Children's home run by Soteria House Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 1270503 1 Registered provider: Soteria House Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 17 children and young people. This includes the provision of short breaks for up to three children and young people. The home supports children and young people who have a learning disability. There is no registered manager.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people continue to make good progress in all areas of their lives. Staff and managers support them well and continue to meet their complex needs. Staff work positively with all involved agencies and parents/carers. Since the last inspection, work has been done to consider the matching of children and young people within the home. This has led to some changes being made in the living arrangements for some young people. These changes have led to a reduction in concerning or risk-taking behaviours. Some children and young people have moved out since the last inspection. Such moves Inspection report children’s home: 1270503 2 have been carried out in a planned manner and with the agreement of placing authorities. A key strength of the home relates to the way that new placements are arranged. Detailed risk assessments are undertaken prior to agreeing placements. Managers and staff make visits to previous placements, meet with children and young people, and

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

consult with parents and social workers. Visits to the home are arranged for children and young people so that they can familiarise themselves with their new home. The deputy manager was promoted to become the manager earlier this year. He has applied for registration to Ofsted. The manager and responsible individual have a good level of insight and have put good monitoring systems in place. They work well together to ensure that children and young people’s complex needs are known and met. At the last inspection, one child did not have a completed education, health and care plan. Managers have diligently chased this with the placing authority and education providers. It is now in place. Managers have also introduced a formal risk assessment that can be used to support decision-making when a staff member is the subject of an allegation. These actions mean that requirements set at the last inspection are now met.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The formal risk assessment mentioned above needs to be clearer. In particular, it needs to specify the date and details of the allegation. The risk assessment also needs to be regularly reviewed. A requirement has been set to address this minor shortfall.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/05/2018 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 1270503 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

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular— describe the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect. (Regulation 34(2)(d)) 31/10/2018

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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 differences 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

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

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’.

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Children’s home details

Inspection report children’s home: 1270503 4 Unique reference number: 1270503

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Soteria House Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 7 The Quadrant, Upper Culham Farm, Upper Culham Road, Upper Culham, Reading, Berkshire RG10 8NR

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Patricia Gregory

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Inspector(s)

Tracy Murty, social care inspector Sonia Hay, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1270503 5 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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