Coniston House

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC379123 1 SC379123

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Cove Care - Residential Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home offers care for up to five young people with mental health, psychological and/or emotional difficulties and associated needs, and complex care needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since July 2017 and is working towards his Level 5 diploma in leadership and management.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged good at the full inspection in June 2019. At the interim inspection in March 2020, it was judged sustained effectiveness.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was completed on 28 January 2021 in response to shortfalls identified in the independent visitor’s report and the review of the quality of care report. These reports highlighted that young people were not receiving statutory visits from their social workers and had not received their annual medical examinations. In addition, there was a lack of consultation with young people, families and relevant professionals within these reports.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was completed remotely due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic restrictions. The inspector considered a sample of documents provided via email, conducted an interview with the registered manager and gained feedback from two young people living at the home.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of this visit, there were three young people living at the home. Two young people told the inspector that they are happy and well cared for.

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This monitoring visit

Given the complex natures of the young people living at the home there are very few serious incidents. On the occasions when young people go missing from home, staff take appropriate and timely action to bring about their safe return. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC379123 2 The managers and staff record incidents in detail and review young people’s risks on a regular basis to ensure that strategies and interventions remain current and effective. Young people are now more settled and have positive relationships with staff.

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This monitoring visit

The staff team managed an outbreak of COVID-19 in August 2020 well and used the extended period of isolation to spend quality time with the young people.

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This monitoring visit

Neither the manager nor young people raised concerns regarding the level of contact from social workers. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the visits are taking place remotely and young people keep in contact with their social workers via the telephone and video calls.

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This monitoring visit

Two of the three young people have received their annual medical and the third young person’s medical is planned for February 2021. Being able to keep these appointments during the pandemic is helping to promote the young people’s health and well-being.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s statement of purpose is not up to date and does not reflect the current staff team. This was updated on inspection by the manager and shared with the inspector. As a result, this key document now contains accurate information.

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This monitoring visit

The independent visitor has not regularly consulted with young people, families or relevant professionals. This oversight impacts on the quality of the report and the ability to show the experiences of young people. In addition, the reports do not always contain up-to-date information. The registered manager is aware of this shortfall and is in the process of identifying a new independent visitor.

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This monitoring visit

The review of the quality of care report was not submitted to Ofsted within the required timeframe. In addition, there was no consultation with young people or their families and this limits the scope of the report because it does not take account of what they say and any suggestions for improvement. The registered manager has agreed to address this shortfall within the next report.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has not obtained the Level 5 diploma in leadership and management for residential childcare within the required period.

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This monitoring visit

Following this visit four requirements have been issued. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC379123 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/06/2019 Full Good 13/02/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 24/09/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC379123 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

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the need to share updated copies with Ofsted within 28 days of the revision. 28 February 2021

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Requirement Due date

A person may only manage a children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(i), a person has the appropriate experience and qualification if the person has—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 5 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered provider considers to be equivalent to the Level 5 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of a person who starts managing a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls three years after the date on which that person started managing a home. (Regulation 28 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii) (3)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This refers specifically to the registered manager obtaining a Level 5 qualification within the required time frame. 31 March 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. 28 February 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC379123 5 The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that the independent visitor consults with young people, families and relevant professionals, and that the reports contain accurate and up-to-date information.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every six months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b) (4)(a) (5))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that young people, families and relevant professionals are consulted with and that a copy of the report is shared with Ofsted within 28 days of completion. 31 March 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC379123 6

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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: Cove Care - Residential Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 16 Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV1 4BL

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Inspector

Debbie Holder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC379123 7 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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