Children's home run by Total Care Matters Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2541993 1

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Total Care Matters Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home provides care for up to four children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. There were two children living at this home at the time of the monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is currently posing to those we regulate. During this monitoring visit, the inspector took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 by the home. Monitoring of this home was carried out remotely.

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This monitoring visit

This home was registered in September 2019. The home has not had an Ofsted inspection. This led to the decision to carry out a remote monitoring visit as some concerns had arisen from notifications.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring activity found that care and placement planning is well coordinated. This leads to improved outcomes for children. One professional said: ‘The home is excellent at communicating with us and the new manager is brilliant. They handle their safeguarding protocols efficiently and professionally and are full and equal partners in the young person’s education and welfare.’

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This monitoring visit

Since registration there have been changes in the management and staffing. A suitably qualified new manager is now in post. She has applied for registration with Ofsted. Professionals report high levels of satisfaction with the new manager and staff team.

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This monitoring visit

Staff undertake a structured programme of induction and training. On completion of their probation period, staff study for the relevant qualification. This means that children receive care from a knowledgeable and skilled workforce. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2541993 2 Expectations of behaviour are clear. However, sometimes dynamics between some children can lead to conflict. In these instances, staff challenge and discuss poor behaviour. Positive behaviour is rewarded and reinforced.

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This monitoring visit

Staff use physical intervention where children are at risk of harm. All staff have up- to-date physical intervention training. Managers check and analyse records of physical interventions. Clear monitoring shows patterns and trends in the use of physical interventions. This means that the manager can establish causal links.

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This monitoring visit

Partnership working with safeguarding agencies is effective. Staff work well with other agencies to assess and reduce risk to the children in their care. There have been allegations made against staff since the last inspection. The designated officer reports no concerns with staff practice.

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This monitoring visit

Staff ensure that the views of children are captured and acted upon. However, children do not have advocacy support. This limits children from expressing their views to an independent person.

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This monitoring visit

Records for children are clear, up to date and regularly reviewed. However, one child said that he never reads or contributes to his records. This fails to ensure the children’s views are heard and recorded.

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Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2541993 3

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all children have access to appropriate advocacy support, and where possible this should be provided by a person that the child chooses. Children looked after are entitled to an independent advocate to advise them and ensure they have the support needed to express their views, wishes and feelings about their care and lives. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 4.16)  The registered person should ensure that children are actively encouraged to read their records and to add further information to them. They should be regularly reminded of their rights to see information kept about them and be given information about how they might be supported to access their records in later life. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.6)

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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: Total Care Matters Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 230 Bathley Street, Nottingham NG2 2ER

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Inspector

Amanda Ellis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2541993 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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