Children's Home run by Devon and Cornwall Autistic Community Trust (t/a Spectrum) in Cornwall

Interim inspection report children’s home: 1276719 1 Registered provider: Devon & Cornwall Autistic Community Trust (t/a Spectrum) Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home was registered in May 2018 for three children. It is owned by a private organisation.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been a registered manager in post since August 2019.

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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 sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child who lives at this home is supported to take part in a variety of activities of his choice. Examples include public speaking, photography and fun activities such as escape rooms.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

He is now eating a more varied diet and is positively encouraged to make healthy choices. He is also being supported to reduce his medication with a view to being medication free, which is a goal of his.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been several incidents of challenging behaviour since the previous inspection. Learning has been taken from these to promote a consistent and nurturing approach. However, care planning is not always up to date, which does not ensure that Interim inspection report children’s home: 1276719 2 staff have the most current guidance.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Due to staff sickness, there have been changes in the child’s daily care. This has been unsettling for him. Steps to minimise any negative impact of these changes are not always taken.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child has been exposed to inappropriate adult conversations held by staff. This is of significant concern..

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child’s bedroom furniture is not maintained to a good standard. This was a concern at a previous inspection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/05/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/03/2019 Full Inadequate

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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—

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Requirement Due date

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.

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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 and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. 12/12/2019 Interim inspection report children’s home: 1276719 3 (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(i)) The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

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—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose; ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate; ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child; ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)) 12/12/2019

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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’. Interim inspection report children’s home: 1276719 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Devon & Cornwall Autistic Community Trust (t/a Spectrum)

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lakeside Offices, The Old Cattle Market, Porthleven Road, HELSTON, Cornwall TR13 0SR

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Hannah-Marie Bennetts

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Inspector(s)

Polly Soper, social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: 1276719 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(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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