Children's home run by Able Health Care Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2529815 1

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Able Health Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care for up to four children. Three children can be accommodated in the main house and one child in the adjoining annex.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered by Ofsted in August 2019.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted conducted an assurance visit on 22 September 2020. At that visit, Ofsted identified widespread concerns and served two compliance notices. The purpose of this monitoring visit was to assess the progress that the provider has made in meeting the compliance notices. The compliance notices have both been met. The manager and responsible individual have worked hard to address the shortfalls and reduce the risks to children. Two further requirements have been raised following this visit.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual has appointed a temporary experienced manager who has a good track record. This manager has worked consistently with the responsible individual to provide clear management and leadership of the home. This has resulted in a number of radical changes that have been implemented quickly and effectively.

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This monitoring visit

The staff follow the specific guidance in the children’s risk management plans to reduce known risks. Recent incident reports demonstrate that staff follow these risk assessments consistently. The staff maintain close levels of supervision for each child and follow reporting protocols carefully when children go missing from the home. The manager has updated children’s risk assessments to include recent incidents. These updates alert the staff to children’s risky behaviours such as leaving the home without agreement and to where they spend their time in the local community. The Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2529815 2 clear strategies have successfully reduced the length of time that children are away from the home. Although the risk assessments are effective, they contain too much historical information and this can reduce their clarity.

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This monitoring visit

The staff have met with a social worker and a parent to plan safe family meeting arrangements for one child. Since this meeting, the staff have carefully followed the agreed plan and facilitated safe family visits.

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This monitoring visit

The staff have cleaned the home, several repairs have been made and there are no hazards. The cloakroom sink has been replaced, and the garden fences have been repaired. Extensive pruning and gardening have improved the front parking area. The cooker is being replaced after a failed repair. This work has resulted in a safe and well-kept environment.

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This monitoring visit

The staff provide clear boundaries and use de-escalation techniques consistently. The manager has changed the storage and combination of keys as a safety measure. These measures mean that children no longer access the office or obtain the staff’s keys.

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This monitoring visit

The staff team has clear expectations about settling times and prevents the use of gaming consoles during the night. Children have better routines and healthier sleep patterns and are prepared for attending school. The manager has emphasised the importance of fresh home-cooked food, and this features on the menu. Fresh fruit and vegetables are provided each day. The staff record what the children eat and offer alternative food options. This combination of food encourages the children to eat a balanced diet.

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This monitoring visit

The staff have provided clear guidelines for safe internet use. There are new rules to help children build good healthy routines and use consoles and mobile phones safely. The manager has introduced a number of safety initiatives to educate children about internet safety and poor sleep patterns. These initiatives help the children to understand the new guidelines.

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This monitoring visit

The registered individual has concluded one investigation and, following this, two staff have been dismissed. The second investigation is under way and being conducted by an independent consultant. During this investigation period, there are another three staff who are not currently working at the home. This has caused some disruption to the children’s attachments. However, several established staff remain working, and experienced staff from another nearby home are helping out.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has improved the professional working relationships in terms of communication and addressing concerns raised by a social worker. However, one placing authority has expressed huge disappointment about the care package that it originally commissioned. The therapeutic assessment package as described in the home’s statement of purpose did not materialise. The description was misleading Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2529815 3 and has been detrimental to the child, who, without this assessment, has failed to make progress at the home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 20/11/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2529815 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

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 16 (5)) In particular, provide the comprehensive assessment and intense support package for children in the solo annex. 30/12/2020

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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.

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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 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. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the risk assessments are concise and include pertinent and clear information. 30/11/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2529815 5

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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.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Able Health Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 45 Wolsey Road, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2ER

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Inspector

Deirdra Keating, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2529815 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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