Children's home run by Active Ark Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 1266838 1 Registered provider: Active Ark Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children and young people who have social and emotional difficulties.

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Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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 improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection, the registered manager has met all requirements and the recommendation made from that inspection. She has since implemented, and embedded, improvements that were still not evident following a previous inadequate inspection judgement.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staffing arrangements have been reviewed and adjusted to ensure that young people have a good continuity of care. Young people have certainty, knowing who will be caring for them from one day to the next. This arrangement provides young people with the opportunity to build more positive relationships with staff.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a clear understanding of young people’s individual needs and vulnerabilities. Inspection report children’s home: 1266838 2 Because of this, staff can provide young people with the help and support that they require. Consequently, young people are currently settled in this home and making good progress.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported and encouraged to value their education. Young people’s attendance and progress at school and work experience are good. Staff promote further activities and outings to provide additional learning opportunities. For one young person, this is focused on developing his independence skills in preparation for him leaving care.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is a good advocate for young people and works in good cooperation with placing authorities and other professionals. She efficiently escalates any issues or concerns and is proactive in working with professionals to achieve resolutions. For example, for one young person, the registered manager assisted him to achieve a change to his care plan to enable him to gain independence locally rather than returning to his home authority.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good arrangements are now in place for staff to receive regular supervision and support. Regular team meetings take place, and these provide good opportunities for staff to reflect on young people’s progress and challenges and to use lessons learned to inform their practice. However, the registered manager was unable to demonstrate that she also benefits from regular professional supervision. Because of this, there is no certainty for Ofsted to believe that she is receiving the full support required to fulfil her role.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ofsted has received the registered manager’s completed quality of care review. This successfully highlights young people’s progress and the registered manager’s plan for the next six-month period. This includes further work on staff appraisals, revision of the staff induction programme and improving external scrutiny. Although a new independent person is now visiting and reporting to Ofsted, there was a three-month period when Ofsted did not receive any reports as the home was without an independent person visiting. This is contrary to regulation and fails to ensure rigorous scrutiny.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/06/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/04/2018 Full Inadequate Inspection report children’s home: 1266838 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

A responsible individual must have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (7)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, this refers to ensuring that the registered manager is provided with regular professional supervision. 31/05/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. (Regulation 44 (1)) 31/05/2019

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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’. Inspection report children’s home: 1266838 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Active Ark, Unit E, Baron Way, Kingmoor Business Park, Carlisle CA6 4SJ

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Inspector

Gillian Walters, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1266838 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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