Atkinson Unit

Inspection report children’s home: SC046276 1 SC046276 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 secure children’s home is managed by a local authority. The Department for Education approves it to restrict young people’s liberty. The children’s home can accommodate up to 12 children and young people who are aged between 10 and 17 years and accommodated under section 25 of the Children Act 1989. Admission of any young person under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

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Information about this children’s home

The commissioning of health services in this home is the statutory responsibility of NHS England under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Education is provided on site in dedicated facilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The commissioning of health services in this home is the statutory responsibility of NHS England under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Education is provided on- site in dedicated facilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is registered with Ofsted and has managed the home since August 2016.

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Inspection date: 3 March 2020

Judgement at last inspection: good Inspection report children’s home: SC046276 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged to be good 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 sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The progress with the three requirements made at the last inspection was assessed at this inspection, as was progress with the one recommendation which was not related to those involving education. Those other recommendations will be assessed at the home’s next full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, a requirement was made in relation to ensuring that members of staff checked children in line with risk assessments, particularly when they were alone in their rooms. This has been addressed, and the records now show that practice is reviewed and assessed to ensure that the staff conscientiously carry out these checks. This means that children are observed and kept safe, in line with the risk assessments.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Another requirement was made in relation to ensuring that records of single separation episodes are up to date and accurate. This has also been addressed. The quality assurance manager is effective in monitoring these records, which are of a good standard.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers are involved in reviewing and assessing other records to ensure that they are accurate and up to date. This has been achieved successfully since the last inspection, and this response means that the third requirement has been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One recommendation was made at the last inspection in relation to ensuring that there is a consistent approach to addressing shortfalls and communication issues with the placing authorities. Key staff, including case managers overseeing specific children’s progress, actively communicate with professionals. This ensures that there is prompt communication and that there is no drift in care planning for children. It also means that children have trust in the adults caring for them and know that they will advocate on their behalf, if needed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A major refurbishment of the premises is underway. This has already vastly improved the living areas for the children who live here. Importantly, children have been actively involved in planning the decor. Communal areas, such as the dining room and lounges, are comfortable and well decorated. There have been additional touches, such as introducing mood lighting in the corridors. This can be adjusted to individual children’s preferences, which underpins the approach and sensitive awareness of the impact that the environment has on each child.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Individual work and care planning are of a high standard. Staff get to know the children very well and design packages of care with the child’s views and feelings at Inspection report children’s home: SC046276 3 the centre. This means that children make significant progress, especially in areas such as lessening self-harm and learning new strategies to regulate their behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two recommendations are made as a result of this inspection. These relate to ensuring that the specific strategies to help children during periods when they have to be physically controlled are explicitly explained in their plans. The plans need to mirror the excellent understanding that the experienced staff have of the children. This shortfall could potentially lead to an inconsistent approach by newer, less- experienced staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Another recommendation is made in relation to ensuring that support staff – that is, those involved in the day-to-day running of the home but not involved in direct child care – should have sufficient knowledge of the children’s potential risks. This is with regards to an awareness that children may try to enter prohibited areas, where they could access objects which could pose a risk. There have been two instances where children managed to do this, but the situations were promptly and safely managed by residential staff to avert both the risk and any escalation of the situation. Procedures have been reviewed and staff awareness stressed by managers.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/10/2019 Full Good 05/03/2019 Full Good 30/10/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/03/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC046276 4

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What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

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

 Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Where there are safeguarding concerns for a child, their placement plan, agreed between the home and their placing authority, must include details of the steps the home will take to manage any assessed risks on a day to day basis. (‘Guide to the children’s home’s regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5) In particular, make sure that all members of staff, in whatever role, know the potential risks to each child.  In a restraint situation, staff should use their professional judgement, supported by their knowledge of each child’s risk assessment, an understanding of the needs of the child (as set out in their relevant plans) and an understanding of the risks the child faces. Professional judgements may need to be taken quickly, and staff training and supervision of practice should support this. (‘Guide to the

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Recommendations

children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 48, paragraph 9.53) In particular, ensure that plans in relation to managing each child’s behaviour are detailed and instruct staff clearly in how each child prefers to be supported when they have to be physically controlled.

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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: SC046276 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Devon County Council, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 4QD

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Inspectors

Paul Taylor, social care inspector Jo Stephenson, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC046276 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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