Children's Home run by Nottinghamshire County Council in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036726 1 SC036726

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Nottinghamshire County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by the local authority. It provides a residential service for seven young people and a short-break service for five young people. All the young people have moderate to severe learning disabilities. Inspectors were aware during this monitoring visit that serious child protection allegations were being investigated by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate allegations of this kind, inspectors considered the actions taken by the setting in response to the allegations alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform the findings of this visit.

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This monitoring visit

The focus of this monitoring visit is to review care arrangements while the investigation is being undertaken. There have been some changes to the staff and management team as a result of the investigation. Appropriate interim management arrangements are in place. This means that the home can continue to operate effectively. Currently, children are being cared for by staff familiar to them and with whom they have positive relationships. Managers are ensuring that there are appropriate numbers of staff on duty. Managers are seeking support from staff from other local authority children’s homes and have the ability to employ temporary agency staff. Staff rotas require review by managers to ensure that there is a good gender balance, particularly for staff covering overnight duties. A recommendation is made to address this. There has been, and it is likely that there will continue to be, some reduction in the

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This monitoring visit

availability of the short-break service. Senior managers are working with children’s services to identify support for families, where possible, if children’s short breaks are Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036726 2 cancelled. The routines and structure of the home have been maintained. Children attend full- time education. There has been no reduction in opportunities for children to participate in activities. Staff receive safeguarding training and, as part of their induction, are expected to understand child protection procedures. However, their skills and knowledge would be strengthened by the provision of specific safeguarding training relating to children with disabilities. It is also recommended that training be provided in the management of allegations against professionals. Children have individual risk assessments that are subject to regular review. Risk assessments contain some weaknesses when referring to the management of

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This monitoring visit

allegations, particularly as they relate to the risk of malicious allegations. These are being reviewed by managers. There has been one physical intervention since the last inspection. Following the incident, a staff debrief did not take place. This meant that a valuable opportunity to reflect on practice and identify potential learning has been missed. A requirement is made to address this.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/01/2018 Full Outstanding 01/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 01/09/2016 Full Outstanding 17/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036726 3

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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

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard requires the registered manager to ensure— that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(e)) This is with reference to ensuring that staff receive a debrief and, where it is appropriate and necessary, a learning lessons exercise is undertaken following the use of physical restraint. 30/06/2018

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Recommendations

 Staff need the knowledge and skills to recognise and be alert for any signs that might indicate a child is in any way at risk of harm. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.12) This is with particular reference to ensuring that staff and managers receive training in safeguarding children with disabilities and allegations against professionals.  Whenever possible, staff in day-to-day contact with children should include staff from the different gender groups. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.22) This is with particular reference to ensuring that staff from the different gender groups are providing overnight care.

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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: SC036726 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Nottinghamshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Nottinghamshire County Council, County Hall, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QP

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Inspector

Cathey Moriarty, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036726 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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