Children's home run by Swan Children’s Homes

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2591822 1

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Swan Children’s Homes Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care for up to four children aged between seven and 12 with high-level and/or specialist needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since 16 November 2020.

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This monitoring visit

The home registered with Ofsted on 22 July 2020. The home has not been visited since registration. In November 2020, the registered manager left her role. The aim of this visit, therefore, was to assess the current management and care arrangements. The visit was carried out remotely. No immediate safety or safeguarding issues have been found.

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This monitoring visit

There are currently two children living at the home. One child moved in on 18 January 2020. The managers undertook a thoughtful and detailed impact risk assessment. The assessment considered the needs of both children and how any potential risks can be mitigated. This matching has meant that both children have settled in to positive routines and are developing a positive relationship with one another.

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This monitoring visit

The children receive high-quality care from an enthusiastic and committed staff team. The staff work with each child to understand the causes of their behaviour through in-depth assessments. However, for one child, a behavioural support plan was not yet available. Although self-harming behaviours have been identified in the child’s risk assessment, there is no detail about the types of situations in which these behaviours could occur or the specific risk-reduction strategies to use. The staff are therefore not fully prepared to manage these behaviours.

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This monitoring visit

The staff are supported by a behaviour analyst to deliver therapeutic interventions. Together, they create good learning experiences and rewards that enable the Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2591822 2 children to develop positive social behaviours. This nurturing and therapeutic approach has enabled the children to make excellent progress. The children are actively engaged in education.

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This monitoring visit

Underpinning the ethos of the home is close partnership working. The staff hold monthly network meetings. Professionals said how much these are valued and how these meetings have contributed to clear, comprehensive care planning.

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This monitoring visit

Since November 2020, the responsible individual prioritised stabilising the management of the home. A new manager has been appointed and is now in post. The responsible individual has empowered the manager, through a supported handover and induction, to make positive changes to practice.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has put systems in place to monitor the effectiveness of the care that the staff provide. These systems include a home improvement plan and regular learning and reflective sessions with the staff. The staff have responded well to the changes that the manager has made. They feel supported by her and are motivated to continue to drive the improvements in the home.

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Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2591822 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—

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Requirement Due date

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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, make sure that there is a risk-reduction plan containing all the information necessary for staff to understand how to manage the risks to each child. 17 March 2021

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of the visit was to assess the current management and care arrangements.

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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: Swan Children’s Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 27a Green Lane, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2PX

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Joanne McNamara Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2591822 4 Registered manager: Post vacant

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Inspector

Leemya McKeown, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2591822 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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