Children's Home run by 3 Dimensions Care Limited in Somerset

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people living here continue to make progress and have good experiences. Their skills and talents are evident. Young people are encouraged by staff to explore their interests such as army cadets, guitar lessons, forest school, tennis, sewing, pets and gaming. The opportunities for young people are endless and staff do their best to facilitate new hobbies. During the inspection one young person received some exciting news about a travelling opportunity. Staff and young people’s celebration of this achievement was warm and nurturing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Learning skills that help young people in later life underpins the ethos of the home. Younger children help with daily chores such as setting the table and helping to cook. Other young people have more structured programmes to increase their independence. One young person explained ‘I’m going to start getting the bus soon on my own to get my food shopping and I cook my meals most days’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make this home their own. It is well lived in and cosy. Bedrooms display young people’s personalities. Families are welcome to visit young people here, accessible home telephones and planned video calls help them keep in close contact. Photographs show the fun young people have. Paper towel dispensers, unused locks on cupboards and numbers on bedroom doors detract from the homely environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff praise young people for their daily achievements. This positive recognition can often lead to a reward for the young people such as a meal out, time on their gaming devices or money towards their savings. The staff’s focus on positive reinforcement forms part of young people’s behaviour management strategies. Staff use their skills to calm and de-escalate young people if their behaviour becomes challenging. Physical intervention does occur however, there has been a significant reduction in its use. Following an incident, both young people and staff receive time with managers to explore their feelings and to reflect on and discuss what happened.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff activate door alarms on all young people’s bedroom doors throughout the night. The registered manager said ‘we use them to safeguard young people in case they need us in the night’. The manager recognises some young people may not now require this level of restriction and plans to consult with young people about this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are clear on their responsibility to safeguard young people and show good understanding of the safeguarding policy. A member of staff said ‘my role is to make young people feel safe, listen and not undermine them’. The registered manager builds good links with external safeguarding professionals. Staff are recruited safely to promote the welfare of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is suitably skilled having recently completed her level 5 diploma. She has a strong and effective presence in the home and staff say ‘I feel very supported by her’. The registered manager’s involvement in the direct care of young people benefits them. This hands on approach informs her monitoring of the quality of care provided to young people. As a result, development plans encompass the aspirations of young people detailing how staff help them to achieve.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 5 young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. Some young people may also have specific learning disabilities. The provision is registered with the Department for Education to provide education on this site for young people who live in this and other homes run by this small independent provider

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/11/2013 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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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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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure the home maintains a domestic rather than 'institutional' impression; paying particular attention to the numbering of bedroom doors, paper towel dispensers and removal of unused locks on cupboards (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards, paragraph 3.9, page 15)

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Recommendations

 ensure any limits on privacy and access are only put in place to safeguard each child in the home, specifically review the use of door alarms in consultation with young people ( Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards, paragraph 3.10, page 15)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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 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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