Children's home run by Bridge Communities Limited in Stroud

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC016600 1 SC016600

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Bridge Communities Limited

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 owned by a private provider. It is registered for up to five children aged up to 18 who have experienced adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and presenting complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since 2007.

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This monitoring visit

At the inspection on 10 and 11 September 2019, the home was judged to be inadequate. Ofsted raised six requirements and one recommendation. This monitoring visit was undertaken on 6 November 2019 to evaluate the progress made in addressing these weaknesses.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, one young person has left the home to move on to semi- independence.

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This monitoring visit

The managers and staff have worked hard to address the requirements made at the previous inspection, and reflect on practice. Three requirements and one recommendation are met, and three requirements are not fully met.

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This monitoring visit

There has been one notification made to Ofsted since the last inspection regarding a young person going missing with an adult male. The incident was responded to effectively and within timescales. The manager and staff took every action to find the young person, and searched known locations for her. The manager ensured that the police and local authority were informed, and that a thorough return home interview was carried out. The oversight and meticulous actions of the staff have resulted in the young person no longer having contact with this adult.

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This monitoring visit

The managers have ensured that staff have read and understand the whistle- Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC016600 2 blowing and safeguarding policies. During supervision, managers have reflected in depth on their actions after the recent fire. They have updated the crisis management plan with clear actions for staff to follow, including accessing hotels or temporary accommodation and contacting placing authorities should a similar incident occur again.

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This monitoring visit

Managers now have structured and accessible training records to monitor and review staff training. Staff have completed updated safeguarding and fire safety training. Staff need mandatory training updates in medication and food hygiene as existing training in these areas has expired. Managers have training scheduled about online safety and cyber bullying, equality and diversity, and physical intervention. Managers need to ensure that staff complete this training so that they have the skills and knowledge needed to provide good-quality care to young people.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have ensured that one young person is now accessing 15 hours per week of online education with a plan to attend a local school. One young person has recently returned to the home after her bedroom was damaged during a fire. This has been redecorated to a high standard, and she has chosen new items and has been given two new kittens. The managers have funded a private one-day make-up course to encourage her return to college, but there are no firm plans in place to date.

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This monitoring visit

Two other young people remain resistant to education and their progress is slow. Staff are conducting meaningful discussions about the importance of education with young people and offer numerous incentives. While some improvement has been made in that young people are agreeing to pursue options, further work is needed to ensure that young people are engaging in education or training during the day, on a consistent basis, to improve their development and well-being.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, managers have ensured that two young people have attended their health assessments and one young person has attended the opticians. Two other young people remain resistant to their statutory and routine health appointments. Further input is needed from staff to ensure that their health needs are met in line with their care plans.

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This monitoring visit

During this inspection, information received from social workers was positive about how staff are helping young people to make progress. There were no safeguarding concerns shared with the inspector. The manager has started to give effective challenge to professionals to ensure that the needs of young people are met.

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This monitoring visit

Another full inspection will take place in accordance with the social care common inspection framework.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/09/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC016600 3 23/08/2018 Full Good 29/11/2017 Full Good 08/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC016600 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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 8 (1) and (2) (a)(I)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

This is with specific reference to managers and staff ensuring that young people attend education, training or employment, and that any barriers to education are swiftly resolved. 01/01/20

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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— 01/01/20 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC016600 5 that staff help each child to— achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans; take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) and (2)(a)(I)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, managers and staff need to ensure that young people attend all routine and required health appointments, including statutory health assessments. 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 understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home and ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) and (2)(c)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that internal and external monitoring systems highlight shortfalls in the quality of care and that staff are up to date with all mandatory and specialist training required for their role. 01/01/20

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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: SC016600 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bridge Communities Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sutton Dipple, 8 Wheelwrights Corner, Cossack Square, Nailsworth, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 0DB

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Inspector

Anna Gravelle, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC016600 7 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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