Children's home run by Phoenix Child Care Limited in North Devon

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement 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 has improved effectiveness because since the previous full inspection on 03 September 2015, there have been several positive changes in the management and staffing arrangements. While some of these changes have been planned, others could not have been predicted. However, overall the improvements made across the home have positively affected the outcomes of the young people living in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has undergone a period of time without a registered manager. A recent recruitment campaign has identified a suitable candidate for the role and this person is due to start work in the home in the coming weeks. During this period the home has been managed very well by an interim manager. She is a very experienced and skilled practitioner, and provides the home with a confident and mature approach. Coupled with the support of an experienced senior member of staff, the interim manager has successfully met, with the exception of two, all the requirements made at the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interim management arrangements have been very effective, and as a result of regular monitoring of the practice within the home, and collaborative working with the independent visitor, radical changes to the staffing structure have been made. Subsequently a number of staff have been dismissed, moved to work in other children’s homes or left the company. Records indicate that all new staff have been safely recruited, have a range of qualities, skills and experiences, and have progressed through a robust induction period. Furthermore staff spoken with confirm they have complete all mandatory training, with specific training in place to ensure staff are competent and qualified to support a young person with Type 1 diabetes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During this period of change the interim manager and remaining staff team focussed on providing stability of care for the one young person living in the home. By taking the sensible decision to not admit any young people during the initial phase of change, the one young person that remained living in the home has overall made good progress. In particular, he has taken some responsibility for his health, for example managing his diabetes. As a result this young person is in good health.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

More recently the interim manager and newly structured staff team have worked collaboratively with external partners, the young person living in the home and their family to ensure the admission of the most recent young person has been considered and safe. Records indicate, and discussions with staff confirm that in a relatively short space of time this young person has already made good progress. For example attending school regularly, engaging in activities and interacting positively with the other young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both young people are attending all routine health appointments and when necessary have access to specific mental health support services. Health records do not suggest that either of the young people have any medical or health issues. However, during the course of the inspection it was noted that both the young people eat a diet that comprises mostly of processed food, for example sausages. For both young people this limited diet is unacceptable for their long term health outcomes, and in particular for one young person with Type 1 diabetes it is paramount that this is addressed. A requirement is therefore made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interim manager effectively uses monitoring process to improve the quality of care. In particular they regularly consult with the independent visitor, professionals and family members. She empowers staff to take responsibility for recording evidence and supporting the young people. Consequently staff are using a range of recording tools to collate information from their key worker sessions and daily observations. In doing so staff and the interim manager are making good decisions of how to improve the outcomes of the young people and the future development of the home. Records indicate that young people are not going missing, and there has been only one incident when physical intervention was used. Sanctions are used only when necessary, instead positive rewards are being recorded as having much more success. For example the young person that has lived in the home for only a short period of time has already successfully achieved a level of savings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both young people enjoy a range of activities that they have chosen and interest them, for example going shopping, meeting their girlfriend, going to Butlin’s. A particular strength of the staff is their ability to work with young people’s family. For one young person they have been able to build a positive relationship with their family. This has resulted in the family members visiting and spending time at the home, enabling the young person to experience their parent cooking meals for them and spending quality time together in a homely environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During the course of the interim inspection the manager provided a comprehensive rational in respect of the minor variation to the homes registration category, that had been request. It is therefore agreed that the home will be registered only for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people of either gender between the ages of eight and seventeen years, who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/09/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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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

The registered person must ensure that children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. In particular young people are provided with nutritionally balanced meals. (Regulation 10 (1) (c)) 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the person appointed to manage the home has the appropriate experience, qualifications and skills to manager the home effectively and lead the care of children; and is physically and mentally fit to manage the home (Regulation 28 (1) (b)) 31/03/2016

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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

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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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