Children's Home run by Devon County Council in Devon

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2529648 1 Registered provider: Devon County Council

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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 managed by a local authority. It provides care for up to 3 children who may have physical disabilities, learning disabilities or sensory impairment.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this monitoring visit, 3 children were living at the home. Two of the children did not wish to be involved with the inspection although had brief interactions with the inspector.

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Information about this children's home

The home does not have a registered manager in post. The visit was supported by the responsible individual and a manager from another local authority home.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken to monitor the progress made following the full inspection which took place on 29 and 30 June 2026, when the home was judged inadequate.

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This monitoring visit

There has been a significant reduction in children going missing from the home, no children have been missing from the home since the full inspection. There has also been a significant decrease in damage to the property during incidents. Risk assessments give staff clearer guidance on what to do in relation to one child's time in the community so that they have a better understanding of how to support the child.

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This monitoring visit

One child said that they 'love' living at the home and has exciting plans for the summer holidays. Another child indicated that they are happy in the home. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2529648 2 Leaders and managers have arranged a comprehensive programme of training for the staff team. The priorities are to support staff to identify risks that are relevant to the children currently living in the home. This includes training in exploitation, online safety and missing from home. This training has not yet been completed by the staff team.

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This monitoring visit

Efforts have been made to create a more homely feel with the addition of photos of the children and soft furnishings. Leaders and managers say that children are taking more pride in their home. One door has yet to be fitted.

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This monitoring visit

Not all children are fully supported to have healthy sleep patterns, good hygiene habits and routines. Two children are spending long periods of time in their rooms, at times with little interaction with staff. Plans are not clear on what steps staff should take to encourage children to have healthy and active lifestyles.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are having conversations with children about risks and the importance of keeping themselves safe. One child reported concerns about an online contact, and this was reported to police quickly. However, there was a delay in notifying Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

An action plan has been created so that leaders and managers can concentrate on improving aspects of the children's care. Leaders and managers are currently recruiting to the manager's post. Additional support is being provided by a registered manager from another home and a team member who has been given increased responsibilities. Children continue to be supported by the same staff members as consistent agency staff are used.

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This monitoring visit

No new requirements have been made. The requirements and recommendations made at the full inspection are in progress but have not yet been met and so are re- stated.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/06/2026 Full Inadequate 09/04/2025 Full Good 02/07/2024 Full Good 11/07/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2529648 3

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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

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, risk management plans must include clear actions for staff to take to reduce all known risks, especially in relation to missing from home, exploitation and substance misuse.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, staff must understand how to manage children's safety online. 26 September Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2529648 4 Furthermore, the registered person must ensure that staff have the necessary skills and training to understand risks and are able to keep children safe.

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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

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;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

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

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

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Requirement Due date

In particular, clear systems must be in place to oversee children's care and understand their needs. Plans for staff should detail what they need to do each day to support and encourage children.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff have the skills and experience to meet children's needs and overcome barriers to their care. Leaders and managers must provide consistent and sufficient support to staff to promote good- quality and safe care for children. 26 September Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2529648 5 Additionally, as specified in the guide to children's homes regulations 2015 no more than half the staff on duty at any one time, day or night, should be from an external agency.

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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

help each child to achieve the child's education and training targets, as recorded in the child's relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child's learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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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

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v))

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Requirement Due date

Children who are not in education must be provided with opportunities for informal learning. 26 September

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 26 September

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and 26 September Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2529648 6 children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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 and develop skills to promote the child's well- being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff provide children with appropriate care to meet their health needs. This includes supporting children to maintain healthy and hygienic routines and ensuring that their bedrooms are clean.

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Recommendation:

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of their children. Any damage to the home should be repaired quickly. There should be a homely feel throughout all areas of the home. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2529648 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Devon County Council

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Devon County Council, Chief Executive's Directorate, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Caroline Merritt

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Inspector:

Nickie Doney, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2529648 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector:

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Inspector:

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Inspector:

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