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 KM, BG and with staff GC, CS. 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, medication management, education attendance and progress, premises and environment.
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, 4 strengths. Every finding records what was looked at, what was found, and why it matters.
Medication management
Concern- Looked at
- MAR sheets for all children; controlled drug register; stock count.
- Found
- Controlled drug count discrepancy of one tablet unresolved since last month.
- Why it matters
- An unresolved discrepancy in controlled drugs is a safeguarding risk and a notifiable matter.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.