Children's Home run by Heartwood RSC Limited in Cambridgeshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2497538 1 Registered provider: Heartwood RSC 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 run by a private company and provides care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

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 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: 2497538 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

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home. Since the last inspection, two children moved back to their families as planned. Staff stay in touch with both children and continue to offer support and guidance. One child has moved into the home and has settled in well. The child said, ‘I was made to feel welcome by everyone.’

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has helped staff to understand the importance of developing and maintaining healthy relationships with children. All staff have been trained to use an approach based on emotions, communication and behaviour which helps children to feel safe. Agency staff have not been used. A child said, ‘I love it here, I never want to leave. I love the staff.’

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the importance of children having healthy relationships with each other. They act without delay if children use unkind words to each other. Staff spend time with children talking about kindness and respect. This helps children to learn how to improve relationships and nurtures happiness.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager plans weekly meetings with each child. This provides an opportunity for children to spend quality time alone with her. On one occasion, a child raised concerns about notes recorded after a meeting. The manager advocated for the child to all professionals and raised the child’s concerns formally. Children are listened to when they have any concerns or worries.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has changed the way that children’s information is gathered and presented to staff. This means that assessments and plans are easier to read and understand. Children are involved and tell staff how they want to be supported. This helps staff to understand the vulnerabilities that children face and how to respond consistently and in line with the child’s preferred approach to discussing and receiving support.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been a reduction in behavioural incidents. This is because staff have invested time in building relationships with children and following all plans. The manager has good oversight of all incidents and meets with staff and the child without delay afterwards. This encourages reflection and the opportunity for the child to talk about their experience.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have not left the home without permission since the last inspection. Detailed plans are in place for staff to follow if children choose to leave. Staff spoken with understand what actions need to be taken to keep children safe. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2497538 3 There has been one restraint since the last inspection. The restraint was proportionate. However, the record of the restraint did not accurately reflect the effectiveness of the hold. This does not provide clarity on the sequence of events. The same shortfall was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is committed to making improvements in the quality of care provided to children. An experienced responsible individual has been appointed. A qualified deputy manager has also been appointed. Staff say that they feel supported by the management team.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has improved their oversight and monitoring of practice. She has good knowledge of and insight into each child’s progress and experiences. External monitoring is used to enhance the manager’s development plan.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been two complaints from children. The manager met with the children, listened to their concerns and resolved the issues without delay. The manager wrote letters to the children and kept them updated. Children feel listened to and that their concerns are taken seriously.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been one allegation. The manager notified Ofsted and worked with the local authority designated officer. The subsequent investigation was detailed and impartial. Actions from the investigation were completed without delay. The manager has improved safeguarding procedures to ensure that children are safe and protected.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have made some improvements in the way that they record the children’s experiences. However, some words used to describe children’s behaviour can be seen as child blaming. If a child chooses to read their records, this may lead to a sense of shame and guilt.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager ensures that staff are trained to meet the children’s needs. Staff have received additional training in positive behaviour support, safeguarding and whistle- blowing. However, not all staff have achieved a relevant level 3 diploma within timescales. This was raised at the last three inspections and has not been met; it is therefore restated.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has met six requirements from the last inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2497538 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/05/2022 Full Good 29/09/2021 Full Good 12/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2497538 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

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. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff record all information about a physical intervention, including how the intervention and staff’s actions supported the child to feel calmer. 16 February 2024

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) ("the Level 3 Diploma"); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b)) 5 July 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2497538 6 This requirement was made at the last three inspections and is restated for a fourth time.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2497538 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Heartwood RSC Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 416 Green Lane, Ilford IG3 9JX

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Inspector

Mandy Start, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2497538 8 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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Inspector

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