Children's Home run by Young Options Group Ltd in Surrey

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2737107 1 Registered provider: Young Options Group Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides medium- or long-term care for up to two children aged between 11 and 18 years who have experienced trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, there were no children living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted on 4 September 2023. The registered manager left in February 2024.

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This monitoring visit

In September 2023, Ofsted was notified of significant concerns and allegations relating to the home. In response, an assurance inspection was carried out. That inspection identified serious concerns. Ofsted issued a notice suspending the registration of the home. This prevents the provider from moving any children into the home. The suspension notice remains in place.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted has carried out previous monitoring visits to the home, in November 2023 and February, May and June 2024. The purpose of this latest monitoring visit was to monitor compliance with the suspension notice. The inspector also reviewed the actions taken by the provider in response to the requirements raised at the assurance inspection and previous monitoring visits.

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This monitoring visit

No children have moved into the home and the home has not cared for children since the suspension notice was issued. The provider has continued to comply with the suspension notice.

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This monitoring visit

Investigations by police and safeguarding professionals in respect of the serious concerns and allegations that resulted in the suspension of registration have now been concluded. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2737107 2 The responsible individual has recruited a new manager. However, a valid registration application to Ofsted has yet to be completed. Ofsted is therefore yet to consider this person’s suitability. New staff have also been recruited since the last monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

Concerns regarding the safer recruitment of staff were identified at previous inspections. Shortfalls continued to be found at this inspection. Two staff recruitment files did not contain a full employment history. A further two staff recruitment records did not include clear dates of employment. The absence of clear employment dates potentially means gaps in employment are not identified and explored. There were no recruitment and suitability checks held on file for a director who has worked in the home. This director was able to show a copy of a two-year- old Disclosure and Barring Service certificate when asked. The lack of robust safer recruitment practice does not safeguard children.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last monitoring visit, the provider has updated the statement of purpose to reflect the temporary closure of the home and current staffing arrangements.

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This monitoring visit

No children have lived in the home since the last inspection. Therefore, it has not been possible to demonstrate that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered to keep each child safe. This requirement is restated. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2737107 3

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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 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 was made at the last inspection and is restated. 22 September

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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— 22 September Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2737107 4 that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection 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: 2737107 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Young Options Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Park Road, Hampton Wick, Kingston upon Thames KT1 4AS

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Lindsey Alexander

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Inspector

Joanna Heller, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2737107 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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