Children's home run by Devon County Council

Inspection report children’s home: 2530021 1 Registered provider: Devon County Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority children’s home. It is registered to care for up to three children at any one time. All the children who access this service have short breaks on a regular basis. The manager has been in post for several years.

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Inspection date: 5 February 2020

Date of last inspection: 4 December 2019

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Inspection date: 5 February 2020

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 5 February 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2530021 2

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children 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 improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

New effective systems are in place that have improved management monitoring and oversight. Concerns for children have greater scrutiny. These systems now need to embed into practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has a system that has strengthened arrangements in case of a fire. Three evacuations have taken place since the last inspection. There is evidence that lessons are learned and improvements are made following each evacuation. As a result, practice is better and it continues to improve.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a plan in place to improve the presentation of the home. For example, there is excitement about a new kitchen that is being fitted. Managers have not acted to rectify some smaller issues, such as locks on doors.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The use of monitoring for children is not always assessed. One child receives visual and sound monitoring without any formal assessment. The matter has not been considered by a best interest panel. There is no evidence to suggest that this high level of monitoring is necessary. Inspection report children’s home: 2530021 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/12/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: 2530021 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 registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if— the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children; the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance; so far as reasonably practicable in the light of the child’s age and understanding, the child is informed in advance of the intention to do the monitoring or surveillance; and the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. This regulation is subject to any monitoring or surveillance requirements imposed by a court. (Regulation 24 (a)(b)(c)(d)(2)) 31/03/2020

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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: 2530021 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Devon County Council, Chief Executive’s Directorate, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 4QD

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Inspector

Tracey Ledder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2530021 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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

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