Children's Home run by Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited in Plymouth

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has been without a Registered Manager for more than 2 years. Since the full inspection in November 2015 a new manager has been appointed. He has submitted an application to Ofsted to be the Registered Manager. The manager has a diverse working background and has a very child-centred ethos. Staff welcome his appointment. They feel he provides good leadership and support to them and in respect of the young person. The manager is aware that he will have to achieve a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, within 3 years.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection 10 requirements were made. The company has taken appropriate action to comply. A significant area of shortfall was the lack of engagement with the young person’s placing authority. This had resulted in the placement drifting and the young person not achieving good outcomes. The same young person has continued to occupy the home since the full inspection and is making measurable progress. She has a new social worker who is described as ‘brilliant’ by a parent. The manager and staff feel very positive about the role and effectiveness of the social worker. They feel that their partnership working is benefitting the young person. There is evidence of continuous dialogue between professionals, the young person and parents. Notice on the placement has been withdrawn and a more dynamic plan of care is in place to support the young person to achieve better outcomes in this placement. The social worker stated that

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

he was ‘more than satisfied with the staff team’ and ‘especially pleased that the home now has a manager in place’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Several meetings have taken place with the education provider and a number of changes implemented, resulting in improved quality of education. The new manager has been involved in these recently. It is felt that the young person’s education is a ‘developing picture’ and there are higher aspirations being worked towards.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person is being supported to achieve a healthy lifestyle. There are specific targets included within her placement plan. Through education she is learning about healthy eating and nutrition. The staff are reinforcing this through the provision of a healthy and balanced diet and by providing opportunities for the young person to develop her cooking skills. The home has also involved the looked after children’s nurse. She has met with the young person to provide information and advice on a range of personal and health related matters. Other specialist therapeutic services have also been secured. The young person is being supported to make informed choices aimed at improving her health and keeping herself safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Senior staff have reflected on previous serious incidents and staff practices. The new manager is a strong advocate of learning lessons from past experiences and involving young people in this process. In this way it is hoped that staff practices and the quality of care is improved and young people will develop and mature into responsible and well-rounded young adults. A particularly good example of how this can benefit young people is demonstrated in the manager’s approach to managing behaviour. Rather than imposing sanctions he feels that a more positive approach is to discuss with young people the circumstances surrounding their behaviour and seek a more meaningful outcome, from which, over time, young people will develop a better understanding of the impact of their behaviour on themselves and others.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During this interim inspection a range of records were examined, including staff recruitment records. At the full inspection a shortfall had been identified in respect of staff references. Files examined on this occasion were found to be satisfactory. In respect of the requirement made about all care staff achieving a Level 3 Diploma by April 2016 or within two years of their appointment, some progress has been made. Two staff who have not yet achieved this or an equivalent qualification, have been enrolled. It is not sure whether both staff will complete this within the timescale and this will be assessed again at the next inspection. Young people’s records are of a good standard and since starting in post the manager has been reviewing these and making improvements. It is apparent that much consideration has been given to reviewing records and the practices they describe, for example in relation to measures of control and discipline. However

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the manager has not recorded evidence of his oversight, including his consultation with staff and young people. This shortfall was discussed during the inspection and is included as a requirement in this report.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is owned by a private company that has several children’s home in the same region. While initially registered for two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, it is currently restricted to single occupancy. The company has its own school but it is located too far away for young people living in this setting to attend. Education is therefore source more locally. The home is well located close to a city. It provides a very homely environment in a domestic property that is not distinguishable from its neighbours.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/11/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

06/01/2015 CH - Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

07/01/2014 CH - Interim Inadequate 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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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 their start date or by 1 April 2016. (Regulation 32 (4)(a) and (5) (a)(b)) 09/10/2016

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records The registered person must ensure that in relation to the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint, within 48 hours of the use of the measure the registered person or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so has spoken to the user about the measure and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure (Regulation 35 (3) (b) (c)) 14/03/2016

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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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