Children's home run by Devon County Council

Inspection report children’s home: 2529667 1 Registered provider: Devon County Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home can provide short-break visits for up to four children. This is one of a range of homes operated by the local authority to support families with children who have complex health, physical or behavioural needs.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, a new manager has started in post and has advised Ofsted that they are applying to register.

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Inspection date: 12 January 2022

Judgement at last inspection: Requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 12 January 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2529667 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 this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection in July 2021, children have enjoyed positive short-break visits. More permanent and fewer temporary staff now work in the home, resulting in improved consistency and better relationships with children. In addition, activities where children visit the local community have increased because more staff now drive. Children have particularly enjoyed visiting the cinema, watching firework displays in November and seeing the Christmas lights.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Newly appointed staff bring with them a range of skills and expertise that complement the existing staff team. Leaders and managers ensure that new staff receive the necessary training and support to enable them to meet children’s needs. Staff who contributed to the inspection are positive about working here and told the inspector that morale has improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Most of the requirements and the one recommendation made at the full inspection are now met. However, action taken to address two of the requirements has been too slow, and one of those requirements is repeated at this inspection. Leaders and managers have still not confirmed that all the necessary recruitment checks have been carried out on agency staff who continue to work in the home. In addition, leaders and managers do not know whether agency staff have had specific medical training, despite them carrying out certain medical procedures.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff take the right action to protect children and ensure that their complex needs are met. Serious incidents have been managed well. Staff and managers correctly work with families, other professionals and healthcare agencies to reduce risks and keep children safe from harm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are helping to redecorate the home. Children’s bedrooms have benefited from a makeover, making them more grown-up and appealing. Children helped to decide on the decor and have chosen items to personalise the rooms. Staff work hard to give children positive experiences in the home and ensure that their wishes are heard. However, in one case, this has resulted in staff deviating from a child’s agreed care plan without sufficient consultation as to whether this change is appropriate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In general, the online recording system is used effectively by staff to capture information about children. The addition of photos helps to personalise these records and provides children and families with mementos of visits to the home. However, more work is needed to ensure that records include details of the actions staff take to check specialist medical equipment. Inspection report children’s home: 2529667 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/07/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/09/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/06/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report children’s home: 2529667 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 registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ a person to work at the children’s home

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly relates to carrying out safer recruitment checks for agency workers and ensuring their medical competencies. 31 January 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s records include details of the actions staff take to check medical equipment. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.5)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff understand their roles and responsibilities and what they are authorised to decide on their own initiative. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)

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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 Inspection report children’s home: 2529667 5 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: 2529667 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Devon County Council, Chief Executive’s Directorate, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 4QD

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Inspector

Paula Lahey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2529667 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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