Children's Home run by Plus One South West Ltd in Somerset

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to ensure that the young person living in this home receives good quality care and support. The young person said ‘I enjoy living at the home, I feel listened to and my privacy is respected’. He gave a score of 9.5/10 for living there and said that he feels safe at the home. A social worker provided positive feedback about the young person’s placement and said ‘I have no concerns about the quality of care provided, staff are brilliant, he’s safe, and I am regularly updated’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager ensures that the young person’s placement plan is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect his current needs. However, the format of this document is not child friendly. It does not promote the young person’s engagement in developing, and agreeing his plan of care and support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to encourage the young person’s independence well. He is learning to use public transport independently, and how to manage a budget. The young person said that staff are supportive of him and encourage his independence. Reward systems are in place to support his involvement, and motivation in developing his skills. However, recent guidelines pertaining to this are not clear and concise, nor are they dated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Positive behaviour is effectively promoted and restraint is rarely used. If restraint is used the registered manager ensures that the records are detailed, and contain the required information. However, not all incident reports relating to the management of behaviours are clear and concise, and the scrutiny of such records by the registered manager is not always clearly recorded. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. There are no concerns in respect of child sexual exploitation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person was recently admitted to the home as an emergency placement. He was previously living in another home that is owned and managed by the organisation. This placement was in agreement with the placing authority. An impact risk assessment was completed prior to him moving to the home. However, on the day of admission the young person went missing. Staff acted appropriately and informed all the appropriate agencies and professionals. The young person is not returning to the home, and an alternative provision has been found. The incidence of young people missing from this home is rare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The educational needs of the young person who lives in the home, is actively promoted and he is now attending college. This is a positive outcome. He said ‘Its good at college, I like it’. Staff work collaboratively with college staff to address any areas of concerns that may arise in order to support his successful engagement in college. In addition, staff provide him with good support and guidance following any concerns being raised. This is detailed in key worker notes that the young person also signs. One young person who recently left the home was successful in obtaining four GCSE’s. She has continued with her education and is now undertaking further education. This was a well-planned move as she became 18 years of age, and has returned home to live with her family.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The health needs of the young people are clearly identified and specialist support is provided as and when required. The registered manager has not ensured that an accident form was competed following an incident.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The current young person enjoys contact with his family and is offered varied activities. He is now spending less time using electronic games. He has recently enjoyed camping trips with college.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff team strongly advocate for the young person. Recently this included a challenge over funding needs. The registered manager escalated the challenge appropriately.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There continues to be regular external scrutiny of the quality of care provided. Any recommendations that are made by the independent visitor are acted upon in a timely manner. The registered manager confirmed that his six-monthly report evaluating the quality of care being provided at the home has been completed, and will be sent to Ofsted without delay. There has not been any recorded complaints since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All staff and the young person receive regular fire drills, and fire safety is promoted. Staff training records demonstrate that some, but not all staff have received training in e-safety, Asperger’s and autism, and epilepsy. This was a requirement at the last inspection. Four of the five staff working in the home have a formal care qualification. The member of staff who does not have this qualification is undertaking this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two of the three requirements, and all of the three recommendations made at the last inspection have been met.

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Information about this children's home

A private company operates this home and provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who may display emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 20/07/2016 Full Good 03/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/06/2015 Full Good 24/11/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must-

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Requirement Due date

13 (2)(a) lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose. In particular, ensure robust evaluation of all incident reports, and that all accidents are recorded. 31/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

33 (4)(a) Ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development. In particular, training in Asperger syndrome, autism, epilepsy and e-safety. 31/03/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 Ensure that children are encouraged by staff to see the home's records as 'living documents' supporting them to view and contribute to the record in a way that reflects their voice on a regular basis. In particular, consider reviewing the format of young people's placement plan, and encourage their engagement and contribution to their plan. (The guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 58, paragraph 11.19)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all staff are familiar with the home's policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, that incidents are recorded in detail, and that guidelines in respect of reward systems are concise. (The guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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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