Children's Home run by Hampshire County Council in Hampshire

Inspection report children’s home: 2508451 1 SC2508451 Registered provider: Hampshire County Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and run by the local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Young people and staff have relocated to a new property. This is a result of the local authority’s revision of its residential care options across the county. This is the first interim inspection in the new location.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since 6 January 2020.

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Inspection date: 14 February 2020

Judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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Inspection date: 14 February 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2508451 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff document significant conversations with young people, but some of these records lack detail and are dated incorrectly. In one case, there was no explanation why a young person was asked if they wanted to call the police. Staff have not always taken the initiative to inform the social worker of significant disclosures and instead have given a young person the option to talk to their social worker themselves. This demonstrates a poor understanding of good safeguarding practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff notified a social worker of a serious safeguarding incident, yet this emphasised its possible criminality rather than the safeguarding issue. This left a young person at risk. The young person later provided further information that gave rise to further concerns. Staff did not ensure that this was passed onto the social worker immediately, leaving a young person unsupported and vulnerable over one weekend.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager did not identify the delay in staff reporting a significant disclosure. In addition, the actions taken by the placing social worker and other agencies were unknown to the managers. This demonstrates insufficient management oversight and professional curiosity to close off child protection enquiries. The manager did not notify Ofsted in accordance with regulation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some other safeguarding practices are good, such as the action taken in response to an allegation about a staff member. Managers take effective action, including liaising with the designated officer for safeguarding in the local authority and redeploying staff while the necessary investigations take place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have completed impact assessments and put into place suitable control measures before admitting young people into the home, some of whom have arrived in an emergency. Despite their best efforts, this has been an unsettled period for young people living in the home. Staff have dealt satisfactorily with incidents and there has not been any unnecessary police involvement. The manager has assessed other referrals to the home and concluded that they are not currently a good match. The manager is committed to bringing stability and calm to the home before other young people come to live there.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who have been placed in the home for some time are making good progress. They are showing a maturity in their approach to relationships, and are looking for part-time jobs and developing their independent living skills. Staff support young people to focus on the key events in their life, such as the impending GCSEs. Inspection report children’s home: 2508451 3 Other young people who have lived in the home for a significant period have transitioned successfully into adult life. They stay in contact with staff and visit on key occasions, such as Christmas time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has ensured that the staff are trained in understanding and responding to self-harming behaviours, as required at the last inspection. She is working with senior managers in the local authority to discuss further timeframes for key training.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/08/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: 2508451 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who–

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; and

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff–

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare. (Regulation 6(1)(a)(b), (2)(b)(ii)) 31/03/2020

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure–

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; and

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12(1), (2)(a)(iii)(v)(vi)) 31/03/2020

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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

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; 31/03/2020 Inspection report children’s home: 2508451 5 a child protection enquiry involving a child–

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)(b)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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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: 2508451 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hampshire County Council, 3rd floor, Elizabeth II Court North, The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8UG

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Inspector

Keith Riley, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2508451 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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