Children's home run by Good News Nwk Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1248509 1

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Good News Nwk Ltd

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 and accommodation for up to two children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is registered with Ofsted and is suitably qualified and experienced.

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Information about this children’s home

This monitoring visit was carried out because there had not been a full inspection of the home since May 2019. Information received from reports is limited, and does not always evidence consultation with professionals and children about the care being received in the home. The focus of the visit was on the care and progress of children in the home, and leadership and management.

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This monitoring visit

In line with COVID-19 restrictions, this visit was undertaken off site following a risk assessment of the child in the home. Arrangements were made to undertake observations via video link and to speak to staff via telephone. There was one child living at the home at the time of this monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

Children in the home have made good progress in a range of areas. Staff know the children well and child-centred practice is at the heart of the care being provided. Staff have a good understanding of children’s communication needs. Children’s plans and risk assessments are detailed and individualised. These plans support staff to work consistently, and help children to feel settled and secure in the home. Parents and professionals gave positive feedback, and a child was described as ‘thriving’ in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Where incidents have occurred, these have been well managed. Staff receive reflective debriefs which support their learning and understanding. Sanctions in the home are limited to fining children for misdemeanours. Staff do not have clear guidance and there is a lack of management oversight of the effectiveness and Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1248509 2 purpose of the sanctions. A recent allegation about the home was not reported to the regulator. This prevented oversight from the regulatory body. The allegation was unsubstantiated, but there were lessons to be learned around the supervision of children using the internet.

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This monitoring visit

Staff do not always receive regular supervision. This limits the opportunities for staff to discuss their practice and to learn from this. Staff have received additional training to support them in meeting one child’s specific needs.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 23/12/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 08/05/2019 Full Good 07/11/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/11/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1248509 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

No measure of control or discipline which is excessive, unreasonable or contrary to paragraph (2) may be used in relation to any child.

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Requirement Due date

The following measures may not be used to discipline any child—

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Requirement Due date

imposing a financial penalty, other than a requirement for payment of a reasonable sum (which may be by instalments) by way of reparation.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the practice of fining children for misdemeanours in the home and lack of management oversight and guidance in the use of sanctions. (Regulation 19 (1) (2)(f)) 1 April 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should, as set out in regulations 31–33, be responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguard children and minimise potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) In particular, ensure that these sessions occur at a frequency which is in line with the home’s policies and procedures.  The registered person should notify Ofsted and other relevant persons if one of the situations specified in regulation 40(4)(a)–(d) occurs, or if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious (40(4)(e)). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10) Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1248509 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 address: First Floor Offices, 25 Sanders Road, Finedon Road Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 4NL

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nokuthula Mangwendeza

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Inspector

Sarah Orriss, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1248509 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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