Children's Home run by Potton Homes Limited in Southend on Sea

Inspection report children’s home: SC438764 1 SC438764 Registered provider: Potton Homes Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned. The home provides long-term placements for up to six children who may have experienced neglect and/or emotional abuse. The provider owns the school located on the site.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered since 2016.

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Inspection date: 14 February 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC438764 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

Staff know the children well and understand that children’s past experiences can cause them anger and frustration. They ensure that children live in a nurturing environment with routines and boundaries. This affords children security and stability. A social worker said, ‘Since [my child] has lived at this home, I have had no safeguarding or high-risk concerns. My child is going to school every day and keeping to her routine.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the children have begun to invest in their home and gained a sense of belonging. They have progressed well from their starting points. For example, one child is on target to achieve eight GCSEs, which is an amazing achievement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff communicate with families and placing social workers effectively. The manager and the staff are strong advocates for the children, ensuring that their views are heard. Children have thrived at this home. One child is part of the Adolescent Independent Group, which is associated with the local police and is the voice and representative in the local area of children looked after.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support the children to see their families and friends. They understand how important it is for the children to maintain these relationships. The staff ensure that meetings and visits are safe and of good quality and do not impact on the children’s well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff explore children’s interests and hobbies. They want the children to have different experiences to enjoy and have fun. The staff want the children to make happy memories at the home. One child has joined army cadets and attends twice weekly, with regular trips to camp. Recently, this child took part in the Remembrance Day parade in the local community, which was a very proud moment for the staff team and the child.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff respect the children and are open and honest with them. They are good role models and teach the children to respect others and to show compassion. This has enabled a child to be open and honest about their sexuality and gain further support and comfort from staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff review and update the children’s individual risk assessments. Updated information is shared with the staff team, to ensure that children receive consistent care. Inspection report children’s home: SC438764 3 The children said that they feel safe. Since the last inspection, there have been no missing-from-care episodes. The staff have used physical interventions. These were of a low level and used to keep the children and staff safe. The staff use sanctions. The manager evaluates the records of restraint and sanctions to ensure that they are necessary and proportionate. However, some records have not been completed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager manages significant events, complaints and allegations well. However, she did not notify Ofsted of one significant event, although the incident was dealt with efficiently and effectively, following all safeguarding procedures.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is child-focused and prioritises the children’s needs. She has a good knowledge and understanding of the children and spends time with them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive regular supervision and yearly appraisals. Monthly staff meetings provide a forum for staff to discuss the children’s progress and any practice issues. All new staff undertake induction training. All staff receive a high level of good- quality training.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is decorated and furnished to a good standard. It is a warm comfortable environment that resembles a family home. The children’s bedrooms are personalised and reflect their individual interests and hobbies. However, some areas of the home are locked each night, such as the kitchen and lounge, preventing the children from being able to access them freely.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring systems are sufficient to enable the manager and staff to oversee and evaluate the quality of care provided. However, a copy of the most recent quality of care report has not been sent to Ofsted within the required time frame.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met the two requirements and two recommendations raised at the last inspection to good effect. Inspection report children’s home: SC438764 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/10/2019 Full Good 03/01/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/07/2017 Full Good 04/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC438764 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

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises. (Regulation 21(b)) 29/02/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36(1)(b)(c)) 29/02/2020

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Recommendations

 Regulation 40(4) requires the registered person to notify Ofsted and other relevant persons if one of the situations specified in regulation 40(4)(a)-(d) occurs, or if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious (40(4)(e)). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10)  The processes the registered person puts in place to enable such a review to take place, should allow for a report to be generated at least once every six months. The generated report should be sent to Ofsted and the placing local authority of all children in the home who are looked-after children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.3)

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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: SC438764 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Potton Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Cresswell Park, Blackheath, London SE3 9RD

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Inspector

Cathy Russell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC438764 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 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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