Children's home run by Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited in North Devon

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 . Since the full inspection in June 2016, the registered manager, supported by the responsible individual, has worked hard to improve the effectiveness of the home. The leadership and management of the home have strengthened. The new responsible individual is very involved and provides regular and supportive practice supervision, as well as ongoing opportunities for the registered manager to discuss and reflect over practice issues and management decisions. Staffing arrangements have also improved. A new senior care worker has been appointed and consideration is being given to introducing a deputy post. Recruitment of new staff has focussed on, and has been successful in, making local appointments, as it was recognised that the travel time to work was a significant contributory factor in

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

retaining staff. The responsible individual and registered manager also believe that the provision of better and timelier induction and follow-up foundation training has meant that new staff feel better prepared and supported to meet the challenges of their role. Following the full inspection, practice-related supervision for all staff has improved. Internal modifications to the physical environment have meant that there is a second quiet office now in place that facilitates supervision and other confidential meetings. The registered manager also uses this space to focus on important management responsibilities, such as the review of care practices and records. This area was raised as a requirement at the full inspection, and has also since improved. The physical environment of the home has been transformed since the full inspection. All shared areas have been redecorated and upgraded. There is a fresh

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and contemporary feel about the décor and furnishings, which reflect that this is very much a home to young people. Young people are proud of their home and, since the work has been carried out, there has been no damage. The next phase of redecoration is due to begin, with young people choosing a particular theme for their bedrooms. The young people are making good progress. Both have lived in the home for nearly a year and feel settled. The registered manager is very keen to ensure that their progress is not impeded and is very focussed on achieving a good match when she agrees to have another young person move in. So far, several referrals have been put aside and, when a suitable young person is identified, there are plans in place to facilitate a considered and phased introduction. The manager is fully aware of the impact on young people of an unsuitable mix and is very keen to ensure that this does not happen. Both the manager and staff are very committed

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to the young people in their care; they are proud of the progress they are making and the aspirations they share for the future. Young people told the inspector that they feel safe, get on well with staff and feel listened to. One young person recently put in writing his concerns about a proposal that a member of staff, who he got on with extremely well, was leaving to work in a different home to reduce his travel and associated expenses. The company responded very positively to this matter, acknowledging the positive attachment the young person has with this member of staff, and has made significant adjustments to support the member of staff continuing in his current post. Each of the requirements and the good practice recommendation have been addressed. The manager’s oversight of practices has improved and all incidents that have occurred since the full inspection have been appropriately and thoroughly

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

responded to by the manager. Her most recent review of quality was more detailed and reflective and the company has further plans in place to improve this important management task. Practice-related supervision for the manager and staff team has improved. The independent visitor’s reports are thorough and valued by the manager. They do not, however, consistently include the visitor’s clear opinion as to whether young people who live in the home are safeguarded effectively, and whether the conduct of the home promotes their well-being; therefore, this requirement is repeated in this report. The responsible individual agreed to ensure that this is actioned.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned by a company which has several other children’s homes in the same region. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children. The home provides care and accommodation for children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

14/01/2016 Interim Declined in 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. The independent person must produce a report about a visit which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether children are safeguarded effectively, and whether the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being (Regulation 44 (1)(4)(a)(b)). 14/04/2017

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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 that 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 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 children looked after 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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