Children's home run by Centauri Care Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2780199 1 Registered provider: Centauri Care 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 operated by a private company. It provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is suitably qualified. The manager is due to leave in May 2025 and has applied to deregister. A new manager has been appointed. The registered manager was not available during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home and was spoken to.

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Inspection date: 5 March 2025

Date of last inspection: 16 December 2024

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Inspection date: 5 March 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 5 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: 2780199 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

Leaders and managers have satisfactorily addressed concerns raised at the last inspection. All four requirements and two recommendations have been met. There has been reflection and learning and regular monitoring by leaders since the last inspection, which has resulted in improved practices.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has moved into the home since the last inspection. There was careful consideration of whether the home was right for the child. The move was well planned and included visits to the home for the child and activities with staff. As a result, they settled quickly and their experience was positive. Where gaps in staff knowledge was identified, training was provided so staff were better equipped to support the needs of the child and manage risks effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff and the child engage well with each other, and the child talks positively about the relationships they have with staff. The child said that these relationships make them feel safe and that they have a safe adult they can talk to.

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Findings from the inspection

Education is encouraged by staff. The child is in education that meets their needs and is promoted effectively. The support and involvement of staff, who attended parents evening, helps to build the child’s confidence. This is likely to improve the child’s life chances.

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Findings from the inspection

The home environment is warm and welcoming. There has been a lot of investment in the property, which is well maintained and well furnished. Staff put photos of the child around the home. The child is encouraged to personalise their bedroom, and they have their say on things they would like for the home, through regular meetings. As a result, The child feels a sense of belonging and feels valued in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Safeguarding incidents are managed well by staff. Behaviour support plans and risk assessments are regularly updated and include guidance for staff to follow to keep the child safe. This has resulted in an improvement of the child’s welfare and a reduction in safeguarding incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

Window restrictors are used throughout the home. There is no specific assessment of risk for restrictors being used on ground-floor windows. Their use gives an institutional feel to the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are not recruited safely and vetting procedures are not robust. There are shortfalls in references and checks being carried out before new staff start work. This may leave children being cared for by adults who could pose a risk to them. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2780199 3 Although there have been improvements, there continues to be instability in the leadership team. Since the home was registered, there have been several changes in the responsible individual and a deputy manager has left. The last inspection found that instability led to inconsistent care and support for the child. Since the last inspection, the manager has resigned, and they are currently absent from the home. Urgent action is being taken to address the vacancy. The impact of instability on children and staff is understood and is being addressed by the responsible individual.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2780199 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d)) 6 May 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home provides a nurturing environment that meets the needs of the children. The home should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than institutional impression, specifically in relation to ground-floor window restrictors. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2780199 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 39 Hollowtree Road, Hamilton, Leicester LE5 1TH

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Inspector

Tonia Dubidat, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2780199 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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