Children's Home run by Acorn Norfolk Limited in Norfolk

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2638159 1

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Acorn Norfolk Limited

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted at the same time as the home in January 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is in the grounds of an independent school and seven other children’s homes that are all operated by the same national provider.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspector only inspected the social care provision at this school.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of the visit was to establish the provider’s progress in meeting the steps set out in the compliance notice that Ofsted served following the monitoring visit in January 2023. The compliance notice was in relation to the help and protection of children. In addition, this visit considered the provider’s response to the requirements raised following the January 2023 monitoring visit and the June 2022 inspection.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit identified that the provider has met the steps set out in the compliance notice. However, some of the previous requirements have not been sufficiently addressed, and additional shortfalls were also identified.

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This monitoring visit

The management team has taken action to improve the approach to managing the administration of ‘when required medication’. Clearer guidance is now available for staff. This has reduced the potential for errors and over-administration. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2638159 2 The management team has reviewed and updated risk assessments. These are now clearer. Missing information has been added and superfluous historical information has been removed.

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This monitoring visit

The management team has implemented outstanding actions to reduce risk. A new door, identified as necessary to mitigate significant risks relating to a child leaving the building, has been installed in a corridor.

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This monitoring visit

The management team has failed to make sure that there are always enough staff on shift. There have been several occasions when there have been less staff on shift than are deemed necessary. On at least one occasion, there have been no staff on shift with a suitable first-aid qualification. On another occasion, managers were unsure whether any of the staff had a suitable first-aid qualification. The management team took immediate action to review the planned rota and ensure that all forthcoming shifts include a member of staff with a first-aid qualification.

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This monitoring visit

On one occasion, staff physically intervened to keep children and staff safe. However, the management team did not ensure that this member of staff received a debrief. One member of staff is noted to have refused this. The management team has not challenged or queried this refusal. Consequently, opportunities to reflect on the incident and explore staff involvement have been missed.

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This monitoring visit

The management team has not ensured that records are consistently clear. Some records lack clarity and precision. For example, incident reports do not always provide sufficient detail to enable a good review of the incident and a clear understanding of what has happened.

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This monitoring visit

Managerial monitoring is not strong enough. Despite there being plans to carry out quality assurance checks and additional managerial scrutiny, the issues identified during this monitoring visit have not been picked up by the management team.

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This monitoring visit

The management team has met two of the previous requirements. Arrangements for managing medication have improved and action has been taken to reduce the potential of the management team failing to notify Ofsted of significant events. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2638159 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/06/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2638159 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 registered person must ensure that, at all times, at least one person on duty at the home has a suitable first-aid qualification. (Regulation 31 (2)(a)) 24 February 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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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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)(b) (2)(c)(d)(h)) 1 March 2023

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure of restraint, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record 1 March 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2638159 5 confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children and staff involved in a restraint are spoken to within the required time frame.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

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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: 2638159 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorn Norfolk Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Kirsty Orton-Kabanzi

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Inspector

Ashley Hinson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2638159 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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