Children's Home run by Fonjock's Social Work Practice Limited in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2585102 1

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Fonjock’s Social Work Practice

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to three children.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager were registered with Ofsted in August 2020. Due to COVID- 19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 6 April 2021 to carry out a monitoring visit. The report is published on our website.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken to monitor a compliance notice that was issued following a monitoring visit on 3 March 2021, where significant concerns were identified. These concerns related to the provider not considering all relevant risk factors when deciding if the needs of children coming into the home were compatible with the needs of children who were already living in the home. In addition, Ofsted had significant concerns that the home’s policy, and staff practice, in relation to managing allegations against staff was leaving children at risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

With regard to the compliance notice, all required actions have been taken by the provider and the notice is met. All requirements made at the inspection undertaken on 3 March 2021 are also met.

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This monitoring visit

There was only one child living in the home at the time of this visit. The inspector reviewed documents and spoke to managers to review how the staff were supporting this child to stay safe and make progress.

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This monitoring visit

The leaders and managers have reviewed the systems and processes that they use to decide if the needs of children referred to the home are compatible with those of Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2585102 2 children already living in the home. There is increased management scrutiny of decision-making in this area and wider consultation with other professionals and children. This reduces the risk that children will be admitted to the home without full consideration of the needs and vulnerabilities of all the children.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s safeguarding policy has been updated. Information is now more accessible to staff. The policy describes the actions staff must take if there are allegations against staff members, including any allegations involving leaders and managers.

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This monitoring visit

In response to recent allegations, and at the request of the designated officer, the provider commissioned an independent safeguarding investigation. This investigation was thorough and concluded that the allegations were not founded.

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This monitoring visit

Staff work effectively in partnership with the parent of the child currently living in the home. Communication between the staff team and the child’s parent is regular and effective. This ensures a consistent experience of care when the child spends time with his parent.

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This monitoring visit

Staff demonstrate resilience in the face of some significant challenges in managing behaviours and incidents. They remain focused on acting in the best interests of the child and have positive relationships with him. They help him maintain healthy routines. They provide him with good advice and support to negotiate aspects of his life that he finds difficult.

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This monitoring visit

Staff provide good care and close supervision for children. The child living in the home no longer goes missing from care. Staff are vigilant and pay close attention to make sure that he is protected from exploitation. This support helps him keep safe when out in the local community.

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This monitoring visit

Despite clear strengths in care practices, the home’s statement of purpose does not accurately describe the range of needs of the children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. Additionally, staff are not fully trained to meet the full range of needs of these children. They have not, for example, had any significant training in understanding the needs of children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). This means that staff do not fully consider the impact that a diagnosis of ASD may have on the way children may experience care, their behaviours or how they process information.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are persistent in their approach to help children access health services. For example, a child who was resistant to visiting the dentist recently did so. Staff promote a balanced diet, fitness and healthy lifestyles. However, staff were unaware of a significant health issue that was clearly identified in a child’s relevant health plan. Staff did not know if this health issue was still relevant to him.

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This monitoring visit

Staff encourage children to access child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) when necessary. However, in one case where a child chose not to go to Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2585102 3 CAMHS, staff had not accessed relevant advice and support directly from a CAMHS professional or health professional. This left staff without additional help and guidance to help inform their practice and understanding of the child’s needs and vulnerabilities. This runs the risk that opportunities to help children make progress may be missed and that children may not achieve to their full potential.

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Recent inspection history

This home has not yet had a full inspection since it was registered in August 2020. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2585102 4

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them 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

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff are trained to understand the needs of children with a diagnosis of ASD and that advice from CAMHS is sought to inform care for children with complex needs. 14 June 2021

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the 31 May 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2585102 5 options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well- being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all health matters as outlined in children’s education, health and care plans are addressed in their day-to-day care arrangements.

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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))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the statement of purpose must contain a statement of the range of needs of the children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. 31 May 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.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Fonjock’s Social Work Practice

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Orchard House, 1 Old Convent Orchard, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3PQ

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Inspector

Lee Kirwin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2585102 6 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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