Children's Home run by Courtyard Care Limited in Warrington

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2620865 1 Registered provider: Courtyard Care 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 operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who may have learning disabilities, physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments. At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since December 2024. She has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 6 January 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 6 January 2025

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 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: 2620865 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 home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection in August 2024. Since the last inspection, the provider has reduced the number of children it cares for. Two children moved out of the home because the provider could not meet their needs. Leaders and managers worked with the local authority to ensure that both children had a positive ending.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers applied to Ofsted to reduce the number of children from five to three, which the regulator approved on 23 December 2024. This decision was made after several experienced members of staff left the home.

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Findings from the inspection

A whistle-blowing complaint raised concerns about long staff hours, inadequate support for children and the sudden end of placements for two children. An investigation by the local authority found no further action was needed, and leaders took decisive action to address these concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is showing early signs of stability, with positive feedback about the new manager. Improvements have been made to children’s records, including health and individual support plans, which are detailed and provide guidance for staff. Managers are working with staff to improve the quality of care. This work has improved medication recording as new auditing systems are introduced.

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Findings from the inspection

The new manager has a good understanding of the home and how it should operate effectively. She is dedicated to improving the home and achieving positive outcomes for the children. To support this, she is developing improved monitoring systems to maintain a clear overview of the home and track the progress children make.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a full staff team in place who are undertaking an improved programme of training. Better systems are in place to monitor the training that staff complete. The provider’s practice educator oversees this monitoring and keeps the leaders and the manager informed. The staff are well supported and confident in supporting the children who currently live at the home. This is reflected in the progress children are making.

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Findings from the inspection

Although regulation 44 visits have taken place, the independent visitor has not met with staff to gather their views or provided their opinion on whether children are effectively safeguarded.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have addressed the shortfalls identified at the last inspection, and all requirements have been met. A recommendation has been restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2620865 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/08/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/04/2024 Full Inadequate 18/07/2023 Full Good 05/07/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2620865 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 ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person-

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person’s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether-

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a) (4)(a)(b) (5))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once a month, supports the gathering of others’ views, and provides an opinion on whether children are effectively safeguarded. 8 February 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff receive supervision of their practice which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2620865 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Courtyard Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 Siskin Drive, Middlemarch Business Park, Coventry CV3 4FJ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jacqueline Hills

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Inspector

Jennifer Quest, social care inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2620865 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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