Children's home run by London Paramount Care Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704264 1 Registered provider: London Paramount Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care for up to eight children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2024.

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Inspection date: 10 March 2025

Date of last inspection: 18 November 2024

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Inspection date: 10 March 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 10 March 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: 2704264 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

Children experience stability and permanence at this home. Since the last inspection, one child has moved on in a planned way after reaching the age of eighteen. Managers arranged for staff who knew the child well to continue to support them at their next home. One child has moved in. Managers met with this child at their home to help answer their questions, and the child visited the home before moving in. Staff created a thoughtfully decorated games room for them. This helped the child to settle in quickly.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are well cared for. Children have complex learning and health needs. Managers are attuned to the impact children’s needs have on their behaviour and make sensitive plans for their care.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff encourage children to spend time together inside the house and at local activity parks. Children practise social skills and build relationships with peers. Three children spoke with the inspector. The children said that they enjoyed living at the home and that they felt confident managers would ‘sort things out’ if they were worried or unhappy about anything.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the use of a harness for one child has been reviewed. There is now clear guidance for staff about when and how this equipment should be used. A system is in place to ensure it is regularly reviewed for safety and proportionality.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been a small number of serious incidents since the last inspection. Managers have taken effective action and notified the relevant agencies without delay. This has improved external oversight of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

When children have experienced minor accidents and injuries, staff have provided first aid and sought further medical advice when necessary. Staff physically intervene when it is necessary to keep children safe. After incidents of restraint, managers ensure they speak to children and staff about what happened, and any learning from incidents is shared with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Children rarely go missing from the home. When children have been missing, this has been for a very short duration. Staff welcome them back warmly and let them know they are valued and cared for. Managers ensure that children are offered return home interviews. Any relevant information gathered from these interviews is understood by managers and recorded.

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Findings from the inspection

An external organisation has recently reviewed the measures that reduce the likelihood and impact of fire. The manager has ensured that the required fire- prevention and safety measures are in place and monitored through an action plan. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704264 3 The manager is now providing effective oversight and developing the quality of care and supporting records. Managers have discussed the importance of helpful and accurate language in children’s records during staff meetings. Language used in children’s records has improved.

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Findings from the inspection

The independent person’s monthly reports about the quality of the care at the home have improved. These now include details about the experiences of children alongside feedback from children, professionals and family members. This improves the effectiveness of the manager’s monitoring and increases opportunities for internal and external scrutiny.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, staff have received increased supervision of their practice. However, some of these supervision sessions are provided as a group, and the records fail to include reflective discussion about staff practice. This limits opportunities for staff to reflect individually with managers and improve their practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager monitors the progress of repairs and refurbishments regularly. This ensures that any areas of significant damage are repaired. However, there are several areas of the home that require maintenance and decoration to provide a well-kept appearance. The outside grounds are bare and uninviting. This does not encourage children to be outside.

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Findings from the inspection

All of the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been met, and no new requirements have been made. Two new recommendations have been made. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704264 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/11/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/05/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704264 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and welcoming environment. Specifically, ensure that all areas of the children’s home are suitably decorated and maintained and that the outdoor space is designed for children’s enjoyment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that staff receive regular supervision of their practice. Supervision should allow staff and managers to reflect individually on each staff member’s practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704264 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: London Paramount Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Mardoc House, Spinney Gardens, Breachwood Green, Hitchin SG4 8BW

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Pearce

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Inspector

Natalie Day, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2704264 7 regulates and inspects 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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