Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Hesley Group Limited in Doncaster

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC008015 1 SC008015

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Hesley Services Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a residential special school which is owned by a private company. It is registered as a children’s home, and offers care and accommodation for up to 32 children who have learning disabilities and/or learning difficulties, together with complex needs. The manager was registered on 05 October 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

The service was last visited in 2019, when a full inspection was carried out.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken due to an increase in safeguarding notifications and because some actions set by the independent person have remained unmet for several months. During this visit a serious issue in the recruitment procedures of staff was found and a compliance notice was issued. One other requirement and one recommendation were set.

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This monitoring visit

The recruitment procedures are not always robust. When the provider verifies references, there are no records of the information shared. For example, a candidate was employed having been previously dismissed by another organisation. There is no evidence that the provider took reasonable steps to explore the reasons for the dismissal. This leaves children at potential risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

A behaviour management strategy described by staff as ‘temporary confinement’ is used to manage some children’s behaviour. This confinement deprives children of their liberty without this being authorised through a court order. Consequently, this is not in line with requirements.

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This monitoring visit

There are systems in place to routinely review serious incidents and restraints. The reviews help managers and the clinical team to identify patterns and trends in the children’s behaviour. As a result of the reviews, strategies are identified to support children in line with their needs. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC008015 2 The recommendations set by the independent visitor are not always actioned quickly. The delays hinder improvements in care practice for the children. Some recommendations have been carried forward in the independent visitor’s reports for several months. The recommendations carried over include issues around care planning, deprivation of liberty, staff supervision and fire drills.

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This monitoring visit

The houses are adapted to the individual needs of children. Some children enjoy personalised bedrooms and living spaces, while others prefer low-arousal rooms which support their sensory needs. In two houses there has been some damage to the decor and there is some broken furniture. There have been delays in repairs due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. However, this lack of response leaves children feeling undervalued.

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This monitoring visit

The children enjoy the gardens and the outdoor space. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic they have enjoyed activities with staff, such as walks, a bouncy castle and outdoor discos.

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This monitoring visit

The new registered manager is settling into her role and still getting to know the service. The staff reported that they are feeling well supported. Supervisions for the staff have been delayed during the pandemic. This delay means that the outcomes of supervisions are not currently being used to drive improvements in practice and care for the children. The manager is addressing this issue and supervisions are now back on track from this month.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/12/2019 Full Good 12/12/2018 Full Good 10/01/2018 Full Good 01/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC008015 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, the 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 recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(a)(d)) 2 May 2021

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children to aspire to fulfil their potential;

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1) (2)(h)) 2 May 2021

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Requirement Due date

*This requirement is subject to a compliance notice. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC008015 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s homes are nurturing, homely and supportive environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hesley Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hesley Hall Coach House, Hesley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN11 9HH

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Inspectors

Jamie Richardson, Social Care Inspector Debbie Foster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC008015 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

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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