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 KM and with staff FA, TE. Sampled the case files of KM, BG. Reviewed 11 areas: physical intervention and restraint, missing from home episodes, complaints, sanctions and consequences, safeguarding concerns and referrals, regulation 40 notifications, children's views, health appointments and records, family time and contact, premises and environment, safer recruitment files.
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
4 concerns, 1 strength. Every finding records what was looked at, what was found, and why it matters.
Physical intervention and restraint
Concern- Looked at
- All physical intervention records since the last visit; debrief forms.
- Found
- Two records lack a manager review signature.
- Why it matters
- Without manager review, patterns in use of force go unchallenged.
- Action
- Raised as a recommendation, tracked on the home’s timeline.
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.
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.
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.