Children's Home run by Fonjock's Social Work Practice Limited in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2585102 1

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Fonjock's Social Work Practice

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 provides care and accommodation for up to three children.

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Information about this children's home

The home and manager were registered with Ofsted in August 2020.

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This monitoring visit

The provider notified Ofsted on 29 January 2021 that a placing local authority had removed two children from the home. The reasons for this were not clear at the time of notification to Ofsted. This monitoring visit took place on site to ensure that the safety and welfare of children were assured. The responsible individual and registered manager were both present during the visit.

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This monitoring visit

Some recent damage to the home had not been repaired in a timely manner. This related to the staircase, where several spindles had been missing. This meant that there was a potential risk of structural instability. The provider has ensured that repairs have now been made. However, there was a period of over three weeks during which this had not been resolved. Furthermore, the provider had failed to consider the potential risk that this posed to children in the meantime.

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This monitoring visit

The systems in place to match new children with those who are already living in the home are not effective. For example, a child went missing on 2 January 2021 and required hospital assessment on their return, but this information was not included in the child’s placement compatibility assessment dated 19 January 2021. The manager assessed the child as having no risk of going missing, despite this having happened less than three weeks before. As a result, there is the potential for poor matching decisions to be made and for children’s needs and vulnerabilities to be missed. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2585102 2 An incident took place in September 2020, when the home’s vehicle was driven into the fence at the front of the home. A child was in the car at the time and the provider ensured that a full review took place. Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the provider had delayed the vehicle’s annual MOT test in accordance

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This monitoring visit

with the government’s relaxation of rules. It is not possible to determine whether the incident was attributable to the delayed MOT test, but the provider had not considered checking the vehicle’s roadworthiness or potential risk in the meantime.

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This monitoring visit

In another incident in September 2020, a child was able to lock staff out of the home. Procedures have since been improved to ensure that this cannot happen again. The home’s rotas show that there are enough staff to provide adequate staffing ratios. Recent recruitment has taken place and there are plans to recruit several new staff, including a deputy manager.

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This monitoring visit

All areas of the home were checked as part of this inspection. The home is clean and tidy with suitable furnishings and ample space for children. Fire drills have taken place and there are systems in place to check fire safety. The home continues to be up to date with gas and electrical safety. There is provision for the safe storage and administering of medication. Staff supervision is regular and records are kept in the home.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home but was staying with their family. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2585102 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 children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

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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

is given appropriate advocacy support. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(b)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that all children are given appropriate advocacy support. 1 March 2021

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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)) 1 March 2021 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2585102 4 This relates to ensuring that placement matching assessments contain the correct information and that all risks to children are fully considered when they are known. 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

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that any defects in the home are repaired in a timely manner. 1 March 2021

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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: Fonjock's Social Work Practice

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Orchard House, 1 Old Convent Orchard, Bury St. Edmunds IP33 3PQ

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Inspector

Pete Hylton, regulatory inspection manager Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2585102 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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