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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This children’s home provides really nurturing and personalised care. Relationships between staff members and young people are excellent. Young people feel central to how and why the home is run. They feel safe and listened to. The environment is very comfortable and homely and reflects the interests of the young person who lives there.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the full inspection in October the registered manager has returned to work. Staff are delighted at his return and together they are working diligently to support the young person to make good progress. Lessons have been learnt about the importance of the company making suitable formal arrangements for the effective management of the home during a registered manager’s absence. This includes, ensuring the member of staff who deputises is not expected to also carry on with all routine caring responsibilities; and is given appropriate support and time to fulfil management tasks. Looking to the future, the company is also seeking to provide senior staff with the opportunity to achieve a level 5 qualification. This is very positive as it will equip senior staff with management skills and improve their opportunities for promotion in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In recent months there has been extensive dialogue with the placing authority and the young person’s social worker. Staff members are clear about the objectives of the placement and have been provided with up-to-date documentation. Regular meetings are ensuring that the young person’s safety and changing needs are being addressed. Similarly, this cohesive approach has meant that the young person’s engagement with education has greatly improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following the full inspection, other key records have also been improved. The missing from care protocol has been reviewed to ensure it clearly states what staff are expected to do and in what timescales. Missing from care reports are detailed. The manager and staff reflect on what happened when young people have been missing and take appropriate action. Staff speak to young people and an independent return interview also takes place. The inspector suggested that a record of the independent interview be included within the full report. Good progress has been made in respect of staff training. The manager feels that the company has made considerable improvements in this area during recent months. The manager has nearly completed a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare. Four members of staff have been enrolled on the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare. During this inspection, the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

importance of staff completing this qualification within two years of their start date was discussed. Staff have also had recent training in attachment and autism. The need for staff to have some additional training in how to understand and meet the needs of young people with a learning disability is still being addressed. The provision of practice-related supervision has also improved since the last inspection with staff receiving regular opportunities for both formal and informal discussions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff members manage behaviour extremely well. The current young person has never been physically restrained since being admitted seven months ago. While there have been some missing from care incidents, these have been significantly fewer than at a previous placement. The young person is given positive encouragement and praise. Rewards are in place and the young person has been able to develop a sense of personal achievement and self-worth. Some sanctions are also used. Mostly these are low level but this is an area that could be improved by staff concentrating more on reflecting with the young person and taking a more restorative approach. The manager agreed with this evaluation and is seeking to improve this area of practice within the staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Quality monitoring processes continue to contribute to ongoing improvements in the home. At the time of the inspection the independent visitor was completing a monthly visit to the home. The manager welcomes these visits and positively embraces suggestions to make further improvements. He is currently finalising his own six monthly review of quality of care which will be submitted to Ofsted.

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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 two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Young people can attend education within the company school or via an external provision. The home is situated on the edge of a city and near to the coast.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

21/10/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

03/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

05/03/2014 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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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard with particular reference to the quality of practices and records, the registered person must (13) (2)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

33: Employment of staff The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development. In particular this includes training in how to meet the needs of a young person with a learning disability (Regulation (4)(a)) 31/05/2016

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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

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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