Children's Home, Residential special school run by Kedleston (High Peak School) Limited in Cheshire East

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC484134 1 SC484134

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Information about this children’s home

This is a private children’s home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 28 children and young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. This children’s home is situated in the same grounds as the company’s registered school, where the majority of the children and young people from the children’s home attend. At the time of this inspection, there were 13 children and young people living at the home.

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This monitoring inspection

The home was judged to have declined in effectiveness at the last interim inspection on 10 March 2017. This was due to concerns that the home’s safeguarding arrangements did not offer young people suitable protection from harm. At the time of the last inspection, there was a lack of effective management oversight and scrutiny of restraint records and behaviour management practices to ensure the safety and well-being of young people. The arrangements for undertaking a return home interview were found to be ineffective, as they did not adequately safeguard young people, nor explore the underlying reasons for them going missing. Consequently, compliance notices were issued in relation to two of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015, namely regulation 12 (protection of children) and regulation 35 (behaviour management). A third compliance notice in relation to regulation 45 (internal monitoring) is still in place and will be monitored by Ofsted

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This monitoring inspection

after the notice’s expiry date of 30 April 2017. A monitoring inspection was undertaken on 20 April 2017 to assess the progress made by the home in addressing the compliance notices issued under 22A of the Care Standards Act 2000. These related to regulation 12, the protection of children standard, and regulation 35, behaviour management, policies and records. The home is in the process of recruiting a suitably qualified and experienced registered manager to ensure that there is effective leadership of the operation of the home. Suitable temporary arrangements are in place for two experienced Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC484134 2 individuals to deputise in the absence of a permanent registered manager. Both managers demonstrate strong and effective leadership of the home’s current operation. They have worked closely with the staff team, to address the shortfalls that were identified at the last inspection.

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This monitoring inspection

Following the last inspection, a young person’s placement has been brought to an end to alleviate the negative influence they were having on their peers. Another young person has been relocated to a different house within the group of houses that make up the registered property. This was in response to group dynamics to reduce the risk and potential for bullying behaviour. This arrangement has proved successful and has ensured that young people are appropriately housed and matched. Staff have undertaken refresher training on bullying and have worked closely with young people to raise their knowledge, understanding and awareness about bullying. Young people have responded positively towards this input and staff report a significant reduction in incidents of bullying behaviour. There are now more rigorous systems and recording mechanisms for dealing with bullying to ensure that all incidents are managed more effectively. Improved consistency in the use of

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This monitoring inspection

appropriate sanctions, rewards and restorative practices are supporting the development of young people’s positive behaviour. Staff have received suitable training in restraint and advanced behaviour management techniques since the last inspection. Management oversight has improved considerably and more robust scrutiny of behaviour management practices is now in place. This ensures accountability of staff practice, for example, the accurate recording and appropriate use and subsequent review of all holds and restraints. The use of restraint is now monitored more stringently with a detailed analysis undertaken on any emerging patterns and trends. This ensures that there is effective scrutiny of the use of restraint to promote safe and proportionate practice to keep young people safe from harm. Records kept for restraint are now compliant with regulation. Improved arrangements are now in place to ensure that the person who undertakes

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This monitoring inspection

a return home interview explores any underlying reasons why young people have gone missing. Consequently, staff can use this information to assess the risk to young people and take appropriate action to reduce the risk of young people suffering harm. The home was found to provide a safer environment for young people. There is an effective and ongoing programme of redecoration and repair. This monitoring inspection evidenced that two compliance notices have been met. Sustained improvements will be measured at the next full inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC484134 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/03/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 02/11/2016 Full Requires improvement 31/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/10/2015 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC484134 4

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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.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC484134 5

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: High Peak School Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: C/O Kedleston Group Limited, Office Suite No. 1, Ansell Gardens, Holloway Lane, Harmondsworth, Middlesex UB7 0AE

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Inspector(s)

Anthony Kyem, social care regulatory inspector Michael Charnley, social care compliance inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC484134 6 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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