Children's Home run by Unique Care Homes Support Limited in Norfolk

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC431228 1 SC431228

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Registered provider: Unique Care Homes Support Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care for up to six children. The children may have had traumatic experiences that have left them vulnerable.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left in January 2024. A new manager was appointed in February 2024 and is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 18 October 2023

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

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. 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: SC431228 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

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home. One child has recently moved to the home and has settled well. Leaders and managers have decided not to accept any more children for a period of time. This reduces the number of changes that the children living at the home experience and increases their sense of stability.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager left in January 2024. A new manager was appointed in February 2024 and has been supported by another manager and the responsible individual. Leaders and managers have worked hard to make improvements since the last full inspection. A detailed development plan is in place to improve the quality of care.

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Findings from the inspection

Managerial monitoring and oversight have improved. Regular checks by the managers ensure that the quality of care and practice is monitored effectively. This enables the managers to address issues and improve practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know the children well; they recognise their strengths and ensure that children access the activities they enjoy. The staff celebrate the children’s achievements and talk about them with pride. This helps to improve the children’s self-esteem and confidence.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s risk assessments are detailed and contain risk-reduction strategies. They are regularly updated. This ensures that staff have a good understanding of the risks that they need to manage and the actions required to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

On two occasions, the staff have called the police for support during incidents. These incidents have been well documented. Effective recording of incidents helps managers to monitor the staff’s response to serious incidents and identify learning outcomes.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff said that they feel supported by the manager. She makes herself available to staff for advice. As the manager regularly works with the children, she acts as a positive role model to staff and has established trusting relationships with the children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children to lead healthy lifestyles. Children’s plans detail bedtime routines for staff to follow to reinforce good sleep hygiene. Staff talk to children about healthy foods and portion sizes. However, sugary snacks and other less- nutritious options are available to children. This makes it harder for children to make positive choices about their food content. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC431228 3 The manager has met four requirements from the last inspection. One requirement was not met and has been restated. One requirement was not reviewed as part of this visit. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC431228 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/01/2023 Full Good 08/06/2021 Full Good 29/01/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC431228 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, 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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children are encouraged to eat a healthy diet.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 9 May 2024

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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,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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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

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the 1 April 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC431228 6 Level 3 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1 April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1 April 2014, 1 April 2016. (Regulation 32 (2)(a)(b) (3)(b) (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b)) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC431228 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Unique Care Homes Support Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor Maybrook House, Queensway, Halesowen, Worcestershire B63 4AH

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Inspector

Rachel Watkinson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC431228 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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