Children's Home run by Greenfields Adolescent Development Limited in Herefordshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1271587 1 Registered provider: Greenfields Adolescent Development 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 owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to five children who have had adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and complex behaviours.

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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. The inspector has 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: 1271587 2

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Findings from the inspection

We identified the following serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care and protection of children at this assurance inspection:

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Findings from the inspection

 Staff practice and records are not consistent and, as a result, fail to prevent risks to the children.  A lack of managerial oversight means that poor practice is not being addressed and records and systems are not being effectively used to reduce risks and improve future practice.  Managers are late in informing Ofsted of significant incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

This visit took place in response to concerns from safeguarding notifications that were submitted to Ofsted.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of the inspection, there were three children living in the home. Since the last inspection, one child had moved out of the home after the provider served notice on her placement. Staff continued to support her until she moved into a new home. One child has moved in to the home. He has built positive relationships with staff and settled well.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection in June 2023, there have been three safeguarding notifications. In two cases, there was a delay in managers ensuring that Ofsted was notified in line with regulations. This hinders the regulator’s oversight of the service.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff practice fails to consistently prevent risks to the children. For example, one safeguarding incident occurred because staff did not supervise the children in line with their plans.

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Findings from the inspection

Guidance set out for staff in risk assessments is confusing and does not result in consistent staff practice. For example, it is not clear why or how often phone checks and room searches should be carried out. Records of these checks are inconsistent and do not evidence that checks are being routinely conducted.

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Findings from the inspection

After incidents occur, managers and staff take appropriate action. They work with appropriate partnership agencies to ensure that referrals are made, if necessary, or children receive medical attention. There is regular communication, dialogue and meetings with placing authorities. However, these are not recorded.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers do not have good operational overview of this service. For example, managers are not reviewing incidents, risk assessments, or records to ensure that staff practice is safeguarding children. Where shortfalls have been evidenced, there are no records of the actions taken.

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Findings from the inspection

These shortfalls have been recognised by senior leaders and the manager. As a result, they have taken a number of actions. They have put an action plan in place Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1271587 3 which includes additional training, scheduled for the whole staff team. An internal investigation is underway, to review staff practice and the operation of the service. The interim responsible individual and a registered manager from another children’s home are providing additional managerial support while the current manager is working his notice period and a new manager is recruited. They have also made the decision not to move any more children into the home for the foreseeable future. The impact of these actions is not yet known.

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Findings from the inspection

Improvement has been made to address the requirements made at the previous inspection. There is one repeated requirement to improve the quality of risk assessments.

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Findings from the inspection

Overall, the children are making good progress in many areas of their lives. Staff support them to achieve their goals by providing day-to-day help and advice, as well as direct sessions and activities. For example, the children who have historically struggled to engage with education all have clear education plans. These include timetables that promote a phased return to full-time education, alternative education provision, and regular weekly work placements. However, concerns remain regarding the safety of children and the quality of the leadership and management of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Ofsted will undertake a further unannounced visit to monitor the home’s progress.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/06/2023 Full Good 11/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/04/2021 Full Good 12/11/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1271587 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 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

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

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff supervise the children in line with their plans. In addition, ensure that guidance set out for staff in children’s risk assessments is clear and informs staff of the actions they must take to protect children. 5 November 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that records demonstrate the actions taken by managers and staff. 5 November 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1271587 5 The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child is instigated; or

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 5 November 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—

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Requirement Due date

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)) 5 November 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1271587 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Greenfields Adolescent Development Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Caretech Community Service Ltd, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Dawn Bennett, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1271587 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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