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 LW and with staff FN, NF, SJ. Sampled the case files of FC. Reviewed 13 areas: physical intervention and restraint, missing from home episodes, complaints, sanctions and consequences, safeguarding concerns and referrals, regulation 40 notifications, children's views, medication management, education attendance and progress, health appointments and records, staff training and qualifications, family time and contact, location risk assessment.
Findings
2 concerns, 4 strengths. 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
- Debrief with the child missing on one record.
- Why it matters
- Without manager review, patterns in use of force go unchallenged.
- 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.
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.
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.
Staff training and qualifications
Strength- Looked at
- Training matrix; certificates for three staff.
- Found
- Training matrix current; all mandatory training in date.
- Why it matters
- Supports the standard; no action required.