Children's home run by New Forest Care Limited in Southampton

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . At the full inspection in June 2016, one recommendation was made in relation to staff interview records. Improved safer recruitment practice now ensures that discussions about employment gaps and criminal convictions are fully documented. Staff consistently strive to improve the lives of the young people who continue to make progress as a result. Since the last inspection, two young people have moved on to an outreach provision. These moves were both well planned and facilitated by staff. Key members of staff moved with the young people, based on their existing relationships and attachments. One young person was reported as ‘being over the moon’ about this decision, which helped to alleviate his anxieties about the move and provided continuity of care. Well-thought-out processes enhance the young people’s experiences of moving into

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the home. This sometimes includes the use of the organisation’s ‘emergency home’, prior to their moving into this one. Two young people have recently benefited from this practice, which resulted in a seamless handover between the staff teams. All of the company’s settings share placement plans, risk assessments and behaviour strategies. This helps to ensure that the young people receive consistent care and guidance from staff who are able to meet their needs effectively. Managers and staff monitor the impact of new young people on those already in placement. This proactive practice is aimed at recognising issues early on to increase the likelihood of maintaining a positive experience for all. Young people continue to benefit from a warm, nurturing and homely environment where they can thrive. A group holiday abroad in the summer was a great success, and plans are already in place for this year. Young people are supported by staff to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

pursue their interests and hobbies. For example, they regularly attend football and boxing clubs. This enables the young people to pursue their interests and hobbies, supported by staff when this is necessary. Close working relationships between the staff and the school enable young people to engage positively in education, which they attend regularly and secure good results from. One young person is expected to be the highest achiever in GCSEs from the placing authority. Young people are able to speak out confidently about their thoughts and feelings due to the high-quality relationships that they enjoy with staff. The staff team has an excellent knowledge of the young people’s vulnerabilities, and staff members are both caring and sensitive in their approach. This has helped the young people to trust the staff and connect with them. A recent example is a young person asking a new member of staff to attend therapy with them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recent introduction of a new theoretical model and attitude as a way of working with the young people on a day-to-day basis has further developed staff’s understanding of young people’s experiences. This approach provides staff with other tools to use, and it has resulted in positive changes to young people’s behaviour and an overall reduction in incidents. As a result, staff have been instrumental in helping the young people to develop self-reflection and self- regulation. Two of the young people are described as different children now from the time of their admission. Staff’s safeguarding practice is of a high standard. The robust management of incidents includes appropriate liaison with external safeguarding authorities. Consequently, effective action is taken to support and protect the young people. On occasions when physical intervention is used, the recording, whereby the incidents are analysed and the record signed off by the registered manager, is of a

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

high standard. Recording issues identified by the independent visitor link to case recording and not practice and, therefore, do not have an impact on the young people. Staff describe managers as being visible, having an open-door policy and engaging with the young people. Recent examples include the registered manager going out with the group on a paintballing activity and regularly working shifts to observe practice. The inspirational leadership style adopted by the registered manager is key to the home’s success and the progress that the young people make. The learning culture promoted in the home allows the staff and the young people to develop to their full potential. Aspiring managers are able to work alongside the registered manager, who is recognised as a positive role model by the organisation, in order to gain an understanding of the skills and knowledge required to be effective. The registered

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

manager’s passionate and committed approach towards continuous development means that the young people benefit from a continually developing service. No requirements or recommendations are made from this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

A private company owns and operates this home, which accommodates a maximum of four young people between the ages of 10 and 17 years who have complex emotional, behavioural and educational difficulties. When it is assessed that young people are not able to attend mainstream schooling, the company has the provision of a small specialist education unit.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

14/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

19/02/2015 Interim Sustained 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

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 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, workbased 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

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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