Children's Home run by Partners in Care Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035049 1 SC035049

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Registered provider: Partners in Care 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 and provides care for up to three children.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in August 2002. The manager registered in July 2022.

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Inspection date: 26 October 2023

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 26 October 2023

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, 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 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: SC035049 2

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Outcome 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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Findings from the inspection

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. The child is happy and safe in their home.

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Findings from the inspection

The transition plans for the two children who have moved out of the home since the last inspection were sensitive to their individual needs and demonstrate that they were supported well.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has undergone some improvements, including a new kitchen. Externally, the garden is better maintained and has been cleared of damaged equipment.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager works effectively with other professionals to ensure that children’s needs are fully understood and supported. Where formal education is not in place, the manager is creative in identifying alternative provision. One child has completed a catering course, which has ignited their aspiration to be a chef. However, there are no learning or education opportunities available for children when alternative education provision is not in place.

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Findings from the inspection

Children engage in activities that promote their independence, hobbies and interests. Staff are sensitive to children’s individual needs and encourage them to try new skills. This increases children’s self-esteem and prepares them for adulthood.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are safe and well cared for. Risk assessments take account of children’s experiences and are reviewed and updated following any incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

Recruitment systems have been strengthened to evidence that all staff working in the home have up-to-date Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

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Findings from the inspection

Incident reports are detailed, and children are supported by staff to reflect on incidents. This promotes children’s self-awareness and helps them to better manage their emotions.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers and staff respond swiftly and effectively to allegations made by children. Clear procedures are followed, and relevant authorities are notified without delay. This ensures that children are safeguarded effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

All staff receive mandatory training. All staff have either completed or are working towards achieving the relevant qualification. However, some staff have surpassed the required date for achieving this. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035049 3 There has been some improvement made in the monitoring and review systems and management oversight at the home. For example, a monthly analysis of staff practice is carried out by the manager to monitor children’s progress. However, the manager has failed to identify gaps in some records, which compromises her oversight of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has worked closely with the responsible individual to identify and address areas for development. This has resulted in a new independent person being appointed due to the poor quality of the reports previously completed. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035049 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/04/2022 Full Good 26/01/2022 Full Inadequate 22/10/2019 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035049 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, 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 within 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

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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, improve monitoring and review of the home to have full oversight of staff practice, record-keeping and to identify any lessons learned. 30 November

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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

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma. 31 January 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035049 6 The relevant date is—

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1 st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1 st April 2014, 1 st April 2016. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that all staff who are now outside of this time frame are supported to complete this diploma.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when children are not in education, they are provided with resources to learn, and that staff are creative in providing opportunities for children to study and learn. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 29, 5.18)  The registered person should ensure that the independent monitoring under regulation 44 equips them to ensure that the home continuously improves. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 55, 10.24) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035049 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Partners in Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 The Calls, Leeds LS2 7JU

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Inspector

Sarah Jackson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035049 8 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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