Atkinson Unit

Inspection report for secure children’s home - monitoring visit: SC046276 1 Atkinson Unit Registered provider: The Atkinson Centre, Atkinson Close, Beacon Lane, Exeter EX4 8NA

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this secure children’s home

The home is managed by a local authority and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict children’s liberty. The home can accommodate up to eight children aged between 10 and 17 years under Section 25 of the Children Act 1989. Admission of any child under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

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Information about this secure children’s home

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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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out in line with the memorandum of understanding between Ofsted and the Department for Education (DfE).

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This monitoring visit

The inspector visited the home with specialist architects. This visit forms part of the information that Ofsted provides to the DfE so that the Secretary of State can make a decision about the continuing suitability of the home to restrict children’s liberty.

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This monitoring visit

Overall, the home provides a good-quality environment that is suitable to meet the needs of children. One area of the home has a significant risk to security. The registered manager acknowledged this issue and confirmed that risk assessments would be immediately updated to guide staff and that urgent action would be taken to remedy it. Inspection report for secure children’s home - monitoring visit: SC046276 2 The recommendations raised at the last inspection will be reviewed at the next inspection. Inspection report for secure children’s home - monitoring visit: SC046276 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/11/2024 Full Good 12/09/2023 Full Outstanding 07/06/2022 Full Good 09/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for secure children’s home - monitoring visit: SC046276 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 within the given timescales.

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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

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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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) (2)(c)(i)) 5 November 2025

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was so that Ofsted can provide information to the DfE so that the Secretary of State can make a decision about the continuing suitability of the secure children’s home to restrict children’s liberty.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for secure children’s home - monitoring visit: SC046276 5

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Secure children’s home details

Registered provider: Devon County Council

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Secure children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 4QD

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Inspector

Shaun Common, His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report for secure children’s home - monitoring visit: SC046276 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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