Children's Home run by Heartwood RSW Ltd in Redbridge

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC461865 1 SC461865

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Heartwood RSW Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately-owned children’s home provides care for up to five children The provider states in its statement of purpose that it provides person-centred care for children who have emotional and/or behaviour difficulties. It aims to help children achieve their goals, while offering holistic support.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to assess the home following a complaint being received by Ofsted. The complaint raised several concerns. These included: poor staff induction and training; concerning behaviour management and restraint practices; the inadequate matching of children admitted to the home; a weak approach to health and safety; a lack of access for children to specialist therapeutic support; and poor professional boundaries maintained by staff.

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This monitoring visit

The home has addressed the two requirements and two recommendations from the last full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Managers acknowledged the concerns regarding staff training. For example, on one day, the staff team caring for a child with a history of physical violence, only one staff member had received restraint training. This presented a possible risk of harm to both the child and the staff concerned. Following an incident, restraint training has been scheduled for permanent staff.

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This monitoring visit

Each physical intervention is assessed by a senior manager within the organisation and the child concerned is spoken to gain their views. Risk assessments are subsequently updated to inform the staff’s approach to behaviour management.

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This monitoring visit

There are no concerns regarding staff induction. Staff benefit from a comprehensive two-week induction programme. This allows staff opportunities to familiarise Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC461865 2 themselves with the company’s policies and procedures prior to them commencing direct work with children.

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This monitoring visit

Managers accepted the concerns regarding one recent incident in the home. A full management investigation has ensured that the staff member concerned has been supported to learn from the incident and benefit from further training.

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This monitoring visit

There are no concerns regarding the home’s ability to match the needs of children already living in the home with those who are subsequently admitted. The home benefits from a new risk management tool. This ensures that a full assessment is completed on the suitability of all children prior to them moving into the home.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector found one concern with regard to the home’s maintenance. Tiles in one bathroom are broken and require repair. This presents an untidy and unkempt environment for children

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This monitoring visit

Children enjoy good access to therapy. One child s engaging with therapeutic support.

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This monitoring visit

There are no concerns with regard to staff maintaining professional boundaries. The allocated social worker concerned, confirmed that they had no issues with staff or the manner that staff conducted themselves.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager resigned from his position and left the home in December 2018. The interim manager subsequently left her position nine working days into her induction. The operations manager is presently supporting the deputy manager in managing the home. These management changes have caused some disruption.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/07/2018 Full Good 08/01/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/06/2017 Full Good 08/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC461865 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

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered provider must ensure;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. (Regulation 6(2)(b)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, that the registered provider replaces the broken tiles in one bathroom. 01/03/2019

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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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13(2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the home must ensure that the staff receive physical restraint training and any other training specific to meeting the needs of the children resident in the home. 01/03/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if— 01/03/2019 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC461865 4 there is no registered manager in respect of the home. (Regulation 27(1)(a))

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Recommendations

 Ensure contingency plans are prepared in the event of a shortfall in staffing levels. If it is it is likely that there might only be one member of staff on duty at any time the manager should make a formal assessment of the implications for children’s care, including any likely risks. The assessment should be recorded and available for inspection by Ofsted and placing authorities. (‘Guide to children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.18)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to assess the home following a complaint being received by Ofsted.

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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: SC461865 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 416 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex IG3 9JX

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Inspector

Barnaby Dowell, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC461865 6 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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