Children's Home run by Leeward Care Ltd in Isle of Wight

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2510324 1

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Leeward Care Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to four children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted on 13 March 2019, when the home was opened.

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This monitoring visit

On 12 November 2020, Ofsted were notified by the provider that a serious incident had occurred at the home. This related to an allegation made by a child. A police investigation was instigated and Ofsted restricted accommodation at the children’s home. The provider took appropriate action with regards to the staff involved in the allegation.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place to review the restriction of accommodation and to ensure that risks are appropriately managed.

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This monitoring visit

The serious incident was investigated by statutory agencies with the full cooperation of the provider. No further action is being taken by either the police or the children’s services, and staff have returned fully to their duties. The child has been appropriately supported during this time. The matters that led to the restriction of accommodation no longer apply and Ofsted has decided to lift the notice restricting accommodation.

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This monitoring visit

Children have been supported during the last few weeks. There has been some uncertainty for them as a result of some children and staff not being in the home. This has been well managed. However, the provider has identified some shortfalls in how they managed lone working and risk management. Some improvements have been made to their risk management processes, but these are not yet fully realised. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2510324 2 For example, risk assessments are in place, but they do not make it clear how risk will be mitigated. Furthermore, the decision for staff to work alone with children is not effectively risk assessed between managers. There is no framework that allows managers to make decisions that are both consistent and in line with the child’s agreed plans. This means that children could be cared for by staff who cannot meet their needs.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are, overall, effectively supported in their work and supervision takes place regularly. However, those staff who are on induction do not have detailed notes from these sessions. This means that there is a lack of recorded evidence about progress, concerns or readiness to competently fulfil their duties. This is a potential risk because training needs may not be identified and staff may be placed in situations that they cannot effectively manage. This, in turn, could affect the safety and welfare of children.

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This monitoring visit

Staff training records were sampled as part of this monitoring visit. For some staff, behaviour management refresher training has lapsed. This can be attributed to the periods of COVID-19 restrictions and inability to meet face to face with training providers. However, some staff are potentially out of timescales with their fire safety awareness training. There is no demonstrable effect on the outcomes for children at this time as a result of this shortfall.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/03/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/10/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2510324 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 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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)) 31/01/2021

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)) 31/01/2021

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Recommendations

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2510324 4  The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs, and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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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 address: 1 Langley Court, Pyle Street, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1LA

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Inspector

Pete Hylton, Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2510324 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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