Children's home run by Headway Adolescent Resources Limited in Monmouthshire

Assurance visit report: SC470290 1 SC470290

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for no more than three children or young people who may have social, emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

In addition to planned placements, the home may, subject to risk assessment, take children and young people who need to be placed in an emergency.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in November 2013.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 27 August 2019

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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: SC470290 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

Since the last inspection the registered manager welcomed a child back to the home who had previously successfully lived there for two years. When the child moved back into the home the situation did not go as planned and the manager had to give notice to end the child’s placement quickly. This decision was in the best interests of this child and the other two children already living at the home.

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The care of children

Children’s educational needs are prioritised and promoted well. Children’s school attendance is good. Despite this, one child’s engagement with formal lessons continues to be problematic. In response, the registered manager has considered the child’s learning styles, personal interests and the child’s aspirations. He has successfully secured an appointment for the child to attend an open day at a local college in 2021.

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The care of children

The staff know the children well and have been successful in creating a genuinely warm and welcoming home. Children are comfortable and relaxed in their surroundings. Children make progress because of the respectful and sincere relationships they have developed with staff. Both the children told the inspector that they would grade the quality of care they receive as 10/10. They said they would recommend living at the home to any child. Parents and social workers are complimentary about the care and support children receive.

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The safety of children

Children say they feel safe living at this home. Staff have prioritised their well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have followed government guidelines and implemented robust hygiene processes.

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The safety of children

There was a brief period when a number of high-risk incidents occurred. During this turbulent time children were reported to have been at risk of harm and their health and welfare compromised. In response, the registered manager took appropriate action, by maintaining regular contact with all the children’s placing authorities and working collaboratively with safeguarding agencies.

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The safety of children

Staff receive good information about children’s histories and needs. However, new and temporary staff do not have access to the relevant information they need to help them to best support children.

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The safety of children

There have been no child protection referrals, restraints or complaints since the last inspection. The registered manager and his team are clear about how to respond in the event of a disclosure or allegation. Assurance visit report: SC470290 3

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Leaders and managers

The home is managed effectively by the registered manager, who has managed this home for several years. He is supported by an experienced and qualified deputy manager and care team.

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Leaders and managers

The staff team benefit from strong leadership and support. Children are looked after by a core staff team who have the skills, experience and training to meet their changing needs. The registered manager has ensured the team has continued with essential training during the COVID–19 restrictions. Face-to-face refresher courses are scheduled for when the current restrictions are relaxed.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager ensures all staff receive regular formal supervisions, which they confirmed that they find supportive. Team meetings take place regularly and attendance is good. Despite this, these meetings do not provide the staff with an opportunity as individuals or as a team to reflect on their practice or learn from each other.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager and his team have maintained good working relationships with all stakeholders. The registered manager takes appropriate action when children’s statutory rights are not being met.

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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 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 that arrangements are in place to—

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(2)(b)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that care plans, behaviour management plans and risk assessments are reviewed in order to provide new and temporary staff with clear, concise and current 29 January 2021 Assurance visit report: SC470290 4 information about how to manage and mitigate risks and meet the children's current needs. The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure all staff have an opportunity to reflect on their practice individually. 29 January 2021

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Headway Adolescent Resources Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Masonic Hall Offices, School Hill, Chepstow, Gwent NP16 5BZ

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Inspector

Sharron Escott, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC470290 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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