Children's Home run by Woodford Children's Services Ltd in Redbridge

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2559019 1

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Woodford Children’s Services Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to five children. The home’s statement of purpose states that the home cares for children with social and emotional needs. The provider runs another children’s home which is located next door.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the registered manager were registered by Ofsted in November 2019.

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This monitoring visit

The main focus of this visit was to follow up on some concerns raised in the independent visitor’s reports. These relate to the quality of recording of any physical interventions that have taken place at the home. Therefore, the physical intervention records, behaviour support plans and risk assessments were all reviewed. At the time of the visit, three children were living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

All the children at the home said they were happy living there and could not identify anything that they would change. Children praised the staff for creating a homely, caring environment where they feel safe and are happy. One of the children said, ‘I can remember when I was very upset about a family matter; the staff came and sat with me until l was able to calm down.’ A parent described the home as ‘excellent’ and praised the staff for working in partnership with her in achieving positive changes for her son. A social worker also commented on the positive care given at the home.

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This monitoring visit

The staff team’s nurturing, highly individualised and consistent care plays a significant role in helping the children to build trusting relationships. As a result, the home is a settled and peaceful environment.

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This monitoring visit

Consultation with children is a strength of the home. Their input is sought in all aspects of their care and the support provided for them. Children say that they value Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2559019 2 this and feel listened to. The ethos of this home is to focus on the positives and strengths of each child, while gently supporting them to become responsible members of society. As a result, the incidents of children going missing from the home have significantly reduced in number.

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This monitoring visit

In the main, physical intervention is rarely used and, when it is necessary, it is used appropriately. However, the recording of physical interventions does not meet regulations. Management oversight of whether physical interventions are appropriate is not in place. As a result, the safety of children could be compromised.

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This monitoring visit

Children have individual risk assessments and behaviour support plans which are regularly reviewed and well recorded, with clear strategies and guidance for the staff team. One requirement is made as a result of this monitoring visit.

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Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2559019 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

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used, or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and 30 April 2021 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2559019 4 within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii), (b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv))

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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 it was registered with Ofsted.

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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: Woodford Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Abacus House, 14–18, Forest Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 1DX

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Inspector

Juanita Mayers, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2559019 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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