Children's Home run by CASC (Barrow) Limited in Cumbria

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC436826 1 SC436826

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CASC (Barrow) Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is overseen by an experienced manager who has been registered with Ofsted since November 2017.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was instigated due to an increase in safeguarding notifications submitted to the regulator. These notifications largely relate to incidents in the home that have required police assistance. Additionally, there have been two occasions when a child was admitted to hospital. The inspector completed this visit remotely.

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This monitoring visit

Over recent months, children living at the home have been facing difficulties, because of their own personal circumstances, exacerbated by the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. This has led to an escalation in incidents in the home that have necessitated police support.

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This monitoring visit

During these times, staff have maintained children’s safety. Unfortunately, staff have been at risk of significant harm due to the behaviours displayed by children. This has led to a breakdown in children’s placements. Decisions to end placements were not taken lightly, and clear attempts were made to maintain these placements prior to breakdown.

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This monitoring visit

Police assistance was requested on several occasions to support the management of children’s behaviours. On some occasions, this could have been avoided. The registered manager acknowledges that children’s behaviours could have been better managed. As a result of this, she has accessed further training and development for newer members of the staff team who lack experience. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC436826 2 Meetings and reflective sessions are held regularly. These provide staff with an environment for learning and open discussion in which to improve their behaviour- management skills and discuss strategies. This helps to support children at times of crisis and prevent future incidents.

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This monitoring visit

Despite the frequency and escalation of incidents in the home, children are well matched. Robust impact risk assessments are completed prior to children moving into the home. These appropriately assess any risks arising from children living within a group setting and include clear strategies to minimise and mitigate those risks identified.

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This monitoring visit

Long-standing staff are confident in their roles and know children well. However, other staff have said that they would benefit from a designated person to contact for advice and guidance. This would support staff to manage challenging situations more confidently and effectively, and reduce the need for police involvement. A recommendation has been made to address this.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are familiar with the home’s whistle-blowing and safeguarding procedures. They have confidence in senior leaders and managers and feel able to openly discuss concerns or worries. This helps to ensure children’s safety.

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This monitoring visit

During the previous inspection, it was identified that independent monitoring reports were not submitted to the regulator within the required timescales. This prevents oversight from the regulator. There has been a further occasion when a report was not submitted. Because of this, this requirement has been repeated.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/02/2020 Full Good 22/01/2019 Full Good 16/01/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 16/05/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC436826 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 ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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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

Specifically, this relates to ensuring that a copy of the report reaches Ofsted within the required timescale. 8 May 2020

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that everyone working at the home understands their role and responsibilities and what they are authorised to decide on their own initiative. There should be clear lines of accountability. Each home must have clear arrangements in place to maintain effective management when the manager is absent, off duty or on leave. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)

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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

Registered provider: CASC (Barrow) Limited Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC436826 4 Registered provider address: Office 2, Unit 2, T Brady’s Yard, Walney Road, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 5UT

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Hilary Southward

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Inspector

Natalie Bennett, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC436826 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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