Children's Home run by Individual Specialist Care Limited in Sandwell

Inspector Jo Stephenson

Ofsted judged the home to be inadequate following an inspection in January 2017. Because of serious concerns relating to the referral of safeguarding allegations, the inappropriate use of physical restraint and failures to recruit staff safely, Ofsted issued a notice restricting accommodation in the home.

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Inspector Jo Stephenson

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to assess and determine if the criteria for the notice restricting accommodation continues to apply. Ofsted did not monitor the progress made by the service to address the 11 regulatory requirements raised at the inspection in January 2017. These shortfalls will be subject to a subsequent inspection visit.

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Inspector Jo Stephenson

In response to the notice to restrict accommodation, the registered provider has strengthened safeguarding referral policies and procedures. At the inspection in January 2017, Ofsted found that the management of allegations of abuse or harm was poor. This was because protocols pertaining to referral processes were ambiguous and lacked clarity. Managers and staff did not make sure that they referred all allegations to external agencies as required. The registered manager has now reviewed the safeguarding policy and devised an additional procedure detailing how to manage allegations. In addition, all staff have completed specific training relating to this area of practice. Following this training, the registered manager has taken steps to assess staff’s understanding of safeguarding referral processes. She has evaluated their knowledge against the revised policy and recorded her assessment to identify any areas for further development and

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Inspector Jo Stephenson

learning. This means that staff have the knowledge they need to protect young people from harm and to manage any future allegations appropriately.

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Inspector Jo Stephenson

There are currently no young people residing in the home. At the time of the last inspection, Ofsted identified shortfalls relating to how staff deployed permitted physical restraint techniques and how the techniques evolved into unacceptable holds and interventions, such as applying physical pressure during a restraint. There have been no physical restraints since the last inspection. However, the registered manager has reviewed and amended both the ‘behaviour management’ and ‘physical intervention’ policies. These now include the necessary detail relating to acceptable and authorised physical restraint techniques. All staff have signed to confirm that they have read and understood these revised procedures.

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Inspector Jo Stephenson

At the last inspection, the registered manager failed to make sure that she applied safer recruitment procedures to the appointment of temporary agency staff. Agency staff employed in the home in January 207 were not subject to robust suitability checks to verify any gaps in their employment or to confirm their previous employment history. The registered provider has not employed any agency staff to work in the home since the last inspection. However, the registered manager has reviewed and amended the safer recruitment policy. This policy now clarifies the prerequisite for external agencies to demonstrate the suitability of temporary staff to care for and support young people, and that the registered manager will, when possible, verify this suitability.

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Inspector Jo Stephenson

Following this monitoring visit, Ofsted has revoked the notice to restrict accommodation to the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides accommodation for up to three young people who have learning disabilities. A private provider owns and operates the home.

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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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