Children's home run by CareTech Community Services Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 1245823 1 Registered provider: CareTech Community Services Limited

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Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to six children and young people who have learning and/or physical disabilities. This is a private organisation.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has addressed the one requirement and three recommendations raised. This shows that the manager learns from inspections and takes action to improve the quality of care provided to young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff have now completed relevant training on acquired brain injury. As a result, they have developed the knowledge and skills to care for young people appropriately. A staff member said, ‘We apply what we learn, we can do more now to help [the young person]. We teach her the right way following her brain injury.’ Because of good support, young people make progress with their development and relearn skills. For example, a young person has learned how to use a spoon and this has increased her independence skills. Inspection report children’s home: 1245823 2 The manager has taken action to improve young people’s access to advocacy services. She has identified a service that can help young people. This ensures that young people have access to someone independent to help them with any worries they may have.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improved arrangements for the handling and administration of medication promotes young people’s welfare. Staff have read, understood and implemented the new medication policy. Incorrect medication has been disposed of safely. New prescriptions make the correct dosage clear, and this reduces the risk of staff making errors when administering medication to young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager makes considered decisions about young people coming to live at the home. The manager and responsible individual assess information about a young person and complete an impact risk assessment. This means that managers consider whether the home is suitable and able to meet the young person’s needs. Furthermore, managers consider the young people already living in the home to make sure that any new young people are compatible with them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff prepare young people for their move into the home very well, and this helps them to settle in quickly. A social worker said about a young person,

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

‘He does feel safe here, he is laughing and smiling. He misses home, but he likes it here as well. The placement is fab and is going really well. The whole transition has been great. The manager and responsible individual came to meet the family. He moved in a well-planned manner. The assessment process was very good. I felt they had a real picture of the situation. They could see how much potential he has got.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to thrive and have positive experiences while living at the home. Staff meet young people’s health needs and young people are fit and well. Young people, who did not attend school because of health concerns, now do. Managers and staff have worked in partnership with school staff to re-integrate young people back into school. This improves their learning opportunities at a pace that suits them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements or recommendations are raised following this inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care Inspection report children’s home: 1245823 3 provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: CareTech Community Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: CareTech Community Services Limited, 5th Floor Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Michelle Spruce, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1245823 4 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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