Children's home run by The Qalb Short Break Services Ltd in Tower Hamlets

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC389781 1 SC389781 The QALB Short Break Services 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 company owns and runs this short-breaks service. The home provides residential short breaks, day care and after-school club services for up to eight children with learning and physical disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted in January 2009. The manager is suitably qualified.

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This monitoring visit

This visit took place following notification to Ofsted of a serious incident.

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This monitoring visit

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that a serious incident which occurred at the home since the last inspection is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the provider in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform the inspectors’ judgements.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers work well with other professionals, including social workers, the local authority designated officer and children’s families. For example, information is gathered to understand the child’s needs and to ensure that risks are known. Additionally, information is shared swiftly by staff with professionals and families to ensure that children are kept safe.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s risks and vulnerabilities are known and understood by leaders and staff. Children’s risk assessments are regularly updated, detailed and include effective strategies to mitigate risk. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC389781 2 Staff access a wide range of training on topics such as safeguarding, first aid, gastrostomy tube feeding and medication. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of whistle-blowing policies and procedures. The training enables staff to meet the children’s needs.

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This monitoring visit

Restraints are rare. If restraint is used, the incident is recorded appropriately, and all relevant professionals are notified. Children are given the opportunity for a debrief following an incident. The debrief ensures that the child understands the reason why a hold was necessary.

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This monitoring visit

The staff team consists of skilled permanent and sessional workers. Staff say that leaders and the staff team are supportive. Staff enjoy working at the home.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s physical environment is well maintained. The home is clean and tidy and any damage or wear and tear is quickly repaired. There are no health and safety concerns.

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This monitoring visit

Staff recruitment is not sufficiently robust. References from professionals are accepted from personal emails or are not on headed paper. This does not help to ensure that all reasonable checks are made to ensure the suitability of staff.

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This monitoring visit

Group supervision sessions for staff are held regularly. However, individual staff supervision sessions are inconsistent. A requirement was made at the last inspection regarding individual supervision. A further requirement is made in relation to this. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC389781 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/05/2023 Full Good 25/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/12/2021 Full Outstanding 05/03/2020 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC389781 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, 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development; and

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)(c)) 6 October 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that all staff are suitably checked in line with safer recruitment and employment practices. This includes the provider receiving all required checks and references. 6 October 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC389781 5

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the home following notification of a serious incident.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC389781 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The QALB Short Break Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 35 Beaufort Court, Admirals Way, South Quay Waterside, London E14 9XL

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Inspectors

Melvin Davies, Social Care Inspector Amanda Burrows, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC389781 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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