Children's home run by Partnerships in Care 1 Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1247390 1

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Partnerships in Care 1 Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is dual registered with the Care Quality Commission.

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Information about this children’s home

The home can provide for up to eight children and young people. It provides care to children and young people who have mental health difficulties and who self-harm.

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Information about this children’s home

This specialist service is part of a large, national, private organisation. The organisation has its own clinical team.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since January 2019.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken to address specific concerns or allegations received by Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted is aware that serious child protection allegations are being investigated by the appropriate authorities. Although Ofsted does not have the power to investigate allegations of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the allegation(s) were considered (where appropriate) alongside other evidence available at the time of this visit to inform the inspector’s judgements.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring inspection included a visit to the home to speak with the children and staff and to review records. In response to the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) lockdown restrictions, further review of records and interviews took place remotely.

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This monitoring visit

Serious weaknesses were found in respect of safer recruitment processes. Leaders and managers have failed to investigate the circumstances of a member of staff’s dismissal by a previous employer despite being aware of this at the time of their Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1247390 2 appointment. Consequently, the registered manager cannot assure herself that this member of staff is safe to work in the home and with children.

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This monitoring visit

Currently, the registered manager is reliant on most recruitment processes being completed by a central human resources team. She does not ensure that she has access to the full recruitment information and therefore cannot accurately assess the suitability of new employees. The inspector found that full employment histories are not obtained for each member of staff as required and that information about the status of Disclosure and Barring Service checks is not included in the written recruitment information shared with the registered manager. In addition, the verification of references is weak, as the recruiting manager does not check with the referee pertinent information about the applicant’s suitability.

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This monitoring visit

Three children contributed to this monitoring visit. All three were very positive about the care and support they receive. The children spoke confidently and positively about the staff who care for them and gave examples of the progress they have made since living at the home.

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This monitoring visit

A compliance notice has been issued in relation to safe recruitment practices as a result of the concerns identified at this inspection. Ofsted will visit again to review the action taken by the provider in response.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/10/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/07/2019 Full Inadequate 20/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/09/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1247390 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

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d))*

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Requirement Due date

The registered manager must take immediate action to review all recruitment records to ensure that they meet the requirements of the regulations and follow safer recruitment processes.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that all recruitment records are made accessible to the registered manager.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that every opportunity is taken to follow up on all information shared as part of safer recruitment processes. Ensure that the verification of references includes exploration of the applicant’s suitability. 5 April 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1247390 4 *These requirements are subject to a compliance notice. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1247390 5

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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: Partnerships in Care 1 Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fifth Floor, 80 Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UD

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Inspector

Sharron Escott, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1247390 6 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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