Children's Home run by Berry Gifford Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2541440 1

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Berry Gifford Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in February 2020 and is owned by a private company. The home offers care for up to three children who have experienced childhood instability which has resulted in trauma and associated complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been in post since January 2021. The manager has submitted his application to become registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Ofsted last visited this setting on 12 April 2021, to carry out a full inspection. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to review the progress made in meeting the compliance notice and seven requirements raised at the full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

During the monitoring visit, we found that progress has been made. The compliance notice and six of the requirements have been met. One requirement is not met and has been restated. No new requirements have been made.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of this visit, no children were living in the home. Previously, one child’s move out of the home was planned. Staff prepared the child well for this move. In a letter to the staff, the child wrote, ‘I found living here a good time and a good experience.’ Another child’s move was unexpected. Despite this, the child was able to say goodbye to the manager and all of the staff who looked after him. Both children had positive experiences of moving from the home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff made children personalised memory books filled with pictures and messages from staff. Staff gave these books to the children when they left. These books will Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2541440 2 remind children of the positive experiences they had during their time living at the home.

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This monitoring visit

Prior to children leaving the home, staff had supported both children to access their education. Furthermore, staff ensured that their health needs were met. Staff supported children to lead a healthy lifestyle. For example, both children regularly took part in physical exercise, and one child who ‘comfort eats’ was encouraged to eat a more balanced diet that included eating fruit and vegetables, and drinking plenty of water.

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This monitoring visit

The manager listens to children. For example, during a children’s meeting, the children requested a change to the frequency of these meetings. As a result, the manager wrote a child-friendly, written response to each child, telling them that how often meetings took place could change. The manager requested advocacy and mentoring services for children, to ensure that their voices were considered when making decisions about their future care.

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This monitoring visit

Most of the time, managers and staff are proactive in managing children’s behaviours. However, this can be affected when agency staff are working in the home. Agency staff do not have the same level of training and knowledge of the children as the permanent staff. However, there is a plan in place to recruit new staff and reduce the need to use agency staff.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has introduced monitoring systems to help review the quality of care provided to children. This has enabled him to identify what is going well and what needs to be developed. There are clear plans in place to improve and develop the home.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, there have been several improvements. For example, staff rosters now identify which staff are working in the home; managers, staff and children are familiar with how to evacuate the home in the event of a fire; the home’s behaviour management policy and statement of purpose are now accurate and up to date.

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This monitoring visit

Managers and staff have now completed the required training, relevant to their role. Additional training has been undertaken in relation to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attachment and trauma. Furthermore, staff have completed training in a therapeutic model linked to play, acceptance, curiosity and empathy (PACE). This ensures that staff are suitably skilled and trained.

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This monitoring visit

The home is maintained to a good standard and previous damage has been repaired. Some areas of the home have recently been decorated and soft furnishings have been provided. Children’s bedrooms are welcoming and include new beds, wardrobes, draws, desks and chairs. Workplace signs have been removed from around the home. Due to the changes made, the house now providers a more homely environment. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2541440 3 The manager and deputy manager each hold a level 3 qualification in caring for children and young people. Three members of staff are working towards completing this qualification, and one is working towards completing a level 2 qualification in health and social care. The manager recognises the importance of ensuring that all staff obtain the required qualifications.

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This monitoring visit

Managers, and staff who are responsible for recruiting new staff, have now completed safer recruitment training. No new staff have started to work in the home since the last inspection. However, when agency staff have worked in the home, managers have not assured themselves that the necessary recruitment checks have been carried out by the recruitment agency. This has the potential for children to be cared for by unsuitable staff.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/04/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2541440 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 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; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

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

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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.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that all staff, including agency staff, are safely recruited. 19 July 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

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2541440 5 Unique reference number: 2541440

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 2, 2 Mercury Park, Amber Close, Tamworth B77 4RP

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Inspector

Helen Malanaphy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2541440 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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