Opinion
- Are children effectively safeguarded?
- Safeguarding records reviewed in full; concerns were escalated appropriately and in time.
- Yes
- Does the conduct of the home promote children's wellbeing?
- Children report feeling settled and listened to; staff know them well.
- Yes
The visit
Spoke with KM and with staff TN, KC. Sampled the case files of BG. Reviewed 12 areas: physical intervention and restraint, missing from home episodes, complaints, sanctions and consequences, safeguarding concerns and referrals, regulation 40 notifications, children's views, children's case files and care plans, individual risk assessments, education attendance and progress, premises and environment, safer recruitment files.
Progress against previous recommendations
Ensure every physical intervention record is reviewed and signed by the manager within 72 hours
Raised 15 Dec, due 29 Dec. Owner WL.
Records attached for review.
Evidence offered
Findings
1 concern, 5 strengths. Every finding records what was looked at, what was found, and why it matters.
Missing from home episodes
Concern- Looked at
- Missing episode log; return-home interview records; police notifications.
- Found
- Pattern of episodes on Friday evenings not yet analysed by the manager.
- Why it matters
- Unanalysed patterns mean risk assessments are not reflecting real behaviour.
- Action
- Raised as a recommendation, tracked on the home’s timeline.
Physical intervention and restraint
Strength- Looked at
- All physical intervention records since the last visit; debrief forms.
- Found
- All records include a debrief with the child within 24 hours.
- Why it matters
- Supports the standard; no action required.
Complaints
Strength- Looked at
- Complaints log and responses.
- Found
- Complaints responded to within policy timescale; outcomes explained to children.
- Why it matters
- Supports the standard; no action required.
Education attendance and progress
Strength- Looked at
- Attendance registers; PEPs; correspondence with school.
- Found
- All children in full-time provision with attendance above 90%.
- Why it matters
- Supports the standard; no action required.
Premises and environment
Strength- Looked at
- Walk-round of all communal areas and two bedrooms with consent.
- Found
- Home is clean, well maintained and homely; children have personalised their rooms.
- Why it matters
- Supports the standard; no action required.
Safer recruitment files
Strength- Looked at
- Personnel files for two recent starters.
- Found
- Files sampled were complete against Schedule 2.
- Why it matters
- Supports the standard; no action required.