SC 040491

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC040132 1 SC040132

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Cornwall Council

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This registered children’s home operates as a short-break service and is run by a local authority. It can provide care for up to two children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

There is a suitably qualified registered manager in post at this home.

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This monitoring visit

During a full inspection on 16 August 2021, Ofsted judged the home to be inadequate. Serious failures in staffing arrangements, vetting of agency workers, and restraint oversight and recording practices were identified. At the full inspection, seven requirements were raised. A further monitoring visit was completed on the 5 October 2021. Six requirements raised at the August inspection were found to not be met and a compliance notice was served. A further monitoring visit to review the progress in respect of the compliance notice was completed on the 10 November 2021. Sufficient action was taken by the provider to address the points on the compliance notice.

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This monitoring visit

Since August 2021, no children have been living at this home. The local authority temporarily closed the home and Ofsted imposed a condition requiring the registered person to give three months-notice before admitting children.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was completed to look at the progress made to address the previous concerns and to assess whether the home and staff team are ready to care for another child. The registered person has also requested to vary the homes conditions to reduce numbers from four to two children.

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This monitoring visit

A suitability qualified and experienced manager is registered with Ofsted. This manager is working hard to prepare the home and staff team for the admission of a new child. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC040132 2 The home is now accessible throughout for wheelchair users. This includes the installation of a rise and fall kitchen area. Safer recruitment practice is being followed for agency staff. Restraint practice and the use of risk assessments by the staff team could not be assessed at this time.

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This monitoring visit

In summary, the home environment and staff team are ready for the new child to move in. The variation to reduce numbers from four to two children is recommended. The remaining requirements raised in 2021 will be fully explored at the next full inspection once the child and staff team have settled into the home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/08/2021 Full Inadequate 11/09/2019 Full Good 24/01/2019 Full Good 18/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC040132 3

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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 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

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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that risk assessments are updated, read, signed and followed by all staff. 29 October 2021

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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

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure ("the user"), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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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

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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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 spoken to the user about the measure; and 29 October 2021 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC040132 4 has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

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 (3)(a)(iv)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly relates to the recording of restraints.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC040132 5

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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.

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Accounts Payable, PO Box 727, Truro TR1 9GP

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Inspector

Polly Soper, social care inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC040132 6 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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