Children's home run by The Percy Hedley Foundation

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234990 1

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The Percy Hedley Foundation

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private provider. It offers care and accommodation for up to 14 children and/or young people who may have physical disabilities, learning disabilities and/or sensory impairment. The accommodation consists of a residential unit and a three-bedroom cottage.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in post since February 2020.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out in response to a notification detailing a medication error and issues relating to staff shortages.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has recently appointed a manager and an application to Ofsted has been submitted.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector found that the staffing levels in the home were a contributing factor to the errors. The home is operating on a reduced staffing complement as well as staff being absent due to sickness and holidays. This, along with the use of bank and agency staff, is adding to the pressures on the permanent staff team. This potentially leaves children and young people at risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

The new manager developed processes to monitor some aspects of the administration of medication, but errors were still occurring. Three of the four errors had not been notified to Ofsted as the manager felt they were not serious. During the visit, a car accident involving one of the young people was discussed and this had also not been notified.

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This monitoring visit

A restriction of accommodation has been issued along with a compliance notice in relation to medication practice and two requirements. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234990 2

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/09/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/06/2019 Full Inadequate 01/08/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/05/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234990 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, the 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 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— ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(d)) 06/09/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. In particular the registered person must ensure that— medicines kept in the home are stored in a secure place so as to prevent any child from having unsupervised access to them; medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child; and a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. Paragraph (2) does not apply to medicine which— is stored by the child for whom it is provided in such a way that other persons are prevented from using it; and may be safely self-administered by that child. (Regulation 23 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c)(3)(a)(b)) * 06/09/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234990 4 The registered person must notify HMCI and each other

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Requirement Due date

relevant person without delay if— a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; a child protection enquiry involving a child— is instigated; or concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. A notification made under this regulation— must include details of— the matter; the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter; must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)(5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is currently posing to those it inspects/regulates. 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

The purpose of this visit was in response to concerns identified through a notification.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234990 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Percy Hedley Foundation

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Percy Hedley School, Forest Hall, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE12 8YY

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Inspector

Susan Atkinson-Millmoor, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234990 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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