Children's Home run by AP Care Homes Limited in Cheshire East

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 1 Registered provider: AP Care Homes Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. The home provides care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted on 27 June 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in post since 13 September 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

There were no children living at the home at the time of this monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

The home was judged inadequate at the full inspection in November 2023. Ofsted found that children had suffered harm due to serious and widespread safeguarding failures.

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This monitoring visit

Since the home was judged inadequate, seven monitoring visits have been carried out. The provider has failed to make and sustain the necessary improvements or act in accordance with the relevant regulations.

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This monitoring visit

There has been no registered manager in post since 13 September 2023. At the previous monitoring visit, the director reported that she had appointed a new manager. Since the home has been in operation, there have been seven responsible individuals in total and seven managers. Only one of these managers has been registered with Ofsted. This continues to demonstrate ongoing instability in the leadership and management of the home. This does not provide children with a stable and safe environment.

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This monitoring visit

A new proposed responsible individual was appointed on 7 October 2024. Despite this visit being announced, the new proposed responsible individual and the director Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 2 were not present at this monitoring visit. This limited the provider’s ability to demonstrate the work they have undertaken since the last visit.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last monitoring visit, a further manager has been appointed. During this monitoring visit, the new manager told inspectors that her start date was 6 December 2024. At the time of this monitoring visit, she had been in post for five working days.

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This monitoring visit

The new manager stated that she has identified several documents, processes and systems that require further review. These include updating templates for children’s risk assessments, reviewing behaviour support plans and implementing a new process for staff to follow if there are any incidents of physical intervention. However, the manager said that she has not had the time, due to the limited time in post, to make the necessary changes or an opportunity to develop a new staff team in its understanding of the actions that they must take to keep children safe.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last monitoring visit, there have been further changes to the staff team. Only one staff member who was in post at the time of the last monitoring visit remains in post. This member of staff informed inspectors that they had been promoted to deputy manager. This is also recorded in the home’s statement of purpose. However, the new manager said that this was a temporary career development opportunity, as interviews were planned for a new deputy manager.

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This monitoring visit

Recruitment has been ongoing at the home. The new manager and staff said that the director has led on the recruitment of staff alongside the HR manager who is also the personal assistant to Ms Pickston, the director. This was evident in the documentation provided.

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This monitoring visit

Two new members of staff have been recently recruited. They have not undertaken all the necessary training to support them in their roles; at the time of the monitoring visit, they had only been in post for a few days. Furthermore, one staff member, who has worked in the home for six months, records showed that some training remained outstanding. The new manager said, ‘Recruitment is ongoing. I want to be sure that the staff recruited have the skills and knowledge to keep children safe.’

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This monitoring visit

During this visit, staff confirmed that they had received an induction into the home from the director. The new manager reported that she had completed her own induction booklet at the request of the director. The manager acknowledged that the records do not demonstrate that she had been provided with a sufficient induction. It did not provide a full understanding of the operation of the home, the expectations of her role, or the improvements required to ensure that the home will operate in line with the regulations.

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This monitoring visit

Although staff report they had received supervision, records were unclear and did not demonstrate that all staff had receive supervision in line with the company’s own Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 3 policies. The manager acknowledge that improvements were still required to ensure that records were accurate in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The HR manager stated that she has had responsibility for ensuring that the recruitment process is followed for each staff member. This has improved the recruitment processes in place for the staff currently employed.

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This monitoring visit

Requirements and recommendations were not considered at this visit and are carried forward to the next inspection. A further restriction notice was issued as Ofsted was unable to determine the capacity of the provider to make the required changes and demonstrate the actions that they will take to keep children safe. Furthermore, it was unclear about how the provider would stabilise the leadership and management arrangements at the home. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/11/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 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 with the given timescales.

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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

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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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)(a)(c)(d)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers must have effective oversight of the quality of care provided to children so that they can identify and address areas of concern. This includes oversight of staff practice, children’s records and staff training and records. 27 January 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 6 The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b) (5))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 27 January 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration; 27 January 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 7 details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure ("the user"), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b) (2) (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that records of restraint are completed in line with regulation, that these are reviewed and that any concerns about restraint practice or injuries sustained are identified and responded to swiftly.

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if 27 January 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 8 necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that children’s risks are clearly assessed. Also, they should ensure that staff are provided with clear guidance and strategies to support them to reduce risks.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that staff take effective action to keep children safe. This includes ensuring that allegations made by children are promptly reported to relevant agencies to safeguard children.

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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;

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 27 January 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 9 Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that children have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. They must ensure that they scrutinise available information before a child moves in so that they effectively consider whether they can meet children’s needs.

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Requirement Due date

Further to this, the registered provider must ensure that the home’s care plans reflect the information and outcomes from the child’s relevant plans and inform good care practices in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ix)(x))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that children’s emotional and behavioural needs are understood and are met, in line with children’s relevant plans. 27 January 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 10

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: AP Care Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 307 Hale Road, Hale Barns, Altrincham WA15 8SS

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Inspectors

Catherine Fargin, Regulatory Inspection Manager Michelle Edge, Senior His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2724911 12 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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