Opinion
- Are children effectively safeguarded?
- Safeguarding records reviewed in full; concerns were escalated appropriately and in time.
- Partially
- Does the conduct of the home promote children's wellbeing?
- Children report feeling settled, but the concerns above are recurring and affect daily life.
- Partially
The visit
Spoke with no children and with staff SA, GD. Sampled the case files of no children. Reviewed 9 areas: physical intervention and restraint, complaints, sanctions and consequences, safeguarding concerns and referrals, staff supervision, staff training and qualifications, key-work and one-to-one sessions, activities, interests and time outside the home, premises and environment.
Findings
3 concerns, 2 strengths. Every finding records what was looked at, what was found, and why it matters.
Complaints
Concern- Looked at
- Complaints log and responses.
- Found
- One complaint from a child has no recorded outcome after 21 days.
- Why it matters
- A child whose complaint goes unanswered learns that speaking up doesn't work.
- Action
- Raised as a recommendation, tracked on the home’s timeline.
Staff supervision
Concern- Looked at
- Supervision records for four staff selected at random.
- Found
- Two staff have had no recorded supervision for nine weeks.
- Why it matters
- Staff without supervision are less likely to raise concerns or reflect on practice.
- Action
- Raised as a recommendation, tracked on the home’s timeline.
Premises and environment
Concern- Looked at
- Walk-round of all communal areas and two bedrooms with consent.
- Found
- Bathroom lock reported broken last month is still not repaired.
- Why it matters
- A bathroom without a working lock compromises privacy and dignity.
- 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.
Staff training and qualifications
Strength- Looked at
- Training matrix; certificates for three staff.
- Found
- Training matrix current; all mandatory training in date.
- Why it matters
- Supports the standard; no action required.