Children's Home run by Active Ark Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1266838 1 Registered provider: Active Ark Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this home. It is registered to provide care for up to three children.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home. All three children were spoken to by the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 22 September 2023.

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Inspection date: 17 January 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 17 January 2024

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. Inspectors 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: 1266838 2

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Findings 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

Children are happy, safe and making progress. They enjoy positive relationships with each other, the manager and the staff team.

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Findings from the inspection

Transition planning for all children is not effective. One child, who lived in the home for a long time, moved on in an unplanned way. A decision was made by the management team, in conjunction with the local authority and police.

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Findings from the inspection

All children attend full-time education. Staff support children to travel to and from school. Staff spend time with children after school and help them with their homework. This enables children to reach their full potential.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have been proactive in promoting children’s health and emotional well-being. Health needs are understood, and staff support the children to attend routine appointments. The manager has been integral in making a referral for one child to access a specialist service. This will support them to address an emerging health need.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff actively promote and encourage the children to speak to and see their family members. This ensures that children remain in contact with the people who are important to them and creates a sense of identity.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff have introduced regular meetings with the children. The meetings capture the voice of the children and their views, wishes and feelings. Any agreed actions with the children are responded to in a timely manner.

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Findings from the inspection

Children currently living in the home do not go missing from care, nor have the staff had to physically hold a child to keep them safe. Staff de-escalate incidents with the children effectively. This supports the staff to maintain and further develop their relationships with the children. Consequences given to the children are rare. When these are used, the manager evaluates records to ensure that the actions are proportionate.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have attended training to develop their safeguarding knowledge. The training includes fire safety, criminal exploitation, drug and alcohol misuse, self-harm and eating disorders.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has a good knowledge of his staff team and the individual needs of the children. He has introduced a new monitoring system to oversee care practices and developments in the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1266838 3 The manager regularly uses feedback from the independent person to improve practice in the home. However, the manager has not sent a copy of the quality of care report to the regulator in a timely manner.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff now receive a thorough induction when joining the team and have access to a detailed training programme. Regular staff meetings now take place.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has recently undergone some redecoration and new furniture has been purchased. Children have personalised their bedrooms. The home is clean and free of hazards. However, surveillance monitors are in use in the hallways of the home. This impacts on children’s liberty and their ability to move freely around their home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1266838 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/03/2022 Full Good 11/12/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1266838 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

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

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met. (Regulation 13 (1)(g)(i)) 3 March 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

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Requirement Due date

the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance;

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Requirement Due date

so far as reasonably practicable in the light of the child’s age and understanding, the child is informed in advance of the intention to do the monitoring or surveillance; and

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(c)(d)) 18 February 2024

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Recommendation

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1266838 6  The registered person should ensure that the review of the quality of care report is submitted to Ofsted within 28 days of completion. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.2)

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Active Ark, Unit E, Baron Way, Kingmoor Business Park, Carlisle CA6 4SJ

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Inspector

Julie Elder, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1266838 7 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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Inspector

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