Children's Home run by Rite Directions Limited in Derbyshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2616704 1 Registered provider: Rite Directions Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to three children who may require support with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager’s post is vacant.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Inspection date: 11 December 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 11 December 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: 2616704 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 last full inspection of this home was in October 2024. At that time, the home was judged to require improvement overall but inadequate in leadership and management. Leaders have now ensured that the systems in the home are beginning to strengthen, including appointing a new manager.

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Findings from the inspection

Children receive a good standard of care from staff. Since the last inspection, effort has been made to ensure that the children live in a house that is welcoming and feels like a family home. However, there remain significant areas that need repair and decoration. In one area of the home there are concerns around the health and safety of children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff prioritise children’s education, and the children go to school daily. Staff and education colleagues work collaboratively, and they agree on targets for the children. Staff, wherever needed, support children at their school. When the responsible authority is not ensuring there is quick enough progress for children’s educational needs, managers advocate well for children and challenge where appropriate.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have ensured that when children need specialist healthcare and when staff need advice, these are provided. Some children are helped to manage their physical and emotional health by a child and adolescent mental health service. This intervention has meant that some children now sleep better and can be more independent with their personal care.

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Findings from the inspection

The new manager is motivated. In a short time, they have made some progress in the areas identified for improvement at the last inspection. They are a keen advocate for developing a therapeutic approach and are beginning to plan training and development opportunities for staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support the children to spend time with their families. The staff understand the children’s experiences and that family time is important to them. This is achieved in a variety of ways, including through the use of social media when face-to-face time is not an option.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been no instances of children going missing from the home since the last inspection. Risk assessments are reviewed to accurately reflect levels of risk. These documents provide staff with the necessary guidance on how to meet the children’s needs daily and ensure they remain safe. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2616704 3 Safeguarding matters are referred to the relevant safeguarding agencies. However, not all staff know what to do if they are concerned about the safety of a child. This is an area that requires improvement.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive regular professional supervision. This is enhanced through team meetings, and together these provide information to equip staff to meet the needs of the children. However, gaps in training identified at the last inspection have yet to be met for all staff.

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Findings from the inspection

At the last inspection, four requirements were made. At this inspection, three of the requirements had been fully met. On this assurance inspection, one requirement was made again together with a further requirement. These will be evaluated at the next inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2616704 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/10/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/08/2023 Full Good 11/10/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/01/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2616704 5

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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 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

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 relates to staff not being aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. 24 December 2024

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to managers not maintaining the home’s environment, specifically in relation to the children’s bedrooms and bathroom. This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 24 December 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2616704 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are ambitious for every child in the home and to gain skills and experience that enable them to actively support each child to achieve their potential. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.5) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2616704 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Rite Directions Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Tan Y Marian, Constitution Hill, Penmaenmawr LL34 6BA

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Inspector

Simon Hunter, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2616704 8 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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