Children's home run by Calcot Services for Children Limited

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2546476 1 Registered provider: Calcot Services for Children Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home registered with Ofsted in November 2019. It provides care and accommodation for up to six children with social and/or emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since February 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 13 September 2022

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2546476 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

Children are confident in their home and approach staff to spend time with them, watching TV, helping them with tasks or playing games. Staff know the children well and know how to respond to children’s individual communication styles.

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The care of children

Children’s views are sought through a variety of means, including one-on-one time and general discussion. Staff help children to share their views through considering what it is they are trying to communicate, even when their spoken communication is unclear. Staff have been liaising with a speech and language therapist at one child’s school to ensure that the same communication symbols are used in school and at home. Further consideration is now being given to determine what the child understands by these symbols to ensure there is value in their continued use.

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The care of children

Close communication with schools means that children who have been out of education or are struggling to attend school have bespoke programmes of attendance and are receiving the support they need to continue to attend. Staff advocate for children, particularly when it is thought that their full integration into school is not at a suitable pace.

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The care of children

Children’s physical and emotional health are well considered, and children attend all routine appointments as needed. However, there has been a delay in seeking suitable support from occupational therapy to ensure that a weighted blanket is suitable for a child’s needs. The staff are not currently using this intervention, although it is still included in the child’s plans.

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The safety of children

Children are protected from avoidable risks in the home. Staff understand each child’s vulnerabilities and have the training to understand these and keep children safe. Staff work closely with the local authority designated officer. This means that any concerns that are raised are shared swiftly.

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The safety of children

Staff understand the specific risks and vulnerabilities of children with learning disabilities. They monitor and reflect on any changes in behaviour, considering what the child is communicating.

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The safety of children

Children’s risk assessments are clear, and they are followed by staff to keep children safe. New or emerging behaviours are reported, and the responses to these are clear. There are some gaps or discrepancies in the detail within children’s main plans and the grab sheets that are used for new staff or agency workers. However, these Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2546476 3 gaps have not led to any child coming to harm or being poorly supported when upset.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home has been without a registered manager since February 2022. There have been three managers appointed in this period. The current manager, who took up the role in December 2022, is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted. The operations manager has been overseeing the home and supporting the manager in her role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Of the five requirements that were set at the last inspection, three have been met and two have been repeated. Action has been taken to meet the two requirements that have been repeated, but other shortfalls in these areas have been identified. For example, the use of a weighted blanket has not been agreed with a suitably qualified person, and this measure is still included in a child’s plan. Shortfalls remain in some aspects of monitoring across the home, which is improving with the appointment of a home manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There have been some changes to the staff team since the last inspection, although managers are confident that the current team has the training and skills that are required to meet the children’s needs. Staff are keen to learn and provide suitable care for the children living in the home. Staff, including the manager, benefit from regular supervision and team meetings to reflect on their skills and continued development needs. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2546476 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/05/2022 Full Inadequate 01/12/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2546476 5

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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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs. (Regulation 5 (b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that relevant professionals are consulted on children’s physical and emotional health. 31 March 2023

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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

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

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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) (2)(a)(h)) 31 March 2023 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2546476 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Calcot Services for Children Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Advantage, 87 Castle Street, Reading, Berkshire RG1 7SN

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Inspector

Jennie Christopher, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2546476 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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