Children's home run by Cocoon Children Services Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2730667 1 Registered provider: Cocoon Children Services Ltd

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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 and provides care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the visit, one child was living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2023.

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This monitoring visit

A full inspection of the home in April 2024 identified several breaches of regulation. An assurance inspection in September 2024 found that leaders and managers had not taken effective action to address the shortfalls identified at the full inspection. Several requirements and recommendations were restated.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit to the home in December 2024. Managers had not taken effective action to address previously identified shortfalls, and further regulatory breaches were identified. As a result, the home was issued with a notice to restrict accommodation. This restriction notice prevents the provider from moving any new children into the home.

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This monitoring visit

The focus of this visit was to monitor compliance with the restriction notice and review the progress made towards addressing the requirements raised at previous inspections.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, one child has left the home. No children have moved into the home since the restriction notice was issued. The provider has complied with the restriction notice. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2730667 2 Managers have not yet taken effective action to ensure that all allegations about staff are appropriately investigated or referred to the relevant professionals. Furthermore, records are not always clear about what action the manager has taken to ensure that children are safe from harm.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, the manager has not responded effectively to a requirement to ensure that a significant incident is notified to Ofsted without delay. This continues to undermine regulatory oversight.

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This monitoring visit

Communication with partner agencies is not yet effective. Some reports to social workers have lacked important information, while some children’s appointments and meetings with schools or professionals have been delayed or missed. This means that professionals do not always have the information they require to ensure that children’s needs are met.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has plans to help develop staff’s skills and understanding through improved training. The organisation has appointed a new responsible individual for the home to support the manager’s oversight. The home is working with a psychotherapist to help staff better understand the needs of children. These changes are in their infancy and have not yet had a clear impact on the experiences of children.

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This monitoring visit

The building is now safe for children to live in. Areas of concern raised at the last inspection have been addressed. The home is currently being redecorated, and children are involved in purchasing new items for the home and their personal spaces. As a result, children have a more comfortable home to live in.

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This monitoring visit

The staff have built positive relationships with the children. They help the children to attend health appointments and access the community for leisure activities. One child spoke positively about a recent trip to London to visit a museum. One social worker said, ‘They [staff] are very good advocates.’ Subsequently, children’s experiences of living in the home are improved. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2730667 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2730667 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 with 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

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all allegations against staff are appropriately investigated in a thorough and transparent manner. All information should be shared with relevant safeguarding agencies as appropriate.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 31 January 2025

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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

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each 31 January 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2730667 5 child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 31 January 2025

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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: 2730667 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cocoon Children Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 80 Astra Close, Hornchurch RM12 5NJ

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Inspectors

Glen Strowbridge, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Sasha Reid, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2730667 7 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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