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Social care · Social care interim inspection

Children's Home run by Grace Care Limited in Nottingham

Inspected 16 Mar 2017 · published 29 Mar 2017 · URN SC436818

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Summary

No overall grade in this framework

Caroline Brailsford

What we read, and from where

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  • Inspection datesingle source

    16 Mar 2017

  • Inspectors verified

    Caroline Brailsford

  • Postcode verified

    NG2 3HZ

  • URN verified

    SC436818

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+37Positivemore positive than 46% of reports of this type

In line with other reports of this type.

Praiseexcellentexceptionallyoutstandingpositiverobuststronglygood progressstrong
Criticismunsafeat riskcompromiseddeclinedstruggleharm

How the report reads, start to finish

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FindingsAbout the inspectionWhat needs to improve positive critical
  • Findings830w+45
  • What needs to improve129w−50

Strengths

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Concerns

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Next steps

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What the report dwells on

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Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
7
Words of findings
955
about usual (typical 904)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 49, typical 48
Average sentence
17 words
Next steps
4
typical 4
Hedged sentences
3%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 59%What needs to improve 9%About the inspection 32%

Full report text

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . There has been a very positive response to the two recommendations set at the last inspection. There have been improvements to the storage, administration and recording of medicines, particularly in relation to controlled drugs. Furthermore, the manager has used current medicines handling guidance and pharmacy advice to ensure that the procedure for administering medicines is as safe as possible. She has developed a robust risk assessment to reduce the risk of error. The home continues to review this process. Staff regularly discuss the process and were very honest and open when a minor error recently occurred, positively influencing continuous improvement in this area. At the last inspection, it was found that one young person’s bedroom door was being used as a barrier by staff, in order to prevent the young person from leaving

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

their room. This was used when the young person was at risk of harming themselves or others. This practice has been very robustly reviewed. It is now evident that all restraints, including mechanical restraints, are as unrestrictive as possible, given the risks presented. There is now a robust risk assessment process with regard to the use of such measures. Parents, social workers and other professionals are all involved in the regular monitoring and review of this practice. In addition, the young person concerned has expressed their understanding that this is sometimes the best way to keep him safe. The newly developed procedure and protocol ensure that any such method continues to be the best way to manage the young person’s unsafe behaviours. The home continues to provide an excellent quality of care to young people. Very positive leadership ensures that important decisions are made at the earliest

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

opportunity about placement matching. The emphasis is always on improvement and, if young people struggle to improve, the manager thinks very carefully about their future at the home. She always puts young people first and consistently has their welfare at heart. She very strongly advocates for them to be sure that they can be successful in their futures. Even when decisions are not popular with other professionals, local authorities and parents, her insistent approach to young people’s progress is commendable. Young people have made progress in several areas since the last visit. For some young people, there has been a particular emphasis on planning for independence and for moving on to adulthood. One young person is said by the manager to be ‘over the moon’ that they can start to practise being more independent in the community. Young people are being helped to think about what they would like to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

do in the future and their next steps for learning. Young people who are of an appropriate age, are planning to go to college. One young person has chosen and is particularly looking forward to a work placement. Despite young people’s learning disabilities, barriers to learning are overcome. This is because of the dedication to young people’s progress and development by the staff and the manager. The home has kept a young person who is over 18 on its register. This is acceptable because the home is still wholly a children’s home and this fits with Ofsted guidance. The manager’s decision about this was made because the young person is making such good progress. This demonstrates an absolute commitment to young people. Young people are supported by staff whom they are familiar with during their period of transition to adult services. Young people grow and develop their confidence exceptionally well in readiness for adulthood.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are strong working relationships between the home and parents, carers, local authorities and schools. The manager has worked hard to build these relationships and takes every opportunity to discuss young people’s progress and difficulties. She has been particularly influential in relation to a young person’s school placement. She has advocated strongly on their behalf for them to remain at the school, despite their being excluded several times. This has helped to ensure that the young person keeps as much stability in their life, at a time of very high anxiety levels. Young people are extremely well supported with their emotional well-being and behaviour. When behaviour is particularly complex, staff work hard to find triggers. They are vigilant in avoiding the triggers and are forward thinking in their planning. This reduces young people’s anxiety, and staff continue working to stabilise young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people’s behaviour at all times. There is one requirement made at this inspection. Two fire doors were found not to close properly and, therefore, fire safety was compromised. The checks on fire equipment had not extended to the regular checking of all fire doors in the home. While this is a small, domestic dwelling and has not impacted on young people’s safety, there is the potential for this to cause harm to young people and staff in the future if there is a fire.

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Information about this children’s home

 The home is privately owned.  The home cares for three young people who have learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/11/2016 Full Outstanding 25/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 04/11/2015 Full Outstanding 17/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the home. Regulation 25(1)(a)

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Requirement Due date

This is in particular relation to fire doors, which are not routinely checked to ensure their safety. 16/04/2017

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection, we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the ‘Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection’.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children’s home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference that adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the children’s home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. 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

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, workbased 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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