Children's home run by Somerset Council in Somerset

Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 1 SC066055 Registered provider: Somerset County Council

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to two children who may have learning and/or physical disabilities. Children currently visit for short breaks and do not live permanently at the home. The home is owned and managed by a local government authority.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2014.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 24 to 25 September 2019

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/07/2018 Full Good 22/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 24/11/2016 Full Good 27/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are looked after by a manager and care team who provide consistent and nurturing care. Staff show children genuine care; they understand the children’s needs and promote their privacy and dignity well. The children’s needs are at the centre of the care that the staff provide. As a result, the children look forward to and thoroughly enjoy their short breaks.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of activities, both in the home and in the local community. Staff plan activities around the children’s individual likes and personal interests. These activities include outings to places of interest, such as trips to the beach and walks in the park. Parents are provided with a ‘magic moments’ newsletter which is personalised and provides them with information and photos of their child engaging in a range of activities during their short-break stays.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most children have communication needs. Staff use alternative methods of communication with children effectively. Children are provided with a good range of photographs and signs throughout the home. These inform them of the planned day-to- day activities and menu choices, and the staff who will be caring for them.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s education and health needs remain the responsibility of parents. The manager Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 4 and staff maintain good working relationships with children’s education providers, and regularly attend children’s education reviews. This ensures good partnership working.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff take effective action when children are feeling unwell and require medical intervention. Staff ensure that parents are notified immediately of any concerns in relation to their children’s health.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The arrangements for safeguarding children are good. Staff have a thorough understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and receive regular safeguarding training. The manager and staff team respond effectively to all potential safeguarding concerns. When unexplained bruising or abrasions are identified, swift and appropriate action is taken. There have not been any safeguarding concerns that have met the threshold for referral to the designated officer or children’s services since the last inspection. Parents say that they have no concerns about children’s safety.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children’s behaviour is managed well. There have been no reported incidents of restraints or sanctions being used. Behaviour support plans and risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. These plans provide the staff team with detailed information and instruction on how to identify, manage and mitigate risks.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Some children have complex needs which meant that they need to be monitored during the night. The manager regularly reviews this practice with parents and social workers to ensure that the continued use of all monitoring devices is needed.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Safer recruitment procedures are robust. The manager ensures that all staff working with the children, whether full time or on a temporary basis, are vetted for their suitability, experience and skills. Recruitment for two part-time positions is under way. The manager has completed a comprehensive environmental risk assessment. This details where potential hazards are within the immediate environment and how staff can manage and mitigate risks. Children stay in a home that is safe, well maintained, well resourced and welcoming.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last full inspection, the manager has been overseeing the management and operation of a second home owned by the local authority. The impact of her not being in day-to-day charge of this home has been minimal. This is because her management team is competent and well trained. Staff morale is good and the team members work well together. They are child focused and are strong advocates for the children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The atmosphere within the home is vibrant. Staff are happy and feel well supported by the manager and the management team. New staff receive the necessary training as part of their six-month induction period. They are then enrolled on a course that enables Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 5 them to attain the required level 3 professional qualification. All staff are up to date with mandatory training and are provided with bespoke training that meets the children’s changing complex health needs.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team is provided with regular, meaningful supervision that promotes discussions about the children and their current needs. Team meetings are well attended and provide the staff with a good opportunity to reflect on their practice and learn from others.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Consultation about the quality of care is good. Parents and social workers are invited to identify targets that will support their children’s progress and development. The manager ensures that key workers are informed of these targets. However, daily diaries do not always show how staff are helping children to achieve their individual targets.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has completed an annual review of the home’s statement of purpose. However, the manager has not forwarded a copy to Ofsted as required by regulations.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The requirement raised at the last inspection has been met. All staff working at the home have engaged in a fire evacuation and are up to date with fire awareness training.

p.5

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.

p.5

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: SC066055 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Taunton, Somerset TA1 4DY

p.6

Inspector

Sharron Escott: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 7 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7