Children's home run by Five Rivers Child Care Limited in Wiltshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, the home was not judged.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has been closed since August 2015, and received interim inspections in January and April 2016, when it was also not judged.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered persons have indicated that the home is not likely to be operational until the spring of 2017. Should the home’s managers decide to accept placements, they are required to inform Ofsted of their intention before they do so. In these instances, Ofsted does not make a judgement about progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has been completely refurbished and redecorated to a cheerful, contemporary design. The individual staff who have led this process have done so with creative flair and attention to detail.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two young people’s bedrooms are bright, airy and child friendly, with high- quality furnishings. Much of the old furniture has been replaced with new, sturdy items, including new mattresses and sofas. There is plenty of space in the bedrooms, with capacity for the young people to add personal touches by choosing their own duvet covers and curtains. There are currently no desks in the bedrooms, but the work is not yet complete.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people will have shared use of the family-style bathroom, which was refitted and updated last year. There is a separate toilet and a fully equipped kitchen.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The communal rooms are now much warmer, more welcoming and attractive spaces where the young people will be able to interact with each other and with staff. The young people have blackboards available to them in the colourful hall and dining room, so that they can express their views, and draw or write messages.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is further enhanced by a large conservatory, which also contains the laundry machines, but these are concealed out of view in a cupboard. The conservatory overlooks the garden, which provides plenty of safe space for the young people to enjoy. The deputy manager explained that, as with all extensive refurbishment projects, a small number of areas require further improvement. He has a system in place to identify and work through these areas.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s managers are now in the process of appointing a full staff team. Some staff have already started and have been deployed in other homes to complete their induction training. The deputy manager explained that having a full staff team is a prerequisite to admitting young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s registered manager is well supported by a very able deputy manager and her senior management colleagues. She compiles regular reports under regulation 45 to reflect her monitoring of the home. While the home has been non- operational, the independent visitor has continued to monitor the physical environment and has produced helpful monthly reports to support the improvement process. All reports are submitted to Ofsted to keep the regulator informed of the home’s progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The deputy manager has updated the location risk assessment, which shows that the service has consulted the local police and other agencies to help to ensure the young people’s safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall, the home is ready to accept young people, subject to some minor glitches being resolved, further work on the fire and premises risk assessments, and a final update to the statement of purpose. The house will provide a relaxing and attractive place for the young people who come to live there.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements or recommendations have been made as a result of this inspection. Discussion took place on the following subjects:

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

 The importance of engaging with the neighbours to talk with them about the plans for the home.  Updating the premises and fire risk assessments and the statement of purpose.  The dining room chairs have not been replaced, and consequently do not meet the same high standards as the rest of the home’s furnishings.  The home could consider providing desks for the young people, to support their education. The deputy manager undertook to take these matters forward in preparation for the home accepting young people.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home, operated by a national organisation that also has another five children’s homes, an independent special school and a fostering service based in the south west of England. The company operates other services elsewhere in the country.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered for up to two children or young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is managed jointly with another service that is situated approximately 12 miles away.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/04/2016 Interim Not judged 14/01/2016 Interim Not judged 29/07/2015 Full Requires improvement 02/03/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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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

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 0300 123 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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