Children's Home run by Break Charity in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC439153 1 SC439153

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Break

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This charity run home provides care for up to four children who may have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma, along with family and placement breakdowns.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left in October 2020.

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This monitoring visit

Following concerns raised with Ofsted, a monitoring visit was undertaken on 18 May 2021. At that visit, serious concerns were identified regarding the leadership and management of the home. Ofsted served a compliance notice. A visit to monitor the steps set out in the compliance notice was undertaken on the 22 June 2021. At this visit, the steps in the compliance notice were unmet and, despite several improvements, the compliance notice was reissued.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken to review the provider’s actions in meeting all the steps set out in the compliance notice. The responsible individual has implemented an action plan that details the actions required. This has been successful, and all the steps set out in the compliance notice are met.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of this visit, three children were living at the home. There have been no new children admitted to the home. While it is not possible to monitor the appropriate matching of new children, the manager keeps the group dynamics under review. The manager monitors the children’s relationships carefully to ensure that children are not intimidated or negatively influenced by other children living at the home.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last monitoring visit, there have been no incidents of any kind that have required police involvement. The staff focus on any incidents of children name- calling or bullying one another. There are two occasions that include potential bullying behaviour. The staff have recorded these properly and helped both children Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC439153 2 to reflect on their actions. The staff support children to understand the impact of their behaviour. The bullying incidents have significantly reduced in number and severity. As a result, the children feel safer.

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This monitoring visit

Each child has a plan for education, college or vocational training for the September 2021 term. The staff have planned structured activities with individual children over the summer holidays. Combined with the lifting of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic restrictions, this has provided children with activities that support their interests. This builds the children’s self-confidence and reduces tensions at the home.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is working hard to establish new monitoring systems. She works well with the deputy manager to provide consistent management cover. The monitoring and oversight of incidents have improved and are working well. Records sampled are up to date and accurate. Children’s risk assessments reflect any recent incidents and are reviewed regularly. Communication with professionals has improved. Social workers are consistently given weekly detailed reports and are made aware of any concerns.

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This monitoring visit

There have been no further changes to the staff team, and the manager no longer uses any agency staff. This provides better consistency of staff and stability for the children.

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This monitoring visit

The premises and grounds are well presented and provide a welcoming and cared for environment.

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This monitoring visit

This period since the last visit reflects a settled and organised home. The children are enjoying the summer holidays, planning individual holidays and engaging in purposeful activities.

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This monitoring visit

The two requirements raised at the full inspection were not checked at this visit. They are restated.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 29/04/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/10/2019 Full Good 26/06/2019 Full Inadequate 20/02/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC439153 3

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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 ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 28 August 2021

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (2)(a) (5))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 28 August 2021

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Information about this inspection

This purpose of this visit was to monitor the action that the manager has taken in response to the compliance notice.

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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: SC439153 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Schofield House, 1 Spar Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR6 6BX

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Inspector

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC439153 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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