Children's Home run by Coventry City Council in Coventry

Inspection report children’s home: SC414347 1 SC414347 Registered provider: Coventry City Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A local authority operates this home. It is registered to provide care for up to four young people who have social and emotional needs. The manager has been registered since December 2011. The registered manager holds a social work qualification and a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development certificate in management.

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Judgement at last inspection: good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged 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 in August 2018, five requirements and four recommendations were raised. At this inspection, the inspector found that four of the requirements and three recommendations have been met. This has left one requirement and one recommendation unmet.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three young people living at the home at the time of the full inspection in August 2018 have moved out and two new young people have moved into the home. Child-focused preparation has ensured that all young people have had a positive experience when Inspection report children’s home: SC414347 2 moving into the home and/or leaving the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between young people and staff are developing and young people appear comfortable in the home. One young person told the inspector that he likes the staff and he feels safe and happy.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good relationships between staff and teachers have helped one young person to increase his attendance at school following a period of reduced hours. Another young person has been successful in passing entry level qualifications in mathematics and English.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff actively encourage young people to lead a healthy lifestyle. For example, direct work with one young person about the risks to his health has helped him to reduce his smoking.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work well with parents. For example, staff have worked closely with one parent to help to increase contact with their child.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are helped to pursue their hobbies and interests. One young person’s interest in cookery has been developed through joining a cookery course. Another young person is supported to attend local and out of city football events. This helps to foster young people’s talents and creates new skills and knowledge.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have worked hard to help an exceptionally complex young person to improve his behaviour. When physical intervention has been necessary, managers have ensured that the young person and the members of staff involved have received a debrief. However, on one occasion, an allegation made by a young person that he had been hurt by a member of staff during a hold was not reported to the designated officer. In addition, notifications of significant incidents have not been sent to the regulator promptly. Shortfalls in reporting significant incidents reduce the external scrutiny of young people’s safety within the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

An increased focus on staff development means that staff awareness has been increased in key areas. Staff have received training in online safety and restorative practice. Staff who have been in post for over two years now hold the level 3 diploma in residential childcare. In addition, managers have assessed the competency of all staff in handling medicines.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has acted to secure improvements to staff vetting. However, for one employee, there are gaps in employment history and verification has not been sought as to the reasons why a voluntary post with children ended. Continued shortfalls in safer recruitment could leave young people exposed to being cared for by unsuitable adults.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s records are now clearer and hold the statutory information necessary to inform their care in the home. The registered manager told the inspector that plans to increase young people’s contribution to their records are underway. Inspection report children’s home: SC414347 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/08/2018 Full Good 17/01/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 11/10/2016 Full Good

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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 registered person may only employ an individual to work at the children’s home if full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (3)(d)) 05/04/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)) 05/04/2019

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Recommendations

 Ensure that children are encouraged by staff to see the home’s records as ‘living documents’ supporting them to view and contribute to the record in a way that reflects their voice on a regular basis. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 58, paragraph 11.19) Inspection report children’s home: SC414347 4

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Information about this inspection

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 address: Coventry City Council, Council House, Earl Street, Coventry CV1 5RR

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Inspector

Alison Cooper, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC414347 5 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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