Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC040638 1 SC040638

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Surrey County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and run by the local authority. It provides care and accommodation for up to six children.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since January 2018.

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This monitoring visit

The home has met the requirements as set out in the two compliance notices imposed because of serious shortfalls noted at the interim inspection in October 2018.

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Regulation 12(1) (2)(d)

A compliance notice was issued with a completion date of 10 December 2018. The notice required the provider to repair the remaining broken windows; remove the damaged vehicles from the driveway; and ensure that maintenance response systems are effective; reflecting the children’s home’s need to be a homely and typical domestic environment.

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Regulation 12(1) (2)(d)

At this monitoring visit, the building was in a good state of repair and the damaged vehicles had been mended. There were no areas that require repair and a child said the home was ‘all good’.

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Regulation 12(1) (2)(d)

The home’s manager and responsible individual have met with the local authority estates team to remind it that, as corporate parent, the council has the responsibility to ensure that the children’s home remains in a good state of repair at all times. This includes responding to any breakages and repairs swiftly.

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Regulation 12(1) (2)(d)

The home’s manager has devised a new maintenance reporting form which includes greater detail of the fault or breakage, with actions taken and by whom. Any follow- Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC040638 2 ups and delays in repairs are recorded, along with who is responsible for the delay and the date when the issue will be rectified.

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Regulation 14(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)

A compliance notice was issued with a completion date of 10 December 2018. The notice required the provider to ensure that children’s needs are compatible when placing children, including in emergency situations; to continually review the child’s placement to ensure that it is not impacting negatively on others living in the home; and to ensure that endings are planned and meet the child’s needs.

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Regulation 14(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)

Since the interim inspection, there have been four referrals made to the home. The home’s manager has accepted two of these. One was a child who had previously lived in the home, and although it was an emergency placement, a clear thought process was followed, focusing on whether it was in this child’s best interests for him to return. Another child was moving in on the day of the monitoring visit. The child has visited the home, and the home’s manager has been in liaison with the placements team and social worker throughout.

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Regulation 14(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)

The child’s social worker said that she felt the home was the most appropriate placement for the child at this time. The impact risk assessment is clear on the reasons why the placement has been accepted, including noting the concerns of children being placed in the home with others who have similar needs.

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Regulation 14(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)

Two children have moved on from the home since the interim inspection, both in a planned manner.

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Regulation 14(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)

The home’s manager said he has been able to make informed decisions on whether to place children in the home. He said that the responsible individual is actively involved in ensuring that only those children whose needs can be met are placed in the home.

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Regulation 14(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)

Lastly, a requirement was made that Ofsted should be informed of any change of responsible individual. This has now happened and there is a new responsible individual in place. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC040638 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 02/10/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness 15/05/2018 Full Good 24/01/2018 Full Inadequate 15/03/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC040638 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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Statutory requirements

No requirements have been set following this inspection.

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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: Surrey County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Quadrant Court, 35 Guildford Road, Woking, Surrey GU22 7QQ

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Inspector

Jennie Christopher, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC040638 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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