Atkinson Unit

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC046276 1 Atkinson Unit Registered provider: Devon County Council 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

This 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 8 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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Information about this secure children's home

At the time of this inspection, 4 children were living in the home.

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Information about this secure children's home

Date of last inspection: 13 January 2026

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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 these inspections, 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, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC046276 2 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: SC046276 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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Summary of findings

Children develop strong and trusting relationships with staff, who offer encouragement and reassurance and support children's interests. Children engage positively with staff and appear comfortable and relaxed in their surroundings.

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Summary of findings

Restrictive measures, such as single separation (where a child is locked into an area alone due to significant risk) and managed away (where a child is separated from other children but with staff), are used appropriately, proportionately and only when necessary for the safety of the children and others. The management oversight is clear, with regular checks to ensure that any period of separation ends promptly once the criteria for its use are no longer met. Meaningful conversations take place to help the child reflect on the behaviours that led to the intervention. There is a clear focus on reducing the risk of recurrence and supporting positive future choices.

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Summary of findings

Children are held only as a last resort when all de-escalation techniques have been exhausted. Staff ensure that any physical intervention is carried out with dignity and respect and that it is as brief as is safely possible. Debriefs help the child to reflect on the behaviours that led to the intervention. This approach supports children to understand why they were held.

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Summary of findings

Allegations against staff are referred to the local authority designated officer (LADO). Children's safety plans are updated to ensure that the risk of allegations are considered as part of these. There is close working with the LADO and they visit the home regularly so there is external oversight of incidents. However, some safeguarding records do not always clearly record all actions taken, the rationale for decisions made or the reasons for some delays. While this has not impacted on children's safety, the records about concerns are not always robust and clear to demonstrate why and when decisions were made.

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Summary of findings

The practice of searching children's bedrooms is routine rather than a risk-led process. Children are not informed when these searches occur. There is a lack of clear direction for staff about what risks require searches of children's bedrooms. This could mean that searches are taking place when not required, or not taking place when they are needed.

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Summary of findings

Staff are not supported to reflect on safeguarding issues during supervision sessions. This lack of reflective practice could impact on staff's confidence and skills. It also means that managers may not be aware of staff members' areas of development. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC046276 4 Four recommendations were raised following the home's previous inspection. Two recommendations have been met. Two recommendations have not been met and have been raised to requirements.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/01/2026 Full Good 26/11/2024 Full Good 12/09/2023 Full Outstanding 07/06/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC046276 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 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.

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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

treat each child with dignity and respect. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children are informed when their bedroom will be searched, unless it is unsafe to do so. In addition, ensure that staff are clear about what risks require searches of children's bedrooms. 23 October 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This is specifically in relation to staff receiving regular one- to-one sessions with a person with appropriate experience, which include discussions about safeguarding. 6 November 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC046276 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home's policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, actions taken to explore safeguarding concerns should be clearly recorded to understand why and when decisions were made. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC046276 7

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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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Inspectors

Leanne Lyon, Social Care Inspector Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC046276 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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