Children's home run by South West Childcare Services in Plymouth

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have continued to ensure that young people living at this home make significant progress in every area of their lives. In particular, the registered individual drives a child-focused approach through the heart of practice in the home. There is a culture of continuous learning and reflection, and staff see this as crucial to improving outcomes for young people. Young people are motivated to attend and are making good progress in education. Young people are proud of their achievements and have improved their self-esteem because their efforts and progress in education are supported and celebrated by the staff. Collaborative working between agencies ensures that education is tailored to meet individual needs. One young person described their education as ‘really good’ to the inspector. Young people’s emotional well-being has significantly improved since they have been living in this home. One young person who would display regular, dangerous

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and worrying self-injurious behaviours is now able to manage their emotions through other strategies provided to them by staff. This has resulted in a less stringent monitoring system and has allowed the young person to significantly develop socially. Relationships between the young people and staff are excellent. They are built upon mutual trust and respect. A consistent approach to the care of young people has supported these relationships to develop positively. The inspector observed young people approaching staff and hugging them goodbye before school, and one young person had purchased chocolate out of their own money for the staff. These relationships ensure that young people feel safe and that they are able to identify a number of adults whom they trust and can confide in. Young people are supported to have friends and family in the home. For one young person, this means that older siblings visit often and stay for meals. They all

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

receive support, advice and guidance from a nurturing staff group. This promotes their ability to maintain positive relationships that will move with them into adulthood. The home is presented well. The atmosphere feels warm and welcoming. One young person told the inspector that they love living here and that they love the staff; they stated: ‘I would not want to be anywhere else; I just love it.’ It is evident that the environment is helping young people feel safe and secure. They have a sense of this being their home rather than a children’s home. Young people are involved in the day-to-day running of the home. They have been involved in supporting leaders and managers to successfully address and meet the requirements made at the full inspection. For example, one young person has been supported to write a policy in respect of bullying and to develop other aspects of paperwork that needed attention.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff have developed into a collaborative and dedicated team. This is due to the registered individual and the manager offering them support, high-quality professional training and clarity about expectations. The staff appreciate this approach and feel valued and supported. Supervision is regular and managers are accessible. The organisation accesses clinical supervision and practice advice from psychologists, which is then used in practice. This ensures that outcomes for young people improve because of the care they receive.

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Information about this children’s home

 This home is registered for one young person.  The home belongs to a small organisation located in the south west of England.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/04/2016 Full Good 01/07/2015 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 within the given timescales.

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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 whom 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, work- based 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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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