Children's Home run by Partners in Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC010090 1 SC010090

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Partners in Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home has two houses on one site. It is registered to take up to four children and young people, irrespective of gender, with a variety of needs. The home will consider children and young people who:

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Information about this children’s home

 are victims of abuse, whether physical, sexual or emotional;  are going through some form of crisis in their lives;  have complex behavioural difficulties that impact on their well-being;  are at risk of exploitation;  display offending or antisocial behaviour.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was registered on 21 Dec 2001.

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This monitoring visit

The monitoring visit was undertaken to consider information received by Ofsted that suggested there may have been a breach of regulations. This related to two complaints that were received by Ofsted. Both complaints raised concerns about children and staff not being safeguarded. Ofsted had received notifications that also highlighted concerns about the standard of practice in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Inspectors found that concerns raised by the complainants were substantiated. The home was in a state of disruption and it was not safe for children to live there. A large number of safeguarding concerns have not been recognised or appropriately addressed. Consequently, children and staff were left vulnerable.

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This monitoring visit

Inspectors found that the assessments and plans did not accurately identify or address the needs of the children living at the home. Furthermore, children were not matched appropriately. Consequently, children had a negative impact on each Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC010090 2 other’s behaviours. This resulted in several incidents and the police were called to assist. There was an over-reliance on the police to manage behaviour in the home.

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This monitoring visit

During the monitoring visit, inspectors were made aware that concerns had been raised with senior managers by the independent visitor. These concerns were not acted on in a timely way. Consequently, children continued to live in an unsafe environment.

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This monitoring visit

There has been a high turnover of staff. In some instances, staff had left the home suddenly. The registered manager was on sick leave and interim management arrangements had been put in place. Several employees from other homes in the organisation have worked shifts at the home to ensure that there are appropriate staffing levels. Agency workers have also worked in the home. Consequently, children had no consistency and limited relationships with staff.

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This monitoring visit

There are shortfalls in quality assurance and monitoring arrangements in the home. Management oversight is poor. As a result, poor practice has not been addressed, and correct support and guidance have not been put in place quickly enough.

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This monitoring visit

The lack of effective monitoring and evaluation has led to an increase in children’s risk-taking behaviour. In addition, children have not received the support they need to make safer decisions.

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This monitoring visit

The home has not been managed in a way that is consistent with its ethos and with the stated aims and objectives. The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have not been addressed.

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This monitoring visit

Senior managers had recognised that the home was not safe and had made the decision to close the home. This decision was made on the day prior to the monitoring visit. The organisation has given assurances to Ofsted that it will close the home for a minimum period of three months.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/07/2018 Full Good 22/08/2017 Full Good 08/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 11/07/2016 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC010090 3

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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: SC010090 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Partners in Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rouse House, 2 Wyther Lane, Kirkstall, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS5 3BT

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Inspectors

Lisa Gregoire-Parker: social care inspector Julia Toller: social care regulatory manager Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC010090 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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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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