Children's Home run by SureCare Residential Ltd in Essex

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC462729 1 SC462729

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Surecare Residential Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private organisation. It provides care for up to four children who have experienced significant trauma that has resulted in a range of behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

The home was judged as good following a full inspection on 23 April 2019. There has been an increase in safeguarding concerns notified to Ofsted since November 2020. The purpose of the visit was to assess how the provider has managed these concerns.

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This monitoring visit

The visit was a blended approach of off-site and on-site activity. Information was gathered through conversations with the staff and children and review of electronic records. No immediate safety or safeguarding concerns were identified.

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This monitoring visit

There are currently three children living at the home. Four children have moved into the home and four children have moved out since July 2020.

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This monitoring visit

Safeguarding concerns have been managed well. The manager shares information with the relevant agencies and follows advice. Investigations are thorough and shared appropriately with other professionals.

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This monitoring visit

The children’s risk assessments and behaviour management plans are clear and informative. These documents support the staff’s understanding of the triggers for unwanted behaviours. The documents are regularly reviewed and updated when necessary, so that the staff have accurate information to help the children to stay safe. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC462729 2 The association of unsuitable adults with one child has put the child at risk. The manager worked with the police and other agencies to ensure that the child was safe. Clear missing-from-care protocols and safety management plans underpin safe practice.

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This monitoring visit

The children have been able to see their families during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic restrictions. The children said that there are lots of activities in the house to keep them occupied. One child is starting college in September to do a course in hospitality. In the meantime, she is looking to complete online courses. Another child is having education at the home from a tutor and is progressing well.

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This monitoring visit

The staff work with other professionals to keep children safe. A child said that they feel safe living at the home. The child said that the staff listen to them if they are worried and help them. There has been one complaint made by a child since the last inspection. The manager responded to the child promptly and kept them updated until the issue was resolved. A child spoken with during the visit said that they know how to complain.

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This monitoring visit

There has been some improvement to the environment. However, there are still repairs that need to be made to make the house feel homely. The kitchen fittings and some furniture need replacing, and a child’s bedroom needs to be redecorated.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has met one of the requirements, in relation to staff’s qualifications, and one of the recommendations, in relation to continuity of staffing, that were raised at the last inspection. One requirement, relating to staff supervision and appraisal, is restated. This will be reviewed at the next inspection, as there are several new staff and it will be important to establish that improvements are embedded and effective. A recommendation in respect of the physical environment has been escalated to a requirement. Although COVID-19 restrictions have had some impact on work being undertaken, shortfalls in the environment have been a recurring theme during the last three inspections.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 23/01/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 23/04/2019 Full Good 27/11/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/12/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC462729 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 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.

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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 the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the home is well presented and maintained. 1 April 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c)) 1 April 2021 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC462729 4

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to assess how the provider has managed safeguarding concerns.

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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: Surecare Residential Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Old Snap Factory, Twyford Road, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3LJ

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Inspector

Trish Palmer, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC462729 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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Inspector

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