Children's home run by Utopia Children’s Services Ltd

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1256639 1

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Utopia Children’s Services Ltd

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 owned by a private company that also owns two other children’s homes in an adjoining region. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The registered manager left the home in November 2019. A new manager was appointed in December 2019 and has since left. A registered manager from another children’s home is currently overseeing the home and is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted for this home.

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This monitoring visit

An on-site visit was undertaken to address specific concerns received by Ofsted. The concerns related to the leadership and management of the home, support of staff, use of police to manage behaviours, staffing levels and the editing of records kept in the home.

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This monitoring visit

This home has not had a registered manager since November 2019. Since then, one manager was in post, but has since left. Members of the senior leadership team recognise the importance of stabilising the leadership and management of the home. The registered manager of another of the provider’s children’s homes is currently overseeing the management of the home and is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

Some of the staff have been challenged by the behaviours of the young people. Managers agree that these incidents will have resulted in raised voices in and around the home. Records show the actions taken by the staff to support the young people on each occasion are appropriate, in line with the young person’s behaviour and care plan, the information is recorded well, appropriately shared with professionals and risk assessments are updated. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1256639 2 On some occasions, staff have required the support of the police, for example, when a young person is reported missing. The home reports that they have a good working relationship with the local police and invite them to visit and have ‘chats’ with the young people. Leaders and managers see this as positive, but equally understand the importance of reducing unnecessary visits by the police to the home.

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This monitoring visit

Since the previous inspection, there have been several changes to the staff team, including two changes of manager. Leaders and managers accept these changes will have had an impact on the young people’s ability to form long-lasting relationships. However, there remain enough staff to support the young people. The staff say they are supported and receive training. The inspector observed staff engaging positively with the young people.

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This monitoring visit

All records seen during this visit were complete and included management oversight. The inspector found no evidence of records having had information redacted or edited. However, it was noted by the inspector that records permitting a young person to vape require improvement, to ensure there is better clarity and a clearer audit trail between the home and the local authority.

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This monitoring visit

Not all the requirements raised at the previous inspection were reviewed at this monitoring visit. They will be assessed at the next inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector identified one incident that failed to be reported under regulation 40. A requirement is therefore made.

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This monitoring visit

The evidence provided to Ofsted at this visit indicates that there are no serious and/or widespread failures resulting in young people being harmed or their welfare not being safeguarded.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/01/2020 Interim Declined in effectiveness 26/06/2019 Full Good 18/09/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/02/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1256639 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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

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.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children’s placement plans clearly provide staff with specific protocols to detail the actions taken to encourage children to stop smoking. 28 February 2020

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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 an incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 31 December 2020

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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: 1256639 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Utopia Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hazlewoods, Windsor House, Bayshill Road, Cheltenham GL50 3AT

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Louis Stuart-Kelso

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Inspector

Linda Bond, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1256639 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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