Children's home run by Purple Oak Support

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2504775 1 Registered provider: Purple Oak Support

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home provides overnight short breaks and day care for up to six children and young people at any one time. The children can be aged between three and 19 years and have additional and sometimes complex needs. No children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since the home opened on 12 February 2019.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On 5 September 2023, an assurance inspection was carried out at the home. This was due to a serious incident taking place. Serious concerns were identified at that inspection. As a result, the provider was issued a notice restricting their accommodation. Following the inspection, the organisation provided Ofsted with an action plan in relation to providing safe care for a child who was living at the home.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On 14 September 2023, a monitoring visit was carried out at the home. The purpose of the visit was to assess the provider’s progress against the action plan submitted to Ofsted. At the monitoring visit, the inspector found that none of the proposed actions identified in the action plan had been addressed or completed. Furthermore, additional serious concerns were identified. Following the monitoring visit, the provider was issued with a notice suspending their registration.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to monitor the provider’s compliance with the suspension notice and assess the progress against the action plan. External investigations regarding the serious incident remained ongoing at the time of the visit. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2504775 2 Leaders and managers demonstrate reflection and learning since the previous monitoring visit. They have implemented an improvement plan that is kept up to date with their progress. The plan identifies relevant areas of development that are required to provide safe care for children. However, progress against the plan is in the early stages and is not yet fully implemented. Therefore, the provider is not yet ready to move children into the home. Consequently, the suspension notice remains in place.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers continue to develop and implement changes to children’s care plans. This includes ensuring that relevant information is included in children’s care plans and risk assessments so that they are tailored to their individual needs. This includes health assessment forms being completed by parents and relevant health care professionals. However, this work is still in progress and has not yet been completed.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The responsible individual has met with all staff to review their practice and assess their understanding of children’s care planning. Team meetings have been arranged with an increased frequency, and plans have been made for staff to attend additional training. However, this training is yet to take place.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Senior leaders have not yet established monitoring systems to ensure that there is effective oversight of the quality of care for children. However, they have started to look at how this can be improved and are in the early stages of delivering what is needed to make the necessary improvements.

p.2

This monitoring visit

At the last inspection, the provider was asked to improve fire safety measures and ensure that staff check visitors’ identities before coming into the home. Both of these requirements have been met. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2504775 3

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/11/2022 Full Good 01/11/2021 Full Good 04/03/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 24/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2504775 4

p.3

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.

p.4

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—

p.4

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.4

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))

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the manager has oversight of children’s risk assessment records.

p.4

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 November 2023

p.4

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.4

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;

p.4

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe; 30 November 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2504775 5 have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.4

Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.5

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, managers must ensure that staff have clear plans for how to support children when they display behaviour that challenges.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.5

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; 30 November 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2504775 6 that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

p.5

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are located so that children are effectively safeguarded. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that arrangements for monitoring children overnight consider the individual needs of each child.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

p.6

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.6

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2504775 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Andover & District Mencap, The Wellington Centre, Winchester Road, Andover Hampshire SP10 2EG

p.7

Inspector

Rebecca Fisher, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2504775 8 regulates and inspects 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.7

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8