Children's Home run by GAC Family Services Limited in Redcar and Cleveland

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2791528 1 Registered provider: GAC Family Services Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered in June 2024 and is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2025. The post of responsible individual has been vacant since October 2024.

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Inspection date: 27 January 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 27 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 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: 2791528 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 child is building relationships with staff who they trust. The staff set clear boundaries and support the child to engage with them. The child is taking part in more activities with staff, and this is helping them to form positive relationships.

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Findings from the inspection

When the child makes a complaint, they feel listened to by staff, who act on their concerns. The staff follow the home’s procedure and log the child’s issue. The manager takes appropriate action to resolve the matter and provide feedback on the outcome in a manner the child understands.

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Findings from the inspection

When the child is missing from home, the staff act quickly to return them safely. Staff liaise with family and friends and keep the placing authority informed. The staff know the child well and use consequence reminders and encouragement that motivate the child to return of their own volition.

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Findings from the inspection

Safeguarding concerns are taken seriously. The manager acts quickly to gather facts and inform relevant professionals. Where appropriate, investigations take place, and the disciplinary process is followed. This promotes a positive safeguarding culture.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager adheres to safer recruitment practices. The staff are subject to suitable checks and vetting before beginning work with children. When the manager encounters barriers to obtaining references, he is persistent in ensuring all reasonable steps are taken.

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Findings from the inspection

There is an increase in experienced and qualified staff to ensure the home is adequately staffed. An additional deputy manager and senior worker are also now in post. This is providing additional support to those new to the role. All staff who have completed their probationary period are undertaking their diploma qualification.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff receive regular reflective supervision. The child’s risks and needs are discussed, and staff are supported to improve the care that the child receives. Staff feel able to share personal issues and receive support from their supervisor to ensure their well-being at work.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager’s monitoring of the home is not yet effective. The checks are not routinely carried out, and there is no process to ensure that outstanding actions are completed. This does not provide the manager with adequate oversight to improve the quality of care that children receive.

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Findings from the inspection

The child’s annual health assessment is not on file, and this has not been requested by the manager. As a result, there may be outstanding actions needed to support the health of the child. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2791528 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/08/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2791528 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 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

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, and

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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)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement has been reissued. 10 March 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person must adhere to the local authority health plan when considering how to meet the child’s health and well-being needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2791528 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: GAC Family Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 49 Effra Road, London SW2 1BZ

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Inspector

Lee Riley, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2791528 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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