Children's Home run by Amicus Residential Care Ltd in Reading

Inspection report children’s home: SC059221 1 SC059221 Registered provider: Causeway Care Homes Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This small, privately owned home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people aged between 12 and 16 years on admission, for either short or long-term placements.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since March 2007.

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Inspection date: 6 January 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC059221 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 sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the inspection in October 2019, one requirement and two recommendations were made. Since then, the registered manager has made good progress in addressing the identified shortfalls. As a result, these have all been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to benefit from being cared for by committed staff who have worked at the home for a long time. The care that they give is very personalised and aims to meet the young people’s individual needs. Each young person has their own daily routine that supports them to become as independent as possible. These routines also allow the young people the opportunity to maintain relationships with important family members.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The stable staff team helps to sustain a homely atmosphere. The young people are all very settled and have good relationships with the staff. The staff know the young people well and have good systems in place to monitor their progress monthly. The staff also work closely with external professionals to help the young people to have improved outcomes and to achieve their agreed aims and objectives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Skilled staff help the young people to live together calmly. Bullying-type behaviour is addressed quickly and incidents are very rare. Good risk assessments help to guide the staff’s practice and keep the young people safe. This includes updating relevant plans if incidents do occur and working closely with the local police to prevent a reoccurrence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are continually thinking of ways to engage the young people, particularly during the day when they are not receiving formal education. This has included looking at their individual routines and implementing more structure to their day. While this has not always achieved the expected outcome, the staff remain committed to finding things that the young people enjoy doing to keep them occupied. These actions show the young people that the staff are invested in their futures.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is very experienced and uses advice and feedback from independent professionals to good effect. Routine visits and monthly reports carried out by the independent visitor contribute to the overall development of the service. These, along with regular discussions with a consultant, help the registered manager to look for ways to improve practice as well as to write clear action plans. Inspection report children’s home: SC059221 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/10/2019 Full Good 31/10/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/04/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/01/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC059221 4

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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: SC059221 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Causeway Care Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 118B Oxford Road, Reading RG1 7NQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Angela MacDonald

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Inspector

Amanda Harvey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC059221 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

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