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, but the concerns above are recurring and affect daily life.
- Partially
The visit
Spoke with TC and with staff WT, LM. Sampled the case files of TC. Reviewed 9 areas: physical intervention and restraint, missing from home episodes, sanctions and consequences, safeguarding concerns and referrals, regulation 40 notifications, medication management, education attendance and progress, activities, interests and time outside the home, fire safety.
Findings
2 concerns, 3 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.
Fire safety
Concern- Looked at
- Fire log book; drill records; fire risk assessment.
- Found
- No drill recorded for eleven weeks.
- Why it matters
- Without drills, children and staff may not know how to evacuate safely.
- 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.
Medication management
Strength- Looked at
- MAR sheets for all children; controlled drug register; stock count.
- Found
- MAR sheets complete; stock reconciles.
- 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.