Children's home run by Q Plus Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1269565 1 Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This purpose-built home is designed to accommodate and support four children with autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities and associated challenging behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The post for a registered manager has been vacant since 27 May 2020 and a complete application has not yet been received. The deputy manager has been overseeing the service since January 2021.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken in response to a complaint received by Ofsted on the 20 May 2021. The visit also evaluated the home to ascertain whether any progress has been made since the last monitoring visit on 26 January 2021.

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This monitoring visit

The complaint received by Ofsted primarily raised concerns about a lack of consistency and communication between the school and the home, which has led to welfare concerns for the children.

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This monitoring visit

The issues included: inappropriate staffing levels; inadequate staff training, or no record of training undertaken; recruitment checks not fully completed; inappropriate storage of medication; and restraint practices not being followed.

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This monitoring visit

The visit had a blended approach with both on-site and off-site activities. Feedback was received from children, parents, social workers and staff.

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This monitoring visit

The home is situated within a school and all the residential children attend the school. The headteacher of the school is also the responsible individual for the home.

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This monitoring visit

The deputy manager has an ambitious vision for the care and well-being of the children in the home. Children have an influence on the practice in the home. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1269565 2 Children have a one-page profile written for them which details information about likes and dislikes, how they behave when they are upset, and how the staff should respond. Information presented in this way brings children to the forefront of practice.

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This monitoring visit

Restraints are used minimally at this home. Staff prefer to redirect a child’s attention and offer them space or a distracting activity to prevent challenges from escalating. However, staff are inconsistent in their understanding of some of the restrictive practices and this requires more management oversight.

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This monitoring visit

Any incidents or accidents that occur in the home are documented and lead to conversations with the team, the child and their network. Information is shared with parents and the appropriate agencies. Learning and reflection take place within the team to prevent the situation reoccurring in the future.

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This monitoring visit

Medication protocols have improved. There is a clear system for ensuring that the correct medication, at the required dosage, is given to the right child. This ensures that children receive appropriate care that is adapted for their specific needs.

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This monitoring visit

Communication between the school and the home is not yet consistent nor does it prioritise children’s experiences. Managers advocate for clear processes when working with the school to support children’s welfare.

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This monitoring visit

The number of staff working with children has reduced and a rolling rota allows for better consistency and planning. Children are cared for by people who they know, and they are able to build trusted relationships.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers ensure that school staff working in the home alongside their own core team receive regular supervision, attend team meetings and are committed to completing the required level 3 diploma qualification. However, managers do not ensure that they have seen school staff references or that they have completed the introductory training prior to working in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff morale in the home has increased significantly due to clarity in expectations. Staff commented on the building feeling ‘like a home’. This means that children are being cared for by a committed, enthusiastic and interested staff team.

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This monitoring visit

One previous requirement in relation to the responsible individual was not considered at this visit and will be restated. Other requirements have been met and have been removed. There are four additional requirements as a result of this visit. These relate to recruitment, training, educational advocacy, and restraint practice. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1269565 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/12/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/08/2019 Full Good 11/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/11/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1269565 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

have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (7)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the responsible individual, who oversees the management of the home, must understand the duties and responsibilities of their role under the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015. 29 October 2021

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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;

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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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)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, this in relation to ensuring that all the required information under schedule 2 is seen and recorded for each staff member prior to them commencing work in the home. 29 October 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must— 29 October 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1269565 5 ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction. (Regulation 33 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, this is in relation to ensuring that all staff have a clear and consistent foundation from which to care for children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. (Regulation 35 (1)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, this relates to ensuring that staff are consistent in their practices to control and restrain a child according to relevant professional plans, agreements and orders. 29 October 2021

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities and resources to support the child’s learning. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(x)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, this relates to ensuring that the registered personadvocates that children attend school and offer practical support, if required, to do so. 29 October 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. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1269565 6

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Inspector

Tolulope Sawyerr, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1269565 7 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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