Birch Cottage

Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 1 SC421197 Registered provider: ABC Care and Education Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider and offers care for up to four children.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is overseen by an experienced manager. She was registered with Ofsted on 10 February 2022.

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Inspection date: 18 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 18 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 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 improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two children currently reside in this home. Both children are engaging, making good progress and benefiting from positive experiences. Relationships between children living in the home are largely positive. Because of this, children are settled and are happy living here. One child has left the home since the last inspection. This was a positive, well-planned move which resulted in the child moving closer to home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are engaging in education. One child is attending a mainstream school. There is a transition plan in place for another child, which is supporting her attendance at a formal education provision. Children have good attendance levels and are progressing in line with their plans. As a result, children continue to gain knowledge and skills that will support them in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The health needs of children are being met. Children regularly attend health appointments and have few outstanding health concerns. Children openly discuss sensitive health issues with staff and are confident in doing so. As a result, children are supported to access external services to address their individual and specific needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers have supported children to develop their independence skills and broaden their external support networks. One child has completed voluntary work at a local kennels and secured a paid weekend job. Children have access to positive friendship groups and spend time with others outside the home socialising. This helps children to build valuable connections and skills for the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments in place to support children are robust and are individualised to the child. The assessments include procedures to manage children’s behaviours, providing staff with clear and effective guidance. Unfortunately, there have been occasions when these procedures have not been followed by staff. This has had a negative impact on children and their relationships with the staff involved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been several incidents that have required the use of restrictive physical intervention. These interventions have been necessary to ensure the safety of children and staff. Detailed record-keeping demonstrates that children have been well supported following these incidents. Following one intervention, a child made an allegation of physical abuse. This was investigated by managers and resolved with the child; however, consultation was not held with the local authority designated officer. In addition, Ofsted was not notified of the allegation. Failure to follow procedures that serve to protect children reduces children’s safety and prevents the required review by external agencies. Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 3 Complaints procedures are discussed with children. Children understand them and utilise them. Furthermore, the manager has significantly improved these procedures

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

in the home. Complaints from children are clearly documented and investigated. As a result, children’s issues are resolved, and they feel listened to and valued.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements have been made to staffing in the home. Since the last inspection, children have been supported by a stable, consistent and skilled team. Children are benefiting from this consistency and have strong, positive relationships with those who care for them. Because of this, children feel secure, loved and well cared for.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recruitment procedures in the home have been developed. The manager seeks to secure multiple references and evidence of previous employment in line with good practice. This improves children’s overall safety and ensures that all those working with children are suitable to do so. New team members have received an appropriate induction, and are familiar with the home’s policies and procedures and feel well supported. The manager has also ensured that staff recruited have a good level of experience and skills. Because of this, new team members are confident in their roles and are building good relationships with children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has sought to improve the external monitoring that is carried out. Independent visitors provide a detailed review of the home, which supports improvement. The manager has ensured that shortfalls identified in external monitoring, including those raised at the last inspection, have been addressed. This serves to improve the overall quality of care provided to children in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/06/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/05/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/08/2018 Full Good 09/05/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 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 positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a) (2)(a)(i)(xi))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, staff should care for children in a way that reduces confrontation, de-escalates behaviours, and meets children’s individual needs in line with agreed plans. 30 April 2022

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)) 30 April 2022

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s home seeks as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. Specifically, the children’s home should be free from damage, and any required repairs should be completed within an appropriate timescale. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 6

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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 for children’s home: SC421197 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: ABC Care and Education Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: International House, 61 Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3HZ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Kennedy

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Inspector

Natalie Bennett, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC421197 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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