Children's Home run by Roundhouse Care in Staffordshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC404983 1 SC404983

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Registered provider: Roundhouse Care 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 home is registered to provide care for up to two children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is currently no registered manager in post.

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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(s) 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: SC404983 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

At the time of the inspection, there were two children living in the home. Both children have lived in the home for a significant period. Children are settled and feel well supported. They say they like living in the home and like the staff.

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The care of children

Children have positive relationships with staff. There has been considerable change at the home since the last inspection. Several staff have left, which has impacted on children’s experiences. Despite this, children are now beginning to form trusted relationships with the new staff and manager. Children share humour and laughter when interacting with staff. These secure relationships help children to feel settled.

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The care of children

Some concerns were identified with the environment at the last inspection. While further improvements are required, the provider has taken some positive steps. For example, the kitchen has now been fully installed, broken furniture in children’s bedrooms is being replaced, and health and safety concerns have been addressed. Additionally, there is a plan to make further improvements to ensure children are provided with a warm, homely environment.

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The care of children

Staff encourage children’s hobbies, interests and talents. Staff arrange for them to attend local clubs such as rugby and football. Children also enjoy activities such as swimming and playing on their games console. This supports children to make positive memories.

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The care of children

Staff do not always ensure that children attend school. It was identified at the previous inspection that one child had not regularly attended school or made progress. However, a new school placement has now been identified for the child and they are due to start at the beginning of the new academic year.

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The safety of children

There have been few safeguarding incidents since the last inspection. Staff have used effective de-escalation techniques at times when children have been struggling with heightened emotions. As a result, staff have not physically restrained children.

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The safety of children

Children do not go missing from the home. Staff understand the children’s missing- from-care plans and have received training to ensure they know how to respond if a child does go missing.

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The safety of children

Staff do not always assess risk effectively when working with children. For example, on one occasion, following an incident involving a child, a risk assessment was not Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC404983 3 updated or reviewed to reflect the changes in the child’s behaviour. This meant that staff were not provided with the correct information or guidance to manage any future behaviour effectively. This potentially places staff and children at risk of harm.

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The safety of children

Staff do not always ensure children’s physical health needs are met. On one occasion, a staff member did not seek medical advice or attention for a child when it was suspected the child was under the influence of substances or alcohol. Additionally, the member of staff did not make an accurate record of the incident or share the information with appropriate safeguarding agencies. However, the manager identified the concern and took steps to address the concern with the member of staff, supporting them with their learning and reflection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has left the home. A new manager has been appointed and is currently in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The recently appointed manager has developed monitoring systems to ensure effective review of the quality of care provided to children. The systems are designed to maintain compliance and identify shortfalls in the care provided. The manager said that the new monitoring systems will ensure continued improvements are made to children’s experiences and progress. Shortfalls were identified at the previous inspection relating to the effectiveness of the independent person. The manager will now be having oversight of external monitoring processes to ensure that they are effective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Since the last inspection, there have been improvements to staff training. Regular staff working in the home have now completed mandatory training. There remain some gaps in training about the specific needs of children. However, positive steps have been taken and the new manager is formulating a plan to ensure all training is completed soon.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff sufficiency remains a concern. There are currently three permanent members of staff. This means that there is a dependency on regular use of agency staff. The manager has made efforts, when possible, to ensure that staff supplying cover are familiar to children, to reduce any impact on children’s attachments and to aim to provide children with continuity. The manager said that two staff have been recruited and are due to start soon. Additionally, support is being put in place to upskill staff to ensure that children are safely cared for. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC404983 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/10/2022 Full Good 29/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC404983 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, 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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 the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring the premises are furnished to meet children’s needs. 24 August 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may permit an individual to start work at the home despite the fact that the requirement in paragraph (3)(d) has not been met if—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person has taken all reasonable steps to obtain full information about each of the matters in Schedule 2 in respect of the individual, but the enquiries in relation to any of the matters in paragraphs 3 to 6 of Schedule 2 are incomplete;

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information in respect of the individual has been obtained in relation to the matters in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 2; 24 August 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC404983 6 the registered person considers that the circumstances are exceptional; and

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Requirement Due date

the registered person ensures that the individual is appropriately supervised while carrying out the individual’s duties, pending receipt of any outstanding information on the matters in paragraphs 3 to 6 of Schedule 2, which is then considered satisfactory by the registered person.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must take reasonable steps to ensure that any individual who is working at the home and who does not fall within paragraph (2) (a) and (b) is appropriately supervised while carrying out the individual’s duties. (Regulation 32 (7)(a)(b)(c)(d) (8))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring employment references are obtained from the applicant’s most recent employer and information is compliant with schedule 2.

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training, and employment;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and 24 August 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC404983 7 the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement;

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Requirement Due date

raise any need for further assessment or specialist provision in relation to a child with the child’s education or training provider and the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible;

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Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training, or employment and to prepare for future care, education, or employment;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities, and resources to support the child’s learning. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix)(x)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring children are supported to attend education, and that the manager works alongside professionals to ensure children make educational progress.

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; 24 August 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC404983 8 manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager identifying when children may be at risk and implementing strategies in risk assessments to reduce any potential risk.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. 24 August 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC404983 9 (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring the independent person receives regular feedback from children, parents and staff working in the home.

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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 promotes their welfare.

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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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

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring staff have the correct skills, experience and qualifications to meet the needs of children. 24 August 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— 24 August 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC404983 10 use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring effective systems are in place to review the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring that children receive support in relation to their health and well-being. 31 August 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any consequences used to address poor behaviour are restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. In some cases, it will be important for children to make reparation in some form to anyone hurt by their behaviour and the staff in the home should be skilled to support the child to understand this and carry it out. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC404983 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Roundhouse Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: C/o Phil Bessant Limited, Agincourt House, 14 Clytha Park Road, Newport NP20 4PB

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Inspector

Carl Wilton, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC404983 12 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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Inspector

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