Children's Home run by The Serendipity Centre Limited in Hampshire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC485423 1 SC485423

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The Serendipity Centre Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for up to five children. It is privately owned by an organisation which has another registered children’s home and an educational setting in the vicinity.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 15 November 2020.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place in response to three serious incidents involving two children and another child making an allegation against a staff member. These incidents were reviewed, including actions taken and the outcome of any investigations. In accordance with COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions, this visit was undertaken remotely. The home was last visited on 30 September 2020, when an assurance visit was carried out.

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This monitoring visit

In December 2020, two serious incidents occurred involving two children. During the incidents, the children’s mental health needs were assessed and they were deemed to be safe to return to the home. The staff sought appropriate advice from health professionals. The manager has facilitated in-house and external professional meetings to plan how the children can best be supported. The in-house therapy team engages directly with the children. They also consult with each child and the adolescent mental health service, and work in partnership with the children’s parents and other professionals. This has been effective and there have been no further incidents.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s views are sought by staff. It was identified that one child struggles when the police visit the home. The staff reassure the child and explore this in ongoing discussions. Another child’s bedtime routine and medication has been reviewed. This has led to her sleeping better and being much calmer. The arrangements for Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC485423 2 telephone calls with her family have also been reviewed to support her to have positive time with them.

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This monitoring visit

The risk assessments and behaviour management support plans have been updated. These are generally well recorded, with clear strategies and guidance for staff. However, there is some information included about patterns of behaviour which is out of date. This is confusing and does not demonstrate the children’s progress.

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This monitoring visit

Records evidence that the incidents are clearly recorded. The manager undertook a lesson learned exercise and shared the learning during supervisions and in team meetings. However, the team meeting minutes do not have the necessary detail. This risks staff who did not attend the meeting not having access to the right information.

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This monitoring visit

A child made an allegation against a staff member. This was reported to the designated officer and an internal investigation was undertaken. The manager arranged immediate safety measures to protect the child and the staff. The manager is facilitating mediation between the child and staff member in accordance with the child’s wishes. The child’s social worker spoke positively about the staff’s care and the reduction in risk since the child has been living at the home.

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This monitoring visit

The staff supervise the use of mobile phones by children who are at risk of accessing unsafe sites on the internet. One child is able to use the home’s mobile phones, however, there is not a policy to guide staff in regard to safety measures. The child’s use of one of the company mobiles is in the child’s risk assessment, however, this does not include another phone where she has been able to access social media.

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This monitoring visit

The requirements from the last inspection have been met. All staff have had regular supervision in line with the company’s policy. The incident reports demonstrate staff’s recording of children’s behaviour leading to the use of a physical intervention and the manager’s discussion with the staff and children involved. The recording has improved but this needs to be embedded. The recommendation in relation to records is repeated.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/11/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/07/2019 Full Inadequate 08/11/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC485423 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 registered person must prepare and implement a policy which—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect. (Regulation 34 (1)(a)) 31 March 2021

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording, with particular reference to ensuring team meeting minutes have the necessary detail and that risk assessments clearly identify historic information. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC485423 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Serendipity Centre Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1st Floor, Goodlands House, St Lukes Close, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2US

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Inspector

Suzy Lemmy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC485423 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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