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 BG, KM and with staff RM. Sampled the case files of KM. Reviewed 10 areas: physical intervention and restraint, missing from home episodes, complaints, sanctions and consequences, safeguarding concerns and referrals, regulation 40 notifications, children's views, premises and environment, safer recruitment files, statement of purpose.
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
2 concerns, 3 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.
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.
Missing from home episodes
Strength- Looked at
- Missing episode log; return-home interview records; police notifications.
- Found
- Return-home interviews offered and recorded for every episode.
- 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.