Children's Home run by Platinum Services for Children (Residential Care) Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC378181 1 SC378181

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Platinum Services for Children (Residential Care) Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is one of four homes owned by an independent provider. The home cares for up to two children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has a registered manager who holds a Level 5 diploma in leadership for health and social care. He manages both this home and a neighbouring home within the organisation.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit took place on 8 January 2021 in response to a serious event that occurred at this home. The incident involved children living at both this and a neighbouring children’s home. Shortfalls in how staff safeguard children when they are at risk of physical, sexual or emotional harm were identified, and a compliance notice was issued.

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This monitoring visit

A second monitoring visit took place on 28 January 2021 following further serious events that involved children living at this home. The inspector found that staff had made initial improvements to keep children safe in their home. However, staff had not engaged successfully with children to reduce their risks in the community.

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This monitoring visit

This third monitoring visit considered how the registered manager had implemented practice to improve how staff care for and safeguard children. The inspector found that the compliance notice has now been met.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last monitoring visit, one child has moved out and one child remains living in the home. The inspector did not speak to the child as he was away seeing family. His social worker had recently visited and was able to represent the views of the child. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC378181 2 The inspector conducted the monitoring visit remotely in line with national COVID-19 (coronavirus) guidance in order to reduce the risk of virus transmission.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last monitoring visit, staff have cared for children more effectively. The registered manager has improved how he identifies and assesses risks for children. Staff now have clearer guidance on their actions to safeguard children. Staff managed a short period before a child moved out of escalated behaviours well. This reduced the impact of the behaviour on other children living in both this and the neighbouring home. As a result of staff responses, there have been no further incidents of physical, sexual or emotional harm within the home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have been proactive in diverting potential opportunities for children to go out together in the community. As a result, staff have reduced the risk of COVID-19 transmission and of children going missing. If a child has been away from the home, they have searched known areas and contacts. On one occasion, staff did not accurately complete their recording of their efforts to locate and return a child. Staff from the neighbouring home took over attempts to establish mobile phone contact as children from both homes were missing together. Staff did not record this change of action and the outcome of further attempts to find the child. During the monitoring visit, the registered manager recognised this shortfall in the recording of the missing report.

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This monitoring visit

Staff now encourage the child living in this home to engage more in daily routines. The registered manager has directed staff to information that provides a basic level of understanding of this child’s complex emotional and behavioural needs. Staff require further training and skill development to meet the child’s needs effectively. The child is, however, already making progress. Staff have adjusted lighting and background noise levels. This has helped the child to join staff in eating meals together at the dining table instead of in his room.

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This monitoring visit

The child’s social worker is pleased that he is happy living in this home. The child enjoys going for drives with staff and recently celebrated his birthday with presents, cake and banners. The child has continued to attend school during the COVID-19 pandemic and staff liaise each day with teachers. This high level of communication supports the child in transitioning successfully between home and school.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has introduced new formats for risk assessments and daily handovers. He has facilitated reflective practice within a team meeting. Staff know children’s risks and how to keep them safe by, for example, completing random device checks. Staff describe an improved atmosphere and communication within the home. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC378181 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 12/11/2019 Full Good 13/11/2018 Full Good 13/09/2017 Full Good 16/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)) 28 February 2021

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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

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; 28 February 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC378181 4 understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

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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

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are located so that children are effectively safeguarded. (Regulation 12 (1)(b)(c)) 28 February 2021

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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

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(f)) 28 February 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— 28 February 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC378181 5 an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child is instigated; or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(d)(i)(e))

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Recommendations

 The registered person should support staff to be familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and clearly recording all information within a missing-from-home report. (‘Guide to children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should support staff to have the relevant skills and knowledge to care for a child with complex care needs. (‘Guide to children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.12)

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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: Platinum Services for Children (Residential Care) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Apex, 2 Sheriffs Orchard, Coventry, Warwickshire CV1 3PP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Leonard Pattinson

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Neil Jackson Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC378181 6

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Inspector

Joanna Warburton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC378181 7 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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