Children's home run by Step-A-Side Company Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC028868 1 SC028868

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Step-a-Side Company Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It is registered for up to four children aged up to 18 who have experienced adverse childhood experiences that have led to an associated trauma and presenting complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2013.

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This monitoring visit

At the inspection on 23 and 24 April 2019, the home was judged to be inadequate. Ofsted raised eight requirements. This monitoring visit was undertaken on 18 June 2019 to evaluate the progress made in addressing these weaknesses.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, no new children have moved into the home. The managers and staff team have worked hard to address all the requirements made at the last inspection. Two remain within the required timescales and are on their way to being met. Senior managers have completed a comprehensive development plan to improve and monitor the quality of care provided.

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This monitoring visit

The home has undergone extensive redecoration since the last inspection. New modern oak doors are fitted throughout the home, and locks have been removed to enable young people to have free access. The space that was previously an office is now a contemporary and bright study area with windows, that young people relax in. Since the last inspection, no significant incidents or physical restraints have taken place.

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This monitoring visit

New French doors are fitted to the lounge, and the utility area has been updated to allow light in. The snug has started to be redecorated and new furniture purchased. New windows have been fitted upstairs, and young people’s bedrooms have been Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC028868 2 repainted. There are further plans to paint the house throughout and to fit a new shower. The garden and patio area have undergone much improvement, with the grounds landscaped and flowers planted. The home is bright and welcoming. Young people like the changes that have taken place to their home and are making choices about new carpets and colours of paint.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have received fortnightly supervision that is of a much-improved quality since the last inspection. The manager has ensured that she has effective oversight of all issues involving young people. Staff shared with the inspector that they feel well supported and demonstrated in-depth knowledge about how to safeguard and promote the welfare of young people.

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This monitoring visit

Staff now complete one-to-one discussions with young people in key-working sessions to a very good standard. The sessions are young people centred and are meaningful. They include discussions about family time, future aspirations and feelings of loss. A discussion diary has also been introduced to improve the way in which the thoughts of young people are captured. The sessions with young people are much more focused on the wishes and feelings of young people, to enable them to understand and improve their behaviours.

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This monitoring visit

Team meetings take place fortnightly and are recorded to a very high standard. They are used to improve staff practice and knowledge in behaviour management and restraint. Quizzes have been used to embed staff understanding into practice. Managers now ensure that there is an increase in reflection to improve the way in which young people are responded to.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have now received training and information about county lines and the ‘Prevent’ duty. In addition, they have completed safeguarding training in partnership with the designated officer. The managers have introduced new flash cards with contact details and prompts to report concerns should safeguarding issues arise. All staff are now enrolled on the level 3 diploma for residential childcare. Managers have worked hard to ensure that staff have the necessary skills and training to meet the needs of young people in their care.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has notified the host authority in retrospect of the young people who live at the home. A new system has also been introduced to ensure that this is not overlooked in the future, to prioritise the safety of young people. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC028868 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 23/04/2019 Full Inadequate 04/06/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/07/2017 Full Good 26/10/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC028868 4

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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 quality and purpose of care standard. In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6(2)(c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that the home is decorated to a good standard and is well maintained and free from institutional aspects throughout. 16/08/2019

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; and

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child; and

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(f)(h)) 16/08/2019 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC028868 5

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Step-a-Side Company Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Step-a-Side, 29 Market Place, Coleford, Gloucestershire GL16 8AA

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Rachel Carwardine

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Inspector

Anna Gravelle, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC028868 6 to 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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