Children's Home run by Plus One South West Ltd in Somerset

Unique reference number SC467115 Inspector Sharron Escott Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Plus One (South West) Ltd Registered person address Plus One Ltd The Mount 21 High Street WELLINGTON Somerset TA21 8QT Responsible individual Lou El Gilany Registered manager Brian Harold Solman Date of last inspection 11/09/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 24/11/2014

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

The home was inspected in July 2014 and was rated inadequate in all outcome areas. A further full inspection in September 2014 resulted in the home being rated adequate overall. At that inspection six out of the ten requirements were addressed, in a relatively short timeframe. As a result of this inspection two out of the four requirements that were reinstated have been fully met.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection the home has not accepted any new young people because those referred were assessed as not being compatible with the young people already living in the home. One staff member has received training on autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection there have been a number of serious incidents requiring police involvement and medical intervention. The manager and staff have responded to and managed these incidents appropriately. Multi-agency meetings have ensured that child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) are providing critical support to young people whose medication is under close review. In addition, young people are receiving and engaging in weekly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This means the young people are receiving the health care support they need.

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This inspection

At the last inspection the manager was asked to ensure the report reviewing the quality of care details the information as set out in Schedule 6 and to ensure the views of young people, social workers and parents are sought regarding the quality of care provided by the home. The manager has introduced a new report that ensures all matters set out in Schedule 6 are referred to and consultation surveys have been introduced. However the manager has failed to adequately identify young people’s progress. Patterns and trends of behaviour have not been identified. Completed consultation forms are not evaluated to ensure areas of improvement are considered. 3 of 6 In response to a number of serious incidents the staff rota has been reviewed. Risk assessments have identified the need for enhanced staffing. A core team of four staff and the manager have provided basic continuity of care. However shift vacancies and staff leave have resulted in the home being reliant on bank and

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This inspection

agency staff to meet its current staffing needs. This means within the last six weeks young people have not received the continuity of care they need and would like.

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This inspection

The views of one young person were obtained during the inspection. The young person presented as positive and confident, they said they enjoy living at home and rated the quality of care provided as ‘nine out of ten’. They confirmed that they feel safe and well looked after. The manager and the core staff team have been successful in maintaining a positive and respectful relationship with young people. A young person said they enjoy spending time with most of the staff, in particular their key worker, ‘the best key worker they have ever had’.

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This inspection

There have been no physical interventions or sanctions imposed since the last inspection. One complaint has been received which was handled well, and appropriately responded to. The Registered Manager has reflected upon and learnt from this complaint which will help to reduce the chances of any repetition of the issue.

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This inspection

Education arrangements have progressed. A new education provision has been identified; a transition plan has commenced which includes home tuition and attending set lessons at the school site. This bespoke education package is regularly reviewed and supported by the care team who maintain regular contact with the education provision. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

The home, which is operated by a locally-based private company, provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The provider also operates other homes in this area and education can be arranged using other private care organisations which provide small specialist schools.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/09/2014 Full adequate 17/07/2014 Full inadequate 12/11/2013 Full adequate

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that there is at all times, having regard to the size of the children’s home, the statement of purpose and the number and needs of the children accommodated there; and the need to safeguard and promote the health and welfare of the children; a sufficient number of suitably, qualified, competent and experienced persons working at the home (Regulation 25 (1) (a) & (b)) 25/12/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the registered person shall maintain a system for robustly monitoring the matters in Schedule 6 in order to improve the quality of care. In addition, ensure that there is effective analysis and documented evidence, of the trends and 30/01/2015 5 of 6 patterns of behaviour management in order to inform future practice (Regulation 34 (1)(b))

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure every effort is made to achieve continuity of staffing, specifically that the use of redeployed staff is monitored to ensure that young people's attachments are not overly disrupted (NMS 17.8)  ensure that the training programme includes specialist training to provide staff with the skills to meet the needs of children and young people who have autism and Asperger's Syndrome. (NMS 18.1) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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