Children's Home run by Chances CCFSS Limited in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC016697 1 SC016697

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Chances CCFSS Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to four children aged up to 18 years with social and/or emotional difficulties. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since February 2012.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out because of an increase in significant incidents relating to the well-being of one child and because the home has not been visited since July 2019. At the time of this visit, two children were living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit included a virtual video tour of the home with children and feedback was also gathered from children via video call. Direct feedback from staff and the registered manager was gathered via telephone. In response to the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) lockdown restrictions, a review of the records and discussions with professionals took place remotely.

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This monitoring visit

Children receive nurturing care from an experienced and skilled staff team. Staff provide consistency of care because of the detailed care plans that provide approaches and strategies to help children with behaviours that challenge staff. The manager uses research and evidence to ensure staff have the skills and knowledge to provide trauma informed responses to help reduce children’s distress and anxiety.

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This monitoring visit

Staff help children to maintain links with those who matter to them. For example, throughout this pandemic, staff have supported parents and siblings to visit the home when it has been safe to do so. Visits have also taken place in the community. Video calls have been arranged to enable children to enjoy virtual birthday celebrations with those who are important to them.

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This monitoring visit

Children enjoy living at this home and did not share any concerns with the inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC016697 2 when spoken to about the care they receive. Children enjoy a wide range of creative outdoor activities, including forest school, go-karting and walking. They enjoy spending time with the three dogs and a pet gecko called Evie who live at this home. The children chose to have a Hawaiian themed party at Christmas and have a say in the care they receive.

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This monitoring visit

Children are encouraged to learn about culture, diversity and how prejudice affects those from disadvantaged groups. For example, children have been part of media productions about racism and have completed art projects about political movements and issues affecting those who are transgender.

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This monitoring visit

Since April 2020, there have been two incidents of physical intervention whereby a child has been held on the floor. The registered manager and house manager were involved. While restraint appears necessary to safeguard the child from significant harm to himself, the records and risk management plans do not make clear why this type of hold is necessary and proportionate. Records of discussions with staff were not available and the records lack independent manager oversight. During this visit, the registered manager acknowledged these concerns and had considered plans to address them.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has effective working relationships with social workers, senior leaders in placing authorities, teachers and the police. She is skilled at prioritising safeguarding concerns for children and challenging professionals when there are issues about the well-being of children. She is a strong advocate for children in her care. For example, she has helped a child whose needs cannot be met at local schools to receive 25 hours of tutoring at home.

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This monitoring visit

A social worker and team manager provided positive feedback about the quality of care at this home. The team manager shared that the child has made ‘incredible progress’ since living at the home and that the registered manager ‘communicates well with us, is very involved in multi-agency discussions and it is clear that they are passionate about keeping him safe and supporting him.’

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/07/2019 Full Good 07/11/2018 Full Good 12/12/2017 Full Outstanding 21/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— 26 March 2021 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC016697 3 within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure.

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (‘the authorised person’)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that the records show that restraint is necessary and proportionate, that debrief discussions with staff are recorded and that there is independent oversight when incidents involve the registered manager and deputy.

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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: Chances CCFSS Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 Fairview Court, 119-127 Fairview Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 2EX

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Linda Wall Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC016697 4 Registered manager: Linda Wall

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Inspector

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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