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 GW, TC and with staff BA, WD, RN. Sampled the case files of GW, TC. Reviewed 11 areas: missing from home episodes, complaints, safeguarding concerns and referrals, regulation 40 notifications, education attendance and progress, staff supervision, key-work and one-to-one sessions, activities, interests and time outside the home, fire safety, health and safety checks, physical intervention and restraint.
Findings
2 concerns, 4 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.
Education attendance and progress
Concern- Looked at
- Attendance registers; PEPs; correspondence with school.
- Found
- One child attending three days a week; no recorded plan to increase.
- Why it matters
- Reduced attendance narrows the child's options and increases time unsupervised.
- Action
- Raised as a recommendation, tracked on the home’s timeline.
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.
Staff supervision
Strength- Looked at
- Supervision records for four staff selected at random.
- Found
- Supervision at monthly frequency for all staff sampled.
- Why it matters
- Supports the standard; no action required.
Fire safety
Strength- Looked at
- Fire log book; drill records; fire risk assessment.
- Found
- Drills recorded monthly; alarm tests weekly.
- Why it matters
- Supports the standard; no action required.
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.