Children's Home run by Care Focus Limited in Essex

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC477900 1 SC477900 Care Focus 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. It offers care for up to four girls who experience social and emotional difficulties. The home has a school on site. The inspector only inspected the social care provision.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since September 2023. Since the last inspection, the home has had a new acting manager and responsible individual. The manager is yet to apply to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 22 and 23 July 2024. Following the inspection, two compliance notices were issued under Regulation 12 (the protection of children standard) and Regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard). A notice restricting accommodation was also issued to ensure that no further children were admitted.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to establish the provider’s progress in meeting the steps set out in the compliance notices. At the time of this visit, no children were living at the home. One child moved on from the home shortly after the home’s full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

During this visit, the inspector found that the provider has met the steps set out in the compliance notice in respect of the leadership and management standard. However, the provider has not met the steps set out in the compliance notice in respect of the protection of children standard. Therefore, a further compliance notice Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC477900 2 has been issued. The provider has complied with the notice restricting accommodation.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, leaders have developed the approach to childcare at the home. The home has a new statement of purpose. This document reflects a therapeutic, trauma-informed approach to caring for children. Staff have been supported to understand the home’s changed ethos through weekly training and practice guidance sessions.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders have sought and received advice and training from external organisations. This broadens their knowledge and skills in providing good-quality care and protection in children’s homes.

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This monitoring visit

Two safeguarding concerns identified at the last inspection have been followed up satisfactorily. This ensures that the relevant agencies can provide effective oversight of these matters.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are now receiving regular and effective supervision of their practice.

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This monitoring visit

The approach to children using online devices and mobile phones has been revised. This ensures that decisions about children’s access to devices are now based on individual circumstances. A new agreement and policy are in place to ensure that monitoring is proportionate and agreed by social workers, staff and children.

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This monitoring visit

New staff have been recruited to work in the home. Recruitment checks have been carried out in line with safer recruitment procedures. Four leaders have received further training in safer recruitment practice.

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This monitoring visit

One safeguarding concern identified at the last inspection had not been referred to the appropriate agencies retrospectively. This referral took place during this visit.

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This monitoring visit

One safeguarding concern identified since the last inspection had not been referred to the appropriate agencies without delay. Once the responsible individual became aware of this concern, she took appropriate action.

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This monitoring visit

The independent person has not provided a copy of the two most recent reports to the provider or Ofsted. This does not support effective and independent scrutiny.

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This monitoring visit

The previous recommendation regarding health was not followed up at this visit and has been restated. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC477900 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/07/2024 Full Inadequate 04/07/2023 Full Good 09/11/2022 Full Good 17/08/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC477900 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 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

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(v)) 9 October 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to—

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Requirement Due date

upon request, the local authority for the area in which the home is located;

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Requirement Due date

the registered provider and, if applicable, the registered manager; and

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Requirement Due date

the responsible individual (if one is nominated). (Regulation 44 (1) (7)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)) 9 October 2024

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject of a compliance notice. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC477900 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that each child’s day-to-day health and well- being needs are met. In particular, ensure that children receive appropriate support with their health appointments and prescriptions. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.3)

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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: SC477900 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor, 168 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6RA

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Inspector

Natalie Day, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC477900 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 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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