Children's home run by The Partnership of Care Today

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC005042 1 SC005042 Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The privately owned service is both a children’s home and a school that provide care and education for up to 10 young people who have had adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and presenting complex behaviours. The children’s home can accommodate up to 10 young people, with a further two young people accommodated in a second home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in June 2014 and is appropriately qualified. He is supported by an experienced and qualified deputy manager.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit follows two significant incidents. Ofsted carried out this inspection remotely to consider the incidents and the subsequent action taken by the provider.

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This monitoring visit

The first incident involved a group of children who were missing from the home overnight. Children rarely go missing from this home. The registered manager did not notify Ofsted of this incident. The inspector found that staff responded to the situation by attempting to make phone contact with the children and searching the local area. Staff reported the children missing to the police, but there was a delay. This is not in line with the provider’s safeguarding policy. In addition, staff did not inform children’s families until the following morning. Staff informed the registered manager of the incident. However, while monitoring the situation he did not instruct staff to follow the safeguarding policy. Earlier reporting to police and families could have resulted in children returning home sooner.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager maintains up-to-date risk assessments, which detail all known risks for children. However, risk assessments for children who go missing lack specific detail about the steps that staff must follow. This means that staff do not always receive clear guidance about what actions they should take. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC005042 2 The second incident involved serious damage to the home. Children were able to climb onto the roof using scaffolding. This potential hazard was not adequately considered. Children have good relationships with staff who they trust. This helped staff to manage the situation appropriately and encourage children to leave the roof. The registered manager has subsequently implemented additional safety measures in an effort to reduce hazards and safeguard children until the building work is complete.

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This monitoring visit

Children spoke positively about each other and the staff who care for them. They enjoy playing football and watching films all together. Staff spoke highly of their colleagues and feel supported by the registered manager. The registered manager and staff have reflected on these incidents and have started to address the shortfalls identified.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/09/2019 Full Good 30/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/07/2017 Full Good 02/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC005042 3

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(i)(v)(vii)) 30/06/2020

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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. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(d)) 30/06/2020

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(h)) 30/06/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. 30/06/2020 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC005042 4 (Regulation 40(4)(e))

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is currently posing to those we regulate. During this visit, the inspectors took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 by the home. This has included the effect these have had on staffing arrangements.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Inspector

Joanna Warburton, social care inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC005042 5 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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