Children's home run by Devon County Council

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2529667 1

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Devon County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority provision can care for up to four children at any time. The majority of children have a physical or learning need and access the service for respite. More recently a child has lived here on a full-time basis.

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Information about this children’s home

There is currently no registered manager.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit reviewed a compliance notice in respect of leadership and management. The notice was served following an assurance visit in October 2020, the requirements of the notice are now met. Other requirements made at that inspection have not been considered during this visit and are therefore repeated.

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This monitoring visit

Since the assurance visit, the registered manager has resigned from the setting. The registered individual, deputy manager and clinical lead have started to address shortfalls. Formal and informal processes are in place to address poor e practice.

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This monitoring visit

A recent root and cause analysis of the service highlights several shortfalls. This has resulted in a plan to improve practice and the care children receive. There is some notable impact. However, there is still much to address, and the changes need to be embedded into practice. The leadership team is realistic about the journey ahead.

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This monitoring visit

Improved safeguarding systems now have swifter and more robust oversight by leaders. Some documents still require improvement. This includes a need for clearer decision-making and rationale from leaders. There is also a need for improved professional curiosity. For example, two records in respect of injuries failed to explore why parents had been contacted as a first port of call. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2529667 2 There is greater scrutiny in respect of medication. Despite this, mistakes continue. These mistakes have not had a direct impact on children. The majority of errors are linked to agency workers, the use of which will decrease in the coming weeks.

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This monitoring visit

Staff supervision is more regular. Some records are of good quality. They provide staff with time for reflection and challenge. Practice shortfalls are being addressed. Agency staff are having more contact with shift leaders and managers. They are receiving a regular debrief to ensure that they can raise any worries or concerns.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have received some training to help them to develop their skills. Staff said that they feel supported by leaders and that recent changes are positive. Morale is improving, and staff are motivated to make the required changes.

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This monitoring visit

One child who lives at this provision on a full-time basis has made remarkable progress. Strong, nurturing relationships have developed with staff. The child is being supported to move to a foster placement. A bespoke plan is in place and underpins positive preparation. While there is excitement in the air about this move, there is also a natural and healthy sadness.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 11/09/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/06/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2529667 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— that staff— 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; help each child to understand how to keep safe; have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm; and that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(e)) 28 November 2020

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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— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that shortfalls identified through the root and cause review are fully addressed. 30 January 2021 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2529667 4 The care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)) 28 November 2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23 (1)) 28 November 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.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Devon County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Devon County Council, Chief Executive’s Directorate, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 4QD

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Inspector

Tracey Ledder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2529667 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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