Children's Home run by Leeward Care Ltd in Isle of Wight

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2510324 1

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Leeward Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to four children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager’s position has been vacant since 1 February 2021.

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This monitoring visit

This visit took place following contact from the designated officer, who shared concerns with Ofsted about the supervision of a child who had moved into the home. In addition, the visit monitored the actions taken and the progress made by the home since its last Ofsted inspection. The home was last visited on 10 December 2020 when a monitoring visit was carried out.

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This monitoring visit

Serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children were identified during this visit.

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This monitoring visit

A previous requirement was made which related to shortfalls in risk management. During this visit, one child’s risk assessment relating to their use of ligatures did not have any specific direction for staff to follow to reduce risks. The quality of risk assessments remains poor. The regulatory breach is repeated.

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This monitoring visit

At the previous monitoring visit, a requirement was raised in relation to shortfalls in ensuring that staff have the relevant experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. Leaders and managers failed to take any effective action to rectify these shortfalls. For example, a child recently admitted to the home had known risks around self-harm behaviours, including using ligatures. Despite this, staff had not completed relevant training to ensure that they were able to manage these risks safely. As a result, the child managed to cause harm to themselves requiring admission to hospital. Following this serious incident, the child’s placement was ended after a few days. The regulatory breach is repeated. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2510324 2 The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The child who was recently placed had

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This monitoring visit

diagnosed learning disabilities. The statement of purpose does not describe how children whose primary needs relate to learning disabilities will be cared for. This child was inappropriately placed at the home. The staff team and manager were not equipped to keep this child safe or meet their individual needs.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have received recent supervision, which is recorded. During supervision meetings, a range of issues are discussed and there is some professional challenge. However, there is a lack of direction for staff about what they should do differently to improve their professional practice. Discussions related to training and development are vague and are not always linked to the needs and risks of the children.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have undertaken online training during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) lockdown period. Managers have identified further training needs for the staff team which the online courses have not been able to meet. The training manager has delivered one bespoke workshop on substance misuse. More workshops are planned.

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This monitoring visit

Children are encouraged to develop interests and hobbies, such as photography. One child is being helped by staff to plan for the next stage of their life. Staff provide reassurance and support as the child moves towards living more independently.

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This monitoring visit

Due to serious and widespread concerns and the failure to meet previous requirements, Ofsted has issued a notice to restrict the accommodation of this home. Compliance notices have also been served.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/03/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/10/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2510324 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)) 18 April 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 aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)) 18 April 2021

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Requirement Due date

*The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. 18 April 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2510324 4 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that systems are in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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: Leeward Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Langley Court, Pyle Street, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1LA

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Inspectors

Matt Nicholls, Social Care Inspector Stephanie Murray, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2510324 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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