Aycliffe Secure Services

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC035648 1 SC035648

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Durham County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A local authority manages this secure children’s home. It is approved by the Department for Education to restrict children’s liberty. The children’s home can accommodate up to 38 children aged between 10 and 17 years. It provides care and accommodation for up to 18 children placed by the Youth Custody Service and has 20 places for children accommodated under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who are placed by local authorities. The admission of any child under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who is under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State. The commissioning of health services in this home is the statutory responsibility of NHS England under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Education is provided on site in dedicated facilities.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit was carried out on 31 January 2018. Information relating to an incident highlighted by a regulation 44 report was reviewed. The inspector found that the criteria for staff using physical restraint as defined by regulations were not justified. Physical restraint was used by staff in order to secure compliance in breach of regulations. This breach of regulations had not been recognised, nor appropriate action taken, despite two stages of scrutiny by senior staff members. Compliance notices were issued to the provider relating to these matters.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of the monitoring visit was to evaluate whether the provider had met the requirements set out in the compliance notices. The provider has taken action to address the shortfalls identified.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has ensured that the home’s procedures that set out the criteria for the use of physical restraint, as defined by regulations, have been provided to all staff, so that they clearly understand what is expected of them. The manager has attended a number of staff handover meetings on all house units. The individual house unit managers have held meetings and carried out formal supervision with Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC035648 2 staff in order to reiterate the legal criteria for physical restraint and the home’s procedures. Staff who spoke with the inspector were aware of actions taken by managers and demonstrated a clear understanding of the legal criteria for using physical restraint.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has randomly sampled other physical restraint incidents that occurred on or around the time of the last monitoring visit, using records and closed-circuit television (CCTV). He verified that incidents reviewed complied with regulations and where shortfalls in practice were identified, these have been fully recorded and appropriate actions taken.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has reviewed and revised the quality assurance process relating to physical restraint incidents. Previously, a senior manager carried out this task alone. Now, a senior manager, alongside one of the nursing team and/or another senior manager, reviews any incidents using records and CCTV. Dedicated and protected time is set aside for this process. The manager stated that nursing staff have been trained to understand the techniques that are used and the training that staff receive. The manager stated that he has overseen this new process and is confident that it is effective.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has ensured that senior staff fully understand the home’s procedures and the regulations relating to physical restraint and what is expected of them when undertaking monitoring of incidents. Senior managers who spoke with the inspector verified the actions taken by the manager in relation to the compliance notices. They demonstrated a clear understanding of the home’s procedures and the regulations relating to physical intervention.

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This monitoring visit

Six of the incidents were reviewed using records and CCTV. All but one evidenced that the criteria for physical restraint were met and that managers had formally and appropriately reviewed the incidents. Managers had made comments to show that practice was appropriate or that they had identified areas of learning in order to improve practice. One incident was recorded by managers as not meeting regulations. This incident was a difficult situation for staff to manage and there were evident risks to a staff member, though actions could have been taken that may have avoided the need to use physical restraint. These matters were identified by managers in their monitoring processes. All relevant factors were considered and taken into account in the taking of appropriate actions after this incident. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC035648 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/01/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 06/06/2017 Full Good 15/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 27/09/2016 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC035648 4

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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: Durham County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Durham DH1 5UL

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Inspector

Shaun Common, lead professional – secure estate Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC035648 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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