Children's Home run by Coventry City Council in Coventry

Inspection report children's home: 2507724 1 Registered provider: Coventry City Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This local authority home provides residential care for up to four children who have experienced trauma and may have experienced neglect and/or emotional abuse.

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Information about this children's home

The manager has been registered since March 2019.

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Inspection date: 6 March 2020

Date of last inspection: 14 October 2019

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Inspection date: 6 March 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 2507724 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 last inspection, two requirements and four recommendations were raised. The manager has addressed all of the requirements and recommendations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, three children have left the home. The manager admitted one of the children to the home, based on information provided by the local authority. However, significant details had not been given to all the relevant professionals. This had a direct impact on that child, and on another child who was living at the home, resulting in both children experiencing unplanned endings following a short period of extreme behaviour and damage to the home. The manager has raised this with the senior management to reduce the risk of a recurrence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home closed for a short period for refurbishment. Generally, the home is comfortable. The children are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms and display their photographs. However, some areas of the home require redecoration. In particular, the stairway and the landing carpets need replacing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are progressing well. They are engaging with their education provisions. One child, who is waiting for an education placement, is engaging daily with the staff to undertake education-related activities. The staff make the learning interesting, and therefore the child is stimulated. The second child is engaging very well, and her attendance in education is good. This has improved progress for both children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children receive care from a stable and committed staff team. The staff encourage the children to take part in activities. Children are purposefully engaged and enjoy spending time with the staff. The children enjoy horse-riding and swimming and develop their independence skills when they cook with the staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The records provide the staff and children with a detailed overview of the children’s day. The manager uses these records to identify trends and patterns, and to identify when additional support is required. This helps to tailor individual sessions for the children regarding online safety, personal hygiene and any other relevant areas.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff recognise the children’s achievements, no matter how small. They praise the children’s accomplishments and develop strong relationships with them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Individual incentive schemes encourage the children to behave positively. One child has been rewarded with pet gerbils as part of an incentive scheme. Inspection report children's home: 2507724 3 The children said that they feel safe, are happy, and that they like the home and the staff. This was confirmed by a social worker, who praised the staff’s communication and proactivity in keeping their child active.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager failed to inform Ofsted of all the serious incidents that resulted in police involvement. Consequently, Ofsted did not have up-to-date information about the incidents or how they were managed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager’s internal monitoring identifies actions required to make improvements to the home. However, despite gaining feedback from parents, placing authorities and children, the monitoring report fails to identify how their views are considered. Inspection report children's home: 2507724 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/10/2019 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 2507724 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

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. (Regulation 40(4)(b)) 31/03/2020

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(5)) 31/03/2020

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Recommendations

 Provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)

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Recommendations

In particular, ensure that the communal areas are maintained to a good standard. Inspection report children's home: 2507724 6

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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: 2507724 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Coventry City Council, Council House, Earl Street, Coventry CV1 5RR

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Angela Whitrick

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Inspectors

Natalie Burton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2507724 8 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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