Children's home run by Back on Track Children’s Services SE LTD in Dover

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC473404 1 SC473404 Registered provider: Back On Track Children’s Services SE Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and provides care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There are currently no children living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in post since 16 September 2020.

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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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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 1 December 2020 to carry out a monitoring visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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This monitoring visit

On 7 December 2020, the provider was issued with a condition to give Ofsted three months’ notice of its intention to operate the home and admit children. In accordance with the condition, the provider has informed Ofsted of their intention to look after children. The purpose of this visit is to assess the readiness of the home to open.

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This monitoring visit

Significant progress has been made on improvements to the home’s physical environment. All bedrooms have been redecorated, with new furniture in place. Communal areas have also been redecorated. A gaming area has been set up in the conservatory, meaning that there are now several places for children to spend their Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC473404 2 free time. Some minor works are yet to be completed but there is a clear schedule for this to be achieved.

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This monitoring visit

There has been a positive focus on multi-agency working. Leaders and managers have had regular meetings with both the police and the host local authority. These meetings have included information-sharing to ensure that staff will have current knowledge of potential risks relating to the location of the home.

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This monitoring visit

There has been a comprehensive review of the placement matching process that will be used. New matching forms allow for detailed assessment of the needs of children moving into the home and the impact that this may have on any children who may already be living in the home. There is a clear admissions process in place to ensure that staff understand the needs of children before they move into the home.

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This monitoring visit

There is a new system in place to ensure that health and safety checks are carried out regularly. However, a review of the fire risk assessment indicated that not all actions have been completed.

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This monitoring visit

The statement of purpose has been reviewed and updated. However, this document does not accurately describe the range of children’s needs that the home is equipped to meet.

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This monitoring visit

A review of recruitment procedures identified serious weaknesses. A current disciplinary investigation that had been declared on an application form was not investigated as part of the interview process, nor was it followed up sufficiently when obtaining references. The recruitment files reviewed were missing key information such as identity checks, reference verification and Disclosure and Barring Service checks. There was no evidence of the rationale for decision-making in employing staff. This is particularly relevant when employing a member of staff who is under investigation by a previous employer.

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This monitoring visit

The shortfalls identified at this inspection raise serious concerns about the home’s readiness to operate. This is because recruitment practice has not ensured that all staff are suitable and safe to work with children. It is also of concern that the home’s statement of purpose does not clearly identify the range of needs that the home can safely care for. There are also actions that need to be taken to address the concerns raised by a recent fire risk assessment of the home. Ofsted will conduct a further monitoring visit to ensure that these concerns have been addressed. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC473404 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/10/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/11/2018 Full Good 13/12/2017 Full Good 23/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC473404 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 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))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that the statement of purpose reflects the aim of the home and that a copy is sent to Ofsted. 15 February 2022

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Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25 (1)(a)) 15 February 2022

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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

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (3)(d)) 15 February 2022 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC473404 5

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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

Responsible individual: Christopher Campbell

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Inspector

Mark Newington, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC473404 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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