Children's Home run by Amelia Care Limited in Cheshire East

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 1 Registered provider: Amelia 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 home is owned and operated by a private company. The home is registered to care for up to three children between the ages of eight and 18 years, who may be experiencing social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living in the home at the time of the inspection. Both children spoke to inspectors.

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Information about this children’s home

An interim manager has been appointed to manage the home. She has yet to submit her application to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken to review the regulation 12 compliance notice that was issued following the assurance inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have implemented and updated risk management plans so that staff are provided with clear guidance about action to be taken to monitor the children’s well-being and to ensure that all children living in the home are kept safe. However, on one occasion, staff did not follow the risk management plan when a child was using a vape in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have more effective oversight of serious incidents, and since the last visit, they have rigorously monitored all incidents that have taken place in the home and where necessary taken appropriate action. When serious incidents have occurred, leaders and managers work collaboratively with a range of professionals to ensure effective risk management and safety planning. HMCI had Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 2 not been notified of all these incidents, and there had been a delay in notifications being sent. A requirement has been raised in respect of this.

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This monitoring visit

Children are engaging in structured routines during the day. Consequently, there has been fewer incidents of behaviour management occurring between children. Staff have coordinated education days with children, where they have had the opportunity to learn new topics. Education plans in the form of tutoring are now in place for both children. One child has had an introductory visit with their tutor as a means of getting to know one another.

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This monitoring visit

The home has undergone several repairs since the last visit to rectify damage that had been caused due to serious incidents taking place. The home environment was tidy but remains lacking in personalisation.

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This monitoring visit

Staff provided inspectors with clear accounts of children’s risks and what action they would take to respond to a serious incident. One member of staff has shared ideas with leaders and managers about specific training in relation to sensory processing and communication that may be suitable in helping the staff understand children’s wider needs.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last visit, the staff team has received training on several topics to enhance knowledge and develop skills to manage children’s specific needs. Training includes topics such as children going missing from home, child sexual exploitation, serious youth violence and risk assessments.

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This monitoring visit

Staff report that communication across the staff team is better and more effective. A team meeting has taken place with the whole staff team. Leaders and managers have had more presence in the home, and this has contributed to the staff team feeling more supported.

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This monitoring visit

The remaining requirements regarding areas of concern raised at the assurance inspection have not been considered during this visit. They remain in place and will be reviewed at the home’s next inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/01/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 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 with 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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that risk management plans for each child are based on individual children’s circumstances and contain clear strategies that set out what action staff should take to manage the risks.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that staff follow the risk management plans as set out in the child’s individual plan. Specifically, managers must ensure that staff challenge and take action when a child is using an electronic vaping device in the home. 30 March 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 5 The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation—

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Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter;

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Requirement Due date

must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b)) 30 March 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

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

promotes their welfare. 30 March 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate; and

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(f))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that staff work collaboratively to provide consistent care that is in line with children’s individual needs and their agreed plans.

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Requirement Due date

The provider must ensure that managers and staff understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was not considered during this inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

*The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible; 30 March 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 7 help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment; and

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Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(v)(viii)(x))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the provider must ensure that managers and staff advocate for children to receive education.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that staff understand the barriers to engaging in education and that there are clear plans in place to support children to overcome these.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that when there are barriers and children do not attend or engage with education, staff must ensure they promote opportunities for children to learn informally. Additionally, the manager and staff must ensure that there is clear structure and routines in place for children and that staff understand the importance of this and how this will benefit the overall experiences and progress for children.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was not considered during this inspection and is restated.

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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

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; 30 March 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 8 ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(e)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must make sure that they role model a culture of positivity towards children and understanding of children’s early childhood trauma, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make sure that they provide staff with regular, good-quality support and supervision that helps staff to provide good-quality care to children. Supervision of staff must take place at the interval set out in the home’s own policies and procedures and be at a frequency to ensure that formal oversight of staff practice is effective.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make sure that they are using their systems of monitoring and review to maintain good oversight of the running of the home. When there are incidents, including shortfalls in staff practice, the registered person must ensure that children are not blamed, and important learning is taken forward to improve children’s experiences.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must also make sure that when complaints are received, they are reviewed openly and honestly, and that any response sent to the complainant is factual.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was not considered during this inspection and is restated. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 9 The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must make sure that children are always supported to have positive and well- planned moves into and out of the home.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was not considered during this inspection and is restated. 30 March 2025

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. 30 March 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 10 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vii)(c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must make sure that children’s bedrooms are personalised, well maintained and contain all the furniture they need.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make sure that staff understand children’s individual needs and provide them with personalised care and support.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was not considered during this inspection and is restated

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— 30 March 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 11 within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(b) (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was not considered during this inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must— 30 March 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 12 ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each permanent appointment of an employee is subject to the satisfactory completion of a period of probation. (Regulation (33)(1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was not considered during this inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 13

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Amelia Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 41 High Street, Sandbach CW11 1AL

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Inspectors

Michelle Greenhalgh, Social Care Inspector Zillah Brooks, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2743870 14 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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