Children's home run by Somerset Council in Somerset

Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 1 SC066055 Registered provider: Somerset County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to two children who may have learning and/or physical disabilities. Children currently visit for short breaks and do not live permanently at the home. The home is owned and managed by a local government authority.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2014.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 22 February 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: sustained effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 24/11/2016 Full Good 27/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 18/08/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(a) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25(2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to ensuring that all staff and children engage in a fire evacuation. 10/08/2018

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy their short breaks and look forward to visiting. Parents speak highly of the registered manager and her team, because they place the needs of the children at the centre of their practice. Communication by staff with children’s families, schools and social workers is good.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This short-break home is managed efficiently. One of the strengths is how well the team supports children to move into and leave the home. Moves are planned carefully and tailored to the children’s individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The quality of care and support is nurturing and affectionate. The team knows the children very well and treats them with dignity and respect. When children arrive for their visit they are welcomed and looked after by a member of staff whom they recognise and know. This helps the children to feel comfortable and relaxed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff genuinely look forward to children visiting. Each visit is planned with precision, and personal items are placed in children’s bedrooms. Plenty of activities are available, and staff work hard to make sure that children’s visits are full of positive experiences and Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 4 opportunities. The many photographs displayed in the home show the fun that children have during their stay. Children are helped to choose the activities that they would like to do and the food that they prefer to eat.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The team advocates strongly for the children and ensures that their rights are met. Staff also celebrate children’s achievements, regardless of how small these achievements are.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Placement plans are informative and individualised. Staff are provided with clear guidance and instructions about how to meet children’s individual needs. The registered manager is currently reviewing the format of these plans to improve them further.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The arrangements to safeguard children are good. Staff attend regular refresher safeguarding training. Those spoken to have a good awareness and understanding of safeguarding protocols and procedures. Parents who were consulted during this inspection said that they feel that their children are safe when they stay at the home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Since the last inspection, there have not been any referrals made to the designated officer or children’s services. The registered manager and her team ensure that children are kept safe during their visit. Careful consideration is given to ensure that children’s needs are compatible with each other.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Due to one child’s support needs, a monitoring device is used during the night. The registered manager recognises that the use of this device infringes the child’s privacy. In response, she ensures that this arrangement is reviewed every month to assess whether it is still needed. Consent to use this monitoring device has been obtained.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are carefully selected and vetted. The files of recently appointed staff are well organised and show that appropriate checks have been carried out. The registered manager verifies references rigorously. She challenges referees who do not provide sufficient information to enable her to assess a candidate’s suitability.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children stay in a home that is safe and well maintained. One parent described the home by saying, ‘It’s like home from home’. The registered manager ensures that regular checks are undertaken on the home’s utilities and there is regular servicing of the overhead-tracking systems and mobile hoists.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Although fire drills are undertaken frequently and all staff have undertaken fire safety training, the records show that not all sessional staff and all children have engaged in a fire evacuation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is tenacious and has the ambition and skills to provide a unique and bespoke service for children. Her child-focused approach is equalled by that of the staff team. Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 5 Staff meetings are well attended and focus on the children’s needs. These meetings enable staff to reflect on their practice and learn from each other. The team members have a shared approach to working together. They respect one another’s views, are patient in their approach and respond to each other honestly. These shared principles result in excellent team morale. Staff feel valued and well supported. They receive regular, good-quality supervision that is reflective and helpful.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Parents speak highly of the registered manager and confirm that her approach gives them confidence that their children are safe and are being cared for well. The registered manager finds creative ways to keep improving this home. She has an excellent understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. She responds effectively to external scrutiny and takes prompt action to address any recommendations made by the independent visitor.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are provided with both mandatory and specialist training to meet the needs of the children in their care. This includes specific training in managing complex health needs. The registered manager has sourced training that supports the team to maintain a healthy mental attitude, which has had a positive impact on the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager promotes staff’s professional development exceptionally well. She requires staff who completed their care qualification a number of years ago to undertake two additional modules from the new diploma. This creative approach to staff development means that staff are kept up to date with current childcare practices.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The statement of purpose has recently been reviewed and updated. Parents and children are provided with a simplified version. All children are provided with an information booklet which they take home following every visit. The positive effect of this booklet was evident. A parent said, ‘Prior to my child’s visit we show him his book that has pictures of the home and staff; his response is overwhelming. He has limited communication, but is still able to show visual signs of happiness and excitement. This gives us confidence that our child is happy and looked after well.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has the skills, experience and knowledge to manage the service. She has completed the level 5 diploma in leadership and management for residential childcare (England). Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 6

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Taunton, Somerset TA1 4DY

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Inspector:

Sharron Escott, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 8 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector:

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Inspector:

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Inspector:

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