Children's Home, Residential special school run by SENAD Limited in Derby

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2581909 1 Registered provider: SENAD 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 the residential provision of an independent special school. It provides care for up to eight children who have learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder.

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Information about this children’s home

Four children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were seen and spoken with by the inspector. There is an acting manager in post who has not yet applied to Ofsted to be registered.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

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: 2581909 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

Children have opportunities to take part in activities within, and outside the home. For example, children have been to the seaside and to a water park. Other children are becoming more confident within their community and have been to a hairdresser.

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Findings from the inspection

The changes in management have impacted on the overall monitoring of the home, although this is now stabilising. To improve monitoring, leaders and managers have created an action plan which identifies areas for development. This increased level of managerial oversight is more likely to be effective in overseeing the appropriate care of children.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been several concerns raised in relation to poor staff practice. Leaders and managers have responded to concerns and allegations against staff appropriately. Referrals to the local authority designated officer have been made when necessary, and investigations taken place. When necessary, suitable protective measures have been implemented to safeguard children and staff while investigations are undertaken.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are trained in physical intervention and only use these skills after trying several other less restrictive approaches to keep children and others safe. When these occur, staff make a record, and managers have an overview to enable monitoring. This means that managers are assured that staff are responding appropriately.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have detailed safety plans, including risk assessments. These documents direct staff in how to respond to keep children safe. Risk assessments have been reviewed. This means that risks to children have had a regular series of monitoring by a manager.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have provided further training for those staff who have specific responsibilities for the safeguarding of children. Additionally, the provider has introduced a new online system for staff to record any concerns. Staff are being supported and trained to use this effectively. Senior managers have attended a conference which highlighted the importance of a healthy safeguarding culture.

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Findings from the inspection

At the last inspection, several staff were not appropriately qualified to work in the home. At this inspection there is one staff who has failed to complete the relevant qualification in the required timeframe. Managers are taking the appropriate action to address this in a timely manner.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have not yet ensured that all staff have the necessary oversight to meet the individual needs of the children. Some staff have not had Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2581909 3 supervision or the opportunity to attend a staff team meeting for several months. This has meant that staff have not had the opportunity to reflect on their role, and for managers to assess staff competence and to provide advice and guidance, at a time of considerable change.

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Findings from the inspection

This home is undergoing a series of developments. One child now has a bedroom floor that is easier to maintain. Plans are in place to develop the sensory room. When appropriate children choose what colour, they want their bedroom walls. At this inspection there was one area that required attention. However, this does not impact on what is generally an appropriate environment.

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Findings from the inspection

At this assurance inspection, three requirements set at the last inspection are met. One requirement and one recommendation have been set at this inspection. A further recommendation from the previous inspection was not reviewed and will be carried forward to the next inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2581909 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/05/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/12/2024 Full Outstanding 25/07/2023 Full Outstanding 05/07/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2581909 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 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

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)(f))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to managers ensuring that all staff receive regular supervision and team meetings. 30 September

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s homes is a nurturing and supportive environment that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that children who cannot or choose not to verbalise, have the right to have their views, wishes and feelings heard and respected in the same way as other children. There may be children whose abilities and understanding are such that regulations 7(2)(a)(iv), (b)(i) and (c) will need interpretation according to their individual circumstances in consultation

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Recommendations

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2581909 6 with their social worker. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.24) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2581909 7

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 St. Georges House, Vernon Gate, Derby DE1 1UQ

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Inspector

Simon Hunter, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2581909 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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Inspector

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