Children's Home run by Fonjock's Social Work Practice Limited in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2585102 1 Registered provider: Fonjock’s Social Work Practice Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to three children. All children have experienced trauma or abuse.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since August 2021.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2585102 2

p.1

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 declined in effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new manager came into post immediately before this inspection. A senior manager has been overseeing the home for several months but did not apply to be registered with Ofsted, despite being aware of the need to do so. This has been a significant factor in the judgement reached.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The provider did not notify Ofsted of a serious safeguarding incident that involved substantial concerns for the safety of a child and the child’s well-being. This means that Ofsted was not able to review staff practice and be satisfied that they had taken appropriate action at the time.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers know the home’s strengths and weaknesses. They have ideas for how the service can improve but objectives, steps to take and who has responsibility are not well defined. Examples are the review of the quality of care and implementing lessons learned from ending a child’s placement. As a result, there is no clear framework that maps out how improvements will be sought or criteria used to evaluate if it has been successful.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Several records seen during the inspection did not identify the author, or only had an illegible signature. This means that it is not possible to see who has given their views or made the decisions. This could have implications regarding accountability if reviewed at a later date.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interim manager has implemented initiatives to meet shortfalls identified at the last inspection. He has sought to strengthen the staff team by recruiting a more diverse workforce. He has initiated training on safeguarding and on working in partnership with families. This has resulted in most staff in the home feeling more confident about their work and closer involvement with children’s families. However, not all were able to recall the government’s ‘Prevent’ duty or clearly describe the role of the local authority designated officer. This has the potential to hamper appropriate interventions.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Working with families has become an area of strength. Adults are proactive in developing relationships with members of a child’s family. Their work has resulted in better communication, more visits, and an effective balance of appropriate oversight with helping everyone to have an enjoyable experience.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A family member and a professional spoken to commented on the child’s progress. Comments included that staff had ‘stood by [the child] unwaveringly’ and ‘chuffed to bits’ on hearing about new opportunities the child had taken. Other positive Inspection report for children’s home: 2585102 3 comments related to family relationships, education and stability. The child has been at the home for a long time and this is the most settled the child has been for several years.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have taken a sensitive approach to getting a structure in place for the child, taking into consideration the time of day for activities and researching educational opportunities that the child might be inclined to participate in. Staff allow the child to make choices and to take the initiative where appropriate. The child has then been willing to consider advice that staff have offered.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child and adults are able to recognise when extra support is needed to help manage emotions. This gives them a good platform to tackle issues and deal with setbacks. The child is happy at the home and said that staff listen to them and they feel safe at the home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have worked well to contribute to the care of a child who left the home at very short notice. This included providing relevant contact details, advice about helpful strategies and actions to follow up, as well as maintaining contact with the child. This demonstrates a commitment to seeking the best for a child despite having to end his stay at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2585102 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2585102 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.5

Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

p.5

Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

p.5

Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

p.5

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

p.5

Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

p.5

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 30 April 2022

p.5

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.5

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi)) 30 April 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2585102 6 This relates to ensuring all staff have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the roles of other professionals and agencies in order to know when a referral is appropriate.

p.5

Requirement Due date

have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (7)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that the person managing the home applies to register with Ofsted. 30 April 2022

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that case records are kept up to date and signed and dated by the author of each entry. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62 paragraph 14.3)  The registered person should ensure that the quality of care review should enable them to identify areas of strength and possible weakness in the home’s care, which will be captured in the written report. The whole review process and the resulting report should be used as a tool for continuous improvement in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65 paragraph 15.4)

p.6

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.

p.6

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’.

p.6

Information about this inspection

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 is currently posing to those we inspect. During this visit, the inspectors took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 by the home. This has included the effect these have had on staffing arrangements. Inspection report for children’s home: 2585102 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Fonjock’s Social Work Practice

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Orchard House, 1 Old Convent Orchard, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3PQ

p.7

Inspector

Chris Peel, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2585102 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8