Tundra House

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC043814 1 SC043814

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Educare Adolescent Services Limited

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 provide care and accommodation for up to three young people who have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The qualified manager has been registered for two and a half years, and he continues to be absent from the home. During this period, the management of the home continues to be covered by another experienced manager.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 15 August 2018, during which 10 requirements and one recommendation were made.

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This monitoring visit

The organisation has not admitted any young people to the home since the last full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

During the monitoring visit, the registered manager was absent from the home. The home’s day-to-day management continues to be covered by an experienced manager.

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This monitoring visit

A review of the young people’s behaviour support and therapeutic plans has taken place in consultation with the organisation’s clinicians. The manager and staff team are adopting a proactive approach to working with young people to ensure that they are making emotional and social progress.

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This monitoring visit

One young person is still not accessing full-time education. The young person is not being provided with any structure or additional educational input from staff. The young person said, ‘I would just like to complete my education at a school’. The delays for this young person mean that they are not reaching their full academic potential. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC043814 2 Young people are now receiving regular key work. This covers a range of topics in relation to behaviour and risks to young people, in accordance with their care plans. This means that young people are receiving support that is focused on their needs and level of understanding. In addition, regular house meetings are taking place. These are providing young people with the opportunity to discuss any concerns or issues that they may have. The manager is using this opportunity to seek regular feedback from young people in respect of the quality of care given to them.

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This monitoring visit

Young people are being afforded the opportunity to build positive relationships with staff. One young person said, ‘I feel well cared for by the staff and listened to.’ The covering manager said that the culture of the home was previously ‘chaotic’ but that this was never challenged by staff. Young people are now going on activities and accessing the local community. Importantly, the back garden now has a trampoline, basketball hoop and a table and chairs. These changes have led to a reduction in incidents and damage to property within the home.

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This monitoring visit

When young people return from being missing, they are not provided with the opportunity to have an independent return home interview. A recommendation has been raised to address this shortfall.

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This monitoring visit

A new process has been put in place for when young people make allegations or complaints. However, complaints and allegations have not been dealt with in line with the home’s statement of purpose. This means that young people have not been provided with the outcomes to their concerns in a timely manner. A requirement continues in place to address this shortfall.

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This monitoring visit

Young people are now able to access the internet in the home. The home uses software that monitors and prevents access to inappropriate content. Staff have undertaken direct work with young people on online safety and social media. This means that young people are now receiving support in respect of keeping themselves safe.

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This monitoring visit

The covering manager and staff are receiving regular supervision. This means that staff are now being provided with the opportunity to discuss their practice. Regular staff meetings are now taking place. These are focused, and cover topics in line with the home’s therapeutic approach and statement of purpose.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/08/2018 Full Inadequate 11/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 23/08/2016 Full Good 27/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC043814 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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non- attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8(1), (2)(a)(viii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, identify those professionals who can help to find young people an appropriate school place and work more proactively with them and with young people to enable young people to take part in regular education. 09/11/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39(3))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, keep complaints records accessible and comprehensive. 09/11/2018

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Recommendations

 When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30) Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC043814 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: Educare Adolescent Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Venture House, 12 Prospect Business Park, Longford Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 0LG

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Inspector

Sarah Junor-Fitzpatrick, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC043814 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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