Children's Home run by Staffordshire County Council in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC028905 1 SC028905

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Staffordshire County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned by a local authority. It is registered to provide short breaks for up to five children who have experienced childhood instability, resulting in trauma and associated complex behaviours. The home also offers children care on an emergency basis until an alternative placement is found.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in 2008.

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This monitoring visit

This visit took place in response to an escalating pattern of concerns as noted in the safeguarding notifications sent to Ofsted. This included concerns about the compatibility of some children admitted to the home was inappropriate and potentially unsafe.

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This monitoring visit

Recently, one child was moved into the home in an emergency. The child had complex behaviours associated with her mental health. Prior to her arrival, the registered manager had assessed that it was not appropriate for the child to move into the home. This was because of the conflicting needs of a child who was already living there. Despite this, a senior manager went against the registered manager’s assessment and agreed to the child moving in. This does not demonstrate an effective or well-considered approach to planning for children to live in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager and staff worked hard to manage the known risks and keep both children safe. For example, they increased staffing ratios to provide both children with additional supervision and support. However, the two children did not get on well and there was conflict between them. This had the potential to result in both children harming each other. Both children have now moved out of the home. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC028905 2 The decision-making in respect of this child’s admission to the home is not representative of the planning that usually takes place before a child moves in. Admissions are usually well planned and considered. Detailed admission records and impact risk assessments capture children’s needs. The registered manager carefully evaluates the compatibility of children before deciding to admit a child to the home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff work hard to form trusting relationships with children. As a result, children tend to settle quickly and talk to staff when they feel worried. Staff use a range of individualised strategies to help children settle when they are anxious. For example, children use art, listen to music or go on a walk with staff. On rare occasions, staff need to use physical interventions to keep children safe when they become distressed and unsettled. The inspection found some shortfalls in the recording of these incidents. For example, records of discussions held with the child following restraint incidents lack detail. This means that the registered manager is not able to make a fully informed analysis of these incidents.

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This monitoring visit

In other instances, record-keeping is good. For example, risk assessments and behaviour management plans are detailed and clear. Managers and staff review and update them on an ongoing basis. This means that staff are given clear guidance and advice on how best to keep children safe.

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This monitoring visit

Staff use creative worksheets and information packs to support their direct work with children. This equips children with the knowledge and skills to help them understand and manage the risks associated with going missing, being exploited and using substances.

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This monitoring visit

Recently, staff worked alongside mental health professionals to create a children’s mental health toolkit. This well-informed and innovative approach means that children benefit from specialist support and advice.

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This monitoring visit

Staff feel supported by the registered manager. The registered manager has worked hard to develop staff practice. This has included a focus on staff giving children individualised and child-centred care. This has contributed to improvements in the quality of care that children receive.

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This monitoring visit

Overall, the registered manager has worked hard to address the requirements and recommendations raised at the last visit. For example, risk assessments capture all known risks and are in line with children’s needs. In addition, the quality of children’s key work has significantly improved. Furthermore, the registered manager has improved the quality of staff supervision sessions. However, shortfalls in effective care planning remain. As a result, this requirement has been repeated.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC028905 3 22/05/2019 Full Good 16/11/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness 04/07/2018 Full Good 26/04/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC028905 4

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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—

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(a)) 15 March 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are encouraged to add their views and comments to records of restraint. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the quality standards’, page 50, paragraph 9.60).

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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: SC028905 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Staffordshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Staffordshire County Council, Wedgwood Buildings, Tipping Street, Stafford, Staffordshire ST16 2DH

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Inspector

Gareth Leckey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC028905 6 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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