Children's Home run by Nottinghamshire County Council in Derbyshire

Inspection report for children's home: SC051513 1 SC051513 Registered provider: Nottinghamshire County Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority home providing care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties and/or a hearing impairment.

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Information about this children’s home

The home’s registered manager has been absent for a prolonged period.

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Inspection date: 22 March 2022

Date of last inspection: 15 December 2021

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Inspection date: 22 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 22 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC051513 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 declined in effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and deputy manager have been absent from the home for a prolonged period. Interim management arrangements have included support from the managers of other homes operated by the local authority. The lack of consistent management has resulted in continuing weakness. A number of shortfalls have been identified during this visit.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s response to an allegation was poor. The concerns were not reviewed by a manager. Appropriate safeguarding referrals and notifications were not made. Children are potentially placed at risk due to poor oversight of safeguarding concerns.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records of sanctions have not been reviewed quickly enough by managers. This does not provide reassurance that sanctions are carefully monitored to ensure that they are proportionate and appropriate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Not all staff have received regular supervision. This was identified as a shortfall at the last inspection. Plans to improve supervision arrangements, which were put in place after the last inspection, have been ineffective.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A medication error occurred in December 2021. This was investigated by the managers. However, they have failed to ensure that learning points from the investigation have been addressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have not received training to meet the children’s needs. It was identified at the last inspection that staff had not completed some training about a health condition. Staff have still not received this training.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite these shortfalls, the child living in the home has made progress. Managers have promoted the child’s education well. They have shown tenacity when escalating concerns. They have also worked constructively with the local authority virtual school head and the child’s school. This has enabled the child to attend school full time and to make progress, which is a significant achievement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been improved health outcomes for the child. Following the implementation of a clearer structure and routine, the child is able to settle better each night and has a healthier sleep pattern. Ongoing medication reviews ensure that the child’s health conditions are properly addressed. Inspection report for children's home: SC051513 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/12/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/05/2019 Full Good 05/06/2018 Full Good 10/07/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC051513 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 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

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

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies.

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that appropriate action is taken when a child makes an allegation, ensuring all required professionals are informed. 25 April 2022

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

promotes their welfare. 25 April 2022 Inspection report for children's home: SC051513 5 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring consistent management oversight of staff practice and ensuring monitoring systems are embedded into the home. In addition, ensure that staff receive regular supervision and training to meet the specific needs of children.

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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: SC051513 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Nottinghamshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QP

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Inspector

Zoey Lee, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC051513 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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