Children's home run by Amegreen Children’s Services in Basingstoke and Deane

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472164 1 SC472164

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Amegreen Children’s Services Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and provides care for up to four children. The statement of purpose states that it offers an environment in which children have the opportunity to come to terms with previous experiences of trauma, abuse, loss, rejection and poor attachments.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 12 July 2019.

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This monitoring visit

This visit took place due to the length of time since the previous inspection and information received by Ofsted relating to the level of restraint used. This visit was undertaken remotely in line with COVID-19 (coronavirus) risk management strategies. The inspector requested a range of documents, which were provided in a secure way. The registered manager, deputy manager, two children and a social worker were spoken to via video conferencing. The home was last visited on 31 July 2019 when a full inspection was carried out.

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This monitoring visit

Managers and staff are familiar with the needs of the children. Children experience warmth and attentiveness from staff. At times, the children’s previous experiences and present emotions are communicated through their behaviour. On occasion, the staff to use restraint techniques in order to keep the children safe. Children understand why staff use physical intervention as staff speak to them afterwards and encourage them to express their feelings. Strategies implemented by staff have successfully supported children to display more positive behaviour. As a result, the levels of restraint have reduced.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s behaviour management policy does not set out how staff are trained and supported to meet the children’s needs. It also does not provide information relating to the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used, as Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472164 2 required by regulations. Therefore, parents, professionals and children are not informed of how they will be cared for in this regard.

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This monitoring visit

All staff have now undertaken training in the home’s model of developmental trauma as outlined in the home’s statement of purpose. This meets the recommendation set at the previous inspection and ensures that the children receive consistent care from staff to manage their trauma. However, not all staff have completed training in how to support children who may show self-harm behaviours and in specific areas of behaviour management. Some staff may not be able to respond appropriately if they identify behaviour concerns.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has kept the home’s statement of purpose under review and has submitted it to Ofsted in the required timescales. A copy of the report is not published on the organisation’s website as required by regulation.

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This monitoring visit

Details of how to support the children if they go missing from the home are not included in their behaviour management plans. This means that staff do not have up-to-date information and strategies to follow if such an event occurs.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s placement plans do not set out the registered manager’s and staff’s delegated authority with respect to the children’s education and healthcare needs. This means that not all staff are confident in making decisions when leaders and managers are unavailable.

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This monitoring visit

Since the previous full inspection, the registered manager has also been registered as the manager of one of the organisation’s other children’s homes. She has continued to manage this home effectively and ensure that children are safe and reach their full potential. Staff and social workers are confident with the leadership at the home. The registered manager uses her skills and experience to provide strong support for the staff team. Staff describe her as a good role model and someone who leads by example.

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This monitoring visit

One social worker spoke of the significant progress children have made since moving into the home. Children enjoy living at the home. They receive support with their behaviour and to understand their emotions.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 31/07/2019 Full Good 16/05/2018 Full Good 17/11/2016 Full Good 25/04/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472164 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 is 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

(a) 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 ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1) (2)(c)) 31 March 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

If a home has a website, the registered person must ensure that a copy of the statement of purpose is published on that website unless the registered person considers that such publication would prejudice the welfare of children in the home. (Regulation 16 (1) (4)) 31 March 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. (Regulation 35 (1)(b)) 31 March 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that each child’s placement plan sets out the permissions that their placing authority has delegated to the registered person, particularly in relation to ensuring that there is an agreed level of decision-making Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472164 4 regarding children’s education and health needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 30, paragraph 6.2)  The registered person should ensure that where there is a possibility that a child will run away or go missing from a children’s home placement, their placement plan should include a strategy to minimise this risk. In particular, children’s placement plans should give clear guidance to the staff on actions they must take if children are missing or absent from the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.24)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the behaviour management policy sets out how staff are trained and supported to meet the child’s needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.37)

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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: Amegreen Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 Granary Court, Fair Oak Green, Stratfield Saye, Reading RG7 2DL

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Inspector

Paul Thomas, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472164 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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