Marydale Lodge

Assurance inspection report for secure children's home: SC022448 1 Marydale Lodge Nugent Care 2019 Blackbrook Road, St Helens, Merseyside WA11 9RJ

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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 run by a voluntary organisation and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict children’s liberty. The home can accommodate up to twelve children aged between 10 and 17 years who are placed by local authorities under section 25 of the Children Act 1989. There were four children living at the home at the time of the inspection. All the children contributed to the inspection.

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Information about this secure children’s home

Admission of any child under thirteen years of age under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 requires the approval of the Secretary of State. The commissioning of health services in this home is the statutory responsibility of NHS England under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Education is provided on site in dedicated facilities.

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Information about this secure children’s home

There has been no registered manager since 3 January 2025. The home has a new manager. The manager is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this secure children’s home

Date of last inspection: 14 January 2025

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Information about this secure children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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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, Assurance inspection report for secure children's home: SC022448 2 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: SC022448 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

Children have positive relationships with staff. Staff understand children’s risks and interests. Children say that they feel supported by staff and feel they are benefiting from living at the home. For example, when children spoke with the inspectors, they were able to identify the positive progress they have made.

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Findings from the inspection

All staff have completed relevant safeguarding training. When new risks are identified, additional specific training is sourced and delivered. Staff are aware of children’s risks to themselves and how to support them. Concerns about doors posing a safety risk were promptly explored and reported appropriately, and measures were put in place to ensure children’s safety.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager actively challenges external services. The quality assurance is robust, and the security of services has been strengthened. Appropriate action is being taken at pace to improve the care children receive, as well as enabling managers to be responsive to change. For example, the manager has submitted and followed through on formal complaints to other agencies.

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Findings from the inspection

Debriefs with staff are completed at the end of every shift. This allows staff an opportunity to reflect on what happened and identify any learning. Separate debriefs following incidents happen on occasion. Staff talk positively about managers and feel they are approachable and supportive. One member of staff spoke about how he now looks forward to coming to work again following recent changes.

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Findings from the inspection

When safeguarding issues have arisen, the manager has taken swift and appropriate action to reduce or eliminate the risks. For example, concerns about there being a breach in the system that limits internet access were identified quickly, and action was taken.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been changes in the staff team. Recruitment has been successful and is ongoing. The manager is aware of it being a new staff team and is ensuring that all staff have a robust, meaningful understanding of their roles. The induction has been strengthened. For example, this now includes compassion-focused training, using scenarios and seeking feedback from previous starters to improve the induction process. While the team is not yet fully staffed, the management team continues to maintain safe staffing levels and is keeping occupancy low to ensure safety.

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Findings from the inspection

Two requirements and two recommendations were raised following the home’s last inspection. One requirement remains. One recommendation was met, and one was not considered during this visit. This will be reviewed at the home’s next inspection. Assurance inspection report for secure children's home: SC022448 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/01/2025 Full Good 30/01/2024 Full Outstanding 11/10/2022 Full Good 19/01/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for secure children's home: SC022448 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

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 17 June Assurance inspection report for secure children's home: SC022448 6 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 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the duration of any measure used is recorded and that children and staff are given the opportunity to speak to someone to debrief and reflect after an incident. Any gaps in the recording need to be addressed as part of management oversight.

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Requirement Due date

This has not been reviewed at this inspection as is restated.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are supported to achieve the targets in their education, health and care plan and that career plans are clear and accessible to children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.2) Assurance inspection report for secure children's home: SC022448 7

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Secure children’s home details

Registered provider address: 99 Edge Lane, Edge Hill, Liverpool L7 2PE

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Inspectors

Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Leanne Lyon, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for secure children's home: SC022448 8 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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