Children's Home run by Central Bedfordshire Council in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2513339 1

p.1

Central Bedfordshire Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This local authority home provides care for up to five children who need support to manage their behaviour.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2020.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The home was judged to be good at the last full inspection on 8 July 2019.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Five children live at the home. Four of the children are settled. However, Ofsted has received notifications from the provider regarding one of the children. Several of the notifications, which included one of the children going missing from care for periods of time, were not submitted promptly. The purpose of this visit was to ensure that these incidents are being well managed, that risk assessments are comprehensive and that good-quality key-work sessions are being undertaken. The visit took place remotely.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The home has two registered managers. One of the managers is on maternity leave and an experienced senior member of staff has been promoted to manage the home during this time. He registered as the home’s manager in July 2020.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Good-quality risk assessments are in place. These are monitored by the current manager and updated regularly when needs or risks change. Individual behaviour support plans are comprehensive and help to support and guide staff to care for children safely.

p.1

This monitoring visit

When a child goes missing from the home, the staff follow the procedures outlined in the child’s individual protocols. Staff work in a consistent nurturing manner to help the child to recognise the dangers associated with this behaviour. Staff understand patterns of behaviour and are aware of the places that children may go to. In Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2513339 2 addition, the staff constantly look for and keep in telephone contact with children when they go missing. This ensures that children are promptly located and safely welcomed home. After an incident, the staff request an independent return interview from the placing authority.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Children are encouraged to express their views in individual key-work sessions. Alongside these sessions, the home implements ‘making it right’ sessions. These enable the children to understand and reflect on any negative behaviour and give their own ideas on how to make amends. This good-quality work enables the children to develop valuable skills in maintaining positive relationships.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager is imaginative in his ideas on how to document the children’s experiences of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. There has been a range of activities held at the home and, when restrictions have permitted, in the community. These moments are captured by staff and recorded in a ‘lockdown book’ and then transferred to the children’s individual memory books for them to keep.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The children are making good progress with their independence skills. Staff support them to develop necessary life skills, such as using public transport independently, learning how to budget and cooking for themselves.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Children are positive about their experiences of living at this home. One child commented on how happy he is at the home, and how he feels safe and always listened to.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Good relationships between the staff and external professionals have been maintained. External professionals commented on the evident commitment of staff and the good care that they are providing to enable the children to make progress.

p.2

This monitoring visit

One requirement has been identified at this visit. Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and it is evident that policies are being followed. However, notifications are often sent to Ofsted several weeks after the incident, which prevents effective monitoring of the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager has met the two requirements and two recommendations set at the last inspection to good effect.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 08/07/2019 Full Good 16/05/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2513339 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.3

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 5 March 2021

p.3

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to assess whether incidents at the home are managed effectively.

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Central Bedfordshire Council

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Central Bedfordshire SG17 5TQ

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered managers: Amy Clark and James Hardy

p.3

Inspectors

Lynne Drage, Social Care Inspector Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2513339 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.

p.3

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.4

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.4

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.4