Children's home run by Solace Care Partners Limited

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2503143 1

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Solace Care Partners 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 and accommodation for up to four young people. The home’s statement of purpose states that the home cares for young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The provider runs another children’s home, which is located next door.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the registered manager were registered by Ofsted in October 2019.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted conducted this monitoring visit after receiving a notification from the home of a serious safeguarding incident involving a young person. This visit concentrated on the young person and their progress.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was conducted off site/virtually and was Ofsted’s first visit to the service.

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This monitoring visit

One young person currently lives in the home. It was not possible to speak to her as she was in hospital during the visit. The young person completed an online written response to the inspector regarding her views about living in the home. The inspector interviewed the registered manager, gained feedback from an independent reviewing officer and reviewed documents.

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This monitoring visit

The home has worked effectively to safeguard the young person following the serious safeguarding incident. All potential hazards were removed from the home and staffing levels increased to ensure the young person receives close supervision.

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This monitoring visit

An independent reviewing officer commented on the positive relationships the young person enjoys with staff in the home. She said, ‘She [the young person] loves it there.’ In addition, the young person stated that she was happy in the home and had managed to form positive relationships with staff. Despite this, professionals Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2503143 2 noted that the home is unable to meet the complex needs of the young person in the longer term.

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This monitoring visit

The risk assessment of the young person is up to date and gives clear guidance to staff regarding appropriate behaviour management strategies. However, the assessment fails to record or evaluate the young person’s wishes and feelings.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s response regarding young people going missing from the home is mixed. The young person concerned has not received an independent return home interview despite going missing on eight occasions. This limits support at a vulnerable time for young people.

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This monitoring visit

Young people benefit from easy access to independent advocacy. An independent advocate supported the young person to oppose a plan to move her to a less supported setting prior to the incident. The advocate continues to support and advise the young person regarding the pending move from the home.

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This monitoring visit

The home has managed the challenge of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic well. Rigorous safety procedures, including the regular taking of temperature, are understood and respected by staff and young people. No young people have tested positive while resident in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff said that team morale is strong. The registered manager is supported by an experienced deputy manager and a senior worker. Staff reported that they receive good levels of supervision and support. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2503143 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 positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on— mutual respect and trust.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding. (Regulation 11 (1)(a) (2)(a)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the home should ensure that young people contribute to the development of their own risk management and behaviour support plans. 1 April 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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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: 2503143 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Solace Care Partners Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 2A, 420 Eastern Avenue, Ilford IG2 6NQ

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Olabode Martins-Yedenu

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Inspector

Barnaby Dowell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2503143 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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