Children's Home run by Azalea Care Ltd in Peterborough

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2682522 1 Registered provider: Azalea 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 owned by a private organisation. It provides care for up to five children with physical or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in post since August 2023.

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This monitoring visit

Following a full inspection in October 2023, Ofsted served a compliance notice in relation to the leadership and management of the home. On 16 November 2023, Ofsted conducted a monitoring visit. The purpose of this visit was to establish the provider’s progress in meeting the steps set out in the compliance notice. The provider has failed to meet the steps in the compliance notice. There are continued shortfalls in the leadership and management of the home and a further compliance notice has been served. A restriction of accommodation has been adhered to and remains in place.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of the visit, there were three children living at the home.

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This monitoring visit

Management oversight is limited. Managers record comments following incidents; however, these are brief and do not give a full overview of the actions taken by staff. The manager’s comments have identified that staff need additional recording and reporting training, which has taken place. However, the lack of oversight means that learning is not identified.

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This monitoring visit

Staff do not always follow children’s risk assessments. On one occasion, staff left a knife out, which a child accessed. An investigation took place to identify the staff member involved. A referral was appropriately made to the local authority designated officer. Despite these actions, there is no evidence of any discussions Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2682522 2 taking place with staff about the importance of locking sharp items away to prevent future occurrences. This leaves room for further staff errors.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s behaviour management policy includes the specific physical intervention technique used by the staff. During one incident, a guide was used to support a child away from a road. The manager’s comments do not evaluate whether this was an effective and proportionate measure. The recording of this incident is unclear about whether it was a physical intervention or not. The behaviour management policy does not provide clear guidnace about physical interventions. There is a general lack of management oversight, which means that inappropriate practice may not be identified or challenged effectively.

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This monitoring visit

The provider identified weaknesses in leadership and management and a new manager is now in post. There is no evidence that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for the interim manager has been seen by leaders before the interim manager has started work. Confirmation of DBS checks for other staff are now in place.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has not implemented systems to review the use of reins. One child wears reins for safety reasons. However, the monitoring of how frequently the reins are used and whether this measure of control is still required is very limited. This means that imposed controls and restrictions may not be necessary.

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This monitoring visit

The notifications made to Ofsted are not made within the required timeframes There was a delay in notifying Ofsted of a serious incident. This limits Ofsted’s ability to regulate the home.

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This monitoring visit

Some of the records made by staff and managers are not dated and fail to detail the author. When comments are added, it is unclear who has recorded these and when. This means that it is not possible to determine if recordings are made promptly.

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This monitoring visit

There is no system to prompt staff appraisals. Some staff have now had an appraisal. Although there is plan to address this, so far, it has not been implemented.

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This monitoring visit

Managers monitor staff training. Since the last inspection, the provider has updated the training matrix to identify staff training needs. An updated workforce plan supports the oversight of staff training. Staff are not trained in children’s different communication styles and specific health needs.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s care plans and risk assessments have been reviewed. Children’s files have been condensed to make it easier for staff to find information. This was in response to a recommendation by the independent person. This shows that managers welcome critical feedback and act on it.

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This monitoring visit

There have been no missing-from-home incidents since the last inspection. There is a flowchart in the office that details the actions for staff to take should a child go Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2682522 3 missing. This includes guidance for a return-home interview to be undertaken. Although return-home interviews have not been required, managers have steps in place to ensure that staff are prompted to undertake these.

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This monitoring visit

One requirement from the full inspection has not been reviewed at this visit. This has been restated and will be explored at the next inspection. Six of the last requirements are unmet and have been restated. One new requirement has been raised. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2682522 4

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/10/2023 Full Inadequate 15/02/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2682522 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, 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

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; 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)(f)(h)) 1 January 2024

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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

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to 1 January 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2682522 6 protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 1 January 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used, or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and 1 January 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2682522 7 within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(b) (3)(a)(v)(vii)(b)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the behaviour management policy details the restraint technique used at the home, and that measures of control, including the use of reins, are reviewed to ensure that they remain appropriate.

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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, 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

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 1 January 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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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)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 1 January 2024

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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 1 January 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2682522 8 have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(c))

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it.

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(b) (4)(a) (5)) 19 January 2024

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Requirement Due date

*This requirement is subject of a compliance notice.

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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: 2682522 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Azalea Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 6, Minerva Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6FT

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Inspector

Leanne Lyon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2682522 10 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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