Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Assurance visit report: SC040628 1 SC040628

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children. The statement of purpose states that the home supports children who are experiencing emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered since 13 July 2020.

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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. 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: SC040628 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

The registered manager has taken a pragmatic approach to COVID-19 to ensure that the home has remained sufficiently staffed and children’s care has not been compromised.

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The care of children

COVID-19 risk management precautions are clear and up to date. Staff follow detailed direction on how to minimise risks from COVID-19 and keep children safe.

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The care of children

Children’s risk assessments address their known vulnerabilities effectively. Staff follow guidance in risk assessments to address and reduce risks to children’s health and well-being.

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The care of children

The staff provide children with good-quality care. Children form trusted and secure relationships with the adults who care for them. One child said, ‘The staff are amazing and always here for you.’

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The care of children

Staff carefully plan for new children moving into the home. New admissions are welcomed sensitively. The opinions of children already living in the home are considered when new children are admitted. This practice ensures positive placement matching and it allows time for staff and children to prepare for the arrival of new children. Staff listen to and act on the children’s wider views, wishes and feelings.

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The care of children

Children have been supported in key-work sessions to discuss their concerns about COVID-19. This has reduced some children’s anxieties and enabled them to attend school and college. The children enjoy access to a range of social activities and recreational opportunities. This enables them to develop their confidence and self- esteem.

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The safety of children

Children’s risk assessments and placement plans provide staff with guidance to inform their shift planning and working routines. Staff use clear safety plans to keep children safe. The staff understand the children’s needs and they are ambitious for them to progress and improve.

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The safety of children

Staff use well-developed strategies to keep children safe. Children engage well with key-work sessions that focus on learning how to keep themselves safe. Staff support children to learn life skills. This assists in children’s progress towards more independence and adulthood. Assurance visit report: SC040628 3 Effective de-escalation techniques and strategies that are individual to the needs of each child are promoted within team meetings. As a result, restraint is rarely used, and when it is, it is used proportionally. Restraint and significant incident records are well recorded and include learning points to prevent, and improve the management of, future incidents.

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The safety of children

Children benefit from a safe and nurturing living environment. Staff work collaboratively to deliver a proactive response to minimise the risk of harm to children.

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The safety of children

Children’s plans and case records have been significantly improved. The manager has acted to ensure that these plans comprehensively outline children’s needs. Staff use this information effectively to help them to care for children and keep them safe.

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Leaders and managers

The home is appropriately staffed with qualified staff who meet the needs of the children.

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Leaders and managers

An experienced registered manager manages the home effectively. As a result, the culture in the home has improved significantly. Staff are empowered and equipped with effective strategies to meet the children’s needs.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager is developing a culture in the home that is characterised by high expectations and aspirations for all children. The manager has a child-centred approach and is inclusive with decisions taken to improve the quality of care that children receive.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager has taken effective action to address the requirements and recommendations from earlier inspections. The manager has not had to deal with any complaints since becoming registered. However, staff and children know how to complain. The process and time frame for investigating complaints are clear.

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Leaders and managers

Staff report that they are well led and managed. One member of staff described the registered manager as a ‘breath of fresh air’.

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Leaders and managers

Managers and staff receive supervision that is focused on meeting the needs of children.

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Leaders and managers

An improved monitoring schedule ensures that fire safety and other health and safety checks are completed regularly. Monitoring is helping staff to identify areas for development to improve the quality of care provided to children. Leaders and managers use monitoring data to help them understand staff’s skills and experiences. As a result, children are consistently looked after by adults who have the appropriate balance of skills and qualifications.

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Leaders and managers

The staff work together to provide children with consistency and stability. Staff understand their responsibilities and accountabilities during each shift. This means Assurance visit report: SC040628 4 the care of children is well planned and considered and children benefit from being cared for by adults who know them well.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Surrey County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Karibu Community Home, Wells House, Spa Drive, Epsom, Surrey KT18 7LR

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Inspector

Paul Thomas, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC040628 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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