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

Inspection report children’s home: 1256771 1 Registered provider: Phoenix Learning and Care Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children. It is operated by a private company that has several other homes in the same area.

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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 two young people who live in the home have made steady progress since the last inspection in May 2018. This is because they are looked after by adults who know them very well, care for them and understand how to support them when they are upset or worried.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A very stable and skilled workforce continues to be led and managed well by the registered manager. There have been few changes to the structure of the staff team and the use of agency workers is rare. This consistency has helped the young people to form positive and trusting relationships with the adults.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

During the inspection, staff demonstrated caring approaches when helping young people. Humour, kind words and gentle encouragement by staff helped one young person get ready for school. Inspection report children’s home: 1256771 2 Young people are relaxed and comfortable with the staff. Well-kept records, photographs and discussions with staff demonstrate how the young people engage in fun and interesting activities in their home and in the community.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand well the risks for young people when they are in the community. But by following up-to-date risk assessments and care plans, young people can spend increasing amounts of time safely with their friends when playing out and when visiting family.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both young people have 100% attendance at school and attend all necessary health appointments. Regular meetings are held to discuss the progress of both young people and feedback from professionals is positive.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one other young person has lived in the home. Despite good planning by the registered manager, this placement was not a positive one. The young person has since left the home. Following several incidents in which the police were required to support the staff with this young person’s behaviours, the decision was made to end this placement. This period was unsettling for the two young people already living in the home. However, staff have worked hard to re-stabilise the home and the young people are notably more settled. Reflective work has been undertaken by senior leaders and the registered manager in order to better improve the process of moving young people into the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the use of physical intervention and incidents of young people going missing from the home have been rare. On the occasion staff have had to report an incident to external agencies, this has been done so promptly and appropriately.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Support, training and supervision are regularly provided for staff. Staff say that this helps them to remain up to date and informed.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people live in a home that is safe, homely and well equipped. Large gardens and play areas provide each young person with places to socialise and be private.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

All recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Through the use of regular supervision and continued learning, the manager continues to improve the home and young people’s outcomes.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/05/2018 Full Good 22/01/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: 1256771 3

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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

Registered provider: Phoenix Learning and Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Phoenix Learning and Care Ltd, Rolle Quay, Barnstaple EX31 1JE

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Inspector

Linda Bond, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1256771 4 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

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Inspector

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Inspector

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