Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068827 1 SC068827

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Surrey County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a local authority. It provides care and accommodation for up to five children. The provider states in the home’s statement of purpose that children placed may have experienced serious trauma, breakdown in family relationships, disruption in their lives and multiple placement breakdowns.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since 21 January 2020.

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This monitoring visit

This visit took place in response to recent notifications, to ensure that identified risks to children and allegations against staff are appropriately managed. The visit took place off site due to COVID-19 (coronavirus).

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This monitoring visit

The home was last visited on 22 August 2019 when a full inspection was carried out. The requirements set at the last inspection have been met.

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This monitoring visit

Staff understand the triggers to children’s behaviour and respond with clear boundaries about what is safe and acceptable. The staff engage children in link-work sessions which address children’s behaviour and their feelings, with a focus on helping children to understand how to keep safe.

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This monitoring visit

Any risks of children using drugs or alcohol, self-harming, going missing from care or being sexually exploited are clearly understood by the staff team. Effective working relationships with the police help to support and protect children from any unnecessary involvement in the criminal justice system.

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This monitoring visit

Children who are reported missing from care experience a clear and known response. Staff look for children when they are missing and take appropriate action to escalate concerns and return children promptly and safely. Parents and carers are made aware of incidents when their child is reported missing or absent. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068827 2 Child protection concerns are immediately shared with the local authority and a record of that referral is retained by the registered manager. External investigations into allegations made against members of staff have prevented the registered manager from being able to conclude her own internal investigations in a timely manner.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s risk assessments set out the action staff should take to address and minimise risks. However, one child’s risk assessment did not contain reference to recent incidents which the child had been involved in. As a result, the risk assessment did not contain highly relevant information that all staff members should be aware of when caring for the child.

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This monitoring visit

Managers and staff receive regular and effective supervision which is focused on children’s needs and is clearly recorded. Staff report they feel supported and are well led by the manager and leadership team.

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This monitoring visit

Not all social workers have confidence with some staff practice in the home, and these concerns are currently being investigated. Other social workers are extremely positive about the care children receive.

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This monitoring visit

Since the previous inspection, a new manager has been appointed. She registered with Ofsted in January 2020. This provides the home with clear leadership after an extended period without a registered manager. There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 22/08/2019 Full Good 25/10/2018 Full Good 26/03/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 04/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068827 3

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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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: Surrey County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Quadrant Court, 35 Guildford Road, Woking, Surrey GU22 7QQ

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Inspector

Paul Thomas, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068827 4 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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