Children's Home, Residential special school run by MacIntyre Care in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC043994 1 SC043994

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MacIntyre Care

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is a part of an independent school for children with autism spectrum disorder and/or severe learning disabilities. Children who attend the school live in its children’s home. The home provides 40 placements in seven houses.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has not had a registered manager since 26 July 2018. A new manager was appointed in May 2019 but has yet to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This home was inspected in July 2019 and judged to be inadequate. Significant regulatory shortfalls were identified. Ofsted notified the provider, and placing local authorities, on 19 July 2019 that the home’s registration would be suspended. This action was taken due to significant concerns about the risk of harm to children.

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This monitoring visit

Following immediate actions by the provider, and a visit from the fire service which was prompted by Ofsted, the suspension notice was reviewed and replaced with a notice restricting accommodation on 23 July 2019. It was Ofsted’s view that there would be a risk of harm should further children be admitted.

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This monitoring visit

In addition to the restriction notice, five compliance notices were served on the provider on 26 July 2019. These notices related to:

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This monitoring visit

 The assessment of risk and arrangements to reduce risk.  The premises being designed, furnished and maintained to protect each child from avoidable hazards.  The use of monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements.  The provider‘s compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The vetting of all persons working at the home to ensure that they have the Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC043994 2 appropriate experience, qualifications and skills.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to ensure that the threshold for the restriction of accommodation was reviewed and to evaluate the provider’s improvements since the last inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has complied with the restriction notice. Since the last inspection, no new children have been placed in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual told inspectors that they have reviewed all risk management plans for all children. Inspectors sampled some of these plans and there have been some revisions and updates since the July 2019 inspection. The specific needs of one child are now subject to new protocols.

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This monitoring visit

There have been some improvement works taking place to the environment. For example, inspectors observed that new carpets were in the process of being fitted and areas of the home were being made safer. However, inspectors observed some shortfalls which were brought to the attention of senior leaders in the home:

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This monitoring visit

 A gas hob had been left on and was unattended.  Medication containers had not been stored correctly.  Some plastic gloves had been left out despite there being a protocol to remove this potential hazard.  Entry doors to some of the home areas did not have guards to prevent children‘s fingers being trapped.

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This monitoring visit

Following the visit by the local fire and rescue service in July 2019, the provider has been working to meet the recommendations made by the fire service. Inspectors were shown completed areas of the home and observed various works in progress.

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This monitoring visit

No staffing files were checked as part of this inspection. The responsible individual confirmed to inspectors that all agency files have been fully scrutinised and are compliant with regulation. Inspectors were told that approximately 40 agency staff are working at the home.

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This monitoring visit

All requirements, and the compliance notices, from the July 2019 full inspection have due dates which are not yet passed. However, a further requirement has been made. This is in relation to the manager’s own monitoring of the service as required under regulation 45. Although some actions are being taken, the home’s managers have not yet embedded an effective system to identify further shortfalls or areas that require further improvements. Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC043994 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/07/2019 Full Inadequate 09/10/2018 Full Good 24/01/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/06/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC043994 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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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential; ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to— meet the needs of each child; and enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(i)(ii)) 22/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

The enjoyment and achievement standard is that children take part in and benefit from a variety of activities that meet their needs and develop and reflect their creative, cultural, intellectual, physical and social interests and skills.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff help each child to— develop the child’s interests and hobbies; participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and expand the child’s interests and preferences; and make a positive contribution to the home and the wider community; and that each child has access to a range of activities that enable the child to pursue the child’s interests and hobbies. (Regulation 9 (1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b)) 22/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that— the health and well-being needs of children are met; children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff help each child to— achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 10 22/09/2019 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC043994 5 (1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that children are supported to attend all health and well-being appointments in line with their relevant plans. The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on— mutual respect and trust; an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and positive responses to other children and adults. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c)) 22/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff— assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i))* 25/08/2019

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(d))* 25/08/2019

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— help each child to understand how to keep safe; have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other; understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s 22/09/2019 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC043994 6 child protection policies; that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm; that the premises used for the purposes of the home are located so that children are effectively safeguarded;

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(e)) The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— 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— use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(h))* 25/08/2019

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that agreed procedures and support plans are detailed within clear care plans that are understood and followed by care staff. 22/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23 (1)) 22/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (30) applies to the home— the registered person must ensure the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b))* 25/08/2019

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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)) 22/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. 25/08/2019 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC043994 7 The requirements are that— the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform; full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1)(3)(b)(d))* The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which— is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect; and sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect. (Regulation 34 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that disciplinary proceedings are carried out even when a member of staff is no longer working in the home; and that the outcomes of these proceedings are referred to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) if required. 22/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— within 48 hours of the use of the measure [of control, discipline or restraint], the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“th the authorised person”) )— has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii)(c)) 22/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

Case records must be kept— securely in the children’s home during the period when the child to whom the case records relate is accommodated there. (Regulation 36 (2)(c)) 22/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 22/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating— the quality of care provided for children; the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; 22/09/2019 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC043994 8 and any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review. (Regulation 45 (2)(a)(b)(c)(3)) The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard).

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Requirement Due date

When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46 (1)(2)) 22/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice. Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC043994 9

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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: SC043994 10

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: MacIntyre Care, 602 South Seventh Street, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK9 2JA

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Inspectors

Pete Hylton, regulatory inspection manager Sarah Olliver, social care inspector Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC043994 11 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

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