Children's home run by Orbis Education and Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 1

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Orbis Education and Care Limited

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 part of the providers education and care group, and offers a 52-week placement which may or may not include education. The home provides care and education for up to 10 children who have autism spectrum disorder and/or learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted on 2 May 2019. On 20 June 2019, Ofsted was informed that the registered manager had resigned. Following his resignation, the home was managed by an interim manager until a new permanent manager was appointed in October 2019. The intended manager is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home and a school are on the same site.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 6 November 2019. During that inspection a notice to suspend the registration was served. Three monitoring visits have taken place since the full inspection. Following the monitoring visit in January 2020 and the subsequent case review, the suspension notice ended on the 31 January 2020. At the monitoring visit on 26 February 2020, inspectors reported that the home was taking steps to make the required improvements.

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This monitoring visit

During the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis, Ofsted is not carrying out routine inspections of social care provisions. When Ofsted has judged a service to be high risk, we need to determine what activity is needed to mitigate the risk.

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This monitoring visit

This report outlines the steps taken to assess what action has been taken since the last inspection, and the current level of risk. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 2 Off-site activity undertaken by the inspector included two telephone discussions with the manager and the deputy manager, and the electronic review of documents. This monitoring activity did not include a visit to the home.

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This monitoring visit

Since the previous full inspection on 6 November 2019, when inspectors found widespread failings resulting in an immediate suspension of the home’s registration, three monitoring visits have taken place. On 9 December 2019, 16 January 2020 and 26 February 2020, Ofsted reported that leaders and managers were working to address points on their action plan.

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This monitoring visit

The action plan submitted to Ofsted indicated that the providers planned to have the home ready to admit children by the middle of January 2020. A child moved into the home in April 2020.

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This monitoring visit

At the monitoring visit in February 2020, the manager and her staff team had improved the home’s environment.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have completed a review of all policies and procedures. Records reviewed by the inspector included an up-to-date training and supervision matrix, minutes of a team meeting and revised positive behaviour management plans and care plans. Oversight by leaders and managers is evident across these records.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have, except for a change in the responsible individual role, ensured that there is a stable staff team. They have increased management capacity by recruiting an additional manager. An application to register the home’s manager has now been submitted, and is in progress.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have completed mandatory training in readiness to support children moving into the home. This includes safeguarding, the use of physical intervention and the safe administration of medication. Minutes of a team meeting read by the inspector capture discussions between staff about how they should apply this knowledge.

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This monitoring visit

The manager reported that staff have not used physical intervention while supporting the one child that has recently moved into the home. This is recognised as positive, and suggests that the staff are better equipped to support children when they are upset.

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This monitoring visit

Several records seen by the inspector evidence consultation, planning and the involvement of the child in relation to the care he receives. These records identify areas for further development that include making sure the child is provided with snacks that are less sugary and not asking him to sign key-worker records.

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This monitoring visit

A revised compatibility risk assessment has been produced by the manager. The quality of this assessment, the impact of its use and the extent to which it will ensure that children live together safely are yet to be measured. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 3 The manager reported that there have been no safeguarding incidents that have required a notification to Ofsted or other safeguarding partners.

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This monitoring visit

Steps have been taken by leaders and managers to address the statutory requirements from previous inspections. These steps are appropriate and further time is required to embed the developments detailed in the provider’s action plan. In addition, leaders and managers need to make sure that the impact of actions taken can be measured.

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This monitoring visit

Following this off-site monitoring activity, the evidence provided for Ofsted indicates that there are no serious and/or widespread failures that leave children being harmed, at risk of harm, or their welfare not being safeguarded.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/11/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 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—

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Requirement Due date

receive care from staff who understand the children’s homes overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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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—

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children personal items that are appropriate for their age and understanding; and

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Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice; 30/04/2020 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 5 ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home.

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Requirement Due date

that the care is approved, and kept under review throughout its duration, by the placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

that the care is delivered by a person who—

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Requirement Due date

has the experience, knowledge and skills to deliver that care; and is;

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Requirement Due date

under the supervision of a person who is appropriately skilled and qualified to supervise that care.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 6(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii)(viii)(ix)(c)(i)(3)(a)(b)(c )(i)) The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children s care and welfare and their lives.

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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

ascertain and consider each child’s views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they judge to be in the child’s best interests when making decisions about the child’s care and welfare; 30/04/2020 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 6 help each child to express views, wishes and feelings;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how the child’s views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child;

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Requirement Due date

regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home s care; and

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how the child’s privacy will be respected and the circumstances when it may have to be limited.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 7(1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)) The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement; 30/04/2020 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 7 raise any need for further assessment or specialist provision in relation to a child with the child’s education or training provider and the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible;

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Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment; and

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Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 8(1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix)(x)) The enjoyment and achievement standard is that children take part in and benefit from a variety of activities that meet their needs and develop and reflect their creative, cultural, intellectual, physical and social interests and skills.

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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

develop the child’s interests and hobbies;

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Requirement Due date

participate in activities that the child enjoys, and which meet and expand the child’s interests and preferences; and

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Requirement Due date

make a positive contribution to the home and the wider community; and

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that each child has access to a range of activities that enable the child to pursue the child’s interests and hobbies.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 9(1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b)) 30/04/2020

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The health and well-being standard is that—

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the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and 30/04/2020 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 8 children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well- being; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all children receive a diet that is healthy, balanced and in line with their dietary needs.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 10(1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(c)) The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans; 30/04/2020 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 9 help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship;

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix)(x)(xi)(b)) The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. 30/04/2020 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 10 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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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

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm; and

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v) (vi)(vii)(b)(e)) The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 30/04/2020 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 11 lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(c)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h)) The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

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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

that the child’s placing authority is contacted, and a review of that child’s relevant plans is requested, if—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person considers that the child is at risk of harm or has concerns that the care provided for the child is inadequate to meet the child’s needs.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children’s behaviour support plans are adhered to. 30/04/2020 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 12 (Regulation 14(1)(a)(2)(e)(i)) Restraint and deprivation of liberty Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing—

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Requirement Due date

injury to any person (including the child);

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Requirement Due date

serious damage to the property of any person (including the child); or

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Requirement Due date

a child who is accommodated in a secure children’s home from absconding from the home.

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate.

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Requirement Due date

These Regulations do not prevent a child from being deprived of liberty where that deprivation is authorised in accordance with a court order.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that locked doors do not restrict the liberty of children.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 20(1)(a)(b)(c)(d)(2)(3)) 30/04/2020

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Requirement Due date

Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; 30/04/2020 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 13 the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 35(3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(4)) Notification of a serious event

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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

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 14

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Orbis Education and Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Vision Court, Caxton Place, Pentwyn, Cardiff CF23 8HA

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Inspector

Linda Bond, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2519199 15 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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