Children's Home run by Phoenix Children’s Homes Limited in Devon

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 This home is very well managed. The registered manager is dedicated to providing highly personalised quality of care. The staff team receive excellent support to deliver effective care. They feel the manager leads by example and sets high standards.  The ethos of the home embraces a very child-centred approach. The manager and staff help young people to feel safe, fulfilled and happy. There is an excellent degree of community involvement, such as participation in local social and sporting events. Young people benefit greatly from these opportunities. They are learning new skills, becoming more confident and developing high personal aspirations.  Relationships between staff and young people are excellent. There is a lovely sense of mutual respect. Young people enjoy banter with staff while appreciating appropriate boundaries and the high expectations staff have of them. Young people do not participate in risky behaviour. One-to-one

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The children's home provision is good because:

discussions with young people explore a variety of issues that help inform their awareness and decision making.  Some shortfalls were identified during this inspection. An internal door was fitted with a lock and following the inspector expressing concern, it was removed immediately. It was also clarified that it was unacceptable for the young people’s lounge to be used as an occasional staff sleeping in room. Other areas raised do not have an immediate impact on young people and include improving the home’s Statement of Purpose and the manager’s evaluation of her quality review. Six requirements have been made as a result of this inspection.

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

16: Statement of purpose. The registered person must compile in relation to the children's home a statement which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. In particular this document should be personalised and reflect the nature of the specific home. (Regulation 16(1)) 31/10/2015

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Requirement Due date

23: Medicines. The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children's home. In particular medicines not in regular use should be included in a regular review of medication. (Regulation 23(1) 16/10/2015

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Requirement Due date

45: Review of quality of care. The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children at least once every 6 months. In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. (Regulation 45(1)(2)(c) 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

32: Fitness of workers. The registered person must ensure that staff achieve the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare within 2 years of the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home. (Regulation 32(4)(5)) 30/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

10: The health and well-being standard. In order to meet the health and well-being standard with particular reference to the regular consumption of takeaway food, the registered provider must ensure that: 10(1)(b) children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being. 30/10/2015 21: Privacy and access. The registered person must ensure that children can access all appropriate areas of the home's premises. In particular internal locks should not be fitted and night staff must not use the lounge for sleeping in duties. (Regulation 21(b)) 25/09/2015

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Information about this children's home

 The home is operated by a private provider of education and social care for children and young people. It provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is situated on the edge of town near the coast and two cars are provided. Young people can attend education within the company school or via external provision.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/02/2015 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

23/01/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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Recent inspection history

07/02/2012 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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Good

Young people enjoy very personalised and nurturing care. Staff know young people’s individual needs well, they listen to them and invest time and energy in ensuring that they feel valued and have a sense of belonging.

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Good

The quality of relationships between staff and young people is excellent. Young people benefit from living in a stable environment, supported by a consistent staff team. They feel that they can trust staff and talk openly to them. They also feel that staff work in their best interests. They understand the boundaries that are in place and the expectations staff have of them. As a result young people are doing really well. All young people say they want to continue living in this children’s home.

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Good

Young people make very good progress in many areas of their lives; including in their education, behaviour, social and emotional wellbeing. Education is very well supported. Young people attend a variety of schools and colleges that meet their needs. When new young people are admitted, staff consult with them to create a robust and fulltime temporary timetable that is used until a school place is secured. This was observed in action to be working very well and included practical science experiments and writing a review of a new game. Outside of school young people also enjoy a diverse range of experiences that broadens their understanding of the world and the opportunities there are for them to live happy and fulfilled lives. For example, all young people recently took part in the town’s carnival and are involved in the creation of a local youth club. Staff also support young people to see their families regularly. Comments received from parents are very positive. The

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Good

home is described as ‘fantastic’, staff as ‘excellent’ and ‘it really is like home from home’.

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Good

It is clear that young people feel really well listened to and know that their views and feelings are important. They contribute to staff appraisals and have helped to write a young person’s guide to be used for other young people who come to live at this home. They know how to complain and have experienced the satisfaction of having their complaints responded to appropriately. Young people have access to advocacy and are empowered to develop their confidence to speak up for themselves. This is apparent through the positive dialogue between staff and young people that is part of their everyday experiences.

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Good

Very good attention is given to supporting young people’s health. Medication is well managed and appropriately stored and staff have suitable training. Medication that is for occasional or emergency use has not been reviewed recently. This is important to address to ensure staff are clear about what to do should this situation arise. Specialist support is provided when needed and staff work effectively with a wide range of professionals. This ensures young people have access to services that meet their needs and supports the objectives of their care plans. Young people are physically very active and enjoy nutritional meals. The routine of a weekly takeaway undermines their healthy lifestyle and better ways to reward young people at the end of a hard working week should be considered in consultation with young people.

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Outstanding

Young people receive excellent support and protection. They live in a safe environment and have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Their behaviour is excellent and they do not participate in risky behaviour. None of the current young people have gone missing from care or been physically restrained since living in the home.

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Outstanding

Behaviour is exceptionally well managed in this setting. Staff and young people enjoy really positive relationships based on trust and respect. Young people feel valued and cared for. They feel central to everything in the home and everything that staff do. They are clear about the high expectations staff have of them and meet these expectations. Young people engage well with the rewards and incentives that are in place. They understand them and they are meaningful. When incidents do occur, staff spend time talking through things with young people. One-to-one meetings take place regularly and are well recorded. This approach treats young people with dignity and helps them to learn from their experiences. Where possible, restorative measures are used which teaches young people how to make amends and move on in a positive way with their dignity and self-esteem intact.

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Outstanding

Staff keep themselves up to date with relevant legislation and guidance. They know what to do if serious incidents occur, such as a young person going missing or if there are any concerns about their safety and welfare. There are effective links with other professionals including youth offending and police liaison. Any complaints made by young people are effectively responded to as are any concerns raised in respect of staff conduct.

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Outstanding

Young people receive excellent support to meet the objectives of their time in the home. They are helped to grow in confidence and are supported to understand how they can improve their life chances. A really personalised approach is taken to helping young people to mature and develop skills and qualities that will equip them well for adulthood. Young people present as polite, confident and articulate.

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Outstanding

The physical environment is safe and comfortable. It provides a very homely, secure and nurturing environment. An inappropriate internal lock noted during the inspection visit was immediately removed. The décor is contemporary and attractive. Young people have chosen feature wall paper depicting famous London scenes. They have since visited London and the manager set them the challenge of having their photographs taken in front of these well-known landmarks. These photographs are on display in the home and symbolize the care and attention to detail that young people living in this home receive.

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Good

The registered manager of this home is experienced, suitably qualified and committed to providing young people with highly personalised care. She is well respected by staff and young people alike. She manages the home effectively and also spends time playing sport with young people and supporting them in their daily lives. The ethos of the home is one that values the importance of young people having positive experiences, feeling valued and happy. Key to this is lots of engagement within the local community and opportunities for young people to travel and interact with the world beyond their home.

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Good

The statement of purpose is detailed and up-to-date. While it covers all the required areas it does not feel personalised or uniquely reflective of the really positive ethos this home embraces. The young person’s guide has recently been revised with the assistance of young people and is very child-friendly.

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Good

The home is well staffed. Throughout the day young people are supported on a 1-1 basis. At night there are both a waking, and a sleeping in member of staff on duty. Recently, it has been difficult to cover the waking duty every night and where this has occurred an additional sleeping in member of staff has been provided. However, the use of the lounge for the additional member of staff to sleep in is unacceptable as this compromises space dedicated for use by young people. The staff team is stable and supported through regular supervision, (both formal and informal), team meetings and annual appraisal of their performance and learning objectives. There is an extensive training programme in place which includes both face-to-face learning and e-leaning opportunities. Half of the staff team have already secured a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare and half of the remaining staff are part way through this professional qualification. The remaining

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Good

three staff have not yet commenced such training. The company has had difficulty in identifying a suitable trainer. The registered manager advises that this is now in hand and staff are due to be enrolled as she is very much aware of the timescales stated in The Children’s Homes Regulations 2015.

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Good

The manager has taken appropriate action following the recommendation made at the last inspection. More detailed records, including a copy of all certificates, are kept in relation to staff training. Quality monitoring processes support the home to make continuous improvements. The independent visitor’s reports are thorough and include recommendations. Further evaluation of their findings would enhance the benefit of these visits and give the provider a more rounded impression of how well the home is performing. The manager’s review of quality is also thorough. It includes some evaluation but does not explore the ‘so what factor’, namely what the manager intends to implement and improve as a result of her findings.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This 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 Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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