Children's Home run by The Caldecott Foundation Limited in Nottinghamshire

Assurance visit report: SC466284 1 SC466284

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home offers placements on a planned and an emergency basis. Staff work with children and young people with challenging behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post is currently vacant. The acting manager is in the process of submitting her application to Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 16 September 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assurance visit report: SC466284 2

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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The care of children

The children at this home are settled and stable. Children enjoy nurturing care experiences. They have developed trusting relationships with staff, who have a good understanding of children’s needs.

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The care of children

Children have been supported to make significant progress in the time that they have been at the home. An independent reviewing officer said: ‘The staff team has stabilised [the child]. She has done remarkably well. The holistic care given is good and staff go above and beyond in their roles.’

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The care of children

COVID-19 pandemic arrangements have been managed safely. Children have coped relatively well with the situation. Despite additional hygiene measures being put in place, the environment remains homely. Some refurbishment work has recently been completed at the home and it has fresh décor and new furnishings.

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The care of children

Children have been kept busy with a variety of activities. Children’s individually tailored education packages have continued throughout the pandemic. There are effective working relationships between staff and education colleagues. Children have also been supported to develop improved independent living skills.

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The care of children

Children are supported to see people who matter to them. Family contact plans are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain appropriate. There is good liaison with other agencies if contact arrangements are not working as well as they could.

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The care of children

Children share their views on a regular basis. Discussions are held with children to ensure that they understand and agree their care plans and can contribute to decisions that affect them. Children know how to complain. Any complaints raised are responded to appropriately.

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The safety of children

Staff understand how to manage risks and keep children safe. Behaviour management is generally effective. Staff work well together and with children to learn lessons from incidents and develop better ways to support children.

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The safety of children

Staff respond appropriately when children leave the home without permission. Staff know children well and take immediate action to keep them safe. When necessary, staff ensure that missing-from-care protocols are fully adhered to. Assurance visit report: SC466284 3 Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding processes. Staff work well with other agencies so that important information is shared appropriately. Managers ensure that any matters of concern are thoroughly investigated.

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The safety of children

Staff are well trained in safeguarding. New staff have been well supported through their induction so that they fully understand their safeguarding responsibilities. Staff have regular opportunities to reflect on their practice and their experiences at work. This includes group sessions with the company psychologist.

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Leaders and managers

The home has been without a registered manager for a significant period of time. However, the acting manager is very experienced and knows the children and service well.

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Leaders and managers

The acting manager is clear about the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection and has addressed most of these. An action plan was immediately put in place following the last full inspection. A clear development plan outlines the future aspirations for the service.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers take difficult decisions that are in the best interests of children. A young person’s placement ended in the summer due to increased challenges and risks. The child was supported in the best possible way to move on from the home.

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Leaders and managers

The acting manager has ensured that staff performance issues are addressed. However, on one occasion, there was an unnecessary delay in taking action to manage a performance concern. This did not have a significant impact, but such delays have the potential to weaken the overall quality of care in the home.

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Leaders and managers

A core team of staff provides consistent care for children. During the pandemic, staff have been diligent and committed to providing stability for children. Stakeholder feedback about the staff is very positive. Other agencies report good management of safeguarding processes and clear communication with the home. Assurance visit report: SC466284 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 registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should plan staffing levels to ensure that they meet the needs of children and can respond flexibly to unexpected events or opportunities. Staffing structures should promote continuity of care from the child’s perspective. If children complain or give a view on how the staffing structure could be improved to promote the best care for them, appropriate action should be taken. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.15)

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Caldecott Foundation Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Caldecott House, Hythe Road, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent TN25 6SP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nicholas Barnett

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Inspector

Bev Allison, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC466284 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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