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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to provide good quality care and support to young people. The Registered Manager has ensured that the two requirements and two recommendations made at the previous inspection have been met. The home’s safeguarding policy is now up to date and refers to the document Working Together 2015, and there is a good audit trail to demonstrate how managers respond to complaints. In addition, staff now encourage young people to view and sign their placement plans and risk assessments and young people are provided with the opportunity to have an independent return home interview if they have been missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has left the home since the previous inspection. This was undertaken with full consultation and agreement with them and in collaboration with the placing authority, and supporting agencies. This resulted in a positive end to this placement and a smooth transition to another children’s home within the organisation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager ensures that young people move into the home in a well- planned manner. One young person has moved into the home since the previous inspection. The Registered Manager ensured that a full assessment of their needs was undertaken to determine they could be met. The young person visited the home and confirmed that they received the young person’s guide. The placing authority speaks very well about how this transition was managed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are happy living at the home. One young person said ‘I like it here, I have a routine and staff are good’. They referred to one staff member as ‘being like a father figure to me, in a good way’. One social worker said ‘the staff send me weekly updates and these reports are informative, if they have any concerns they will call me.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff fully encourage and support young people to attend education. This has resulted in some young people now thriving in their education and they are planning to take formal qualifications, and have aspirations to attend college. In addition, they are actively seeking part time employment. They have gained the skills to undertake this independently and staff provide support and guidance as needed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

For those young people who are experiencing difficulties in their education provision, the staff team work collaboratively with the placing authority and education providers to encourage their attendance. However, this can be problematic and some young people are struggling to attend education on a full time basis.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staffs care of young people effectively promotes their safety. There has been one safeguarding matter since the previous inspection and this was well managed. The incidents of young people going missing from the home has declined in recent months. If young people do go missing, staff take appropriate action to protect them and ensure their safe return. The Registered Manager ensures that serious events are notified to Ofsted and other agencies as required. Both young people said they feel safe living at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are good relationships between staff and young people. Behaviours are managed very well. The use of restraint is rare and if sanctions are imposed these are fair and proportionate. However, a very small number of records relating to sanctions do not include the young person’s views on the sanction imposed. One recording entry made by staff in respect of the management of a behaviour is not clear and concise. The Registered Manager acknowledges this and said that further training will be provided.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people feel able to make a complaint and these are taken seriously. There has been one complaint made by one young person who confirmed that they are happy with the outcome.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is good monitoring and evaluation of the service. The Registered Manager ensures that there is regular independent external monitoring. Through good internal monitoring the Registered Manager has identified the strengths of the home and areas for further improvement. Areas for further development include improving consultation with young people and reflective practice amongst the staff team.

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Information about this children's home

A private company operates this home and provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who may display emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/11/2014 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 children are consulted regularly on their views about the home's care, to inform and support contained improvement in the quality of care provided. Due consideration should be given to the child's cognitive ability in the development and implementation of any consultation processes. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 22 paragraph 4.11)

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Recommendations

 Ensure children are in full-time education whilst they are of compulsory school age, unless their personal education plan contained within the care plan or other relevant plan states otherwise. The home must aim to support full time attendance at school unless the child's relevant plan indicates this is not in their best interests. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 28 paragraph 5.14)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all incidents of control discipline, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny. In particular, that children's views on the use of sanctions are always recorded. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 46 paragraph 9.36)

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Recommendations

 Ensure all staff are familiar with the home's policy on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62 paragraph 14.4)

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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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