Children's Home run by Brooks & Brooks Recruitment Ltd in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home: 2713287 1 Registered provider: Brooks & Brooks Recruitment Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for one child who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since January 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2713287 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is one child living in the home. Before the child moved into the home, staff spent time getting to know them and provided them with information about the home. The child has trusting and secure relationships with the staff. Staff spend time with them and know them well. The child’s bedrooms reflect their likes and interests. As a result, they are beginning to experience a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to access education. The child is not attending a school but is provided with tuition. In addition, staff support educational activities, including regular visits to the library. Staff have supported the child to attend an open day at a local college. As a result, they are now enrolled for the course of their choice for September 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s health is being supported to improve. They are registered with local health services, and all appointments are up to date. The child recently had their annual health assessment and told the nurse they like living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides therapeutic care and support. The child has access to weekly therapy sessions that are focused on their needs. As a result of this, they are being helped to better understand their feelings and emotions. Staff receive training and consultation with the home’s linked therapist.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy new activities and holidays. There are photos of holidays and special events in the lounge. Children have memory books created with staff. This ensures that their life stories are being captured.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are given the opportunity to contribute to any review of their plans. As a result of this, their voice is fully included in all aspects of their care. The staff support the child to maintain communication and contact with their family.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager and staff know the child’s risks. Staff follow plans when the child displays self-harming behaviour or when they are missing from home. The manager ensures that there are individualised risk management plans in place. These plans identify the child’s vulnerabilities and provide staff with clear strategies to manage risks. As a result, the child feels safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child is supported to manage their behaviours. They contribute to their behaviour plans. When they struggle with their feelings and emotions, staff support them and use effective de-escalation strategies. As a result of this, conflict is managed effectively. When incidents occur, they are reviewed by the manager. The manager updates the child’s plans with any learning from incidents. These are shared with the child and staff. This keeps the child fully informed about their care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2713287 3 Medication is stored and administered safely. However, the registered manager has not ensured that all information regarding controlled medication is recorded in the controlled medication book.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are suitably qualified and experienced. They are recruited safely. Staff have accessed training that is centred on the needs of the child living in the home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The physical environment is safe. However, house keys are stored in a key safe outside the home. The manager has not considered the potential risks of this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is ambitious for the child and has high expectations for the staff team and its development. The manager receives good support from the home’s responsible individual.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team is experienced and consistent. It is clear about its responsibilities and accountabilities. Staff feel valued and supported by the managers of the organisation. However, in some instances, managers have not ensured that staff know the management arrangements during their periods of annual leave.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a safe area report in place, which is detailed and up to date. It takes into consideration the local risks and hazards. The manager has consulted with relevant agencies in the community, such as the local police, to obtain their views.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that supervision sessions take place regularly and in line with the home’s statement of purpose. Supervision provides staff with a space to reflect on their practice and the care that they provide to the child. Regular team meetings also take place. These are well attended.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that all staff are provided with opportunities to complete training. This includes mandatory training and additional training that is specific to the child’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager routinely reviews the home’s records and documentation. This ensures that the quality of care is monitored. The feedback from the independent person is acted on and discussed in supervision and team meetings. Inspection report for children’s home: 2713287 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, The 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that when storing house keys outside the home in a key safe, the use of this is appropriately assessed, taking into consideration all potential risks. 21 July 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when the registered manager is not going to be present in the home, there is suitable planning in place to ensure that there is management oversight in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.2)  The registered person should ensure that all information about children’s medication is fully recorded in a controlled medication book. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This 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’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2713287 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brooks & Brooks Recruitment Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Hollinwood Business Center, Hollinwood, Oldham OL8 3QL

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Junior Brandford

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Inspectors

Sarah Jackson, Social Care Inspector Kimmy Feeley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2713287 6 and inspects 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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