Children's home run by North East Lincolnshire Council

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC394101 1 SC394101

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North East Lincolnshire Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a local authority. It provides care and accommodation for up to four children whose plan is to live in a medium- to long- term residential setting.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2013, although he is currently away from the home. At this time, an interim manager is in day-to-day charge of the home.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted has paused assurance visits at this time as a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. This monitoring visit was carried out in response to increasing concerns in relation to the management of children’s behaviours. The focus of this visit was to review significant incidents and associated documents and reports, specifically those relating to the children going missing from the home and the use of physical restraint.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted last inspected this home on 26 November 2019, when it completed a full inspection. One requirement from that inspection remains unmet. Additional requirements and recommendations have been made at this monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

The children’s care plans and risk assessments act as practical tools to help the staff to understand the children’s needs, and to manage and reduce risks to their safety. However, when the staff do not consistently follow the children’s plans, this leads to an escalation of the children’s behaviours. This results in incidents where children are unable to manage their emotions and frustrations. This places them and others at risk of potential harm.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers do not report all significant incidents to Ofsted. This is with particular reference to incidents where children have made allegations or disclosures Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC394101 2 about the staff or others. Furthermore, the children’s records do not detail all actions taken in response to managing these allegations. These shortfalls prevent Ofsted from determining the appropriateness of the actions taken to safeguard the children in these circumstances.

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This monitoring visit

When children are missing from the home, their missing-from-home plans support the staff to take the appropriate and relevant action. Children do not routinely go missing from this home. However, there are some gaps in the children’s case file records relating to these incidents. The accurate completion of these records helps to prevent any delays in safely locating the children.

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This monitoring visit

There are areas of the home that need refurbishment and attention. The bathroom and kitchen show evidence of damage, and window blinds around the home need securing to prevent injury. A refurbishment plan is in place, but progress to address these shortfalls is slow.

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This monitoring visit

The interim manager has developed the monitoring and oversight of the home. He is establishing systems to improve the children’s case file records and the quality of care that they receive. However, the interim manager’s review of the use of physical restraint lacks detail and evaluation. This is needed to ensure that this practice is only used as a last resort to protect children from an immediate risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

External monitoring of this home by the independent visitor is not routinely completed. When these visits do take place, there is limited consultation with others, especially with children. This is a missed opportunity for children to raise concerns about their care and for leaders and managers, and Ofsted, to have a clear oversight of the home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/11/2019 Full Good 24/10/2018 Full Good 16/01/2018 Full Good 14/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC394101 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 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

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)) 8 April 2021

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry). (Regulation 40 (4)(c)(d)(i)(ii)) 8 April 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.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)) 8 April 2021 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC394101 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home offers a homely, domestic environment which is nurturing and supportive to children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that records of restraint are kept and these should 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 trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure that it meets the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  The registered person should ensure that all children’s case records (regulation 36) are kept up to date. Case records must be kept up to date and signed and dated by the author of each entry. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations

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Recommendations

including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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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: North East Lincolnshire Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Offices, Knoll Street, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire DN35 8LN

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Inspectors

Jennifer Fenlon, Social Care Inspector Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC394101 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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