Children's home run by PCT Care Services Limited in South Norfolk

This monitoring visit

At the interim inspection on 29 September 2016, the home was judged to have declined in effectiveness. Following that visit, a compliance notice was issued and 11 requirements were set. The compliance notice related to ineffective risk assessments. A visit took place on 18 October 2016 to monitor the progress made in addressing the shortfalls in the compliance notice. The compliance notice had not been met and a second compliance notice relating to risk assessments was issued.

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This monitoring visit

In order to evaluate the progress that the home had made in meeting the second compliance notice, a monitoring visit took place on 15 November 2016. This visit demonstrated some progress. Staff now sign the risk assessments to say that they have read them and staff demonstrate a greater understanding of the content of risk assessments and risk reduction strategies. Despite this, elements of the second compliance notice are unmet because some issues relating to risk management remain. The organisation’s internal monitoring has neither identified the issues found during this visit or ensured that all steps in the compliance notice are met.

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This monitoring visit

There has been a significant increase in the level of staff signatures on documents. However, the staff have signed to say that they understand documents that contradict each other. Monitoring arrangements have not identified these issues.

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This monitoring visit

Incidents that should have triggered reviews or updates have not done so. The home’s own record of a missing from care incident notes the need to review the child’s risk assessment or management plan, but this has not happened. The risk assessment is therefore not up to date and has not been reviewed to identify whether any further actions are necessary to mitigate the significant risk. Staff do, however, understand the risks to the child and can articulate what actions they need to take when risks are presented.

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This monitoring visit

Records relating to the risks associated with children who go missing are not good enough. For example, a child with a prior history of going missing, whose risk assessments note that this is a significant risk, has no missing from home protocol. This is despite a recent episode of going missing for a short time and his risk assessments not being clear about the time-frame for reporting him missing. Another child’s missing from home protocol contains errors and is also unclear about timescales for reporting her missing. Again, staff can articulate the action that they need to take but failure to ensure records are accurate does not provide a robust approach to safeguarding children.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has ensured the removal of all but one of the out-of-date risk assessments from children’s files. However, the one that remained on file notes the risk of allegations being made by a child as minimal, whereas two other more recent risk assessments note the risk to be high. The staff have signed this despite the contradiction and neither the staff signing the document nor the managers monitoring it have addressed this inconsistency. This again raises questions about how well staff and managers have read and monitored the children’s files.

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This monitoring visit

The risk assessments and management plans for one child contradict each other. One states that she has a curfew and the other that she has no free time. While the staff are aware that she has no free time and therefore no curfew, it is important that there is clear, consistent and accurate information about the plan for children’s care on their files. Inconsistencies and inaccuracies increase the risk of errors and do not provide staff with the guidance that they need.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted will meet with the provider to discuss these regulatory shortfalls and the further requirements raised. The inspection did not monitor compliance with the requirements made at the interim inspection on 29 September 2016. These requirements will be reissued with amended dates and monitored through future regulatory activity.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to six children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a private company.

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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

5: Engaging with the wider system to ensure children’s needs are met (c) If the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. 12/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, with particular reference to the maintenance of the home and children’s access to the kitchen, the registered person should: (2)(c) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to (i) meet the needs of each child, and (ii) enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. 12/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to having accurate risk assessments, the registered person should ensure: (2)(a)(i) that staff 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. 12/12/16

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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, with 12/12/2016 particular reference to plans, records and children’s individual progress, the registered person should: (2)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. The registered person must ensure that children are provided at all reasonable times with access to a telephone on which to make and receive telephone calls in private. (Regulation 22 (3)(a)) 12/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that 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 all of the information required under this regulation. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)) This relates in particular to the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. Further, that the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so, has spoken to the user about the measure, and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. 12/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records for each child which are kept up to date. This relates to care plans and placement plans. (Regulation 36 (1)(b)) 12/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) 12/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)) 12/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the reports written by the independent person set out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. The reports should be sent to HMCI. (Regulation 44 (4)(b)(7)(a)) 12/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provides for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their 31/01/2017 parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (5))

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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

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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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