Coniston House

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC379123 1 SC379123 Registered provider: Cove Care Residential Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home offers care for up to five children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties and associated complex care needs.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager’s post has been vacant since 23 March 2023. A new manager was appointed but did not commence the role. At the last inspection, an interim manager was in post and there were plans for her to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

However, leaders and managers have now appointed a new manager from within the organisation. The new manager is taking up their post at the beginning of September 2023 and is aware of the importance of submitting a timely application to register with Ofsted. The interim manager will continue working at the home until the new manager is in post, before transferring to manage another home in the organisation.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On 28 March 2023, Ofsted conducted an assurance inspection. Serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care of children were identified. Two compliance notices were issued, for regulation 6, the quality and purpose of care standard, and regulation 13, the leadership and management standard.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On 31 May and 1 June 2023, Ofsted conducted a full inspection and serious and widespread failures were identified. Leaders and managers had failed to meet both compliance notices issued at the assurance inspection in March 2023. Consequently, the compliance notices for regulation 6, the quality and purpose of care standard, and regulation 13, the leadership and management standard, were reissued, and a restriction of accommodation notice was issued.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On 7 June 2023, Ofsted received concerns regarding a serious incident that occurred Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC379123 2 on 6 June 2023 in relation to a child living at the home. The child alleged that they had come to harm and continued to be at risk. Consequently, on 9 June 2023, Ofsted issued a suspension notice to the home.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On 17 July 2023, a monitoring visit was undertaken to assess the progress made by leaders and managers in meeting the compliance notices issued at the full inspection and to assess whether the home was able to safely welcome new children. Leaders and managers had failed to meet the compliance notice raised in relation to regulation 13, the leadership and management standard. Consequently, this was reissued and the suspension notice remained in force.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There are no children currently living at the home and the provider has complied with the suspension notice.

p.2

This monitoring visit

At this monitoring visit, it was established that leaders and managers have now devised new monitoring and reviewing systems that will support them in identifying and addressing shortfalls promptly to improve the quality of care given to children. Consequently, the compliance notice raised in relation to regulation 13, the leadership and management standard, is now met.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have given staff opportunities to reflect on previous shortfalls. Staff have now received reflective supervision and have taken on board learning regarding the areas for development identified.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff have completed training in the recording of physical restraints, the importance of maintaining accurate and up-to-date children’s records, understanding children’s education needs and barriers to learning, and the importance of setting good routines and boundaries for children. Staff are now more aware of their roles and responsibilities, which will support them to deliver good-quality care to new children moving into the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have acted on recommendations from the fire service and have reviewed the home’s fire risk assessment. There are no further recommendations arising from this.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Managers still need to update the home’s location risk assessment to include all control measures that mitigate against all known local risks. The details of where the home is located are currently misleading and need amending. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC379123 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/05/2023 Full Inadequate 06/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 21/07/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC379123 4

p.3

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is suitably located so that children are safeguarded effectively and can access services to meet needs identified in their relevant plans. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

p.4

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.

p.4

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC379123 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cove Care Residential Limited

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 16 Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV1 4BL

p.5

Inspector

Rumbi Mangoma, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC379123 6 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.

p.5

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6