Children's Home run by Bryn Melyn Care Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2484180 1

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Bryn Melyn Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a large private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children who exhibit complex behaviours because of their childhood experiences. It registered with Ofsted in October 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

The current registered manager is in the process of voluntarily cancelling his registration with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

On 30 June and 1 July 2021, Ofsted undertook a full inspection. The home was judged inadequate. In response to that visit, Ofsted issued two compliance notices under regulation 12 (the protection of children standard) and regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard).

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This monitoring visit

On 19 August 2021, Ofsted undertook a monitoring visit to review progress made since the last full inspection. The visit found leaders and managers were working towards meeting the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken to review progress since the last monitoring visit. Leaders and managers met the steps outlined in both compliance notices under regulation 12 and regulation 13. Eight of the ten requirements were met. The two remaining requirements related to submitting an updated statement of purpose to Ofsted and the fitness of the manager. A further two requirements were made relating to staff supervision and staffing levels.

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This monitoring visit

A new manager has been appointed and is due to start in the coming weeks. The deputy manager has had day-to-day charge of the home and has been effective in making changes and improvements. The responsible individual is meeting weekly Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2484180 2 with local authorities who have children placed in the home to review the progress and changes being made.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have made positive progress in a short space of time. They also recognise that there are further improvements needed and it is an ongoing process.

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This monitoring visit

A social worker informed the inspector that she was pleased with the progress the home had made. Staff were working with her to ensure that the child’s needs are met. This has had a positive impact on the child, who has gained a college placement and has stopped going missing from home.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have effective monitoring systems in place. Poor practice has been addressed with staff. Shift patterns have been changed to consider staff skills and experience.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s risk assessments and care plans have been updated in consultation with children’s social workers. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of these and how they would manage future risks. Risk assessments could be further improved by adding in specific locations where staff could look for children should they go missing from home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have completed a range of training including safeguarding, reporting and recording, and a review of the whistle blowing policy. Leaders and managers have ensured that staff understand the training they have completed by testing their knowledge, having further discussions in team meetings and recapping on the information during supervision. The quality of staff supervision is good and well documented. However, not all staff have had formal supervision monthly, and this is a missed opportunity to provide further support to staff.

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This monitoring visit

The home has experienced staff shortages. The deputy manager has reviewed the risks when staffing levels are lower than expected, used consistent agency staff and covered shifts herself. However, there is not a full staff team and at times the home runs on one staff less per shift. A child told the inspector that she is happy in the home but noted the staffing shortages, as did a social worker and staff, demonstrating that the lack of staff is being felt by everyone.

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This monitoring visit

Medication recording is generally accurate. However, the inspector identified one clerical error. The deputy manager rectified this immediately and there was no impact on children. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2484180 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 30/06/2021 Full Inadequate 06/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 16/04/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2484180 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 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

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (Regulation 13 (1) (2)(d)) 4 October 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement ("the statement of purpose") which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1) (3)(b)) 4 October 2021

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Requirement Due date

A person may only manage a children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

having regard to the size of the home, its statement of purpose, and the number and needs (including any needs arising from any disability) of the children—

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Requirement Due date

the person has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of children. (Regulation 28 (1)(b)(i)) 4 October 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 4 October 2021 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2484180 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they make suitable arrangements to manage and audit medication correctly. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should specify the procedures to be followed and where staff should look for a child when a child is missing from care or away from the home without permission. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.28)

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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: Bryn Melyn Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG

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Inspector

Lisa O’Donovan, social care inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2484180 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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