New Park Project (The)

Assurance visit report: SC065046 1 SC065046

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered for up to four children. It provides care for children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private provider which has several other homes in the area. The manager completed their registration with Ofsted on 22 October 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 6 January 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Declined in effectiveness

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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.

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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. Assurance visit report: SC065046 2

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The care of children

Children are happy and like living in this home. Staff have built positive relationships with the children; caring interactions were observed during this visit.

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The care of children

Staff have a good understanding of each child’s needs and how these are to be met. Consequently, staff work effectively with children to help them to develop an appropriate level of independence and self-management strategies. Children are also supported by the in-house psychologist and other relevant professionals.

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The care of children

Staff help and support children to keep in touch with their families and have continued to do this throughout the pandemic. This has led to some children now having more time with their families.

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The care of children

Staff support and encourage children in their education, which includes celebrating their achievements. One child has returned to full-time education and is reported to be doing well.

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The care of children

During the first lockdown, the children each adopted a zoo animal. One chose a giraffe and the other a snow leopard. The children really enjoyed receiving information about their chosen animal, having their names put onto plaques outside their animals’ enclosure and learning about how their donation supports the zoo. They also received a day ticket to the zoo so they could meet their animal, which gave the children something to look forward to.

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The safety of children

Staff have a good understanding of children’s individual risks, and they are not risk averse. Staff work collaboratively with placing authorities to manage risks effectively.

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The safety of children

Records indicate that restraint is only used to keep children and others safe. When used, it is for a minimum amount of time and is proportionate to the children’s behaviours. Records of restraint have improved but further improvement is required. Records do not consistently record the duration of individual holds. In addition, staff on two occasions used emotive and not factual language to describe the child’s behaviour. This does not aid the monitoring of restraint practice.

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The safety of children

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding practices. They understand their role and responsibility within this. Safeguarding issues are reported appropriately, with swift actions taken to protect children. Records of safeguarding events provide a clear audit trail of the work undertaken.

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Leaders and managers

Assurance visit report: SC065046 3 The manager is appropriately experienced and qualified for their role. The manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development, and she is making good progress in improving the home.

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Leaders and managers

Eleven new staff have been appointed to work at the home. Agency staff have also been used on occasions. The manager has ensured that agency use has been kept to a minimum and that the same agency workers have been used to increase the continuity of care for the children.

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Leaders and managers

Staff records, including records of supervision, do not contain sufficient detail to support the development of the team or to address performance issues effectively. In addition, agency staff do not receive formal supervision, which is required.

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Leaders and managers

The independent visitor has recently changed. Previously, there have been two occasions where there have been delays in HMCI receiving the independent person’s report as required. These reports must be submitted to HMCI in a timely manner.

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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 person must ensure that all employees— receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure records are of a good quality, and demonstrate discussions with staff on their practice. In addition, agency staff who work at the home must receive formal supervision and this must be recorded. 31 January 2021

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to— HMCI. (Regulation 44 (7)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the independent visitor’s reports are sent to HMCI swiftly and within the required timescales. 28 February 2021 Assurance visit report: SC065046 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that records of restraint contain factual information only. Records of restraint must be kept and should enable the registered person and staff to review the use of control, discipline and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure it meets the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Beaufort Care Group

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Beaufort Care Group Ltd, 2 Hollygrove Farm, Verwood Road, Ashley, Ringwood BH24 2DB

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Inspector

Wendy Anderson, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC065046 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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Inspector

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