Children’s Home (Kent) (April 2021)

• I carried out a mock inspection in line with Ofsted Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF),  the Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards (2015). I provided prompt initial feedback on my findings and a report providing evidence, analysis and suggested some recommendations for improvements.

Children’s Home Audit (Kent) (Sept 2016)

• Carried an an audit in line with the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards and Ofsted’s Social Care Common Inspection Framework to improve the consistency of Ofsted inspection outcomes.

Residential Special School (Kent) (May 2014)

• Achieving Greater carried out a full audit in line with the National Minimum Standards and Ofsted’s evaluation schedule for children’s homes in preparation for their first Ofsted inspection as a children’s home.
• Provided feedback and an evidence based report, highlighting strengths, weaknesses and suggestions for improvement. Ofsted inspection in December 2015 rated the Children’s Home as ‘Outstanding’ overall.

Children’s Home (Kent) (May 2013)

• Achieving Greater carried out a full audit in line with the National Minimum Standards and Ofsted’s evaluation schedule for children’s homes to improve the consistency of Ofsted inspection outcomes.
• Provided feedback and an evidence based report, highlighting strengths, weaknesses and suggestions for improvement. Following the change and improvement process all of the children’s homes received a positive inspection outcome and were judged to be ‘good’ by Ofsted.
• The homes that were previously rated as inadequate were rated as ‘good’ and made good or satisfactory progress.

Residential Special School (Cambridge) (Sept 2012)

• Achieving Greater carried out an audit in line with the National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools to help the School in the development of their residential provision.
• Report demonstrated where the evidence was for each outcome area in the Ofsted inspection framework, noting the improvements had been made and suggested further improvements.

Owlswick School and Home (May 2011)

• Achieving Greater carried out a full audit in line with the new National Minimum Standards and Ofsted evaluation schedule for children’s homes in preparation for their inspection.
• Provided feedback and an evidence based report, highlighting strengths, weaknesses and suggestions for improvement. This helped them achieve a ‘Good’ Ofsted judgement for their first inspection.
• A recent children’s home inspection (Nov 2015) noted ‘improved effectiveness’. And a recent school inspection gave an overall judgement of Good with outstanding aspects.

Children’s Home (Kent) (Sept 2020)

I was asked to carry out an independent and unbiased review and report for a company where Ofsted had issued a Decision to Cancel registration of one of their children’s homes. This piece of work involved reviewing and analysing various sources of evidence, identifying key issues and themes, and providing some  key points, conclusions and recommendations for the company and Ofsted.

Please see testimonial from Children’s Home Quality (Nov 2020)

Children's Home (Staffordshire) (July 2019)

• Review of Ofsted compliance notices and action plan.
• Advice/guidance regarding challenging compliance notices.
• Policy review and advice.

Children's Home (Brighton) (March/April 2017) 

I provided advice and assistance following an Ofsted inspection that resulted in an inadequate judgement/compliance notices. Aspects of the work included:

• Review of Ofsted compliance action plan for children’s home in preparation for monitoring visit
• Audit visits to children’s home
• Visits to children’s home for review of practice/embedment of compliance action plan
• Feedback of review of practice/embedment of compliance action plan
• Development and delivery of bespoke training on notification of serious events
• Provided support and advice (evidence for Ofsted inspection evaluation criteria under the new Social Care Common Inspection Framework)

Children’s Home (Liverpool) (September 2015)

• Achiever Greater provided advice and assistance following an Ofsted inspection that resulted in an inadequate judgement and receiving compliance notices.
• The home was re-inspected by Ofsted and the service provision was judged as ‘good. Angela Gunning was informed that the Ofsted Inspectors were complimentary about the quick response and all the work done to achieve this outcome.

Aspects of the work included:

• Planning and preparing for the audit visit to the home.
• Assistance in the development/review of the Ofsted compliance action plan.
• Carry out 2 day audit visit at the home.
• Supporting and checking progress and completion of work to meet Quality Standards/requirements highlighted in Ofsted inspection and compliance notices.
• Provided evidenced based verbal and written feedback for improvement in line with Ofsted inspection framework and evaluation criteria.

Children’s Home (Kent) (February 2015 – April 2015)

• Achieving Greater provided advice and assistance following an Ofsted inspection that resulted in an inadequate judgement and receiving compliance notices.
• The re-inspection (26/3/15) resulted in the overall effectiveness of the home being rated as Good. The Inspector commented that ‘prompt action has been taken to address shortfalls and areas requiring improvement following the last inspection. And actions taken have been far-reaching, proportionate and effective, significantly improving the outcomes for young people and promoting their welfare.

Aspects of the work included:

• Reviewing key documents pertaining to the Ofsted inspection.
• Visits to the children’s home and provide feedback to the Responsible Individual.
• Assisted with Ofsted compliance notices to develop an action plan.
• Provided other assistance to facilitate the progression of compliance with Ofsted re-inspection.
• Organised and chaired structured meetings at the children’s home.
• Monitored and reviewed compliance with Ofsted inspection requirements.
• Supported and checked the completion and progress of work in-line with the action plan sent to Ofsted.
• Investigated the anomalies between Regulation 33 findings/reports and the Ofsted Inspectors findings.
• Carried out a mock Ofsted suitable person interviews for prospective managers.
• Provided on-going feedback, advice and assistance to the Responsible Individual.

Headstart Care (March 2019–February 2021)

• Carried out Regulation 44 monitoring visits to their 2 children’s homes and produced a report to be sent to Ofsted.
• Ofsted inspection (Aug 2019) 'Recording and monitoring systems have been reviewed and developed to better support the needs of the home. This has helped the registered manager to monitor the impact of the quality of care provided'.

Owlswick School and Home (2014- January 2021)

• Carried out monthly Regulation 44 monitoring visit to their children home and produce a report to be sent to Ofsted.
• Ofsted inspection (Oct 2014) 'External monitoring takes place monthly with comprehensive reports that the manager and senior management team reflect on to ensure standards of care remain very good'.
• Ofsted inspection (May 2015) 'There is detailed monitoring of the quality of care undertaken by the external independent visitor'.
• Ofsted inspection (Nov 2015) auditing of the service continues to be effective and inform future development plans. As a result a number of developments have taken place.'
• Ofsted inspection (April 2016) ‘There is excellent management oversight. Auditing and monitoring are of the highest standard, from monthly independent 10 visitor reports through to detailed six-monthly quality assurance regulation 45 reports completed by the registered manager. In turn, these reports feed into the service‟s development plan and aid analysis of events’.

Cornerways Children’s Service (2012 to 2017)

• Carried out monthly Regulation 44 monitoring to both of their children’s homes and produce a report to be sent to Ofsted.
• Ofsted Inspection (July 2015) 'reports from independent monitoring visits in relation to Regulation 44 are strong and provide a good overview of the current service and young people’s progress, while providing critical oversight.
• Ofsted Inspection (Oct 2015) 'the Registered Manager, along with the deputy managers, use independent monitoring under Regulation 44 to reflect on the service provided and to improve wherever possible'.

Children’s Home in East Sussex (2011 -2014)

Children’s Homes Provider (West Sussex) (June 2018) 

• Carried out an independent review of provision across 3 children’s homes.

• Liaison and communication with SMT via email and phone prior to 2 day site visit.
• Communication with care and education staff prior 2 day site visit via email and phone.
• Review of documents provided.
• Background research, including: review of Ofsted reports and regulation 44 reports provided.
• Analysis of information gathered.
• Planning the task/preparing for the 2 day visit.
• 2 day visit to the children’s homes (observation/discussion with care staff and young people).
• Face to face discussions with SMT, care staff, education staff.

Children’s Homes Provider (Kent) (May 2013-Sept 2013)

• Achieving Greater assisted with a change and improvement project. Angela was asked to carry out an audit in one of the organisation’s children’s homes and to use this as a magnifying glass to give a wider view of organisational issues. The brief was to help with improvement to organisational systems, process and structures and to make recommendations (including on cultural and management issues).
• A full audit in line with the National Minimum Standards and Ofsted’s evaluation schedule for children’s homes was carried out. Feedback and an evidence based report, highlighting strengths, weaknesses and suggestions for improvement was provided. This provided advice and suggestions for improvement across the organisation. The audit carried out gave the organisation a clearer picture of where they stood in meeting Ofsted’s inspection regime.
• Part of the brief and criteria for establishing the success of the project was that the organisation improves consistency in achieving good Ofsted inspection outcomes. Following the change and improvement process all of the children’s homes received a positive inspection outcome and were judged to be ‘good’ by Ofsted. The homes that were previously rated as inadequate were rated as ‘good’ and made good or satisfactory progress.
• Through this change and improvement project Achieving Greater identified there was a lack of clarity and understanding around significant events and notifications to appropriate authorities (Ofsted). The interpretation of Schedule 5 with regards to child protection appeared to be a grey area and varying amongst providers. Achieving Greater... provided support and guidance with this issue to enable a change to Ofsted’s national policy regarding child protection notifications. Ofsted then sent out a guidance note to all social care providers so that there was clarification and clear expectations for all social care providers.

Supervision of Registered Manager (East Sussex) (June 2016 – July 2018) 

• Provided monthly face to face supervision to manager of children’s home.
• Provided record of supervision notes.

Mentoring of Responsible Individual (Halifax)  (Oct 2018- 2019) 

• Provided mentoring sessions to the Responsible Individual via telephone.

Children's Home  (Brighton) (April 2017)

• Development and delivery of bespoke training on notification of serious events.

Residential Special School  (Kent)  (May 2013)

• Designed and delivered bespoke staff training (Children’s homes Regulations and National Minimum Standards).

Feedback from Trainees

• "Very full day. I would have liked another one only because of Angela knowledge was of great help to me".
• "I spoke to many of my colleagues about the day and all that I did speak to found the day very helpful. Thank you Angela".
• "Very helpful day- thank you".
• "Angela's knowledge of the subject area was excellent. The amount of material covered and the interaction encouraged was just right".

Children’s Home registration (Sept 2019 – February 2021)

• Advised and supported A & S Children’s Services Ltd to gain a successful registration with Ofsted after initially having been refused. This involved ensuring that the right person was found to manage the home, reviewing policies and procedures to ensure they were of a good standard and the systems/people in place were robust enough for Ofsted to feel secure in granting registration.

• Providing on-going support and advice to move into the children's residential care sector achieve Ofsted registration.

• Advised and assisted with their residential care registration with Ofsted.

• Advised and assisted with their residential care registration with Ofsted.

Children's Home Registration (Halifax) (2016-2018) 

• Advised and assisted with their residential care registration with Ofsted.
• Provided mentoring sessions to the Responsible Individual.
• Provided ongoing support to the company Director.

Residential Special School (Kent) (January 2012 – July 2014)  

• Provided advice and assistance with their residential care registration (Children’s Home) with Ofsted.
• Designed/delivered bespoke staff training (Children’s homes Regulation and National Minimum Standards).
• Carried out a full audit in line with the National Minimum Standards and Ofsted’s evaluation schedule for children’s homes in preparation for their first Ofsted inspection as a children’s home. Provided feedback and an evidence based report, highlighting strengths, weaknesses and suggestions for improvement.

Children’s Home Registration  (London) (Sept 2013 – Feb 2014) 

• Assisted with the ‘fit person’ aspect of Ofsted’s registration process for children’s homes.

• Achieving Greater is currently assisting other potential children’s home providers with the Ofsted/CQC registration process.

Semi-independent living (Devon)   (Nov 18 – April 19)

• Provided assistance with preparation for a local authority provider tender interview process.
• Provided advise and support with policy review process.

Children’s Home (Kent) (May 2018)

• Desk top review and update of some policies and procedures i.e. statement of purpose, safeguarding, complaints, handling allegations, recruitment.

Semi-independent living  (Devon) (Dec 2017)

• Reviewed and improved the location risk assessment and impact risk assessment for young people.

Residential Special School  (Kent) (Jan 2012- July 2014)

• Assisted in developing a children’s home Statement of Purpose and Children’s Guide.
• Assisted in developing job descriptions for a children’s Home Registered Manager.
• Assisted in reviewing policies and procedures to be fit for purpose for children’s home.

Children’s Home (East Sussex) (2011-2012)

• Reviewed and amended a children’s home Statement of Purpose.
• Produced a Regulation 34 recrdoing tool.
• Produced a Schedule 5 (significant Events and Notifications) monitoring record.
• Produced a self-evaluation recording tool and assisted with the process.
• Assist with submitting concerns and complaint to Ofsted regarding inspection.

Children’s Home (Kent) (May 2011)

• Carried out an audit of policies, procedures & care plans in line the new National Minimum Standards and evaluation schedule for children’s homes.
• Provided feedback and advice on areas for improvement.
• Provided a Regulation 34 format/tool to assist in quality assurance processes.

Achieving Greater is currently assisting potential new children’s home providers in developing and reviewing policies and procedures required for Ofsted registration.