SC 040491

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040132 1 SC040132

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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 run by a local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to two children with learning disabilities. At the time of inspection, two children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home reopened in December 2023 following a period of closure.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a suitably qualified registered manager in post.

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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

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Information about this inspection

 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: SC040132 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

Leaders and managers have addressed most of the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection. Planning is in place to address the remaining shortfalls and for the ongoing development of practice in the home. The registered manager regularly reviews the progress of children and is committed to providing them with good care.

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Findings from the inspection

No children have moved into the home since the last inspection. This meant that the quality of planning and preparation completed prior to children moving in, or the child’s experiences of this, could not be reviewed. The requirement raised at the last inspection in respect of this matter remains in place for review at the next inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Both children were seen during the inspection. They were settled in the home environment, completing individual activities. Carers interacted with children, showing them patience and warmth. Carers showed a good understanding of the children and their needs, supporting them to communicate their wants and needs while promoting their independence. One child said that they like living in the home and like the carers and their housemate.

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Findings from the inspection

Two parents spoke positively about the care provided to their child and the relationships that carers have built with them. They said that the child’s quality of life has improved. They were positive about the time and effort that carers put into arranging and supporting positive family time.

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Findings from the inspection

Children benefit from individualised care and planning. Carers spend time with them, getting to know their likes, dislikes, communication needs and behaviours. This information is recorded in informative documents that aim to guide and support carers to meet the children’s needs. The overall quality of care that one child experiences has significantly improved. They are supported to complete activities such as walking and swimming. This has had a positive impact on their physical health.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have been restrained to keep them and others safe. When concerns were raised about the type of restraint used, a full review of the incident and practice was completed. This provided robust recommendations and actions to improve practice and the quality of children’s experiences. Carers have been trained to complete advanced and emergency holds with children. A restraint reduction plan that links to a child’s support planning is in the process of being finalised. Planning for children is clear that any holds are only to be used as a last resort. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040132 3 The registered manager has sent notifications of notifiable incidents to Ofsted as required. Recordings that detail carers and children’s actions during incidents are thorough. Efforts have been made to have reflective conversations with a child following incidents. This work is ongoing, with different ways of supporting them to

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Findings from the inspection

express their experiences, wishes and feelings being trialled. Recording children’s information using first-person narrative has reduced. However, some recordings still incorrectly portray information as if it were the child’s expressed views. Carers value the knowledge and expertise of other professionals. They consistently work within the multi-agency arena to share information about children and improve care planning. For one child, the involvement of a multi-agency team has triggered assessments that aim to provide better insight into the child’s overall care and support needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Carers have access to clear information about children’s medication.

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Findings from the inspection

One carer spoke positively about the home. They highlighted the positive working ethos in the team and their commitment to the children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040132 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/06/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/08/2021 Full Inadequate 11/09/2019 Full Good 24/01/2019 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040132 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 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))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that, before a child moves to the home, enough information is known about the child to allow for good planning.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person must ensure that carers have the information and guidance required to care for and communicate with children in line with their needs.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person must ensure that children experience a positive move to the home. 18 February 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. In particular, carefully consider the appropriateness of recording the child’s information using first-person narrative. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040132 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Accounts Payable, PO Box 727, Truro, TR1 9GP

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Inspector

Carla Simkiss, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040132 7 regulates and inspects 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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