Children's home run by Constant Child Care Limited in Walsall

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC368032 1 SC368032

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Constant Child 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 privately owned and provides care for up to three children and young people aged between seven and 17, irrespective of gender, who have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left the home on 25 June 2019. An interim manager has been in post since 1 July 2019 and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out an interim inspection on 2 October 2019. At this inspection, Ofsted judged the home to have declined in effectiveness. Several requirements were raised, and Ofsted issued the provider with four compliance notices under section 22A of the Care Standards Act 2000. The compliance notices were issued in relation to regulation 12, the protection of children standard, regulation 13, leadership and management standard, regulation 21 and regulation 35, of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring inspection was undertaken to review the actions that the provider has taken to comply with the notices issued following the interim inspection, and to review the status of the requirements raised.

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This monitoring visit

At this inspection, no young people were living at the home. The one young person who resided at the home at the time of the interim inspection had moved on and was supported by staff to do so. A young person who moved into the home moved on quickly after staff could not meet his needs effectively and keep him safe.

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This monitoring visit

Inspectors found that managers have taken action to meet the specific steps outlined in the four compliance notices. Internal monitoring systems used by managers are more effective, the quality of risk assessments has improved, and Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC368032 2 physical intervention records now contain all the required information. Staff no longer lock internal doors to manage young people’s behaviour and so young people can move freely around their home. In addition, steps have been taken to create a homelier environment. The four compliance notices have therefore been met.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has also ensured that he is acting on the recommendations raised by a fire safety officer to create a safe environment for young people, staff and visitors.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s statement of purpose has been updated and now reflects the changes made to the staff team and provides accurate information to placing authorities about staff working at the home.

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This monitoring visit

Managers are now implementing the recommendations raised by the designated officer for the local authority following the outcome of a safeguarding investigation. As a result, leadership roles are clarified and additional training is being organised for the responsible individual.

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This monitoring visit

Staff training records have been updated by the manager. In addition, the manager ensures that there is at least one first-aid trained staff member caring for young people each day. This improves young people’s welfare.

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This monitoring visit

Staff rosters now clearly reflect who has worked in the home and when. This means that the manager has better oversight and awareness of the workforce being used to care for young people.

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This monitoring visit

During this inspection, a new shortfall was identified. The manager did not seek relevant information from the placing authority about a young person who moved into the home. This undermined his ability to make an informed decision about whether staff could meet the young person’s needs effectively. He was not professionally curious enough to ask additional questions that would have helped the manager and staff understand the young person’s vulnerabilities. As a result, the young person had to move on sooner than anticipated, which means he was unable to experience the placement stability he needs.

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This monitoring visit

When concerns were raised about the young person’s safety in the community, the manager attended a multi-agency meeting to discuss and review risks and safety concerns. When the young person went missing from home staff tried to locate him. Consequently, the manager and staff took some steps to promote his safety and wellbeing. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC368032 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 02/10/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 01/05/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/10/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/08/2018 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC368032 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. (Regulation 14(1)(a)) 20/01/2019

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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: SC368032 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Constant Child Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 4 Parkside Court, Greenhough Road, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 7FE

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Inspectors

Patrick McIntosh, social care inspector Mr Paul Robinson, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC368032 6 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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