Children's Home run by Plus One South West Ltd in Somerset

Inspection report children’s home: SC467115 1 SC467115 Registered provider: Plus One (South West) Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company which is based in the south west of England. The home provides care and accommodation for up to two children who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties, and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted on 10 July 2018.

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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

The young person in this home continues to receive high-quality, individualised care from dedicated and knowledgeable staff. Since the full inspection on 19 June 2018, the young person has been involved in two high-risk episodes when she went missing from the home. The staff showed extraordinary compassion, tenacity and resilience in responding to these incidents. This helped to reduce the negative impact of these experiences on the young person.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has worked very well with safeguarding agencies to help to manage the changes in risks. As a result of the therapeutic and informal support that she has received, the young person has learned from these incidents. Inspection report children’s home: SC467115 2 Although the young person was making good progress in her education in comparison to previous placements, she is no longer attending school. The staff responded swiftly to ensure that the young person’s education was disrupted as little as possible. As a result, she remains on the school roll and has access to alternative education until she can be reintroduced into school.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection, the registered manager was asked to make informal contact with the designated officer for child protection (LADO) to start to build a productive working relationship. The manager took action in response, so this recommendation is now met.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the full inspection, there has been one referral to the LADO. This matter did not meet the threshold for investigation. The four small homes in the group do not have frequent or regular contact with the LADO, so it is important to develop a greater mutual understanding of expectations. A further recommendation has been made to this effect.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff recruitment is safe and well managed. The company has responded very positively to a recommendation made at the full inspection. The human resources professional has further improved the checks carried out on prospective staff members. The present system is exceptionally rigorous.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, the new manager has been registered with Ofsted. She is now enrolled on a level 5 leadership and management course.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has made a number of positive changes to the home. For example, she identified a need for greater consistency in behaviour management. Staff now work together to present a united response to the young person. This is starting to have a positive effect. Also, the registered manager continues to have good relationships with the young person’s school, social worker and other professionals involved in her care.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Full Good 29/11/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/12/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 20/07/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC467115 3

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the home takes the initiative in identifying others who must play a part for their children and engage with those relevant people proactively, advocating for the children in their care. In particular, continue to engage with the local authority designated officer to build a positive working relationship. (‘Guidance to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.7)

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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

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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC467115 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Plus One (South West) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Mount, 21 High Street, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8QT

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Inspector(s)

Heather Chaplin, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC467115 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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