Children's Home run by ARGF Limited in North Northamptonshire

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2639538 1 Registered provider: ARGF Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to three children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children are living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2023.

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Inspection date: 17 October 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 17 October 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. 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: 2639538 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

Five requirements made at the last inspection have been met. The manager, deputy manager and responsible individual have addressed the shortfalls. They are ambitious for the children.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has been refurbished throughout, including moving the office to a converted garage. As a result, two children now have bigger bedrooms. All rooms have been decorated, and a welcoming and homely environment has been created.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s care plans are clear and detailed. They address each child’s individual needs. Staff know the children well and have developed good relationships with them. One child said, ‘Things here are good. I get on well with the staff and feel safe and happy.’

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Findings from the inspection

Children are making good progress with their education. Staff have helped an older child to successfully gain a place on a college course. This has supported progression in their chosen area of learning.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children through meaningful discussions. They address important areas specific to each child. These have replaced key-work sessions and are a more natural part of caring for the child. They are recorded well and include the child’s understanding of the topics discussed.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has ensured that there is a full staff team in place. New staff receive a comprehensive induction and training programme. Supervision is taking place regularly. Supervision does not routinely include the opportunity for staff to reflect on their practice.

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Findings from the inspection

There are clear behaviour and crisis management plans for each child. These identify risks and how staff should care for a child to minimise the risks. However, the recording of separate risk assessments is less detailed.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has introduced a range of new quality assurance and monitoring processes. This includes a ‘live folder’ for the manager to check all records. There are weekly audits and evidence of management oversight of incidents. This includes debriefs with children and staff following an incident. The responsible individual is completing a comprehensive monthly audit.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has ensured that staff’s recording has improved. However, this is still an area that requires consistency and attention to detail. The manager is addressing this in individual staff supervisions and team meetings. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2639538 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/05/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/02/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/10/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2639538 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that records are clear, detailed and written in a way that is helpful to the child. 30 November

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Where there are safeguarding concerns for a child, their placement plan, agreed between the home and their placing authority, must include details of the steps the home will take to manage any assessed risks on a day-to-day basis. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2639538 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 29, Corby Enterprise Centre, London Road, Priors Hall, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 5EU

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Inspector

Shaun Caplis, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2639538 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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