Children's home run by Barnardiston Hall Preparatory School Limited in West Suffolk

Inspection report children’s home: SC443009 1 SC443009 Registered provider: Barnardiston Hall Preparatory School Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home is one of a small group. The home provides care for up to six boys who have moderate to severe learning difficulties. The manager is registered and has been in post since 1 May 2019.

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Inspection date: 12 February 2020

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 12 February 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC443009 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

The new manager has overseen improvements at the home. She has addressed all the requirements that were made at the full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff and manager have made significant improvements in supporting children with their independence. Clear plans are in place and focus on what the children want to achieve.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has ensured that previous inaccuracies in risk assessments have been corrected. The staff have had training in understanding and managing signs of radicalisation and criminal exploitation. The manager has developed her awareness of issues in the local and wider community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has made improvements to the decor and homeliness of the building. During this inspection, hazardous materials were not accessible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has a thorough understanding of the plans for the children. However, some written transition plans are not in place. Professionals spoke positively about the support provided to children in this aspect of their care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has submitted an updated statement of purpose to Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Feedback from professionals and families is positive. They recognise that there have been improvements at the home over the past few months.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team is stable. There is no use of agency or temporary staff at present. Professionals said that this has resulted in greater consistency for the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Fire tests take place. However, one fire door has not closed consistently. Although assurance was given during the inspection that remedial action was taken after each test, this did not result in sustained improvement until very recently. The failure to explore the underlying cause of this prolonged issue did not safeguard children as far as reasonably practical.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Physical interventions are reducing. The holds appear proportionate. The manager is instilling a culture of reflective practice. However, the records are not consistently good enough. On occasion, they lack the detail necessary to enable review and to support reflection. Inspection report children’s home: SC443009 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/04/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/02/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/11/2018 Full Inadequate 06/03/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC443009 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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Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) In particular, explore the issues that are identified in safety tests.  Records of restraint must be kept and should enable the registered person and staff to review the use of control, discipline and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure it meets the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)

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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: SC443009 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Barnardiston Hall Preparatory School Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Greenwood House, Greenwood Court, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 7GY

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Inspector

Ashley Hinson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC443009 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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