Children's home run by Quantum Care UK Limited in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC417371 1 SC417371

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Quantum Care UK Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered for up to five young people aged eight to 18 who have complex needs which may include autistim spectrum disorders.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place after concerns were raised anonymously following the placement of a child at this home.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted asked the responsible individual to respond to the concerns raised and a letter was sent to Ofsted outlining how the home‘s management team was addressing the issues.

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This monitoring visit

The content of the response raised concerns about the care being provided for one child. Inspectors believed that the behaviour management plan could lead to members of staff unnecessarily restraining the child concerned, and that the plan could be lacking in terms of clarity and guidance for staff to follow.

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This monitoring visit

As a result, a monitoring visit was carried out on 22 November 2018 by a social care regulatory inspector.

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This monitoring visit

During the visit, the inspector met with members of staff, the child and the registered manager. A number of written records were also examined.

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This monitoring visit

Part of the behaviour management plan for the child is for staff to use a specific room where he can be given the opportunity to calm down and reflect on his behaviour. This room, situated on the first floor, is stark in appearance and has not been made to look welcoming or child friendly. For example, there is a bed base with a plastic covered mattress and this has no covering. The walls are also largely bare. The appearance of the room is not welcoming or calming. The registered manager agreed with this appraisal and had been trying to order furnishings for the Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC417371 2 room. At the point of the monitoring visit this had been unsuccessful. The room, however, had been used on a number of occasions.

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This monitoring visit

The record relating to one restraint did not contain the details required by regulations. The length of time that a child had been held was not recorded. The registered manager had not rectified or clarified the shortfall during the monitoring of key records.

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This monitoring visit

Records indicated that on another occasion a child was taken up a flight of stairs while being restrained This is not a method that is included in the home‘s chosen restraint techniques. The registered manager had a debriefing session with the members of staff concerned, but the record of this does not demonstrate that the use of this restraint was discussed or addressed.

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This monitoring visit

Additionally, the child‘s behaviour support plan states that members of staff can ‗guide‘ him when helping him to calm down. The plan does not make it clear when guiding becomes a restraint. As a result, there is the potential for staff to not record when the child has needed to be physically restrained. The registered manager undertook to clarify the plan accordingly straight after this monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

These shortfalls undermine the efforts that are made by the staff to ensure that the child is sufficiently protected, and that they are following regulations correctly.

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This monitoring visit

During the visit, the registered manager stated that she plans to hold a team meeting to address the shortfalls, and will reiterate what restraint methods can be used and the need for accurate recording.

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This monitoring visit

The child involved has made good progress and incidents are lessening due to the structure and support he is receiving. He is increasing his social and life skills significantly and this has enabled him to restart his schooling and to join local clubs with children of his age. These are important steps forward for the child, particularly taking into account his starting point.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 20/06/2018 Full Good 30/01/2018 Full Good 20/02/2017 Full Outstanding 29/06/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC417371 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— understand the children‘s home‘s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; use this understanding to deliver care that meets children‘s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— understand and apply the home‘s statement of purpose; ensure that staff— understand and apply the home‘s statement of purpose; protect and promote each child‘s welfare; treat each child with dignity and respect; provide personalised care that meets each child‘s needs, as recorded in the child‘s relevant plans, taking account of the child‘s background; help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect; help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult; provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably; provide to children personal items that are appropriate for their age and understanding; and make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each

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Requirement Due date

child, in accordance with the child‘s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, make the room that is used to support a particular child more welcoming and child friendly. 31/12/2018

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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. 31/12/2018 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC417371 4 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that the home‘s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that practice issues such as restraints that do not fully comply with the home‘s agreed method are explored and clearly recorded.

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing— injury to any person (including the child); serious damage to the property of any person (including the child); or a child who is accommodated in a secure children‘s home from absconding from the home.

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20(1)(a)(b)(c)(2))

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Requirement Due date

This is in relation to ensuring that staff only use methods that have been assessed to be safe and appropriate. 31/12/2018

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes— the name of the child; details of the child‘s behaviour leading to the use of the measure; the date, time and location of the use of the measure; a description of the measure and its duration; details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; the name of the person who used the measure (―the user‖), and of any other person present when the measure was used; the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered 31/12/2018 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC417371 5 person to do so (―the authorised person‖)— has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

This is in relation to ensuring that records of restraint specifically state for how long a child has been held during a restraint.

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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: SC417371 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Quantum Care UK Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fifth Floor, 80 Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UD

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Inspector

Paul Taylor, social care inspector Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC417371 7 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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