Children's Home run by Deborah Pacquette in Waltham Forest

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC007290 1 SC007290

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider to care for up to four children with social and or/emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in October 1998. The manager registered in 2007.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Inspection date: 20 February 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 20 February 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: SC007290 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

Managers have made progress in addressing the requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Most children make safe choices through the support of meaningful conversations with staff that are tailored to their unique needs and vulnerabilities. While one child is reluctant to engage in these discussions, staff continue to foster good communication.

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Findings from the inspection

Educational progress among the children varies. Since the last inspection, one child has started to attend school full time. Meanwhile, another child’s immediate educational provision is still uncertain. While arrangements are secured, staff are offering support.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have access to health professionals and receive staff support to attend any necessary health appointments.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s care plans and risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect their changing needs. These documents are clear and accessible and outline the steps that staff need to take to mitigate risks to the children.

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Findings from the inspection

When children are missing from home or late arriving home, there is a clear process staff follow to promote their safety during these times. When incidents occur, managers ensure that children’s social workers and family members are informed.

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Findings from the inspection

When safeguarding incidents occur, these are notified to the relevant safeguarding agencies. However, Ofsted is still not always being notified.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive training that is related to the children’s needs. On the day of the inspection, a two-day training event was taking place to support staff working with children with autism.

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Findings from the inspection

The restructuring of staff and the organisation has now been completed. This has allowed for staff to have clearer roles and responsibilities, and this has helped to ensure that children receive consistent care.

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Findings from the inspection

Although m anagement oversight has increased, managers do not yet have a system in place to evaluate and assess the quality of care. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC007290 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/10/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 19/03/2024 Full Good 27/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/01/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC007290 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. 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; and

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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)(a)(b) (2)(a)(f))

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard requires the registered person to notify Ofsted and other relevant persons if one of the situations specified in regulation 40(4)(a)-(d) occurs, or if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious (40(4)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 31 May 2025 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC007290 5

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Inspector

Richard Wyper, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC007290 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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