Children's Home run by Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Limited in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2608872 1 Registered provider: Northamptonshire Children’s Trust 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 local authority children’s trust. It provides care for up to two children who may be experiencing social and emotional difficulties. The home’s statement of purpose states that it specialises in providing emergency care. Placements are up to 16 weeks for children whose long-term placement has broken down, or in situations when a suitable long-term placement has not been identified.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2020.

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Inspection date: 9 March 2022

Date of last inspection: 14 December 2021

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Inspection date: 9 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 9 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2608872 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.

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children and young people since the most recent 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

The manager has met three out of the four requirements raised at the last inspection. Staff have a better understanding of the children’s needs. The home offers a homely and comfortable environment for the children. As a result, the quality of care for the children has improved. One requirement in respect of the quality of risk assessments and a recommendation in respect of appropriate accommodation and facilities for staff are restated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two children are currently living at the home. Both children moved into the home in February 2022. The moves to the home were managed well, which has resulted in the children feeling safe and cared for. Both children spoke about staff helping them organise their belongings and making them feel welcome.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two children have left since the last inspection. Staff supported the children to understand their plans and gained their views. This supported the emotional well- being of the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are aware of the individual plans for the children. Staff work very effectively with the managers and the professional network. The children’s needs are very well understood by the professional network supporting them. As a result, children receive good-quality care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers identify staff’s learning needs. This enables the staff to support children in all aspects of their care and development. Staff have completed important training, such as ligature training. This helps to keep children safe. Staff liaise with police and health professionals to understand the risks and health needs for children. Consequently, staff are better equipped to meet children’s needs, which has enhanced the children’s safety and well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A social worker said that she is pleased with the care and progress of a child placed at the home. Progress includes the child understanding and managing a health diagnosis. She is also engaging better in education. The child is now taking part in developing her care plan. She is being supported by staff to share her feelings about a planned move. As a result, the child feels listened to and valued, which is supporting positive emotional well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have improved how they consider all the children’s needs when a new child moves to the home. There have not been any incidents of bullying or physical aggression between children. As a result, the children feel safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 2608872 3 There have been two incidents of restraint since the last inspection. Staff have used techniques appropriately and proportionately to meet the safety needs of the child. The manager gained the child’s views to ensure that she felt listened to and valued.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has improved the maintenance and decor of the home. He is now proactive in identifying areas in need of repair and putting things right quickly. Children spoke about liking their home and feeling comfortable and safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s risk assessments do not always include the information required to ensure that staff know what to do when a child is in crisis. Although staff do respond well to the children in times of need, this could affect the way that safeguarding concerns are managed and children are protected from harm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a room where they can sleep; however, shower facilities are still not available to staff. A plan is in place for the home to be extended to provide appropriate facilities for staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2608872 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/12/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2608872 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to poor-quality risk assessments for children.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 16 March 2022

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the design of the home provides staff that sleep in the home overnight appropriate facilities to do so. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.26)

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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 for children’s home: 2608872 6 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: 2608872 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: One Angel Square, Angel Street, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN1 1ED

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Inspector

Laraine Edmondson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2608872 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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