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Social care · Children's home inspection (SCCIF)

Children's Home run by Call4Care Services Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspected 6 Dec 2023 · published 11 Jan 2024 · URN 2742794

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Original PDF ↗

Summary

Inadequate

Sarah Orriss (lead), Chris Haines

What we read, and from where

Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.

  • Group verified

    Call4Care Services Limited

  • Inspection date verified

    6 Dec 2023

  • Inspectors verified

    Chris Haines, Sarah Orriss

  • Helped and protected verified

    Inadequate

  • Leadership and management verified

    Inadequate

  • Overall effectiveness verified

    Inadequate

  • Name on report verified

    2742794

  • URN verified

    2742794

Page 1 of 20
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Grade profile

Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.

  • OverallInadequate
  • Helped and protectedInadequate
  • Leadership and managementInadequate

5% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Inadequate (12,716 inspections).

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

−41Criticalmore positive than 92% of reports of this type graded Inadequate
OutstandingGoodRIInadequate

Reads more warmly than most reports of this type graded Inadequate.

Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.

Praisepositiveindependenttrusting relationshipssafeeffectiveeffectivelycaringaccurate
Criticismfailedinadequatepoorharmseriousat risklimitedconcerns

How the report reads, start to finish

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FindingsAbout the inspectionWhat needs to improve positive critical
  • Findings1668w−77
  • What needs to improve3009w+11

Strengths

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Concerns

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Next steps

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What the report dwells on

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Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
20
Words of findings
4,676
longer than usual (typical 2286)
Reading level
Fairly hard
Flesch 50, typical 50
Average sentence
17 words
Next steps
8
typical 8
Hedged sentences
3%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 33%What needs to improve 59%About the inspection 9%

Full report text

Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 1 Registered provider: Call4Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a small private provider and is their only registered home. It was registered in August 2023 and can provide care for up to two children with social and emotional needs and learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that serious child protection allegations were being investigated by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate allegations of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the allegations were considered (where appropriate) alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspector’s judgements.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager is registered with Ofsted. He was not available during the inspection. This inspection was supported by the responsible individual, who was present throughout. Children were spoken to during this inspection.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

p.1

inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children are not protected and their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded, and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor, and they are not making progress.

p.1

inadequate

Date of last inspection: Not previously inspected

p.1

inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 2

p.1

inadequate

This is the home’s first inspection. One child has moved out of the home and two children have moved in since the home opened. There were two children living in the home at the time of this visit. The manager has failed to undertake any risk assessments or matching processes to ensure these two children are suitable to live together.

p.2

inadequate

Children receive minimum levels of care, and at times even their most basic care needs are not being met. For example, one child has not been given a prescribed medication for nearly a month. In addition, one child did not receive a birthday card or present to celebrate their birthday.

p.2

inadequate

Children’s progress and experiences are poor because their needs are not met and understood by staff. Children’s cultural needs are not always understood, and staff have used a derogatory term when discussing a child’s heritage. Children do not have education, health and care plans available to staff in the home. This means children are not getting the help and support they need.

p.2

inadequate

Staff do not actively engage with children or try to build positive and trusting relationships with them. During the inspection, staff were observed to be downstairs on their personal mobile phones or cleaning rather than spending time with the children.

p.2

inadequate

Children’s educational arrangements are difficult to establish because of a lack of information and understanding from staff members and the responsible individual. Children are not provided with necessary resources, such as computers and laptops, to help them engage with education.

p.2

inadequate

Children have been supported to stay in touch with people who are important to them, and they have regular visits with their families. Children have limited opportunities to engage in activities in the home and community and prefer to remain in their bedrooms. There are limited resources available in the home, such as books, games and art materials, despite a child having a keen interest in art and design. The home environment is bare and uninviting and does not provide a homely feel.

p.2

inadequate

Children do not have a voice in the home and are not regularly consulted about their care. In addition, children have no access to an independent person. When they have raised concerns, these have not been acted on or responded to by leaders. External professionals and Ofsted are not provided with regular, independent reports on how well children are safeguarded and their well-being promoted. Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 3 The children’s guide and the home’s statement of purpose do not accurately reflect the home, the ethos, the culture and the available resources. This means children and their social workers do not have an accurate view of the home before children move in.

p.2

inadequate

There are punitive care practices within the home, and children are not permitted access to the lounge or kitchen during the night. If children want access during these times, staff deny them this and send them back to their rooms. This does not promote a positive and welcoming environment for children.

p.3

inadequate

Staff do not understand children’s health needs. Children do not have plans that detail their health diagnoses and what support they may need. There are no records that show whether children have registered with local health professionals and have had regular check-ups to ensure they are healthy. Children have attended appointments with specialists; however, the outcome of these appointments and medication reviews is not known or recorded. One child was prescribed a new dose and frequency for a medication, yet staff did not administer this to the child as prescribed.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Children are not protected. For example, safeguarding processes have not been followed in response to an allegation of harm to a child. In relation to another child, their placing authority was not assured of the outcome of the investigation and therefore made the decision to move the child. An internal investigation was completed; however, leaders and managers have failed to implement the recommendations made.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

There are no risk assessments in place for children. This prevents staff from knowing and understanding risk factors and how best to support children when they are in crisis. Staff have requested support from the police in managing incidents, and on one occasion, this led to a child with complex needs being arrested and taken to the police station. This incident was not documented, and there has been no management oversight. This hinders staff’s learning and development and fails to support children to discuss and reflect on the impact this incident had on them. The manager has failed to inform the regulator when significant incidents have occurred. This prevents external professionals from having clear oversight of the home.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Not all incidents that have occurred have been documented. The manager has not provided an evaluation and overview to support learning and developing staff practices. When complaints have been made, the manager has failed to keep a record of the complaint or what action was taken in response.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Children have poor relationships with each other and spend no time together. They have separate mealtimes to try to minimise the risk of incidents. Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 4 The responsible individual did not know all the staff working in the home, could not provide full names and failed to provide staff recruitment files when requested. This means children are at significant risk of harm from possibly unsuitable adults caring for them. Some staff working in the home do not have recruitment files to demonstrate that they were safely recruited. Also, there are several checks missing for some staff members and incomplete information about their suitability.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

The responsible individual was not able to provide clarity about which staff work in the home and when. Staff are not expected to sign in or record when they are at work. They are expected to work excessive hours without a break, with some staff working for up to two weeks at a time.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Children spend most of their time in their bedrooms playing on games consoles and mobile phones. There is no monitoring or risk assessment in place to ensure children are safe when online. Staff have not spoken to the children about how to keep themselves safe online.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Staff use their personal mobile phones to document incidents and information about children and to send confidential emails, as they do not have access to a workable computer. This practice is not in line with the home’s mobile phone policy and there is a risk that children’s rights to confidentiality are being breached.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The responsible individual was not honest in some discussions with inspectors. This does not provide the regulator with confidence in the responsible individual’s integrity. The responsible individual denied that two staff members working in the home were related to them and were their son and daughter. The two staff members were being supervised by their parent. Safe recruitment checks were also carried out by a family member. In addition, the responsible individual was concerned about her own staff members integrity and honesty.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders do not have systems and processes in place to provide effective oversight, supervision, and quality assurance of any aspect of the home. There is a familial relationship between the manager and responsible individual, and there is no independent person employed to provide scrutiny and oversight of the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The responsible individual did not work productively with the regulator during this visit. They actively tried to mislead and divert to prevent information from being shared. Some information and files requested by inspectors were not provided and were not located in the home. This included information about children and staff. There was no reasonable explanation as to why this information had been removed from the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leadership and management are poor, and there are inadequate arrangements in place to provide management oversight while the manager is absent. Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 5 Staff are mostly unqualified and inexperienced and do not have the necessary qualification required by regulations. The training records do not give assurance that staff have completed the required training. There is no identified first aider on each shift. This means children are being cared for by a team that lacks the skills and knowledge to understand their complex needs and support them in an emergency medical situation.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff do not have regular or meaningful supervision meetings with their manager. This limits opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice and to learn and develop. Staff are not given opportunities to discuss any concerns they may have about the care and safety of children. Staff have not yet received an appraisal of their work, which further limits their own progress and development. Staff do not have regular team meetings, and this further reduces opportunities to share information, learn and reflect.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff inductions are weak, and staff are not provided with all the necessary information before working with children. One staff member was observed to have signed their own induction, with another signing off their own probation. This means managers are not providing an appropriate evaluation of staff practices.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There were numerous breaches of regulations, and the regulator could not be assured that children were being safely cared for. An emergency suspension notice was served, and children were moved from the home by their social workers. Further regulatory action is currently being considered. Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff —

p.6

Requirement Due date

seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs;

p.6

Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (b)(d))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to ensuring children have relevant agreed plans and that the manager is working with relevant professionals in implementing and acting on these plans. 16 Jan 2024

p.6

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.6

Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare; 16 Jan 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 7 provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iv))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to manager and staff following the aims and objectives of the statement of purpose and applying this to the care that children receive.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.7

Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

ascertain and consider each child’s views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they judge to be in the child’s best interests when making decisions about the child’s care and welfare;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to express views, wishes and feelings;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how the child’s views , wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home’s care;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to prepare for any review of the child’s relevant plans and to make the child’s views, wishes and feelings known for the purposes of that review; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

is enabled to provide feedback to, and raise issues with, a relevant person about the support and services that the child receives; 16 Jan 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 8 is given appropriate advocacy support;

p.7

Requirement Due date

keep the children’s guide and the home’s complaints procedure under review and seek children’s comments before revising either document. (Regulation 7 (1)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vi)(b)(i)(iii)(c))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to children having a voice in the home and being able to express their views. It also relates to children having access to a children’s guide that is factually accurate.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

p.8

Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

p.8

Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

p.8

Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement;

p.8

Requirement Due date

raise any need for further assessment or specialist provision in relation to a child with the child’s education or training provider and the child’s placing authority;

p.8

Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of 16 Jan 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 9 exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible;

p.8

Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities and resources to support the child’s learning. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(x)(b))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to children having an education plan that contains information relating to the child’s education, both formal and informal, and how staff are to support this. It also relates to children being encouraged and supported to attend education relevant to their needs and being provided with the necessary resources to engage in education.

p.9

Requirement Due date

The enjoyment and achievement standard is that children take part in and benefit from a variety of activities that meet their needs and develop and reflect their creative, cultural, intellectual, physical and social interests and skills.

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

develop the child’s interests and hobbies;

p.9

Requirement Due date

participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and expand the child’s interests and preferences; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

make a positive contribution to the home and wider community; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

that each child has access to a range of activities that enable the child to pursue the child’s interests and hobbies. (Regulation 9 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to children being provided with activities in the home and community relevant to their interests and that there are resources available in the home for them to pursue hobbies and interests. 16 Jan 2024

p.9

Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

p.9

Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met; 16 Jan 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 10 children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

p.10

Requirement Due date

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

p.10

Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

p.10

Requirement Due date

understand the child’ health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii))

p.10

Requirement Due date

In particular this relates to children having a health plan on file and that staff are aware of any health needs and diagnoses the child may have and how best to support the child.

p.10

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.10

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.10

Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

p.10

Requirement Due date

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

p.10

Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

p.10

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

p.10

Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust; 16 Jan 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 11 understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

p.10

Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviours and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same;

p.11

Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(iv)(viii)(ix)(x)(b))

p.11

Requirement Due date

In particular this, relates to supporting children to have positive relationships with each other and for the staff to develop positive and trusting relationships with the children. It also relates to staff receiving reflective supervision to explore their own practices when supporting children who may be in crisis.

p.11

Requirement Due date

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

p.11

Requirement Due date

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

p.11

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.11

Requirement Due date

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

p.11

Requirement Due date

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

p.11

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

p.11

Requirement Due date

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; 16 Jan 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 12 that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(iv)(vii)(b)(e)

p.11

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to children having risk assessments in place for staff to refer to, the manager and staff taking appropriate action in response to online safety for children and staff supervising children in line with their plans. It also relates to the manager and staff following advice from external safeguarding professionals following allegations of harm.

p.12

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.12

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.12

Requirement Due date

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

p.12

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;

p.12

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.12

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.12

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;

p.12

Requirement Due date

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

p.12

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaint’s received; and

p.12

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)(b)(c)(f)(g)(ii)(h)) 16 Jan 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 13 In particular, this relates to management oversight and quality assurance, training and experience of the staff team and regular review of the quality and standard of care being provided.

p.12

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.13

Requirement Due date

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

p.13

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.13

Requirement Due date

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

p.13

Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

p.13

Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed;

p.13

Requirement Due date

that the staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(ii)(c)(f))

p.13

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to each child having a care plan on file that staff follow and that the child is being supported to understand and contribute to this plan. 16 Jan 2024

p.13

Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement ("the statement of purpose") which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

p.13

Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

p.13

Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1) (3)(a)(b))

p.13

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to ensuring that the statement of purpose accurately reflects the home and amending it 16 Jan 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 14 accordingly. Once this is completed, and after any further revisions, a copy must be sent to Ofsted.

p.13

Requirement Due date

This regulation applies to a child who is looked after by a local authority.

p.14

Requirement Due date

The registered person must co-operate with the child’s placing authority in agreeing and signing the child’s placement plan. (Regulation 17 (1) (2))

p.14

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the registered person ensuring that a child’s local authority placement plan is kept in the home and is easily accessible. 16 Jan 2024

p.14

Requirement Due date

the privacy of children is adequately protected;

p.14

Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home premises; and

p.14

Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

p.14

Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home;

p.14

Requirement Due date

is kept under review, and, if necessary, revised. (Regulation 21 (a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii))

p.14

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to staff locking doors to exclude children from communal areas such as the lounge and kitchen with no relevant reason to do this apart from ‘house rules’. It also relates to staff following agreed supervision levels to ensure children’s rights to privacy are not compromised. 16 Jan 2024

p.14

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.

p.14

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that— 16 Jan 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 15 medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(b))

p.14

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to children being administered medication that is prescribed to them.

p.15

Requirement Due date

An individual may only carry on a children’s home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (5)

p.15

Requirement Due date

the person is of integrity and good character;

p.15

Requirement Due date

satisfy the requirements in paragraph (5)(a) to (c); and

p.15

Requirement Due date

have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (1) (5)(a) (7)(a)(b))

p.15

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the honesty and conduct of the responsible individual during the inspection and their ability to provide impartial and effective management oversight of the home. 16 Jan 2024

p.15

Requirement Due date

at all times, at least one person on duty at the home has a suitable first aid qualification. (Regulation 31 (2)(a)) 16 Jan 2024

p.15

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.15

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home;

p.15

Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.15

Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform; 16 Jan 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 16 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) (3)(b)(d))

p.15

Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction;

p.16

Requirement Due date

ensure that each permanent appointment of an employee is subject to the satisfactory completion of a period of probation;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (1)(a)(b) (4)(a)(b)(c)) 16 Jan 2024

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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

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c)) 16 Jan 2024

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Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date; and

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Requirement Due date

retain the records for at least 15 years from the date of the last entry. (Regulation 37 (1) (2)(a)(b(c)) Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 17 In particular, this relates to keeping complete and factually accurate rotas in the home and a children’s register.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the following items, which may be kept in electronic form, are kept in an accessible manner—

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Requirement Due date

records of the use of measures of control, discipline or restraint (see regulation 35);

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Requirement Due date

children’s case records (see regulation 36);

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Requirement Due date

records of complaints (see regulation 39)

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Requirement Due date

the independent person’s reports. (See regulation 44) (Regulation 38 (h)(i)(j)(l)(m)) 16 Jan 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI, at HMCI’s request, a statement containing a summary of any complaints made during the preceding twelve months and the action that was taken in response to each complaint. (Regulation 39 (3) (5)) 16 Jan 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

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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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)(b)(d)(i)(e)) 16 Jan 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint, at the registered provider’s expense, a person ("the independent person") to visit and report on the children’s home carried on by the registered provider. 16 Jan 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 18 (Regulation 43 (1))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once a month.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person’s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to—

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Requirement Due date

HMCI. (Regulation 44 (1) (4)(a)(b) (7)(a)) 16 Jan 2024

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This 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’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 19

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Call4Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 34 Haywards Croft, Greenleys, Milton Keynes, MK12 6AH

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Inspectors

Sarah Orriss, Social Care Inspector Chris Haines, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2742794 20 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.

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Inspectors

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 .

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Inspectors

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

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Inspectors

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

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