Children's home run by Trax Care Limited in Stockport

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC368329 1 SC368329

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Trax Care Limited

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is one of a number of homes operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

At the full inspection on 20 June 2017, the home was judged inadequate. As a result, 11 requirements were made, three of which are subject to compliance notices. Two compliance notices were reviewed at a monitoring visit that took place on 25 July 2017. Positive progress was made within the set timeframe and Ofsted is satisfied that the home has sufficiently addressed two of the three compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

On 3 August 2017, a new manager started at the home. She has submitted an application to Ofsted. It was reported that the new manager is in the process of receiving a full and detailed handover. During the monitoring visit, the new manager was on a week’s induction training. Managers are clear on the shortfalls of the last inspection. Clear action plans are in place and these are having a positive impact on the home, the young person and staff members. The interim managers have the necessary skills and experience to provide the team with appropriate support and guidance. This has ensured that the home continues to make progress.

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This monitoring visit

The young person who was living at the home at the time of the inspection is still living there. Staff are familiar with the young person’s needs. The local authority has reviewed the young person’s care plan. It is envisaged that the young person will be rehabilitated back to the care of his mother. Staff are providing the local authority with all the information it needs to ensure that the assessment is informed. This Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC368329 2 includes a clinical report completed by the organisation’s clinical team.

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This monitoring visit

The home has taken steps to ensure that there are clear plans in place to identify and meet the young person’s individual needs. The assessment of need and risk management plan are clear. The assessment includes historical and current information. A clear and detailed behaviour management plan is in place. It identifies all trigger points and highlights the strategies for staff to use to try to diffuse presenting behaviours. New staff said that they had a received a full induction and an update on all of the young person’s needs and known risks. Furthermore, they were given time to read all the necessary paperwork. All staff have now signed and dated the plans in place.

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This monitoring visit

Documentation for staff to follow if the young person goes missing from care is now clear. This includes the young persons’ missing from home assessment and plan. They now include all the relevant information to keep the young person safe, should he go missing. The protocol to follow is clear.

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This monitoring visit

The young person is receiving care in line with his assessment of need and he is making progress. However, staff said that since the court has asked for the local authority to review the young person’s care plan, he had started to disengage. Staff are proactively trying to support the young person and this time and are considering different ways to re-engage him.

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This monitoring visit

The young person is now having more contact with his family and friends from his home area. Staff are supporting the young person in visiting his family and friends on a weekly basis. This contact has progressed from day visits to unsupervised overnight stays. Staff reported that contact with his mother and friends is going very well. The social worker also reported that the home is ‘supportive in facilitating all planned contacts’.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, there has been one behaviour management incident, which resulted in staff calling the police for assistance. The manager followed all required procedures. Furthermore, she reviewed the incident with the staff on duty and completed some work with them about de-escalation strategies and the policy relating to not criminalising young people.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are also supporting the young person to prepare for a potential move. The young person is benefiting from focused key working sessions, which are exploring his hopes, fears, wishes and feelings.

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This monitoring visit

Transition plans for young people coming to live at the home or moving on are individualised. The interim manager has revised the impact risk assessment. This is now in line with the practice of the wider organisation. In addition, a new admissions form is now in place. This covers all key areas of need for each young person. There have been no new admissions since the last inspection. Therefore, this process will be considered at the next full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The interim manager has introduced a serious incident review. This process is to Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC368329 3 initiate a time for reflection and to plan any next steps that may be required. This process will monitor and evaluate the escalation of an incident and the responses of staff to these. Managers will also use this process to review any placement breakdowns.

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This monitoring visit

The managers are utilising a monitoring system to ensure that the young person’s placement is reviewed in line with the current care planning arrangements. Management oversight is robust.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted is satisfied that the home has sufficiently addressed all three of the compliance notices.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

20/06/2017 Full Inadequate 30/03/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 10/10/2016 Full Requires improvement 07/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC368329 4

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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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7. The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that the registered person must ensure that—

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7. The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

(1) children receive care from staff who— (c) take their wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

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7. The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff ascertain and consider each child’s views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they judge to be in the child’s best interests when making decisions about the child’s care and welfare. 11/08/2017

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10. The health and well-being standard

The health and well-being standard is that the registered person must ensure that—

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10. The health and well-being standard

(1)(a) the health and well-being needs of children are met; (b) children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being.

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10. The health and well-being standard

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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10. The health and well-being standard

(a)(ii) that staff help each child to understand the child’s well- being needs and the options available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding. 11/08/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC368329 5

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11. The positive relationship standard

In order to meet the positive relationships standard the registered person must ensure that—

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11. The positive relationship standard

(1) children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on— (a) mutual respect and trust (b) an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and (c) positive responses to other children and adults. 11/08/2017

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16. Statement of purpose

(1) The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (‘the statement of purpose’) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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16. Statement of purpose

(3)(a) The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of revision.

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16. Statement of purpose

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. 11/08/2017

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33. Employment of staff

(4)(b)Ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. 11/08/2017

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40. Notification of a serious event

(4) The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— (b) an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; (c) there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. 11/08/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC368329 6

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44. Independent person: visits and reports

(4) 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— (a) children are effectively safeguarded; and (b) the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. 11/08/2017

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45. Review of quality of care

(1) The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (‘a quality of care review review’) at least once every 6 months. 11/08/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC368329 7

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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.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Affinity House, Station View, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 5ER

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Inspector

Lisa Gregoire-Parker, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC368329 8 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

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Inspector

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Inspector

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