Children's Home run by Young Foundations Limited in Darlington

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC061439 1 SC061439 Registered provider: Young Foundations Limited

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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 who may have social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities and/or mental disorders.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living at the home at the time of the visit.

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Information about this children’s home

There is currently no registered manager in post. A manager has been appointed but has not yet registered with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

On 8 December 2022, Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit in response to receiving an increased number of notifications from the provider which raised concerns about poor safeguarding practice and children being at risk of harm. At the visit, serious concerns were identified and, as a result, two compliance notices were issued under regulation 12 (the protection of children standard) and regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard).

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out to monitor the action taken by the provider in response to the compliance notices. The inspector found that, since the last visit, the provider has taken significant action to improve the service. Both compliance notices have been met.

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This monitoring visit

Although not yet tested out, an improved system is now in place to suitably risk assess the needs of all children prior to children moving into the home.

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This monitoring visit

The risk assessments of those children living in the home have been reviewed and updated. Safeguards have been put in place to better protect the children from harm. For example, one child’s mobile phone use is monitored regularly and Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC061439 2 effectively. In addition, the child has successfully completed training on the dangers of child sexual exploitation. As a result, the risk of sexual exploitation has decreased, and the child is safer.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have attended training on child sexual exploitation and how to prevent this. Almost all staff are also now trained in how to respond effectively to complex situations that arise involving the children. Staff feel far more knowledgeable and skilled. For those staff who are awaiting this training, measures are in place to ensure that children are not at an increased risk of harm from untrained staff.

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This monitoring visit

Action has been taken to prevent children being harmed by other children. Through team meetings, supervision and focused one-to-one sessions, staff have developed a better understanding of how to appropriately manage such behaviours. Staff have been able to begin to put this learning into practice. One staff member said, ‘Before, staff were very anxious, now staff feel more confident in challenging behaviours.’ A child said, ‘I feel happier, and things are more settled.’

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This monitoring visit

There has been an increased presence and influence from the in-house psychologist. Staff have been provided with focused sessions on the children who live in this home. As a result, staff have a better understanding of the needs of the children and how to help them.

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This monitoring visit

While staffing levels have increased, this has not prevented further serious incidents from taking place in the home. One child has moved out of the home in an unplanned way. This does not provide children with positive experiences.

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This monitoring visit

The requirement raised under regulation 14 (the care planning standard) has not been reviewed as part of this visit as no children have moved in during the intervening period. This, and the remaining one requirement and one recommendation raised during the full inspection on 4 and 5 November 2022, will be assessed at the next inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC061439 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/10/2022 Full Good 14/06/2022 Full Inadequate 28/09/2021 Full Good 27/08/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC061439 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 care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that impact risk assessments consider the competing risks and needs of all children. 29 January 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 29 January 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should oversee the welfare of the children in their care through engagement with the home’s staff. In particular, a debrief with staff should take place following every serious incident. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.23) Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC061439 5

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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.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC061439 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Young Foundations Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 7 Grosvenor Street, Chester CH1 2DD

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Inspector

Emma Ridley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC061439 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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