Children's home run by First 4 Care Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1256608 1 Registered provider: First 4 Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider runs this home. The home is registered to provide care for up to three children with social and/or emotional difficulties. The home provides care to children aged between 6 and 18 years old. At the time of the inspection, there were no children living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in July 2017. The manager registered in November 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Following concerns raised with Ofsted about this provider, a monitoring visit took place on 30 May 2022. Four compliance notices and a notice restricting accommodation were issued.

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Information about this children’s home

A monitoring visit took place on 11 July 2022 and two of the compliance notices were found to be met. On 15 August 2022, a further monitoring visit took place, and the remaining two compliance notices were found to be met.

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Information about this children’s home

Since this time, no children have lived at the home. The provider made the decision to close the home temporarily in order to make organisational changes and improvements.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 30 November 2021

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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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 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1256608 2  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers.

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Information about this inspection

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: 1256608 3

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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

No children currently live at the home. This is because the home has been closed for a number of months. The provider has made some significant changes to the organisation and the home. Therefore, the manager and staff team are now ready to support children to move into the home.

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The care of children

Since the last visit, the home has been redecorated throughout and furniture has been replaced. The environment is warm and welcoming. This means that the home feels homely and is ready for children to move in.

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The care of children

Leaders and managers have clear processes in place for when new children move into the home. This includes the completion of a written impact risk assessment. In addition, all children’s placements at the home are planned. This will help staff to consider what support the child will need from the moment they arrive at the home.

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The safety of children

Staff make sure that they complete health and safety checks of the home. This helps to reduce the risks to children’s safety in the home.

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The safety of children

Managers have implemented an updated individual risk assessment and risk management plan. This will support staff to assess and reduce the risk of harm to children.

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The safety of children

Staff receive regular training that helps to develop their skills and knowledge. This includes training in managing challenging situations and behaviours effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A permanent manager and deputy manager lead the home. The managers told the inspector that they feel well supported by the operations manager, who is also the responsible individual for the home. The home has a dedicated team of staff. This supports teamworking and provides stable and consistent leadership for staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers are reviewing the home’s oversight systems and processes to enable them to oversee the running of the home. The operations manager is supporting the manager to review the quality of service regularly. Although untested, this helps the manager to identify development areas for the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has ensured that the home has enough staff who are suitably vetted and qualified for the role. There is ongoing recruitment to fill the remaining staff Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1256608 4 vacancies. This will help to ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide consistent care to children that move in. However, on reviewing staff files, the inspector noted that managers do not assess candidates’ knowledge and skills on safeguarding children during their interview. This means that the current process is not robust because candidates are not competently assessed. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1256608 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/11/2021 Full Outstanding 18/12/2019 Full Good 05/02/2019 Full Good 28/11/2017 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1256608 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that relevant questions designed to help to keep children safe are explored when interviewing candidates for a role at the home. This should include safeguarding children. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1256608 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 16 St Wilfrids Road, Bessacarr, Doncaster DN4 6AA

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Inspector

Honor Hamshaw, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1256608 8 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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