Children's home run by Approach-Development (NE) Ltd in Redcar and Cleveland

This monitoring visit

This home was judged as requires improvement at the full inspection on 27 June 2016. An interim inspection was carried out on 10 October 2016. At that inspection, Ofsted judged that the home had declined in effectiveness. Six requirements and two recommendations were raised relating to the management of the home; staffing levels; external monitoring reports; notifications to Ofsted; the locality risk assessment; young people reading their records; and the home‟s electronic monitoring systems.

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This monitoring visit

Following the inspection on 11 October 2016, the regulator received further information. This was that volunteers were being used inappropriately to staff the home; that not all staff had appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks; and that the responsible individual and business manager were operating other businesses within the home.

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This monitoring visit

On 13 October 2016, a complaint was received from one of the home‟s neighbours. The complainant did not feel she had been afforded the opportunity to speak with the manager or staff in relation to young people‟s behaviour.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit was carried out on 13 October 2016. This confirmed that a volunteer had stayed overnight in the home to support staff. This was an individual known to the staff and young people but who was not employed in a care capacity. It was also identified that there were a number of staff members either who had been employed without full DBS checks relating to the home, or whose checks were as volunteers rather than paid staff. In addition, one member of staff had been working without having had reference checks completed. This does not provide sufficient safeguards for young people.

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This monitoring visit

No evidence could be found that any other businesses were being operated from the home. However, there had been discord with the neighbour. This could prevent young people from feeling included in the neighbourhood and community.

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This monitoring visit

As a result of this visit, a further requirement has been raised to protect young people and comply with legislation. This will ensure that only staff who do not pose a risk to them are employed to care for young people. Further, that proactive steps are taken to improve the home‟s standing in the community, thereby promoting young people‟s sense of inclusion.

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Information about this children’s home

This children‟s home is managed by a private company. It may accommodate up to five children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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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

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person‟s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person‟s opinion as to whether— children are effectively safeguarded; the conduct of the home promotes children‟s well-being. Regulation (44) (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, this report needs to be evaluative rather than descriptive of the service. 09/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4) (a) (b) (e)) 07/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard 2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (c) that the premises used for the purposes of the home are located so that children are effectively safeguarded and that a suitable locality assessment details how this is to be achieved. (Regulation 12 (2) (c)) 07/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children‟s home if there is no registered manager in respect of the home. 09/12/2016 (Regulation 27 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the employment of any person on a temporary basis at the children‟s home does not prevent children from receiving such continuity of care as is reasonable to meet their needs. (Regulation 31 (1)) 07/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children‟s safety. The registered person may only— employ an individual to work at the children‟s home; or if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

The requirements are that— the individual is of integrity and good character; the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform; the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2) (a) (b) (3) (a) (b) (c) (d))* 24/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

* This requirement is subject to a statutory requirement notice.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Children should be actively encouraged to read their records and to add further information to them. They should be regularly reminded of their rights to see information kept about them and be given information about how they might be supported to access their records in later life. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 62, paragraph 14.6)  Any home using CCTV or other monitoring equipment should have a written policy describing how this will support the safeguarding and well-being of those living and working in the home in accordance with regulation 24. Homes must gain consent to any monitoring or surveillance by the placing authority in writing at the time of placement. The use of CCTV is regulated by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and the Surveillance Camera Code of Conduct (Home Office

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Recommendations

2013). („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 16, paragraph 3.16)  The home should be located in an area that supports children‟s safety, well- being and personal development. The location of the home should support its aims, objectives and ethos, as described in the statement of purpose. This is with particular reference to maintaining positive relationships with neighbours. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 17, paragraph 3.23)

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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

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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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