Children's home run by Amber Care Group UK Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2783212 1 Registered provider: Amber Care Group (UK) 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 is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for one child who experiences social and emotional difficulties, and who may have mental health difficulties or special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

There was no child living in the home at the time of the visit.

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Inspection date: 21 August 2024

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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Inspection date: 21 August 2024

Judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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Inspection date: 21 August 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: 2783212 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

The child previously living here moved out in July 2024. The manager did not complete an assessment to determine whether the staff had the skills and experience to meet the needs of the child before they moved in. Not all staff were confident in managing the behaviours of the child, requiring the manager to spend additional time in the home to support the team. There is limited evidence of the provider attempting to stabilise the placement for the child before they left the home. This resulted in the child moving to an unregistered provision with immediate effect.

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Findings from the inspection

When multi-agency child protection meetings are held, the manager does not notify the regulator of the meeting outcomes. This prevents the regulator from having oversight of the actions taken to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager did not notify the police when a child made a historical disclosure of harm. Consequently the police were unable to investigate whether a crime had been committed. This could mean that an opportunity was missed to explore the suitability of adults who care for and have contact with children. The manager did inform the child’s social worker and the local authority designated officer, who took action to explore the concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff take appropriate action when children are missing from the home. This includes staff searching for the child and liaising with professionals and family. This supported the child to return safely.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager values feedback from others, such as the independent person. She recognised when a change in the independent person was needed to ensure service improvement. The manager has a focus on how she can better ensure positive outcomes for children. Furthermore, she is reflective and willing to learn from experiences. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2783212 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

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. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)) 19 October 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child — is instigated; or

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry). (Regulation 40 (4)(d)(i)(ii)) 19 October 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should take the initiative in identifying others who must play a part for their children and engage with those people proactively, advocating for the children in their care. In particular, that the police should be one of the professionals contacted if the child reports a crime. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.15) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2783212 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Amber Care Group (UK) LTD

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Boho Zero, 21 Gosford Street, Middlesbrough TS2 1BB

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Inspector

Jess Elliott, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2783212 5 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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