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 full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to receive good care and support. Staff engage with young people in a positive and nurturing manner. They have a good understanding of the young people’s individual needs, and they place them at the centre of their care. A young person said, ‘I really like living here; it’s like living in a normal home, and this is my home.’ He added, ‘I have been living here for over five years now; I like things as they are.’ He said that staff respect his privacy and dignity, and that he feels safe and listened to.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to receive support for their educational needs. Both young people are going to school or college. One young person confirmed that staff remind him to do his homework, although he said, ‘I don’t need support to do it.’ Staff continue to support young people with their hobbies and interests.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person’s placement plan provides staff with comprehensive guidance about how to meet her needs. There is a clear focus to ensure that staff, and the young person, are provided with specific information about her health and emotional well-being. The healthcare plan is clear and concise, and staff encourage the young person to attend her healthcare appointments. Good records are maintained of the outcomes of these appointments, and risk assessments are updated to reflect her current healthcare needs. A social worker said, ‘I do not have any concerns about the quality of the care and support that is being provided.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been some incidents of one young person not returning to the home at the agreed time. Staff took appropriate action on each occasion to ensure that the relevant agencies and authorities were informed. This action included seeking support from the police when, on one occasion, the staff had concerns for the young person’s safety. However, following this incident, the missing from home and absent without permission protocols have not been reviewed. The young person’s social worker said, ‘Staff send me regular updates, and communication with them is really good, and very helpful.’ The social worker confirmed that she was aware of the most recent incidents. Some risk assessments, including those related to the risks of child sexual exploitation and free time, have not been reviewed or updated since the most recent incident of a young person being absent. The responsible individual

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

acknowledged this, and swift action was taken during the inspection to address this. A recommendation was made at the last inspection to consider reviewing the format of the risk assessments to ensure that the review date is clear. The registered manager was not present at the home at the time of the inspection; therefore, this recommendation has been reinstated.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Restraint has not been used in the home, and no complaints have been received from young people, parents or other professionals. There have not been any matters to report to the designated officer of the local authority, or to children’s services.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three sanctions have been imposed on young people since the last inspection. The records pertaining to these are detailed, and the registered manager has evaluated the sanctions for their effectiveness and the appropriateness of the measure used. A member of staff confirmed that they are aware of the agreed sanctions that can be imposed. However, the registered manager has not demonstrated that all staff have been formally made aware of the agreed sanctions. This was a recommendation at the last inspection.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager ensures that there is a robust staff selection and recruitment process.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager ensures that there is regular external scrutiny of the quality of care provided. Any recommendations that are made by the independent visitor are acted upon. The registered manager has completed a comprehensive evaluation of the care provided. She has identified the strengths and areas for improvement, and has devised an action plan to make the improvements. This was a requirement at the last inspection, and has now been met.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is very good at collaborating with the police, the placing authorities, parents, and school and college staff, to ensure there is continuity and consistency of care, and that identified concerns are shared and acted upon.

p.3

Information about this children's home

A private company operates this home, which provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/11/2016 Full Good 24/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 18/05/2015 Full Good 21/01/2015 Full Adequate

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure that: (2)(i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm. In particular, that all risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. 28/02/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard (with respect to following missing from home protocols), the registered person must ensure that: (2)(a)(v) staff understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children. In particular, that missing from home protocols are reviewed in relation to concerns when young people have been absent without permission and the potential risks this may pose. 28/02/2017

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that the behaviour management strategy is understood and applied at all times by staff, and must be kept under review and revised where appropriate. In particular, that staff are provided with clear guidance of the agreed sanctions that can be imposed to individual young people as and when necessary. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 46, paragraph 9.34)  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, consider reviewing the format of risk assessments to ensure the review date is clear. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 9.60)

p.5

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’.

p.7

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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

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

p.8