Children's home run by Heartwood RSL Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2528264 1 Registered provider: Heartwood RSL Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in August 2019. There has been no registered manager since 13 January 2023.

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Inspection date: 8 January 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 8 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. The inspector has 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: 2528264 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

The quality of care that children receive has significantly improved since the last inspection. One of the children who has been living in the home for over a year said that ‘things are a lot better’ since the new manager and the new staff have come in post. Children are developing good relationships with the manager and staff and they appeared more relaxed, and happier and cheerful.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s individual support plans are up to date. The manager and staff have a good understanding of children’s social, emotional and health needs. The manager advocates for children to access specialist services to meet their mental health needs.

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Findings from the inspection

One child who was out of school for a significant period of time is now receiving education, enjoying their courses and attending regularly. This has had a positive impact on the child’s behaviour and emotional well-being. Furthermore, a child who is not in education is provided with educational activities to promote their development and progress. They have a good routine in place, and the manager and staff work hard to keep the child positively engaged and occupied.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s wishes and feelings are obtained in various ways. Children have the opportunity to write their thoughts and feelings down to share in their reviews, key- work sessions and one-to-one sessions with the home manager. This gives children a voice in the home and enables staff to understand their needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s risks are clearly identified, understood and managed effectively by staff. Staff have effective strategies to reduce the risk and harm to children. Children’s risk assessments are reviewed and updated regularly.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are well prepared to respond appropriately when a child goes missing from the home. They follow the correct protocols and make efforts to communicate regularly with children to locate them and encourage their safe return. Staff alert the relevant safeguarding agencies to ensure that independent return-home interviews take place. This helps the staff and members of the professional network to understand the behaviour of children who go missing from home. The home have not notified Ofsted of one serious incident, as it is required to do.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know how to respond appropriately to any suspicions of harm or abuse. They have a good understanding of safeguarding and whistle-blowing procedures and know that they can report their concerns to leaders and the manager as well as external safeguarding agencies. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2528264 3 Staff’s ability to de-escalate and manage challenging behaviours has improved. Staff are supported to reflect on challenging situations and manage children’s behaviours effectively. Consequently, the number of incidents involving children has reduced. However, not all staff have completed training regarding children’s specific needs, such as in relation to self-harm. This compromises how effectively staff can respond in difficult situations and potentially places children at risk.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have addressed the shortfalls that were identified at the last inspection. They are implementing positive changes in the home, and good progress has been made to improve children’s experiences and safety.

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Findings from the inspection

Management oversight and monitoring and reviewing systems have improved. This includes positive consultation with parents, placing authorities and relevant professionals. However, there is limited feedback from staff and children in the quality of care review.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive regular supervision that focuses on their individual practice and development needs. Team meetings take place frequently. This enables leaders and managers to have effective oversight of staff practice and the support being given to children.

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Findings from the inspection

Prior to children moving into the home, the manager communicates closely with placing authorities. They consider the new children’s needs and risks and take into account the needs of the children already living in the home. The manager also considers staff’s skills and training to ensure that they will be able to meet children’s needs effectively. Consequently, children have experienced greater stability. The manager and staff have received compliments about one child’s progress from the child’s social worker. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2528264 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/06/2022 Full Good 23/06/2021 Full Good 28/01/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2528264 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, 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 registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if–

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home; and

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Requirement Due date

does not satisfy regulation 28; or is not, or does not intend to be, in day to day charge of the home.

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of–

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person so appointed; and

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Requirement Due date

the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)) 5 March 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

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that notifications of serious incidents are made to the regulator. 26 January 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2528264 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should undertake a review that focuses on the quality of the care provided by the home, that includes feedback from children and staff in addition to other relevant stakeholders. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.2)  The registered person should ensure that all staff complete essential training within reasonable timescales and demonstrate that staff have had training in self- harming behaviour. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2528264 7

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Amena Begum, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2528264 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 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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