Children's Home run by Consensus Support Services Limited in Suffolk

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC386258 1 SC386258

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Registered provider: Consensus Support Services 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 11 children with autism and learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably qualified and has been registered with Ofsted since 2015.

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Inspection date: 14 March 2025

Date of last inspection: 3 December 2024

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Inspection date: 14 March 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 14 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: SC386258 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

At this inspection there were nine children living at the home. Two of the children spoke to the inspector. Since the last inspection, one child has moved in. Most children live at the home long term, until careful and detailed plans are made for a move to adult services. The staff work with the family’s social workers and adult care provisions to plan moves over time. This minimises the stress of moving on for children who depend on familiar adults and predictable routine-based care.

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Findings from the inspection

Children experience long-term permanence at this home. The established manager and consistent staff team help children to build supportive and trusting relationships. The staff know the children exceptionally well. They take pride in providing individualised care. Each child is valued, and their achievements are celebrated.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have complex learning and health needs. The staff plan for their needs well and are attuned to the impact these aspects have on children’s behaviour and communication.

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Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy being with the responsive and caring staff. They enjoy a wide range of seasonal and local activities that suit their interests and needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s learning and attainment are supported very well. Each child has an educational provision, and most children attend full time. Children enjoy the routine and social opportunities that school and college offer them. Some children attend part-time alternative provision, and one child has online learning at home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children views and wishes are captured using child-friendly forms that children can understand. A sample of these show meaningful responses. Staff have regular discussions and one-to-one time with children. Records are written directly to children and use language that is simple, empathetic and respectful.

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Findings from the inspection

Four children have advocates. For each child who does not currently have an advocate, advocacy services are being explored. An appropriate provider has been identified.

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Findings from the inspection

The missing-from-home protocol has been amended to provide more clarity. Each child has a new protocol for staff to share with the police. This gives the police a detailed and specific summary in terms of the child’s specific vulnerabilities, their health needs, medication and parental contacts. This has been shared with staff alongside an updated missing-from-home policy. This policy sets out clear expectations for staff to follow.

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Findings from the inspection

The migration to a new electronic record system is working well. The previous system did not fully support some aspects of the remit of the home. The quality Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC386258 3 assurance lead supports the staff regularly to ensure that records are detailed and followed up. This has meant some changes and adjustments to the system following feedback from the manager. Since the last inspection, the manager and staff demonstrate increased confidence in navigating this and using the internal prompt and safeguards it is designed to provide.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has better oversight of training using the new record system. This shows that 100% of staff have the training to provide restraint as and when required. All staff have now had the safeguarding refresher training that was missing for two staff at the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been two notifications since the last inspection. One was clearly notifiable, and the other was the manager’s decision to notify Ofsted. There are now automated systems in place to prompt managers to notify Ofsted following any serious incident.

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Findings from the inspection

The independent visitor has visited each month. Children are consulted with. The last visit took place at the weekend, when four children were at the home. Two of the children were spoken to by the visitor. The manager is happy with the quality of these visits. The reports make it clear that children were present and spoken to.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff absence is well managed by the core staff team. This helps children receive consistent care from staff they know well. This is very important for children who rely on known staff and regular routine.

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Findings from the inspection

Overall, a considerable amount of focused work has been carried out to address the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. The requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection have all been met and none have been raised following this visit. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC386258 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/10/2023 Full Good 14/02/2023 Full Good 02/02/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC386258 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Consensus Support Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 The Courtyards, Phoenix Square, Wyncolls Road, Colchester CO4 9PE

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Inspector

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC386258 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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