Children's home run by Platform Childcare Ltd

Inspection report children‟s home: 1264286 1 Registered provider: Platform Childcare Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to four children who present with challenging complex behaviours. The manager was registered with Ofsted in November 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, eight requirements and five recommendations were set. The home‟s new manager has addressed five of these requirements and all five of the recommendations. Three of the requirements have been reset and three further requirements have been set at this inspection.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although currently calm, the home has been through an unsettled period. There has been a high number of incidents and physical interventions. Several of these incidents have resulted in staff sustaining a significant number of injuries, some of which required hospital attention. On occasions, children also sustained injuries during the interventions. These incidents are recorded. However, the manager has not robustly reviewed each incident record to assess the effectiveness of the strategies implemented. Debriefings with the staff are not clearly recorded, and there is no formal review or action plan Inspection report children‟s home: 1264286 2 following the incidents. This does not demonstrate effective management oversight.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Several of the incidents since the last inspection are considered by inspectors as significant events. For example, a child, while missing from the home, was located intoxicated, self-harming and requiring hospital treatment. No notification was made to Ofsted. Lack of notification to Ofsted of significant events prevents Ofsted from being able to monitor the home and the action taken to ensure children‟s safety.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The statement of purpose has been updated to reflect changes in practice. Recent amendments have resulted in updates to the staffing arrangements. However, this version of the document was not submitted to Ofsted as required by regulation.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have difficulties in engaging with education. Limited progress has been achieved in this area. One child received school work to undertake at the home, which was supported by the staff. However, other children have engaged in no meaningful educational activity. The requirement is restated.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The fire risk assessment was updated following the last inspection, but it has not been updated recently. The risk assessment states that the home has a no-smoking policy on the premises. However, children who smoke have been permitted to do so in the enclosed garden area. The risk assessment contains no information about a recent incident involving a child using a toaster to ignite a cigarette. Thus, there is a failure to record any actions required to reduce the risks identified.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The newly registered manager, along with a relatively new staff team, is in the process of making improvements to the home and practice. Records show that some positive relationships between staff and children have been established. However, the statement of purpose is not fully embedded into practice at this time.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has recently been refurbished to a high standard. The decor, furniture, pictures and accessories give a homely atmosphere for the children to enjoy. Each child now has a lockable cabinet in their bedroom. This enables the children to securely store their personal items. A new cordless phone has replaced the previously broken phone, so that the children can make calls in private if this is in line with their care plans.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has ensured that each child has access to activities both in and outside of the home. The home now has a selection of DVDs and a games console for the children to use. Individual hobbies such as swimming and fishing have been supported and encouraged.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children‟s individual behaviour management and risk assessment documents are now updated regularly. This means that staff have clear guidance on how to respond consistently to individuals‟ behaviour.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

External monitoring of the home has improved. The independent person provides the manager with a monthly report that gives their opinion of the home‟s effectiveness of safeguarding the children. Inspection report children‟s home: 1264286 3 Children‟s meetings are held regularly, and the manager also holds a monthly meeting with the children. The children‟s views are sought, and realistic wishes and requests are followed through. During these meetings, the menus for the week are planned. Children are encouraged to eat healthy meals, and the menus now reflect children‟s individual dietary likes and requirements.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been significant changes to the staffing since the last inspection. The present team is committed to improving the service. The new manager has made improvements to safe recruitment practice at the home. Previously, the manager interviewed staff independently. Now, the manager and the responsible individual conduct all interviews together.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home accepts emergency admissions. The manager aims to ensure that he is present at each child‟s admission. However, should a child arrive when the manager is not present, suitably skilled and experienced staff are available to admit a child.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two of the children present at the last inspection have now moved on. Three children have moved in, and two of these children have recently left. One placement was ended by the provider. The other child returned to live with their family. Transitions, when possible, have been planned and supported well. There is currently only one child, who arrived very recently, in placement. This child said, „I‟m really glad to be here. Staff have made me feel so welcome.‟

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children‟s home: 1264286 4

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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—

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Requirement Due date

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

In particular, children should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in a daily routine with suitable structured activities. 01/02/2019

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children‟s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home‟s statement of purpose. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)) 01/02/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must— keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it and notify HMCI of any revisions and send 18/01/2019 Inspection report children‟s home: 1264286 5 HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(a) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b)) 18/01/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child‟s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used, or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

and within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (2)(3)(a)(ii)(v)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)) 25/01/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 18/01/2019

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Information about this inspection

Inspection report children‟s home: 1264286 6 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 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: Platform Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 32, Anglesey Business Centre, Anglesey Road, Burton-on-Trent DE14 3NT

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Inspectors

Lynne Drage: social care inspector Debbie Young: social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: 1264286 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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