Children's Home run by DOONAMIS LIMITED in Essex

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2672782 1 Registered provider: Doonamis Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private company and provides care for up to three children. It provides emergency, short-term and long-term care for children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2022.

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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 these inspections, the inspector 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: 2672782 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

Since the last inspection, one child moved in and has recently moved out of the home. There is currently one child living in the home.

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The care of children

One child’s attendance at school has improved. Staff work closely with the education provider to be able to support the child.

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The care of children

Staff encourage children to build positive, appropriate friendships. One child can stay overnight at a friend’s house. Staff have built relationships with the child’s friend’s parents.

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The care of children

Staff work with children to support them to recognise when friendships are not in their best interests. They work with children to help them to understand the negative impact that some friendships can have on them.

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The care of children

Interactions between staff and the child living in the home have improved. This has helped them to begin to develop positive relationships.

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The care of children

Staff support children to maintain important relationships. Family members are encouraged to visit the home and meet the staff. One parent has had dinner at the home with their child and staff.

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The care of children

The home is welcoming and decorated to a good standard. Children have been involved in choosing new furniture for the home.

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The care of children

The staff support children to learn age-appropriate independence. For example, the child who recently left regularly cooked their own meals, went shopping with staff, and was able to do their own washing.

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The safety of children

Missing-from-care incidents have decreased for one child. They are now staying in contact with staff when they go out. Staff are professionally curious when children return to the home. However, when children go missing, there have not been any return-home interviews by an independent person. This is a missed opportunity to find out where children have been.

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The safety of children

Staff supported a child while they needed to spend time at a hospital. Staff worked closely with the hospital staff, safeguarding lead and police. Two staff stayed with the child to support them and help them to feel safe. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2672782 3 Staff have a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures and the whistle- blowing policy. Safeguarding matters are regularly discussed in team meetings and staff supervision. There have been several safeguarding notifications, and the correct procedures have been followed. All staff have completed safeguarding training.

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The safety of children

Risk assessments have improved. They are comprehensive, detailed and updated promptly. When risks change, this information is recorded, with clear guidance for the staff. This supports staff to be able to manage risk effectively and keep children safe.

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The safety of children

Staff record incidents in detail. However, on occasion, the language used in records is not always appropriate.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home has now employed an experienced deputy. Together with the manager, they have begun to make improvements to records in the home, which have had a positive impact. Staff say that paperwork is clearer and easier to follow.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Improvements to the home have been made with the purchase of new furniture and decoration. The garden is well kept. This helps children to feel that they live in a warm and nurturing environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff receive regular and detailed supervision. Team meetings take place monthly and have good attendance from staff. Staff training is up to date.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The children benefit from a consistent staff team and staff morale is high. A member of staff said that staff enjoy coming to work and that the manager and deputy are approachable and listen to their ideas. This helps staff to feel valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There have been improvements to the internal monitoring of the home. The manager and deputy carry out regular audits, and the independent person provides a monthly overview of the home. The manager has completed the six-monthly quality of care review. However, it has not been sent to Ofsted. This means that Ofsted has not been able to review the document.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The one requirement and two recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. One new requirement and two recommendations have been made. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2672782 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/04/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/01/2023 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2672782 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, 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 supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (4)(a)) 28 September 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority provides an opportunity for the child to have an independent return-home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear record-keeping. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2672782 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 117 Kingfisher Close, Shoeburyness, Southend-On- Sea SS3 9YB

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Inspector

Trish Palmer, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2672782 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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