Atkinson Unit

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC046276 1 SC046276

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This secure children’s home is managed by a local authority and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict children’s liberty. The children’s home can accommodate up to 12 children who are aged between 10 and 17 years. There were four children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for children accommodated under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who are placed by local authorities. Admission of any child under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who is under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The commissioning of health services in this home is the statutory responsibility of NHS England under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Education is provided on site in dedicated facilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since June 2022.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out in line with the memorandum of understanding between Ofsted and the Department for Education (DfE).

p.1

This monitoring visit

Inspectors visited the home with specialist architects commissioned by the DfE. This visit forms part of the information that Ofsted provide to the DfE so that the Secretary of State can make a decision about the continuing suitability of the home to restrict children’s liberty.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The environment is suitable to meet the needs of children who require secure care. Maintenance work to refurbish some children’s bedrooms and bathrooms has begun.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The requirement and recommendations made at the last inspection will be reviewed at the next inspection. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC046276 2

p.1

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.2

Recent inspection history

07/06/2022 Full Good 09/02/2022 Full Good 29/06/2021 Interim Sustained effectiveness 03/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC046276 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

An organisation may only carry on a home if—

p.3

Requirement Due date

the organisation has notified HMCI of the name, address and position in the organisation of the responsible individual.

p.3

Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.3

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2;

p.3

Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit to carry on the home; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

the individual is financially fit to carry on the home.

p.3

Requirement Due date

satisfy the requirements in paragraph (5)(a) to (c); and

p.3

Requirement Due date

have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (4)(ii) (5)(a)(b)(c)(d) (7)(a)(b)) 31 December 2022

p.3

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the ethos of the home supports each child to learn. In particular, leaders should produce a strategy for the development of English and mathematics across all parts of the curriculum. They should deliver a staff development programme that supports its implementation so that children improve their English and mathematics skills faster and in a Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC046276 4 consistent way. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.18)  The registered person should ensure that children are consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted on. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

p.3

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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: SC046276 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Devon County Council

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 4QD

p.5

Inspector

Helen Simmons, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC046276 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.

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