Clayfields House Secure Unit

Assurance inspection report for secure children’s home: SC036740 1 Clayfields House Secure Unit Nottinghamshire County Council

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Clayfields House Secure Unit, 18-20 Moorbridge Lane, Stapleford, Nottingham NG9 8GU

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this secure children’s home

This secure children’s home is managed by a local authority. It is approved by the Department for Education to restrict children’s liberty.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The home can accommodate up to 20 children aged between 10 and 17 years. It provides accommodation for up to 12 children placed by the Youth Custody Service and has up to eight places for children accommodated under section 25 of the Children Act 1989. Thirteen children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this secure children’s home

Admission of any child under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who is under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The commissioning of health services in this home is the statutory responsibility of NHS England under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since May 2018.

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Information about this secure children’s home

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that serious child protection allegations were being investigated by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate allegations of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the allegations were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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Inspection date: 4 March 2025

Date of last inspection: 10 September 2024

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Inspection date: 4 March 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Assurance inspection report for secure children’s home: SC036740 2

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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 secure children’s home: SC036740 3

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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

Leaders and managers take action following any safeguarding incidents that come to their attention and on almost all occasions they notify and keep the relevant bodies up to date. On one recent occasion, Ofsted was not updated by the registered manager about a serious matter. Although notified previously, a substantial escalation occurred, meaning a further notification should have been made. This does not give Ofsted assurance that the registered manager understands the importance of keeping the regulator informed. This is so that Ofsted can in turn ensure that the Secretary of State for Education is aware, given their responsibilities of licencing/approving secure children’s homes to operate, and so that the regulator has oversight of the home’s actions in helping to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Inspectors reviewed the requirement and recommendations raised at the last inspection. The requirement has been met, and one recommendation has been responded to appropriately. One recommendation relating to training of staff has not been actioned and this recommendation has been restated. Inspectors did not review any actions that were raised in relation to education.

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Findings from the inspection

Children speak positively about their education and the support they receive. However, they have expressed concerns about inconsistency in how care staff manage night-time routines. Staff also shared similar concerns. These inconsistencies prevent children from understanding what is expected of them and hinders new staff in improving their practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The new systems for monitoring physical interventions, managed away placements and single separations are thorough and improve management oversight. They allow tracking of incidents, including the people involved, the location, the reason for the hold and the date and time. This helps identify practice issues and assess the effectiveness of strategies. Information from the tracker is discussed in weekly meetings, where effective strategies are documented, and any recognised triggers are added to children’s care plans to reduce future incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff work hard to help children feel settled and safe in the home. When children’s support plans are not proving effective, leaders and managers are proactive in arranging meetings with other professionals to discuss and review strategies. This collaborative approach ensures that the current plans are adapted to better meet the children’s needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers actively listen to the voice of the children. For one child, this has resulted in a planned move to another setting. The child has met staff from the new setting and has a video call scheduled with a young person currently living Assurance inspection report for secure children’s home: SC036740 4 there. This approach helps to reduce anxieties about the upcoming change and supports a smoother move.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff talk to children about topics that may be difficult for them to discuss, in relation to their sentences or their families. These sessions are conducted in a non- judgemental manner, providing reassurance for the children. The child’s voice is clearly evidenced throughout, ensuring that their views and feelings are heard and valued.

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Findings from the inspection

All written documentation of incidents accurately reflected the footage seen on CCTV, and all had management oversight. Reports of incidents showed that they were managed in line with regulations. Additionally, all children involved in incidents were spoken to afterwards, ensuring that their views were considered.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/09/2024 Full Good 23/01/2024 Full Good 24/10/2023 Full Inadequate 18/07/2023 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for secure children’s home: SC036740 5

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any [other] incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 7 April 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff are consistent in their approaches to night-time routines. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)  The registered person should ensure that children’s progress in education can be measured and evidenced in various ways, including, but not limited to, success in academic, vocational and other awards and qualifications. Measurements of progress should include qualitative information. In particular, Leaders should further improve the quality of education by ensuring; curriculums extend beyond the specifications for qualifications, and that children present their mathematical reasoning. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.2)  The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs and should understand the key role

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Recommendations

they play in the training and development of staff in the home. In particular, staff should receive training in autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to support children’s needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11) Assurance inspection report for secure children’s home: SC036740 6

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Secure children’s home details

Registered provider: Nottinghamshire County Council

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Secure children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QP

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Secure children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jennifer Whiston

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Inspectors

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Tash Williams, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for secure children’s home: SC036740 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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