Children's Home run by Care 4 Children Residential Services Ltd in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2581237 1

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Care 4 Children Residential Services Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is one of a number operated by a private company. The home provides care and accommodation for up to eight children who may have emotional and/or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered on 1 December 2020 and has managed the home since 27 October 2020.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted conducted an assurance visit to this home on 22 October 2020. Serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children were identified. Following the visit, Ofsted issued a restriction of accommodation notice, prohibiting the placement of additional children at the home for a period of 12 weeks. This was to allow time for steps to be taken to reduce or eliminate the risk of harm to children, and to make the improvements required to ensure that children receive safe, effective care that meets their needs and helps them to progress. In addition, nine breaches of regulation were identified, with Ofsted issuing compliance notices in relation to four of these.

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This monitoring visit

Three further monitoring visits to the home were conducted in November, December 2020 and January 2021. Three further compliance notices were served in December 2020. Two notices were deemed met at the monitoring visit in January 2021, one compliance notice in relation to leadership and management was not met. A compliance notice in relation to leadership and management was served for the third time, as concerns remained, specifically in relation to management oversight.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the actions taken by the provider to meet the compliance notice. This visit took place on site. It included discussions with staff, Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2581237 2 managers and children, as well as the review of records since the last monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of this visit, only one child remains living in the home. She is in the process of introductions to another setting as part of a planned move. This transition is being carefully managed to ensure that there is as little disruption as possible. She has been able to visit her new home on a number of occasions, take some of her belongings and spend time with the staff in the new home. Managers have worked closely with the new home and the placing authority to ensure that this move is handled in the best way possible for the child. When speaking to the inspectors, the child was positive about the plan, looking forward to her future and was busy planning her leaving party. Such a positive ending will help her to understand that she is starting a new period in her life but acknowledge the significance of her experiences and the relationships formed while living here.

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This monitoring visit

There have been improvements in the manager’s oversight since the last monitoring visit. Incident reports now include the manager’s evaluation. These recognise positive practice as well as pick up anything that requires further exploration. These also cross-reference with discussions that take place at staff meetings and in staff supervision.

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This monitoring visit

The manager’s monthly auditing is now more robust. These monthly reviews, along with audits from senior managers in the organisation, are helping to drive forward improvements in the home. Action is being taken in a timely manner to address the shortfalls identified.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has worked hard to improve the consistency of practice across the staff team. Regular staff meetings, development days and supervision have all contributed to this. Staff report feeling well supported by the manager.

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This monitoring visit

This consistency of staff practice has contributed to a reduction of incidents of challenging behaviour over recent weeks. Staff are now responding in a consistent manner, which means that the child understands and knows how staff will care for her. A good example of this is the map-to-mobile plan that was agreed by staff, the child and her social worker. The plan was clear in that, if an action had not been completed, then the programme would return to the earlier step. Staff were consistent in their delivery of this and failure to comply with the plan did result in moving back a step. However, everyone remained committed to this programme and the child is now in possession of a new smartphone for limited periods of the day. She was delighted to show this to inspectors and was pleased with her achievement, but aware of the restrictions and checks being completed by staff, as well as the reasons for these. This is significant progress.

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This monitoring visit

The compliance notice in relation to the leadership and management of the setting is assessed to have been met at this visit. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2581237 3

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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: Care 4 Children Residential Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Care 4 Children, 1 Stuart Road, Bredbury Park Industrial Estate, Bredbury, Stockport SK6 2SR

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Inspectors

Mandy Williams, Social Care Inspector Genevieve O’Reilly, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2581237 4 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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