Children's home run by De Novo Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1277584 1

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De Novo Care Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care for up to three children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since the beginning of January 2021. They were previously the deputy manager at this provision. They are not yet registered with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place as the home has not had an inspection for 17 months and there has been a change in management. The visit took place virtually, with video calls used to speak with managers, staff and the one child present at the time.

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This monitoring visit

Effective arrangements are in place to manage risks associated with COVID-19 (coronavirus). The current pandemic has had an impact on children. One child is struggling with isolation. This has led to some non-compliance with COVID-19 restrictions, and increased incidents of the child going missing. Staff are mindful of the emotional impact of the current restrictions. They support children emotionally and practically to try and manage this difficult situation.

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This monitoring visit

There are gaps in the staff’s understanding of exploitation and associated risks. This is compounded at times by staff trying to establish whether a child is missing or absent without consent. An over-optimistic approach prevents them from considering risks fully. Staff are unclear about expectations of them. This results in inconsistent approaches to children’s needs.

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This monitoring visit

Children are not always enabled to have a conversation with an independent person following a period of them being missing. This prevents them from sharing any Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1277584 2 worries or concerns they may have in respect of their care. Details about the conversations that do take place are not always shared or requested by the manager. This prevents the information from being used to inform children’s future care.

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This monitoring visit

There are weaknesses in aspects of recording. For example, a recent compatibility assessment lacks full consideration of each of the children’s needs. Likewise, not all children’s records are up to date. Furthermore, the statement of purpose has not been updated in line with regulation.

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This monitoring visit

The records in respect of fire drills are weak. Not enough information is collated to allow for robust management oversight of fire drills and to improve and manage quicker and safer evacuation.

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This monitoring visit

There have been several changes in staffing over recent months. The staff in the newly established team are motivated and eager to learn and move this service forward. They are led by an able manager who includes them in decision-making about the home.

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This monitoring visit

Children have developed positive, trusting relationships with staff. The staff hold positive aspirations for children and their futures. Children are encouraged to work towards fulfilling their hopes and dreams. There is good evidence of helpful, supportive and meaningful conversations. These discussions aim to guide and help children to make positive choices. Children find these conversations helpful.

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This monitoring visit

Other agencies report positive communication and collaborative working. They are kept up to date with children’s development and any emerging concerns. Managers attend important meetings in respect of children, to ensure that the best interests of children are promoted.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/08/2019 Full Good 29/01/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1277584 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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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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)(a)(i)(iii)(v))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that responses to children going missing from home are consistent, and children are always afforded a return-from-missing interview with an independent person. 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. (Regulation 16 (1)) 31 March 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child and are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)) 31 March 2021 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1277584 4 Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4; ensure that the records are kept up to date. (Regulation 37 (1) (2)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to fire drills and records. 31 March 2021

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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 address: Bank Green House, Fox Lane, Holmesfield, Dronfield, Derbyshire S18 7WG

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Inspector

Tracey Ledder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1277584 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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