Children's Home run by Acorn Norfolk Limited in Norfolk

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2642113 1

p.1

Acorn Norfolk Limited

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to two children with learning disabilities. It is operated by a national provider.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered at the same time as the home in April 2022.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is in the grounds of a special school and other children’s homes that are all operated by the same national provider. The school is independently registered.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The inspector only inspected the social care provision.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out in order to address specific concerns that were raised about the home and reported to Ofsted.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The leadership and management of the home are not safe or effective. There are serious concerns regarding the staff’s capacity to meet one child’s needs and keep him safe. Several significant shortfalls have been identified at this monitoring visit. Following this visit, the provider is subject to compliance and enforcement action.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit identified serious safeguarding concerns. Managers have failed to respond and address two whistle-blowing concerns. The whistle-blowing concerns relate to inadequate care of a child and unsafe care practices. A failure to address safeguarding concerns places children at risk of harm. This means there are no opportunities for staff reflection or learning. This fails to ensure that children receive the necessary support and care to keep them safe. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2642113 2 There has been a failure to take necessary action to address serious safeguarding concerns. The environment is in an unacceptable state, with faeces and urine on the child’s bedroom floor. Despite the child being away from the home for over an hour, the staff had not cleaned the child’s bedroom. Wires are hanging from the light fittings and there are no curtains or cushions on the sofas. A paddling pool in

p.1

This monitoring visit

the garden contains mud and numerous dead insects. There is writing on the walls and furniture. Overall, the environment is unhomely, unhygienic and unsafe.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The care arrangements for the child are unsafe. Staff are unable to manage the risks to the child. The staff have failed to safely supervise the child. Daily records and consultation with staff confirm that the staff left the child alone at the home. At times, the staff could not enter the house because they have been unable to safely manage the child’s behaviours. This has led to occasions when staff have remained in the garden or outside the garden perimeter when the child was inside the house. During these times, there has been significant damage to the home. This lack of close support and supervision places the child at serious risk of harm. Overall, the managers and staff have failed to provide safe or effective care.

p.2

This monitoring visit

It is Ofsted’s view that, due to the serious shortfalls stated above, to allow the placement of children at the home, at this time, may place children at risk of harm.

p.2

This monitoring visit

During the monitoring visit, a decision was taken by managers to move the child from the home with immediate effect. Therefore, no children are currently living at the home. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2642113 3

p.2

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.3

Requirement Due date

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

p.3

Requirement Due date

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

p.3

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;

p.3

Requirement Due date

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

p.3

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; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(vi)(b)(d)) 26 August 2022

p.3

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—

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 26 August 2022 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2642113 4 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;

p.3

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.4

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

p.4

Information about this inspection

This monitoring visit was carried out in order to address specific concerns received by Ofsted.

p.4

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2642113 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorn Norfolk Limited

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG

p.5

Inspector

Lianne Bradford, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2642113 6 regulates and inspects 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.5

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.6

Inspector

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

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6