Children's home run by Virgin Care Limited in Camden

Interim inspection report children’s home: SC458431 1 SC458431 Registered provider: Virgin Care Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children who may have a sensory impairment, learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. Care and accommodation are provided on a short-break and flexible basis.

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Judgement at last inspection: good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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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 declined in effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The reason for the decline in effectiveness is not having a manager in charge of the home who has registered with Ofsted within the required timeframe. The responsible individual appointed an interim manager to cover the registered manager’s long-term period of leave. The interim manager has now applied to Ofsted to register and the application is being processed.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interim manager has also been absent for a period of time. During her absence, the responsible individual visited the home regularly, and introduced systems to ensure that he had close management oversight of the home. A member of staff told the inspector, ‘We received good support in the absence of the interim manager.’ The interim manager has now returned to her role. Interim inspection report children’s home: SC458431 2 The interim manager has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the service. She has reviewed the quality of care provided, and written a detailed report that identifies the successes and where improvements can be made. The independent visitor continues to provide good scrutiny of the home and the manager responds effectively to recommendations.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to receive good quality care and support, and the home continues to be well managed. A parent agreed and said, ‘I am very pleased with the care and support being offered to my child’.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to provide children with a wide range of activities and choices in day-to- day living, and help them to develop independence. Children are encouraged to prepare snacks and drinks. At the time of the inspection, one child was actively involved in making a pizza for dinner. Staff are very knowledgeable about the children’s needs and continue to develop positive relationships with them. They treat children with dignity and respect.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, there have been no concerns that needed to be referred to the designated officer or children’s services, and there are no concerns in relation to children going missing or the inappropriate use of the internet.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use restraint rarely and only as a last resort to keep children safe from harm. However, one record about a restraint did not confirm the duration of the restraint used. Since the previous inspection, staff ensure that children are given the opportunity to give their views about their experiences of when they have been restrained. The interim manager is exploring alternative ways to help the children who have limited verbal communication to also give their views. Since the previous inspection, the responsible individual is now referring to the ‘best practice committee’ for advice and scrutiny about restraint and restrictive practices.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, the interim manager and responsible individual have met with parents to review whether individual children needed to be monitored by using electronic devices. Because of this review, such devices are currently not being used.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide good support to children and their families when the children move on from visiting this short-break service. Staff undertake this in a caring and sensitive manner, ensuring that children and their families experience a smooth move to their next home. Staff are supporting one child to visit his new accommodation, and they are working in collaboration with the child’s parents and future carers. A parent spoke positively about the arrangements for this.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, all staff have undertaken training in working with children who have autistic spectrum disorder and learning disabilities. A member of staff said, ‘It was incredibly good. It clarified some of the children’s behaviours. I could relate it to some of our children.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements and recommendations that were made at the previous inspection have Interim inspection report children’s home: SC458431 3 been met.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/07/2017 Full Good 09/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 09/05/2016 Full Requires improvement 25/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that within 24 hours of the measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to child in the home, a record is made which includes:

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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 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 Interim inspection report children’s home: SC458431 4 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: Virgin Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lynton House, 7-12 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9LT

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Inspector

David Kidner, social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: SC458431 5 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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