Children's Home run by Care Focus Limited in Suffolk

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC062651 1 SC062651

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Care Focus Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home provides care for up to four girls who may have experienced trauma and present with risk-taking behaviours. The home aims to provide a safe, homely environment in which the children can receive the care and support that they need to reduce risk-taking behaviours and make positive choices.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered in November 2020.

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This monitoring visit

This home was judged good at the full inspection on 10 March 2020. There were four requirements and one recommendation made at the last inspection. Three requirements and the one recommendation have been met. The focus of this monitoring visit was to review restraint practice and how the home has managed allegations against staff. The visit was undertaken remotely.

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This monitoring visit

Detailed behaviour management plans are in place for all the children. The staff follow these plans to try and de-escalate situations in which the children struggle to regulate their emotions. Some of the children display complex behaviours. The staff use physical intervention when the children assault the staff or try to damage property, to keep the children, themselves and others safe. Staff are guided on how to safely hold children to try and prevent injury. Reflections on incidents and debriefs are undertaken by the manager following these incidents. The staff speak with the children and record their views. On occasions, when staff practice falls short of expectations, this is addressed by the manager, who offers guidance and training. This enables the staff to learn and helps to make sure that the children receive consistent care.

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This monitoring visit

The manager appropriately escalates safeguarding concerns to the designated officer. The manager investigates incidents thoroughly and follows child protection Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC062651 2 procedures. The manager acts quickly following allegations to make sure that children are safe and that any concerns raised by the children are acted on.

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This monitoring visit

The children were considered vulnerable before coming to live at the home. Some of the children were victims of exploitation and engaged in risk-taking behaviours. The therapy and support from staff mean that these risks are reducing. The children do not go missing and do not engage in criminal behaviour. Risk assessments are in place to reduce incidents of self-harm. The children understand the boundaries that are in place to keep them safe.

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This monitoring visit

There have been improvements to the environment since the last inspection. The home has been redecorated and is homely. This helps the children to feel valued.

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This monitoring visit

There is good communication between the manager and the placing authorities. Social workers said that the children are given good support when moving into the home and that staff are prepared for new children’s arrival.

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This monitoring visit

The manager ensures that the staff receive suitable training. Staff have achieved relevant level 3 qualifications within the required timescales. During the COVID-19 restrictions, some training courses have not been available. The manager has mitigated this by providing advice and guidance to staff until restrictions are lifted and face-to-face training can resume.

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This monitoring visit

The independent visitor has made regular virtual visits to the home during the COVID-19 pandemic to review the quality of care. The reports are effective in identifying strengths and shortfalls. The provider has met the requirement to ensure that the reports are submitted to Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

At the last inspection, a requirement was raised regarding fire safety. This requirement has not been met. Staff had not identified, until the monitoring visit, that one fire door did not close properly. However, the fire risk assessment did not detail any fault with the door, nor what arrangements are in place to mitigate the risk of the door closure not working properly. This fault had not been picked up on or addressed prior to the monitoring visit.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/03/2020 Full Good 14/06/2018 Full Good 25/10/2017 Full Good 11/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC062651 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

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(1) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the person undertaking the fire risk assessment is suitably qualified and ensure that staff undertake relevant training in fire safety. 24 February 2021

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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. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC062651 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Third Floor, 24 Chiswell Street, Islington, London EC1Y 4YX

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Inspector

Angela Weston, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC062651 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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