Children's Home run by Compass Children’s Homes Ltd in Surrey

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 1

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Compass Children’s Homes Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home registered in September 2020 and is operated by a private company. The statement of purpose states that the home provides high-quality care and substitute parenting for up to four children who experience emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2020.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was completed to review progress against a notice of restriction which was imposed on the provider on 7 May 2021.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual outlined an action plan during this visit which includes strengthening the senior team in the home, conducting a review of staff training, and instigating a thorough review of all operational systems, recording and procedures. This work is being led by the responsible individual and the registered manager, with the support of the organisation’s quality assurance team. The registered manager is benefiting from the introduction of experienced senior staff, having time to work with the responsible individual on improving the systematic recording of incidents, notifications, allegations and complaints.

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This monitoring visit

The organisation has introduced a social work trained lead, who will be the designated person for all allegations. They will also ensure that every manager across the organisation follows the approved reporting and recording procedures.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual and the registered manager acknowledge that disciplinary action against a member of staff was reported in a way that led to ambiguity around the outcomes of their investigation. This situation has prompted the organisation to review its reporting procedures and allegations process. Steps have been introduced Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 2 to close any loopholes in reporting systems. This includes no self-reporting of allegations.. Clear guidance is available for staff to use their on-call manager to work through any allegations against staff which happen outside of the registered manager’s working hours. Staff have also received further training on the sharing of personal information with children. While both the responsible individual and the registered manager could verbally describe the rationale behind their decision- making in this case, this was not translated into the supporting documents. This has

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This monitoring visit

led to ambiguity and contradiction across different records.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual and the registered manager agree that strategies for managing risks to other young people in the home should be clearer in the impact assessments for potential referrals. These considerations will form part of all future assessments.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have received additional training in understanding risk and criminal exploitation. Face-to-face training is booked for the staff to continue to improve their understanding of these issues.

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This monitoring visit

In response to a situation where routine checks could not be evidenced for a child’s medical equipment, new recording systems are in place and available for inspection. Staff are signing records to demonstrate that regular checks take place and the registered manager is overseeing this system to ensure that it is completed.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager and responsible individual acknowledge that some risk assessments did not address all relevant risks for children. Following this identified shortfall, a review of every child’s risk assessments has taken place. The organisation’s director of quality and performance is now reviewing every new risk assessment to make sure they are of the quality expected by the organisation. This oversight will help to ensure that staff are including all the relevant information for children.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual and senior leaders acknowledge that the staff team lacked confidence and was heavily affected by the challenges of one child’s placement breakdown. The registered manager described a period of intense firefighting, with staff dealing with multiple incidents and targeted allegations. This impacted on staff retention, which required the registered manager and deputy manager to move out of their office roles to support staff on shift. The registered manager acknowledges that this put pressure on the successful completion of routine recording and operational functions in the home. Since this child’s departure, the new senior layer of experienced staff has been able to provide the support and professional development that the staff team requires. Staff morale has significantly improved, and the responsible individual and registered manager feel that significant progress has been made in the period since Ofsted last inspected. On this visit, relationships

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This monitoring visit

between staff and children appeared positive. Children appeared relaxed and happy. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 3 Risks to children have not increased since the inspection. Leaders and managers are taking swift action to try to meet the requirements set out in the compliance notices issued on 13 May. They are confident that they will be able to make a strong case that compliance notices are met when it comes to review.

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This monitoring visit

The operational action plan is still underway and there is a significant amount of work to complete. However, the organisation is taking concerns raised at the last inspection seriously and putting in place strategies to support the necessary changes to practice.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/05/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 4

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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: Compass Children’s Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Mountfields House, Epinal Way, Off Squirrel Way, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3GE

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Inspector

Peter Jackson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2578675 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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