Children's home run by Archways Care Limited in Wolverhampton

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC429918 1 SC429918

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Archways Care Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is part of a private organisation that runs three children’s homes and a fostering agency. The home accommodates up to four children who have complex needs and emotional and behavioural difficulties as a result of past trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in post since March 2019. The responsible individual is overseeing the day-to-day management of the home until a new manager is appointed.

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This monitoring visit

The home was last inspected on 30 July and 28 August 2019, when the home was judged inadequate in all areas. A restriction of accommodation notice was issued by Ofsted on 5 September 2019. This has been adhered to and no children or young people have moved into the home since. At the full inspection, Ofsted identified 14 regulatory breaches. Shortfalls included failing to safeguard children, poor leadership and management, poor matching, failure to safely recruit staff , not promoting children’s health needs, not challenging professionals and fire safety concerns. A compliance notice was also issued relating to the fitness of workers in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The monitoring inspection found that progress had been made. The compliance notice and 13 of the regulatory shortfalls were met. A new requirement has been made relating to education.

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This monitoring visit

One requirement remains outstanding, which relates to care planning. No children have been admitted to the home since the last inspection, therefore the effectiveness of planning processes for new children and young people moving into the home is yet to be tested. The responsible individual has developed new processes to review referrals. He is also developing the matching document to ensure that staff skills are considered when placing a child or young person in the Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC429918 2 home. This work needs to be finalised and fully implemented and will be assessed at the next inspection.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of the inspection one young person lived at the home. Staff support him to engage in education and liaise with his local authority to provide him with an education provision. However, the young person only receives six hours of formal education in the form of online tuition. He has been out of education for 18 months. This is not acceptable and impacts on the young person’s progress now and in the future.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual has addressed the recommendations in the fire risk assessment carried out in May 2019. New fire doors have been fitted and emergency lighting has been repaired. This creates a safer environment for children and young people, staff and visitors.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, the responsible individual has taken over the day-to-day management of the home with support from a skilled deputy manager. Staff feel supported, have regular supervision and enjoy their roles. This has led to improvements in the quality of care provided to the young person.

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This monitoring visit

New safeguarding policies and procedures have been implemented and staff demonstrate a good understanding of these. Staff have had tailored safeguarding training to improve their knowledge. Staff reported to the inspector that this was beneficial and has helped them to understand their roles and responsibilities.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, staff have responded quickly and appropriately to a young person attempting to go missing. Their quick response resulted in the young person remaining safe and returning to the home. Staff have challenged professionals when appointments have been booked for the young person in areas he is likely to go missing from. This led to alternative arrangements being made, which contributed to keeping the young person safe.

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This monitoring visit

The young person and staff have positive relationships with each other. The young person in the home can share his views and this is captured well within individual sessions. Topics discussed include relationships, behaviour, and wishes and feelings. This ensures that the young person is listened to and has the opportunity to talk with staff about issues that are important to him.

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This monitoring visit

Following this inspection, the restriction of accommodation notice has been lifted. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC429918 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/07/2019 and 28/08/2019 Full Inadequate

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/08/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/02/2018 Full Good 29/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC429918 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 care planning standard is that children receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation (14)(a)(b)(2)(a)) 31/11/2019

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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 that staff— help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non- attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8 (1)(2)(a)(viii)) 31/11/2019 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC429918 5

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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: SC429918 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hill Farm, Shawbury Lane, Shustoke, Coleshill, Birmingham B46 2RN

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Aristidou

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Inspector

Lisa O’Donovan, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC429918 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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