Birch Cottage

Inspection report for children’s home ─ monitoring visit: SC421197 1 SC421197

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ABC Care and Education Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It is registered to accommodate four young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural problems. It offers emergency, medium- and long-term placements for young people.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place after safeguarding concerns that may impact on the safety of young people at this setting were shared with Ofsted. The purpose of the visit was to ensure that young people are being kept safe at this home.

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This monitoring visit

A third party reported to Ofsted that the registered manager of the children’s home changed an incident report, that resulted in information being extracted from the original report. They shared concerns about a member of staff and also about the temperature of the hot water in the kitchen. They also informed Ofsted about historical information relating to the registered manager, claiming that they had asked staff members to pour cooking oil down the outside of the drainpipe to stop a young person from leaving from an upstairs window.

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This monitoring visit

During the monitoring visit, there was no evidence to substantiate any of the points above raised by the third party.

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This monitoring visit

Incident reports are typed and saved onto the home’s computer. All previous versions are also saved in case of query. When incidents reports are changed, this is to provide better clarity and ease of reading.

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This monitoring visit

It is correct that a staff member had two allegations made against them by two individual young people. However, the designated officer for the local authority and the young people’s social workers were informed of these allegations. Investigations Inspection report for children’s home ─ monitoring visit: SC421197 2 were completed, with the outcomes that the allegations were not substantiated. The designated officer for the local authority was satisfied with the process that the registered manager had followed.

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This monitoring visit

The temperature of the hot water was tested during the visit and found to be satisfactory.

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This monitoring visit

There was no evidence to support the claim that the registered manager had asked staff to pour cooking oil down the drainpipe. The registered manager understood the dangers that this would create for children and explained that this would not achieve anything as the young people are able to leave the property as they wish, as doors have thumb turns, which allow ease of access.

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This monitoring visit

One young person was spoken to during the visit. She has lived at the home for two years. She feels that the home is the best placement she has been in. She believes that staff are caring and that they have sorted out her contact with her mum, which is very important to her. She expressed no concerns about staff or the registered manager.

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This monitoring visit

The monitoring visit identified that the effectiveness of the children’s home is sustained, and that children are being adequately safeguarded.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 09/05/2017 Full Good 02/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/04/2016 Full Good 09/12/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home ─ monitoring visit: SC421197 3

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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: SC421197 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: ABC Care and Education Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Alston House, Whitecross Industrial Estate, South Road, Lancaster LA1 4XF

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Kennedy

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Inspectors

Elaine Clare, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home ─ monitoring visit: SC421197 5 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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