Children's Home, Residential special school run by Rowden House School Limited in Herefordshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness . There are no changes in young people living at the home. Since the last inspection, staff have on occasions failed to follow the home’s safeguarding procedures. For example, concerns written in a complaint log about the conduct of a member of staff were not promptly referred to the designated officer for the local authority. This caused a delay in an investigation being commenced and notifications being made to the right authority. Staff and managers do not consistently follow young people’s behaviour management plans. This had led to staff using physical intervention to manage a situation that was in conflict with a young person’s own behaviour plan. Managers have been slow to implement protective measures and to trigger an internal investigation. These delays have left the young person and staff vulnerable .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Restraint and incident records are held electronically. Staff members told the inspectors, ‘The system is often down.’ This limited access to the system means that staff are not able to respond promptly when any issues or trends of concern emerge. Staff are now receiving frequent supervision. This has created a supportive working environment that ensures that each member of staff receives ongoing support. Since the last inspection, recruitment has been strengthened. This has resulted in a number of new staff starting. This has strengthened the workforce and helped to ensure that the needs of young people are meet. Young people continue to take part in a range of activities from swimming to going to the cinema and doing craft activities in the home. There have been new learning outcomes from a recent in-house investigation concerning medication discrepancies. This has led to a reorganisation of the health

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

team and new practices in storing and sharing information. A new computerised system is soon to be implemented. These improvements are helping to safeguard young people’s health. The registered manager ensures that young people are treated fairly and in an inclusive manner. This has recently resulted in the registered manager advocating for young people to ensure that they have the same rights as other young people in accessing community facilities. Three requirements were made at the full inspection. Staff are now receiving supervision and case files are now up to date. However, some staff have still not completed their Level 3 qualification within the necessary timescale.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned residential special school which is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 30 young people who have learning difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

13/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

11/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet(s) the Care Standards Act 2000, the 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

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure – (2) (a) that staff – (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and (vii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. 28/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must ensure that – (1) The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that – (b) ensures that staff work as a team where appropriate; and (h) uses monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 28/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare. (Regulation 32(4)(a)) 21/09/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the following items, which may be kept in electronic form, are kept in an accessible manner: records of the use of measures of control and other records. (Regulation 38(h)(j)) 21/09/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the 28/04/2017 home or a person working there. (Regulation 40(4)(c))

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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 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 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. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the

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Information about this inspection

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 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

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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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