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. A further monitoring visit took place in January 2025, where several improvements to the identified shortfalls were observed.

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This monitoring visit

The focus of this visit was to continue to monitor compliance with the restriction notice and to review the progress made towards addressing the requirements raised at previous inspections. No children have moved into the home since the restriction notice was issued. The provider has complied with the restriction notice. As a result of this monitoring visit, the notice to restrict accommodation was removed. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2730667 2 Staff speak positively about the support they get from leaders and managers. They receive regular supervision, which allows them to reflect on their practice. Staff work collaboratively with a range of other professionals to continuously review the care they provide to children. As a result of changes to the way that children are helped by staff, children have made progress in managing their emotions more appropriately and experienced a reduction in high-risk incidents.

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This monitoring visit

Children have been helped to have more positive experiences while living in the home. Staff encourage children to pursue hobbies and be more active. For example, they have been trampolining, skateboarding and to the cinema.

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This monitoring visit

Staff listen to children’s views. When children make requests, these are acted on. New boxing equipment was bought in response to a child’s request, while bedrooms are now more personalised with new furniture and photographs of family. As a result, children feel more valued.

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This monitoring visit

Staff promote children’s engagement with education. They help children to attend an increased timetable of educational activities. They work with alternative provisions to give children more enriching opportunities to learn in the home and the community.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, the manager has ensured that any serious incidents have been notified to Ofsted without delay. This has allowed for greater regulatory oversight.

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This monitoring visit

The manager demonstrated further plans to develop staff skills and understanding through improved training. Managers are working with partner agencies and training providers to access resources that will help the staff to more confidently meet the aims of the home. These changes remain in their infancy and have not yet had a clear impact on the experiences of children.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have improved their response when children make allegations against staff. The manager has taken appropriate action to share this information with placing authorities and the local authority designated officer. However, the records of the action taken and the measures in place to ensure children’s safety are unclear. This reduces the effectiveness of management oversight and contributes to a delay in concluding investigations. 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 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 child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1) (2)(a)(c)(f))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 14 March 2025

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Recommendation

 The home’s records of serious events, including allegations against staff, should include a description of the action taken in response, describe the measures necessary to protect children and detail the outcome of any resulting investigation. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.14) Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2730667 5

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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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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