Clare Lodge

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033362 1 SC033362

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Registered provider: Peterborough City Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this secure children’s home

This home is operated by a local authority and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict children’s liberty.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The home provides care for up to 16 girls aged between 10 and 17 who are placed by local authorities, under section 25 of the Children Act 1989. At the time of this inspection, seven children were living at the home.

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Information about this secure children’s home

Admission of any child aged under 13 years requires the approval of the Secretary of State, under section 25 of the Children Act 1989.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The commissioning of health services at this home is the statutory responsibility of NHS England, under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Education is provided on site in dedicated facilities.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since May 2013.

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Inspection date: 23 January 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033362 2 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: SC033362 3

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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 experience a pleasant and nurturing environment. They are cared for by staff who understand and prioritise their needs. Positive relationships are a real strength and provide children with a sense of feeling safe and cared for. One child said, ‘I love being here. I feel safe, get on with staff and enjoy education.’

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Findings from the inspection

There is a good principle of ‘child first’ that runs throughout the home. Care, health and education staff work together to implement well-thought-out and individually tailored plans. This ensures that children’s individual needs remain the focus throughout their stay.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are provided with good opportunities to express their views about the home and to contribute to their care plans. Weekly visits from an independent advocate ensure that each child can raise concerns and discuss the outcomes of any complaints using the home’s complaints procedure. However, the complaints record lacks organisation and structure. In some instances, this makes it difficult to evidence the outcomes of complaints and what action has been taken in response them.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s risks and vulnerabilities are well documented and understood by staff. Staff work hard to help children understand past behaviours while taking a trauma- informed approach to their current needs. One child wrote, ‘My key workers are awesome.’

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Findings from the inspection

Staff take a proportionate approach to single separation and physical restraint. Incidents of this type are subject to extremely high levels of scrutiny. Any concerns or points for learning are shared quickly with the relevant agencies.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has strong links with external safeguarding agencies and professionals. These are used effectively to manage allegations, serious complaints and safeguarding concerns. Investigations are thorough and carried out in the best interests of the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers are working to a well-thought-out improvement plan. This focuses on issues such as staff recruitment and monitoring and oversight and has led to improved accountability at all levels. As a result, improvements noted at the last full inspection are being embedded and built on.

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Findings from the inspection

Suitable action has been taken to address the two requirements and two of the recommendations from the previous inspection. A recommendation relating to education will be reviewed at the next full inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033362 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/07/2023 Full Good 29/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/09/2022 Full Inadequate 10/03/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033362 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping. Specifically, the complaints record should be organised in a way that evidences the outcomes of complaints and what action has been taken in response to any complaints. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that the ethos of the home supports each child to learn. In particular, plan learning logically in all subjects, to help children develop their knowledge, skills, behaviours and confidence so that they make the progress of which they are capable. Additionally, ensure that all teachers accurately assess children’s work and provide feedback that helps children to improve the quality and standards of their work. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.18)

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Recommendations

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033362 6

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Secure children’s home details

Registered provider: Peterborough City Council

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Secure children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sand Martin House, Bittern Way, Fletton Quays, Peterborough PE2 8TY

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Inspectors

Paul Scott, Social Care Inspector Dawn Parton, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033362 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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