Children's Home run by iMap Centre Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC481295 1 SC481295 Registered provider: iMap Centre Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private provider that specialises in delivering services for children with autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities and complex needs. The home provides care for up to five children. Four children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2021.

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This monitoring visit

At the previous full inspection, this home was judged to be inadequate. As a result, compliance notices were issued. A monitoring visit took place on 19 December 2023. However, the manager had not taken all the necessary steps to meet the compliance notices. Further compliance notices were issued under regulation 13, the leadership and management standard, and under regulation 35, the behaviour management policies and records standard.

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This monitoring visit

There have been two incidents of restraint since the last visit. The restraint records have been reviewed by the manager, who concluded that the holds were appropriate and used in line with legislation. The manager has identified any recording issues and addressed these with staff to ensure that they have only used restraints that they are trained in and have agreement to do so.

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This monitoring visit

Children are spoken to following any incidents or the use of restraint. When children are not able to engage, staff ensure that children are appropriately monitored after the incident to ensure their well-being. Additionally, staff use different methods depending on the children’s communication needs, including the use of symbols and social stories. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC481295 2 There has been one consequence recorded. This was restorative in nature and was understood by the child. The manager had evaluated the record to ensure the consequence was reviewed for its effectiveness.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last monitoring visit, there has been an allegation made by a child against a staff member. Although this allegation was retracted, it was not reported to the local authority designated officer. The manager has not had appropriate oversight of this incident and has failed to identify staff shortfalls. Action was taken to address this when discussed at this monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

The manager now has monthly clinical review meetings with others in the organisation, including the clinical lead. This means that information can be reviewed and monitored as a group to improve oversight.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has arranged several development programmes for the staff to support them in their role, including training for the full staff team and additional training for the senior staff. The staff also have a competency assessment booklet around behaviour support, which will be reviewed and assessed in supervision sessions.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has plans to further strengthen support systems for staff and her monitoring of the home. These plans include additional on call support, identified shift leaders and senior manager oversight when the manager is not present.

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This monitoring visit

Overall, the manager has made good progress in developing her monitoring and review systems. However, further work is required to ensure that the changes are embedded and sustained. The compliance notices have been met. However, a requirement has been made under the leadership and management standard. This will be reviewed at the next full inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC481295 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/11/2023 Full Inadequate 13/03/2023 Full Good 08/12/2021 Full Good 08/04/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC481295 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 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 promotes their welfare.

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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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to the manager ensuring that she has oversight of all incidents that occur in the home. Additionally, suitable arrangements should be in place to ensure that incidents are reviewed and any actions are taken in the absence of the manager. 4 March 2024

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to— 17 December 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC481295 5 meet the needs of each child; and

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to ensuring that maintenance issues are addressed quickly and the home is suitably cleaned, including children’s bedrooms.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was not reviewed at the monitoring visits and is restated.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC481295 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: iMap Centre Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: iMap School, Barrowmore Estate, Barnhouse Lane, Great Barrow, Chester CH3 7JA

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Inspector

Kerri Lynch, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC481295 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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