Children's Home run by Partners in Care Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC035049 1 SC035049

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Partners in Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care for up to three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private provider.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is overseen by an experienced manager who has been registered with Ofsted since August 2018.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out both on and off site. The visit was conducted because information provided to the regulator raised concerns in relation to the safety of young people living in the home. Specifically, the regulator received statutory notifications regarding two allegations of abuse. Furthermore, it was unclear whether all appropriate procedures were followed in response to these.

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This monitoring visit

In relation to the incidents that prompted this visit, the inspector found that allegations of abuse are responded to appropriately. Relevant information is shared with the necessary people, and steps have been taken to ensure the safety of young people and staff. Advice from the local authority designated officer has been sought and followed. When allegations have been made, the manager has prioritised young people’s safety and well-being. Because of this, young people say they are safe and are satisfied with the outcomes.

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This monitoring visit

Staff were not equipped to respond to all incidents in which young people may attempt to harm themselves. These concerns were relayed to the manager at the time of the visit. Immediate action was taken to rectify this. Staff now have the necessary equipment and are completing training to enable them to respond to incidents if they occur.

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This monitoring visit

Staff respond well when young people go missing and are aware of the procedures they should follow. Staff are proactive during these incidents and maintain contact Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC035049 2 with young people and those important to them. This helps to reduce the time that young people are away from home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are not trained to deal with all the risk-taking behaviours young people exhibit. Staff have not received internet safety or ligature training. This has not yet had an impact on the young people. However, this means that staff lack comprehensive understanding in these areas. This hinders their ability to complete preventative direct work, identify warning signs and respond to situations where young people are at risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

Consequences are rarely given for negative behaviours. Instead, young people are supported to reflect on and understand their behaviours. Positive behaviour is regularly reinforced. Staff recognise small achievements and celebrate these using effective rewards. For example, a young person received a reward for practicing their handwriting skills. This young person can also select a reward from the home’s ‘education tombola’ for full weekly attendance in education.

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This monitoring visit

Young people say they like living in this home and that staff and managers listen to them. Young people have positive relationships with those who care for them and can voice their views and wishes openly. Young people are regularly consulted and have access to advocates who also support them. As such, young people’s views and wishes are prioritised and acted on.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and team focus on understanding the impact of young people’s previous experiences. They are creative in ensuring young people’s emotional, mental and physical health needs are being met. For example, one young person was allocated a mini allotment in the garden. Staff helped him to grow his own vegetables. This encouraged the young person to eat healthily. This also provided him with an outdoor activity which he enjoyed, and he was able to see the results of his hard work and dedication. This supports the young person to improve his overall health and provides him with a sense of achievement.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector was unable to view all actions taken to respond to all the requirements and recommendation made at the last inspection. Therefore, one requirement will be carried over until the home has its next full inspection in line with the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 22/10/2019 Full Good 30/10/2018 Full Good 27/09/2017 Full Good 30/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC035049 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 care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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 children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) and (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular that children should be carefully matched to each other and, where they have the same risks, the home must consider the impact of those risks on each child. 20 November 2019

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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

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(c)) 31 March 2021 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC035049 4

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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: Partners in Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 The Calls, Leeds LS2 7JU

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Matthew McFadzean

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Inspector

Natalie Bennett, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC035049 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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