Children's Home run by Hennessy Living Group Limited in Hartlepool

Inspection report children’s home: 2613032 1 Registered provider: Hennessy Living Group Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to five children with emotional and/or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager of the home registered with Ofsted in February 2022 and is suitably qualified for the role.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit at the home on 5 July 2021. This was due to concerns about the leadership and management of the home, and a lack of transparency in the reporting and recording of safeguarding notifications. The four requirements raised at the full inspection on 5 and 6 May 2021 were also reviewed during this monitoring visit. These requirements were not met. As a result of the monitoring visit, Ofsted restricted the accommodation at this home, issued a compliance notice under regulation 13 and raised two additional requirements.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Ofsted carried out a further monitoring visit on 17 August 2021. The purpose of this visit was to monitor the provider’s progress in meeting the compliance notice and to review the restriction of accommodation notice. The inspector found that the steps of the compliance notice were met. There were no further requirements made at this monitoring visit and the notice restricting accommodation was lifted. Inspection report for children’s home: 2613032 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 the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and senior staff have reviewed and revised children’s risk assessments. However, the risk assessments for some children do not include all known risks to their safety and are not updated following all incidents of concern. The lack of information in these documents means that these do not accurately reflect children’s current circumstances or experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some children continue to smoke in their bedrooms, which places themselves and others at risk of harm. Although the registered manager acted on this during the inspection, not having an effective strategy to prevent this behaviour means that children’s welfare and well-being are not consistently promoted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s education attendance and attainment have improved. For example, children who have lived in the home for a while are now attending their school or college placement. The registered manager attends meetings with children’s education providers, allocated teachers, headteachers and social workers. This means that if children are struggling with their learning, they receive the support that they need and, if necessary, can access education provisions that better meet their needs. This approach helps children to recognise the importance of education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff build trusting relationships with children living in the home. These relationships help children to feel safe. For one child, this has resulted in improved self-esteem and a reduction in self-harm. Children say that they feel safe and can talk to staff when they are sad. This strengthens the developing positive relationships between staff and children. One social worker said, ‘[Name of child] has become very settled, really quickly, and has built trust with staff.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Physical restraint is rarely used in the home. Documents of these incidents provide a clear overview of the incident and the rationale for the use of this measure of control. The registered manager carries out debriefs with children and staff following each physical restraint. This provides an opportunity for staff to review their practice and for children to reflect on their behaviours and consider what strategies can be used in the future to help them to manage their anxieties and frustrations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager continues to develop the home and works to improve the quality of care for children. The recent redecoration has transformed the home into a warm and welcoming environment for children to live in. Inspection report for children’s home: 2613032 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2613032 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

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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)) 22 April 2022

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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: 2613032 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hennessy Living Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rickleton 1B, Bowes Offices, Lambton Park, Chester-le-Street DH3 4AN

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Goundry

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Inspector

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2613032 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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