November 2016, all staff are to attend training on recognising and dealing with bullying behaviour. This training will help them to understand their responsibilities to take a robust response within the home’s bullying policy and procedures.

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This monitoring inspection

Staff have tidied up the areas, both inside and outside of the home. There is no evidence of smoked cigarettes on the grounds and all debris has been removed from the garden area. The bedroom of a young person who has left the home has now been cleaned and tidied. This means that the home is now well maintained and provides young people with a safe and comfortable home to live in.

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This monitoring inspection

Ofsted receives timely and appropriate safeguarding notifications. However, staff and managers have not always followed up significant safeguarding information. Safeguarding information has not been recorded in young people’s risk assessments and managers have not put effective strategies in place to minimise identified risks. Young people have used lighters to set aerosols alight in the home. Fire risk assessments are incomplete with regard to this. Risk assessments for bicycle riding are inaccurate, as the young people do not own a bicycle. Therefore, risk assessments are poor. This does not make sure that young people’s welfare is protected.

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This monitoring inspection

Ofsted has received a notification regarding the registered manager’s absence. An appointed deputy manager is now in post, working alongside the acting deputy manager. Deputising arrangements in the registered manager’s absence are now satisfactory. However, suitable supervision arrangements of staff have not been fully implemented. Staff continue to receive supervision by a manager who does not have the relevant qualification. As a result, this requirement has been re- issued.

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This monitoring inspection

An independent fire assessment has been undertaken.

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This monitoring inspection

The remaining requirements will be monitored at the next inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The service is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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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

(1) The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (a) that staff— (i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; (iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; (v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; (b) that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. 11/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

(1) A person may only manage a children’s home if— (b) having regard to the size of the home, its statement of purpose, and the number and needs (including any needs arising from any disability) of the children— (i) the person has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of children. 11/11/2016

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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 children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. out 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

to 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

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

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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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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