First Thought Care Services

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: First Thought Care Services 1 First Thought Care Services

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Registered provider: First Thought Care Services Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This supported accommodation service is owned and managed by a private provider.

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provider

First Thought Care Services registered with Ofsted on 29 February 2024 to provide ring-fenced shared accommodation. The service manager registered on the same date. At the time of registration, the provider had one property offering supported accommodation for up to five children.

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provider

At the time of this visit, the provider was accommodating two children.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out due to Ofsted receiving information about significant concerns, and that children may be at risk of harm. The provider was not given notice of the visit. The monitoring visit took place at the property operated by the provider. One child was spoken with during the visit.

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This monitoring visit

Children have been involved in several serious and high-risk incidents in the community. Leaders and managers had not taken sufficient steps to respond to these incidents, which left children open to repeated risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers had failed to ensure that children are safe, and that staff are able to recognise when children who have placed themselves at risk of harm require further action from professionals. The provider failed to notify Ofsted of an incident of restraint, as well as other serious events, as required by legislation. This has prevented Ofsted from carrying out its functions and having an accurate understanding of the service provided. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: First Thought Care Services 2 Serious weaknesses in decision-making by leaders and managers have left children at significant risk of harm. Leaders and managers have admitted children to the setting who are in receipt of care and who require a high level of supervision. This is not consistent with the conditions of registration for supported accommodation. Leaders and managers did not recognise this.

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This monitoring visit

Staff lacked understanding of the regulations and the services provided in a supported accommodation provision. Staff described both children as needing care and a high level of supervision to remain safe. As a result, children and staff are left at risk of harm. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: First Thought Care Services 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 Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and the ‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection standard is that children are enabled to feel safe and that their needs are met.

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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

ensure that children are protected from harm;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation or any other harm, and act to reduce such risk;

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Requirement Due date

work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies and share information where relevant to keep children safe. (Regulation 5 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(f)(ii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that responses to serious incidents involving children are shared with all safeguarding and other required professionals promptly. 18 October 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider and the registered service manager must, having regard to—

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Requirement Due date

the category or categories of supported accommodation provided by the supported accommodation undertaking concerned, carry on or manage that undertaking with sufficient care, competence and skill. (Regulation 13 (1)(e)) 18 October 2024 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: First Thought Care Services 4 In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that children admitted do not require a level of support in excess of what would be expected in a supported accommodation setting.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify the CIECSS and any relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation or child criminal exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child and the registered person considers that incident to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an incident involving the use of a measure of restraint of a child. (Regulation 27 (3)(a)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that Ofsted is notified of any serious incidents involving children, without delay. 18 October 2024

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to follow up information received by Ofsted and/or to ensure that the supported accommodation provider was complying with regulation.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: First Thought Care Services 5

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: First Thought Care Services Ltd

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Inspectors

Stephen Challis, Social Care Inspector Alphie Khumalo, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: First Thought Care Services 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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