Children's home run by Salford City Council in Salford

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC064858 1 SC064858

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Salford City Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority children’s home. The provider states in its statement of purpose that it provides care for four children with social and/or emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2007.

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This monitoring visit

On 28 and 29 April 2021, a full inspection was undertaken at the home. Serious and widespread shortfalls were found in safeguarding practice, and leadership and management. As a result, the home was judged inadequate and three compliance notices were issued under section 22A of the Care Standards Act 2000. These related to regulation 12, the protection of children standard; regulation 13, the leadership and management standard; and regulation 14, the care planning standard.

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This monitoring visit

At this monitoring visit some improvements have been made. The responsible individual has made suitable arrangements to cover the management of the home. As a result, the quality of care for children is improving.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s statement of purpose has been updated, and now reflects the service and care provided. For example, it clearly records that the home does not take emergency admissions.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have received a range of training courses to develop their skills and knowledge, and this helps them to protect children better. For example, staff have completed training in allegations and in reporting safeguarding concerns. As a result, recent incidents have been reported appropriately.

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This monitoring visit

Restraint records have improved. They now capture the children’s views on the incidents Further support is offered through advocacy. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC064858 2 The home has been redecorated and children have helped to choose soft furnishings. The internal locks have been removed. New furniture has been ordered and damage has been repaired. As a result, the home looks more welcoming and cared for.

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This monitoring visit

Despite the improvements further work is required.

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This monitoring visit

Risk management plans do not adequately guide staff on how to keep children safe. For example, they do not have coherent information around the children’s triggers for unacceptable behaviour; what strategies have been agreed to try and de- escalate situations; and what actions staff would need to follow if an incident was to occur. Risk levels are reviewed without a clear rationale or process. This fails to ensure that risks are consistently managed by staff, and places children at an increased risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

Placement plans are not used as working documents to guide staff and ensure that all are working towards the same goals and aspirations for children. Children’s plans and records are not written in a way that children can easily understand. They do not show the support given by staff or the progress that children have made. This does not help children to understand their journey through care.

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This monitoring visit

The children’s plans contain institutionalised and stigmatising language, and sensitive information. The records often place blame on children for behaviours that challenge staff, rather than evidencing an understanding of children’s needs. This means that children do not have a sense of security and belonging.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s record-keeping systems are ineffective Some records could not be found, when requested by the inspectors, and in some cases several parts of a record were held in different places. This does not ensure that there is a seamless record-keeping system in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The managers monitoring and review remains poor. Documents that have been reviewed by managers lack critical evaluation, direction and reflection to support the staff team’s development and learning. This means that children’s risks are not being reduced as much as they could be, and children are not being fully supported to make progress. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC064858 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/04/2021 Full Inadequate 21/01/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/06/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC064858 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)) 25 July 2021

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Requirement Due date

*The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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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

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f)) 25 July 2021 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC064858 5 *The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

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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

manage and review the placement of each child in the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(b)(ii)) 25 July 2021

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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, and 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

ensure that staff treat each child with dignity and respect. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(b)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to ensuring that staff use appropriate language that does not stigmatise children or place blame. 25 July 2021

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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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: SC064858 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Salford City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton, Manchester M27 5DA

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Inspectors

Pam Nuckley, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Carly Quinn, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC064858 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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