Children's Home run by AP Care Homes Limited in Cheshire East

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 1 Registered Provider: AP Care Homes Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. The home provides care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted on 27 July 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in post since 13 September 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

There were no children living in the home at the time of this visit.

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This monitoring visit

This home was judged inadequate at a full inspection on 16 and 17 November 2023. Ofsted found that children had suffered harm, due to serious and widespread safeguarding failures. Since the home was judged inadequate, three monitoring visits have been conducted.

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This monitoring visit

At a monitoring visit on 30 January 2024, Ofsted served a notice restricting accommodation at the home. This notice was issued with immediate effect, from 30 January to 22 April 2024.

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This monitoring visit

Prior to this latest monitoring visit, the provider contacted Ofsted to report that they had taken sufficient action to address the serious shortfalls and that the grounds for restriction no longer applied. In line with procedure, Ofsted visited the home to monitor the notice restricting accommodation.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last visit, the provider had taken action to report allegations made by a child to the local authority designated officer (LADO). The LADO requested that the responsible individual conduct an investigation into the allegations. Despite the Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 2 LADO providing direct guidance and support to the responsible individual and the manager, they failed to conduct an appropriate investigation.

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This monitoring visit

Safer recruitment practice continues to be poor. Despite managers stating that they had addressed the shortfalls in recruitment practice, staff recruited since the last visit had not been recruited in line with safer recruitment processes. This continued poor and unsafe practice does not ensure that children will be cared for by adults who have been suitably vetted.

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This monitoring visit

The leadership and management arrangements remain unstable. Since registration, there have been three responsible individuals and three managers, only one of whom was registered. The current manager has submitted an application to register with Ofsted on three occasions. However, each application has been returned as it was not a complete application.

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This monitoring visit

There are insufficient staff to safely care for four children. Since the last visit, two members of staff have left and two new staff have been appointed. This raises concerns about the continuity of care for children as, since the home was registered, 14 members of staff have left the home.

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This monitoring visit

Managers do not ensure that staff have the skills and experience to provide safe and effective care for children. Although staff have attended training, managers had not used their internal systems to evaluate the effectiveness of the training to improve care practices. Learning opportunities have been missed, to ensure that all staff know how to report allegations, follow safeguarding procedures and record physical interventions in line with statutory guidance. Managers acknowledged and accepted this continued shortfall.

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This monitoring visit

Records of supervision practice do not demonstrate that managers provide all staff with individualised practice-related supervision to improve the quality of care for children. For example, two new staff’s supervision records were duplicated, with only the name changed. This does not show that staff have individual time to talk about the care of children and the support systems in place. It is also a missed opportunity for new staff to discuss their learning and support needs.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last visit, two independent monitoring reports have been submitted to Ofsted. Both reports are dated for visits in February 2024. The independent reports identified concerns for managers in safer recruitment processes, inadequate recording in physical intervention records and poor risk management practices. The managers have not used the information from the independent scrutiny of the home to ensure improvement of practice in these key areas.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has failed to consider the way in which they appointed the independent person, to ensure impartiality in line with regulation. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 3 The manager has submitted a review of quality of care report. However, the report did not focus on the experiences of children living in the home and the impact the care was having on outcomes and improvements for the children. The manager had also not sought the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities or staff when compiling this report.

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This monitoring visit

Since the previous monitoring visit, managers had taken action to introduce documentation, but had not considered how these documents would enable them to monitor and review care practices to improve the quality and safety of care provided to children. The management team accepted the failings and stated that they do not believe that the restriction notice should be lifted.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted has raised additional requirements due to further breaches in regulation identified at this visit. Previous requirements are restated.

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This monitoring visit

Inspectors were not satisfied that the provider had taken sufficient action to address the failings that led to the restriction notice being issued. The restriction remains in place.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/11/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 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 with 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

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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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)(a)(c)(d)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff receive training that improves their skills and ability to meet children’s needs.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must have effective oversight of the quality of care provided to children so that they can identify and address areas of concern. This includes oversight of staff 21 April 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 5 practice, records for children and training and supervision records for staff.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 21 April 2024

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (1)(a) (4)(a)(b)) 21 April 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 6 Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff receive practice-based supervision which supports the development of good practice.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint, at the registered provider’s expense, a person ("the independent person") to visit and report on the children’s home carried on by the registered provider.

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider carries on more than one home, the registered provider may appoint the same person as the independent person for all or any of those homes.

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), the registered provider may not appoint the following as an independent person—

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Requirement Due date

a person who has, or has had, a connection with—

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Requirement Due date

a person working at the home. (Regulation 43 (1) (2) (3)(g)(i)(ii)) 21 April 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b) (5)) 21 April 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and 21 April 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 7 the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

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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

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure ("the user"), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 8 measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b) (2) (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that records of physical intervention are completed in line with regulation, ensuring that these are reviewed and that any concerns in relation to restraint practice or injuries sustained are identified and responded to swiftly.

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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;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children’s risks are clearly assessed and that staff are provided with clear guidance and strategies to support them to manage and reduce risks.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff take effective action to keep children safe. This includes ensuring that allegations made by children are promptly reported to relevant agencies to safeguard children.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 12 March 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 9 The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. They must ensure that they scrutinise the information available to them prior to a child moving in so that they effectively consider whether they can meet children’s needs.

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Requirement Due date

Further to this, the registered person must ensure that home care plans reflect the information and outcomes from the child’s relevant plans and that this informs good care practices in the home.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 12 March 2024

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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

that staff— 12 March 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 10 meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ix)(x))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children’s emotional and behavioural needs are understood and these are met, in line with the child’s relevant plans.

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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: 2724911 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: AP Care Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 307 Hale Road, Hale Barns, Altrincham WA15 8SS

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Inspectors

Emma Thornton, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Catherine Fargin, Regulatory Inspection Manager Michelle Edge, Senior His Majesty’s Inspector (Quality Assurance Visit) Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 12 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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