Norwich Road (15)

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034480 1 SC034480

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Registered provider: Norfolk County Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a local authority. It provides care and support for up to six children with social and emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2021.

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Inspection date: 29 November 2023

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 29 November 2023

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this 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. Inspectors have 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: SC034480 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

There are currently two children living at the home. Since the last inspection, four children have moved in, and four children have moved on. On one occasion, the manager accepted a child without completing a thorough assessment of need. This meant that the child’s assessed needs and the impact on the other children living at the home were not fully considered.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff have worked hard to develop trusting relationships with the children. Regular conversations between staff and children help to inform and improve the children’s understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Interactions between the staff and the children are warm and supportive. This enables children to develop healthy attachments to others.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are not regularly attending school; however, education plans are in place for the children. Staff actively encourage children in their online learning. Managers and staff advocate for the children and their educational needs. While children’s educational attendance and achievement are not where they should be for children’s age or ability, there is progress.

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Findings from the inspection

The house is welcoming and comfortable. Children’s artwork is on display, and children are involved in choosing colour schemes and wall art for the home. This all helps to provide children with a homely environment.

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Findings from the inspection

Serious incidents have occurred at the home. On occasion, children and staff have been injured during volatile situations. Staff respond and take action to de-escalate and reduce the risk of further harm. The staff have called the police for support during some of these incidents. Police involvement has been proportionate and necessary to keep others safe.

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Findings from the inspection

When serious incidents have occurred, the managers have notified Ofsted. This means that Ofsted is provided with information to support effective oversight of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been incidents of children going missing from the home. Staff’s understanding and response to missing-from-home incidents have improved since the last inspection. As a result of the staff’s relationships with the children and the staff’s improved response, children’s missing-from-home incidents have been reduced. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034480 3 Risk-reduction plans are good; they refer to appropriate control measures to reduce risk. However, some dates recorded in the plans are incorrect. This could lead to confusion among staff when supporting the children.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have a clear understanding of the progress children are making. They are highly visible and spend time with the children. Consequently, children feel able to approach the managers for help.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive regular supervision sessions with their manager and a clinical practitioner. Team meetings are well attended and include targeted discussions. Staff receive a good range of training. Effective training equips the staff to meet the children’s needs. The staff implement this knowledge in their daily practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has met two of the three requirements from the last inspection. One requirement has been restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034480 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/04/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/12/2022 Full Good 22/02/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 23/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034480 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 care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all relevant information is obtained about children moving into the home and that the impact of any move on children already living there is considered before placing children together.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 10 January 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand factors that affect children’s motivation to behave in a socially acceptable way. In particular, ensure that behaviour plans guide staff effectively to manage behaviour. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.13) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034480 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Norfolk County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 2DH

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Inspector

Rachel Watkinson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034480 7 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 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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