Children's Home run by 4d Care Ltd in Norfolk

Inspection report children’s home: 1271979 1 Registered provider: 4d Care Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private organisation. It offers therapeutic care for up to three children who may have experienced trauma, neglect, abuse and/or family or placement breakdowns.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in May 2019.

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Inspection date: 13 January 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 1271979 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two children have been admitted since the last inspection. The transitions into the home have been very well planned. Prior to admission, the manager and responsible individual carefully consider all information available to them alongside the needs of the child and the children who already live at the home. Both children visited before moving in, enabling them to familiarise themselves with the staff and children. Thoughtful planning has resulted in the children quickly settling into their new home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have good-quality trusting relationships with the staff. The dedicated staff achieve positive relationships quickly because they are very skilled in engaging with children. During the inspection, it was evident that the children respond well to the calm, nurturing and consistent care provided.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff have high aspirations for the children, who all attend the provider’s off-site school. Children who previously did not engage with education are now attending full-time. When children display periods of low motivation, the staff and education staff work closely together to re-engage them. The managers and staff are proactive in their attempts to enable the children to reach their full potential.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are making good progress in all aspects of their health. They receive tailor-made packages that are specific to their individual needs. The children are consulted and their opinions and goals are included in their plans. The children are now making healthy eating choices and enjoying regular exercise routines. Innovative thinking by managers has led to any barriers in engagement being overcome. For example, a child who wanted to learn how to swim but was reluctant to attend a public pool due to feeling self-conscious now enjoys weekly lessons in a privately tutored session.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children enjoy a range of activities as well as events held at the home. These moments are captured by the staff and recorded in memory books for the children to keep.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are skilled at de-escalating incidents. Since the last inspection, there has been only one physical intervention incident. When such incidents occur, the managers ensure that the view of the child is obtained and the staff are debriefed. This enables the children to reflect and the staff to gain strategies to reduce the likelihood of further incidents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one safeguarding incident since the last inspection. A review, during this inspection, of this investigation demonstrated that the manager has followed the Inspection report children’s home: 1271979 3 correct procedures. The designated officer was consulted and the incident has now been satisfactorily resolved. However, no notification was made to the Ofsted. This prevents effective monitoring of the home by Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection. One of the children said, ‘I really like it here. I really like the staff. I trust them and I feel safe here.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Social workers and parents were very complimentary about the high level of good communication and the care provided to the children. Strong partnership working enables the best interests of the children to be recognised and met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff benefit from good training and feel well supported by the management team. The staff have undertaken safeguarding training and have a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. However, the staff have not accessed training relating to understanding gangs and county lines issues. This is an area that could be improved further so that staff have a good current understanding of topical issues that may affect the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements to the home’s environment have been made. New carpeting in the hallway now provides a warm and inviting entrance. The home is set in a quiet, rural location and has the advantage of having a very large garden for the children to enjoy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two requirements set at the last inspection have been met to good effect. Inspection report children’s home: 1271979 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/08/2019 Full Good 15/03/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 05/09/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: 1271979 5

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40(4)(c)) 28/02/2020

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs and should understand the key role that they play in the training and development of staff at the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11) In particular, provide staff with training in understanding and managing issues relating to county lines and gang culture.

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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’. Inspection report children’s home: 1271979 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 8a New Road, Mepal, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB6 2AP

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Inspector

Lynne Drage, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1271979 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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