Children's Home run by Dalepeak Limited in Oldham

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC005553 1 SC005553

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Dalepeak Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This private children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to five children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since August 2012. The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out in response to a number of notifications received by Ofsted. These relate to safeguarding concerns in relation to children. At the time of this visit, three children were being cared for at the home. The home was last inspected in January 2020.

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This monitoring visit

The monitoring visit found that safeguarding concerns have been responded to appropriately by the registered manager. All relevant services have been informed of safeguarding incidents and the home has been actively involved in multi-disciplinary responses to concerns. This means that information has been shared which contributes to keeping children safe.

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This monitoring visit

There has been one incident of restraint since the last inspection. This restraint involved the deputy manager and the registered manager. As a result, senior managers reviewed the documentation. The restraint was proportionate and by intervening, the risk of injury to staff and the child was reduced. The registered manager’s initial review of the restraint is brief and lacks evaluation. As a result, it is unclear what learning he has taken from this incident that could contribute to improvements in practice.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual provided a detailed and timely response to a complaint made by the child involved in the restraint. Her overview of this incident was Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC005553 2 thorough and clear. The child was provided with information which showed he was listened to, and his views and feelings were considered.

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This monitoring visit

Risk assessments and placement plans are regularly reviewed. These are used effectively to plan children’s care. It was a recommendation of the last inspection that plans and assessments are signed off by the registered manager. This is not yet happening consistently.

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This monitoring visit

One child has left the home after a relatively short time in placement as the home could not meet their needs. Pre-admission assessments of children lack detail. These assessments do not contain the views of children. As a result, children are not being actively involved in the planning of their care. Information from children which could contribute to effective decision making in respect of placements is not being sought.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, there has been a substantial change in the staffing team. Eight members of staff have left the home. The responsible individual told the inspector that the organisation has reflected on these changes. It is her view that the home could not have acted differently, in order to retain staff. The extent of these changes in staffing mean that opportunities for children to build trusting relationships with the adults who care for them have been significantly reduced.

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This monitoring visit

At the last inspection, a number of requirements and recommendations were made. The requirement made in relation to independent person visits to the home has been met. Recommendations in relation to the physical environment of the home and staff training are also met. Due to the focused nature of this visit, not all recommendations have been addressed. They will, therefore, be repeated and considered at the next full inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 08/01/2020 Full Good 31/10/2018 Full Good 24/10/2017 Full Good 22/03/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC005553 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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager should ensure that education plans are updated and requested from the placing authority. 31 March 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are actively encouraged to read their records and to add further information to them. Specifically, that young people are supported to add their comments and their understanding of key documents that are kept on their files. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.6)  The registered person should ensure that case records are kept up to date and signed and dated by the author of each entry. Specifically, that the registered manager ensures that placement plans and other relevant documents are signed by managers. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)  The registered person should ensure that records of restraint are kept and enable the registered person and staff to review the use of control, discipline and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or

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Recommendations

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC005553 4 trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure it meets the needs of each child. Specifically, that the registered manager’s reviews of restraint are detailed, evaluative and contribute to improvements in practice. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  The registered person should ensure the home works in partnership with relevant people as appropriate to ensure that each child is provided with support (appropriate to their age and understanding) to communicate their views, wishes and feelings and participate as fully as possible in all aspects of their care planning and daily care. Specifically, that young people’s wishes and feelings should be taken into account and recorded in pre-admission assessments. (‘Guide

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Recommendations

to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.6)

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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 address: Richard House, 9 Winckley Square, Preston PR1 3HP

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Inspector

Dawn Parton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC005553 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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