Children's home run by Medway Council

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2571557 1

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Medway Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home’s statement of purpose states that the service provides short breaks for up to five children aged from five to 18 who have a diagnosed learning disability or a learning disability with physical disability.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since 31 July 2020.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the service and the strength of management and staffing arrangements following the service being registered with Ofsted in April 2020.

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This monitoring visit

In accordance with Ofsted’s guidance on COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions, this visit was undertaken with a mix of on-site and remote activities. A tour of the premises was conducted, and staff were interviewed. A range of documents regarded as relevant to the areas of inspection were considered, and telephone interviews took place.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders have dealt effectively with an incident of COVID-19 infection that affected members of the staff team, and the service has continued to operate with only limited disruption during the pandemic.

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This monitoring visit

The physical environment provides a safe, rich, and stimulating stay experience for the children and aspects continue to be enhanced and developed. A very experienced and committed staff team is increasing in cohesion and provides the children with safe and stimulating care that is well attuned to their needs, wishes and feelings.

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This monitoring visit

Parents and carers express confidence in the service and the staff’s ability to provide their children with safe and enjoyable care. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2571557 2 The manager is strongly supported by experienced senior staff, and those interviewed expressed confidence in his leadership. Lessons have been learned from significant incidents and appropriate action has been taken. Areas for improvement in recording have been identified and actions are being taken to achieve this.

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This monitoring visit

The staff recruitment process is conducted in accordance with the checks listed under Schedule 2 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, but the process is not always undertaken with rigour and curiosity. From the staff files sampled, shortfalls included the failure to explore discrepancies between different references, and not using the verification of references process to fully explore a candidate’s suitability. This approach is not congruent with safer recruitment guidance and increases the risk of recruiting unsuitable staff.

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This monitoring visit

The statement of purpose does not contain all the elements listed under the regulation. For example, the complaints procedures are not clearly referenced. The document is lengthy and detailed, with many ambiguous statements. Consequently, this is not useful for the staff or leaders to understand and implement in a meaningful and measurable way.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2571557 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 compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. (Regulation 16 (1)) 2 May 2021

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Recommendation

 The registered person should maintain good employment practice, as set out in regulations 31 to 33. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the effectiveness of this service since it registered in April 2020.

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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 address: Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Medway ME4 4TR

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Inspector

John Pledger, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2571557 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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