Children's Home run by Active Care Organisation Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2683082 1 Registered provider: Active Care Organisation 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 operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to two children who experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in the home since 7 July 2023. An acting manager is currently in post.

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Information about this children’s home

No children were being cared for at the time of this visit.

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This monitoring visit

The home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 19 September 2023. Following the inspection, Ofsted issued a compliance notice in relation to the leadership and management at the home. The purpose of this visit was to determine if the compliance actions have been met.

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This monitoring visit

The provider is adhering to the actions set out in the compliance notice. These actions have been met and compliance is no longer in place.

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This monitoring visit

Safeguarding procedures have been reviewed. All managers have received designated safeguarding lead training. The staff team has also received further training in safeguarding procedures. This includes knowledge in how to report incidents to Ofsted and the local authority designated officer. Managers have created a monthly safeguarding audit to further enhance and strengthen safeguarding practice.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have reviewed and updated their medication management policy. The policy provides staff with clear guidance. All staff have received additional training in medication management. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2683082 2 Planned monthly workshops are being delivered to the staff team. Topics include pertinent areas of practice, such as safeguarding and caring for children with complex needs. This is helping to upskill the staff. Learning is being embedded through discussions in supervision sessions and team meetings. This ensures that managers have a good oversight of staff competence.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has devised detailed audits to improve monitoring and oversight of the care being provided to children. In-depth weekly and monthly audits are being carried out by the manager and are overseen by senior managers. This includes important information, such as when Ofsted and the local authority designated officer need notifying.

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This monitoring visit

New recording systems have been implemented. This is improving organisation and oversight of information. Recording templates have been revised to better meet legislative requirements. Daily and weekly task sheets have been designed to ensure that all staff understand their responsibilities when caring for children. These are closely monitored by the manager daily.

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This monitoring visit

Senior managers have attended additional training in relation to their specific roles. This has helped them to establish clear boundaries in relation to their roles and responsibilities.

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This monitoring visit

The statutory requirements set at the full inspection have not been considered at this visit and so remain in place. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2683082 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/09/2023 Full Inadequate 28/03/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2683082 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, 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 with the given timescales.

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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

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

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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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)(a)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to improving management monitoring and oversight of all areas of the home, particularly safeguarding. It also relates to ensuring that senior managers work within their roles and in consultation with the local authority. 20 October 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other rele- vant person without delay if— 20 October 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2683082 5 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—

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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)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that Ofsted is informed when allegations against staff are made.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23 (1))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that medication is administered in line with policy and procedure and with local authority consent. 20 October 2023

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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.

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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: 2683082 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Active Care Organisation Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Windsor House, Bayshill Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3AT

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Inspector

Emma Dacres, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2683082 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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