Children's Home run by Gravitas Care Limited in Calderdale

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1257706 1

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Gravitas Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private organisation which provides care and accommodation for up to two children or young people. The children and young people require care to support their emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The new manager registered in December 2020. She has the relevant experience to work with children and young people.

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Information about this children’s home

The recommendation made at the last inspection has not been reviewed at this visit. This will be checked at the next inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection in September 2019. At the interim inspection in March 2020, Ofsted judged the home as sustained effectiveness.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken to address specific concerns received by Ofsted in relation to aspects of staff’s safeguarding practice and working hours.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are clear on how the children and young people are to be cared for and what measures to take in order to better protect them from harm. Staff have read and have access to all records, including the children’s care plans and risk assessments. Individual risk assessments are detailed and reflect the children’s needs.

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This monitoring visit

In January 2021, the home experienced some staff shortages due to staff leaving, sickness and some taking annual leave. On occasion, some staff have worked long shifts to ensure that appropriate staffing levels are maintained to care for the children. This was a short-term solution. Nevertheless, it has presented some challenges for the staff team. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1257706 2 The staff rota indicates that the staffing levels have been maintained to provide one- to-one support to the children and young people. However, on occasions, the rota has not been kept up to date to reflect the staff working shifts at the home. This means that the stipulated staffing arrangements are not recorded accurately, or in line with the statement of purpose.

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This monitoring visit

Most staff have undertaken essential and mandatory training, including safeguarding, first aid, child sexual exploitation and mental well-being. Nevertheless, two staff are not recorded as undertaking all mandatory training, including safeguarding and the administration of medication. This falls short of ensuring safe practice and that all staff have the crucial knowledge to undertake their duties and safeguarding procedures.

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This monitoring visit

A staff recruitment drive has taken place and new staff have now commenced employment at the home. The manager indicated during the visit that she has dealt with some staff practice and conflict issues. However, action has been taken and the staff are now working together more consistently.

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This monitoring visit

Changes have been made to implement the necessary COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic safety measures. This ensures that the children and staff are kept safe.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 12/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/09/2019 Full Outstanding 03/10/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1257706 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 leadership and management standard are that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, all staff administering medication must receive suitable training along with other essential mandatory training. Training records must be kept up to date.

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Requirement Due date

The staff rota must record all staff working on each shift and suitable staffing levels must be maintained in line with the home’s statement of purpose. 28 April 2021 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1257706 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should know that local authorities have a duty under section 22(3A) of the Children Act 1989 to promote the educational achievement of their children looked after, which includes, as set out in guidance, seeking a school or other education setting that is best suited to the child’s needs. The local authorities’ responsibilities as corporate parent apply wherever the child is placed. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 27, paragraph 5.5) In particular, ensure that the local authority responds in a timely manner to secure appropriate education provisions in line with each child’s plan. In addition, ensure that personal education plans are promptly reviewed.

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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: Gravitas Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 99 Cragg Road, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire HX7 5FB

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Inspector

Debbie Foster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1257706 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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