Children's home run by Surrey County Council in Woking

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040631 1 SC040631

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Registered provider: Surrey County Council

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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 owned and run by a local authority. The staff care for up to four children who have experienced childhood trauma and have complex difficulties relating to their social and emotional well-being.

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Information about this children’s home

Four children currently live at the home. All four children were present during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2023.

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Inspection date: 30 January 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 30 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: SC040631 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/05/2021 Full Good 28/11/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040631 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

Managers and leaders have been proactive in responding to shortfalls previously identified. A detailed development plan has been implemented since the last inspection. The staff team is making steady progress on this. However, there are still some areas that need further development. For example, staff’s approach to behaviour management has improved but needs time to fully embed.

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Findings from the inspection

The children continue to receive individualised care and support from a dedicated staff team. The staff implement the home’s model of care in to their day-to-day practice. Staff are invested in the children and committed to helping them make progress in their lives.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff understand individual risks to children well. They are guided by thorough and detailed risk assessments. The managers ensure that these risk assessments are reviewed and regularly updated. Staff respond to incidents well in line with children’s individual needs. This keeps children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff recording and the oversight of staff practice have greatly improved. Staff write children’s records now to provide a clear account of actions taken by staff to keep children safe. These records are now written mindful that the child may wish to read them. Staff practice is more reflective, with an emphasis on learning to improve. Management oversight is now more responsive and effective.

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Findings from the inspection

The building is safe. All fire doors have been replaced since the last inspection. Children’s bedrooms are clean and individualised to the child. There is some minor redecorating that is ongoing, but this does not undermine the day-to-day experiences for children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager now ensures that all significant incidents are notified to the regulator. This is an improvement from the previous inspection and means that Ofsted has improved understanding of staff practice and any challenges they are facing.

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Findings from the inspection

The smoking area identified at the full inspection has now been decommissioned. However, there remain concerns that some children may smoke or vape in their rooms. The manager is taking proactive steps to try and mitigate associated risks such as fire-retardant bedding. She has arranged for fire and health experts to come into the home to educate staff and children about the risks. However, this is an ongoing piece of risk management work.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirements and recommendations made from the last inspection were not reviewed in detail at this assurance inspection. Therefore, those not met will be fully explored at the next full inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040631 4

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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 positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding. (Regulation 11 (1)(b)(c) (2)(a)(iii)(v))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 29 March 2024

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)) 29 March 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040631 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Surrey County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Quadrant Court, 35 Guildford Road, Woking, Surrey GU22 7QQ

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Inspector

Skye Frain, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040631 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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