Children's home run by Assure Care Homes Ltd

Inspection report children’s home: 2529331 1 Registered provider: Assure Care Homes Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home cares for up to five children. The home’s statement of purpose states that it provides care for children with learning disabilities, including children with autism spectrum disorder and other associated diagnoses.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since 5 February 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Inspection date: 27 October 2021

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 27 October 2021

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report children’s home: 2529331 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, a new manager has been appointed and is being supported well in her new role by the responsible individual and the deputy manager. Although early days, the manager has quickly identified areas of improvement and has prioritised these areas for development. The improved management oversight has enhanced the quality of care that the children receive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have taken actions to address shortfalls identified from an in- house investigation following a serious incident that occurred at the home. New learning has informed future risk planning to ensure that the day-to-day care at the home is arranged and delivered to keep the children safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improved management monitoring ensures that the children’s records and safeguarding information are kept up to date. This ensures that concerns can be shared quickly and appropriately so that prompt decisions can be made to protect the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children experience warmth and responsive care from the staff. One child described how his key worker recognises from his behaviour when he may need some extra support or help. Children said that they have good relationships with the staff, who listen and respond to any worries that they may have.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide the children with reassurance and encouragement for them to express their views and wishes. One child has recently contacted the Children’s Commissioner’s office and senior manager in his local authority to make a complaint relating to his care plan. Through the staff’s support, the children develop a greater sense of agency and self-esteem. Consequently, the children learn to recognise that they can have a positive influence on the people and the environment around them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children’s safety is central to the staff practice. Children said that they feel safe living at the home. Staff are aware of any potential worries in the local community about children being targeted for sexual exploitation or being drawn into gang crime. When children leave the home without discussing their plans or where they are going, staff are alert to the potential risks and take actions to reduce the risk of any harm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The location risk assessment contains local agency intelligence. Managers have made good links with a local police community officer who helps to ensure that the staff’s safeguarding knowledge of the local area is current. Inspection report children’s home: 2529331 3 A social worker commented on her confidence in how the staff manage risks. Responsive and regular multi-agency discussions help the staff provide holistic child- centred care. The staff’s communication with other professionals is good. This has helped ensure joined-up action to safeguard one child who is currently experiencing an increase in risks while out in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are thoughtful about the transitions and adjustments that the children need to make, such as in preparation to live more independently. Staff plan and prepare the children for these transitions, and are currently providing outreach support for one child that is no longer living at the home. The manager and responsible individual advocate for the children, to ensure that others play their role and deliver the high- quality support that is needed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is well maintained and provides a safe environment for the children. It has been redecorated since the last inspection and presents as homely and child- centred. The home is well resourced with books and games. Arts and craft materials have been put to good use, particularly by one child, who has created a fantastic mix of Halloween decorations throughout the home. Staff ensure that any damage to the home, or required maintenance tasks, are completed quickly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers are working hard to improve the quality of supervision records to ensure accountable practice and effective performance management. Although some headway has been made, some supervision records remain weak and do not identify clear expectations for staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality assurance processes are not yet good enough in relation to the vetting process for agency workers. There remain gaps in some of the agency worker profiles. This means that the registered provider cannot be confident that all the staff hold the appropriate experience, qualification and skills required for their role.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and leaders promote an inclusive ethos at the home. Staff are mindful of children’s individuality and celebrate diversity. Bullying is not accepted, and swift action is taken by the staff to address unkind comments or actions. Consequently, children develop an understanding of equality and tolerance of others. This assists the children to develop a positive self-view and a sense of their unique identity. Inspection report children’s home: 2529331 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: 2529331 5

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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

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a(b))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to the registered person ensuring a robust and consistent vetting process for agency workers.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is repeated. 20 December

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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— 20 December Inspection report children’s home: 2529331 6 use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

This relates to the responsible person using effective monitoring systems to ensure consistent staff supervision and safe practice.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: 2529331 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Assure Care Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 4, Northbrook Industrial Estate, Hollybrook Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 6PB

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Inspector

Anne-Marie Davies, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2529331 8 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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