Children's home run by HeadStart Residential Care Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1270744 1

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Headstart Residential Care 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 and accommodation for up to five children, including children with learning disabilities. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since the home opened in February 2018.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken in response to incidents identified in the most recent monthly report completed by the independent visitor. These monthly reports were not consistently shared with Ofsted following the previous interim inspection on 16 January 2020. There was also a delay in these being shared with Ofsted, which impacted on Ofsted’s ability to monitor the quality of care being provided in the home. The visit was undertaken remotely. The inspectors reviewed a number of documents completed. During the visit, inspectors spoke by telephone with children and staff and consulted with relevant professionals.

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This monitoring visit

Children have been well cared for by a committed staff team during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Staff have been child-centred in how they have worked with children. This includes adapting their working pattern to ensuring consistency of care. Children have benefited from the focused time staff have been able to spend with them as a result. Activities for children have continued to be supported well by staff, both within and outside of the home. This has been important for children, who spoke positively about the activities they have been able to engage in.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have a good understanding of children’s needs and vulnerabilities. Staff have been able to appropriately respond to children during difficult times. Clear written records, such as care plans and risk assessments, underpin good practice and ensure that staff have a shared understanding of children’s needs and how to meet them. Staff have been supported by the registered manager to reflect on incidents Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1270744 2 and any learning points from these. Risk management plans are reviewed and updated in response to incidents or new concerns. This helps to ensure that effective strategies are in place to support and reduce known risks for each child.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s learning has continued to be supported well during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff have enabled children to engage in their education. Therapeutic support is designed to meet each child’s needs through the in-house provision. Children are supported to develop their self-care skills, which in turn enhances their sense of well-being and self-esteem. Staff support children to keep in touch with their roots and stay connected with their families. This was acknowledged by the social workers that inspectors spoke with.

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This monitoring visit

Staff feel well supported by the management team through the comprehensive health and safety measures put in place in response to the pandemic. The monthly monitoring of the home has continued to be undertaken by the independent visitor. However, one visit covered a two-month period. There was also a delay in the sharing of some monthly reports with Ofsted. The report for one month was not shared until after this visit was completed.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager is leaving her post. This change has been well thought through by the registered manager and responsible individual. The registered manager has an effective transition plan in place to support the deputy manager’s move to the manager’s role.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/01/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 06/08/2019 Full Good 03/01/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 02/10/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1270744 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 independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to—

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Requirement Due date

upon request, the local authority for the area in which the home is located;

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Requirement Due date

the registered provider and, if applicable, the registered manager; and

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Requirement Due date

the responsible individual (if one is nominated). (Regulation 44 (7)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)) 30 April 2021

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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: 1270744 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Headstart Residential Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Aequitas, Unit 1, Swanwood Park, Gun Hill, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 0LL

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Inspectors

Maria Lonergan, Social Care Inspector Rebecca Fisher, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1270744 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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Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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