Children's home run by Gratia Cura Residential Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2814282 1 Registered provider: Gratia Cura Residential 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 with Ofsted on 5 December 2024 and provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager is in post. They have not yet applied to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 26 February 2025

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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Inspection date: 26 February 2025

Judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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Inspection date: 26 February 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable

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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: 2814282 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 visit was carried out to address specific concerns received by Ofsted. It was also noted that the registered manager had left the home before the first full inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff have recently supported one child’s move into the home. This move was at short notice. However, staff have started to develop positive relationships with the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have open and honest discussions with the child during key-work sessions. These sessions give the child the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings, and the records demonstrate that trusting relationships are beginning to develop.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the child moved into the home, they have enjoyed several activities in the local community, including shopping trips, walks in the local area, going to the gym and visiting activity centres.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff promote the child’s emotional health and well-being and advocate for specialist services to ensure that ongoing support is provided.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are starting to understand the child’s risks, vulnerabilities, likes and dislikes. Risk assessments are clear, and they guide staff in how to safely care for the child and respond to risks.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are responsive when the child goes missing from the home. They act quickly to try to locate the child, contact the police, and keep family members and professionals informed of any new developments. The manager and staff show their concern and dedication by doing everything in their power to ensure the child’s safe return. However, on one occasion, staff missed signs that the child was preparing to go missing from the home and could possibly have prevented this. The manager is in the process of reviewing the recent incident to identify lessons learned.

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Findings from the inspection

Before starting to work in the home with the child, staff undergo safer recruitment checks.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is developing a good safeguarding culture. He ensures that staff know how to raise any concerns. Staff understand the whistle-blowing procedure and are confident that they would be listened to if they voiced any concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

Most of the staff are new to working in a children’s home. The manager recognises the team’s strengths and areas for development and is guiding the staff to develop their skills and become confident in the care that they provide. Staff feel supported by the manager, who enables them to provide consistent care to the child. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2814282 3 Staff have received a combination of in-person and online training. Most staff have undertaken training that is relevant to the child’s needs. However, two members of staff have not received training that would help them better understand self-harm risks and the use of deprivation of liberty orders. The impact of this is reduced as these staff always work with staff who have completed this training. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2814282 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 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

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2) (a)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff recognise the signs when a child is preparing to go missing from home. 30 April 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

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff receive training that will support them to meet the children’s needs. 30 April 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2814282 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Gratia Cura Residential Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6 Park Road, Didcot OX11 8QW

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Inspector

Lisa O’Donovan, Regulatory Inspection Manager Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2814282 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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