Children's Home run by South West Childcare Services in Somerset

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2509684 1

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South West Childcare Services Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a local company and provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who require emotional and/or behavioural support.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 25 June 2019. As a result of this monitoring visit, Ofsted has made a new inspection judgement in line with its inspection framework. The children’s home’s new full inspection judgement is requires improvement to be good.

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This monitoring visit

At the previous inspection, widespread shortfalls were identified in how safely and consistently the behaviour of the young people was being managed by the staff, the quality of care being provided to young people and the safe administration of medication. Suitably qualified staff were not always on duty on each shift and were not receiving regular supervision from managers. Young people were not learning how to manage their personal care tasks. These shortfalls stemmed from an inappropriate mix of young people in the home who were out of the control of the staff and a lack of management oversight.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers are effectively addressing the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection, through a comprehensive action plan. Six requirements are met. Effective action is underway to meet the remaining two requirements but is not yet fully embedded. A deputy manager is now in place to support the manager with management tasks and staff supervision. The manager is no longer undertaking regular shifts and is now able to fully carry out her management role.

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This monitoring visit

The young people are now benefiting from receiving care in line with their care plans. Leaders and managers have reviewed rotas and now each shift has a qualified and experienced member of staff on duty to provide guidance and support to Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2509684 2 inexperienced members of staff. Two experienced staff members have moved to the home from another service owned by the company, to provide additional experience and skills to the staff team.

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This monitoring visit

The home is now calm and settled. Routines are running smoothly. Leaders and managers understand the importance of ensuring that the new members of staff are sufficiently skilled and new systems and routines are embedded before any new young people move into the home.

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This monitoring visit

Care plans are improved and now contain all necessary information. However, the manager still needs to ensure that all care plans contain clear and effective strategies for the staff to follow to ensure that they are consistent when managing the behaviour of the young people.

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This monitoring visit

The use of physical intervention is minimal. The young people reported that they fully understand why they needed to be briefly physically held to ensure the safety of others. Records of physical intervention do not contain details of the hold used or the duration of the hold. The use of consequences is now clearly recorded and evaluated by the manager to ensure that they are effective.

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This monitoring visit

The staff support young people to stop smoking, by liaising with relevant health professionals who are providing effective strategies and helping the young people to understand the health risks associated with smoking. Improved medication administration systems are now in place so that the young people always receive the correct dose of their medication from the staff at the correct time.

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This monitoring visit

The young people are settled, making good progress and are currently enjoying their summer holidays from school. One young person has been camping with the staff and another has been abroad with a member of staff. The young people have arrangements in place for their return to education for the autumn term. One young person reported that they are learning not to argue with people, that they feel safe living at the home and said how much better it has been living at the home recently.

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This monitoring visit

The house has been redecorated and now has a welcoming and homely appearance. Padlocks on cupboards and unnecessary fire signs are no longer in place. The young people have an additional room for their use, as the office furniture and files from this room have been removed by the staff. Files and records are now stored electronically or are kept in one cupboard. The young people reported that they are very pleased with how their bedrooms have been decorated and improved.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 25/06/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2509684 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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(2)(b)(ii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to ensuring that care plans contain clear strategies to guide and direct the staff in the most effective way to support the young people. 05/09/2019

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Requirement Due date

35: The registered person must ensure that-

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Requirement Due date

Within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes-

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Requirement Due date

A description of the measure and its duration. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(iv) 05/09/2019

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Information about this inspection

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2509684 4 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: South West Childcare Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: First Floor Flat, 46 Durnford Street, Plymouth, Devon PL1 3QN

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Inspector

Tina Maddison, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2509684 5 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 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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